Siennah is 3!

Siennah's birthday turned into a week long celebration! We had a small family party for her last Sunday with Jason's parents and our good friends the Poulsens. Then on Monday which was her actual birthday, I took her and a friend to Jumping Jungle to play on their big bounce houses and blow up slides. Tuesday, my family got here so she got more presents. Wednesday, we gave her a dollhouse that we ordered online with Jason's frequent flyer points (it came too late to give it to her on her birthday). Saturday was her princess party with all her little friends. She had seven friends come and they were all dressed up in their royal attire. We had a beauty parlor where they got sparkly blush and eye shadow, a crown stamped onto their hand, and sparkly stick on earrings. Then they got to decorate a crown and make a necklace. After that, they modeled their makings while I took a picture of them. Then we played a game, opened presents, and had some cake and icecream. I think it turned out pretty good. I was so glad to have my mom and Lyss here to help me with everything!
We had a lot of fun having everyone here. We went for a walk on the greenbelt and fed the ducks. Jason took dad, Bretten, and Lyss on a hike to Jump Creek Falls (I stayed home with a sinus and ear infection). And they went to Lake Lowell that's right by our house. Dad got some awesome pics of the sunset that he will have to post. The week went by too fast! My house seems really empty with everyone gone.

Tamsyn's First Date--Homecoming

Here's our beautiful girl as she leaves on her first date to the homecoming dance.

Gracee

Thursday I took some pictures of Gracee Hutchings, Tanille's 18 month old girl. I do this for compensation when I use her mother's quilting machine. Gracee was the typical toddler--she wouldn't keep still one minute. Towards the end she picked up my old necklaces I had been trying to get her to wear and started playing "peek-a-boo" with them. I couldn't have framed it better if I had planned it.

Close up

Pretty cute, huh?

Christi's quilt

When we were in NC last July Christi purchased fabrics for a quilt and the two of us put it together, me cutting and Christi sewing. I brought it home, quilted and bound it. If you go to NC for a visit you will find it on your bed.

Movie Night Birthday Party

Here's a glimpse of Megyn's night at the movies birthday party, which was as close to a theater experience as we could make it. The invitations looked (sort of) like movie tickets for a showing of "Megyn Randall and the 12th Birthday Bash in 3D." We also had concessions and a photo booth (Jeff and camera behind a curtain).

Here's the "popcorn"that was also the cake--cupcakes decorated to look the part. And I have to say, they took the prize for the cutest birthday cake I ever made in my many years of parties. The "popcorn" on the top is white and yellow marshmallows.

Here's Megyn and her friend Ashlynn, sporting their 3D glasses while Megyn blows out the candle on her birthday cupcake. After the cake and present opening, the girls descended to Auditorium B (the basement) to watch a movie. Jeff and I wondered why we'd never thought of that before since the girls were well entertained for an hour and a half and we didn't have to listen to the giggles.

All in all it was a successful birthday bash and my last "theme" party ever--unless I can't resist getting involved when the grandchildren have parties. I had as much fun as my children, I think.

Ballet

Siennah started a ballet class last week. She loves it so far. She goes once a week and yesterday she showed me the steps she learned. I didn't think she would get very much out of it yet because she has a really short attention span but she's already picking up on it. She loves to dress up like a "ballerina"!
We are getting ready for Siennah's birthday next week. She wants a Disney princess party with all her little friends so I am having fun planning that. Jason's parents are coming up for the weekend and the day after they leave, my parents, Bretten, and Lyssa are coming up for the rest of the week. I'm really excited to have everyone come stay. I'll post some pictures from that and the party.

First Day of School

Well, Kennedy has been in school for a little over two weeks now. She is finding her way around 1st grade and enjoys her teacher very much. She was sad her best friend wasn't in her class, however, she is making new friends very quickly.

Tristan and Jack started preschool last week. Tristan is a little confused as to why he cannot have his teachers from last year. His teacher seems fun though and he is excited to have a computer in his room.

Jack will be going to preschool two mornings a week. I have been trying to prepare him for this by telling him that he will be going to preschool and isn't that so exciting. He seemed excited the first day until we got to his classroom. He saw that ALL the other two-year-olds were crying and he decided that he needed to join in. I felt bad leaving him but the teachers didn't want the parents to stay. He ended up having a really good day. I just hope I can convince him to go back on Tuesday!

Anniversary masterpiece

Kristin and I celebrated our 26th anniversary last week. To celebrate, we spent 4 days in Houston during the last week of August. Just the two of us! We went to several museums, NASA and we enjoyed an impressive performance by the Chineese acrobats. We had a great time. On the actual day of our anniversary, Kristin made a fabulous dinner topped off with a delicious dessert. See photo and recipe.

Layered Strawberry Cheesecake Bowl

3 cups sliced fresh strawberries
3 Tbsp. Sugar
1 pkg (8 oz) cream cheese – softened
1 ½ cups cold milk
1 pkg (3-4 oz) Jello-O vanilla instant pudding
2 cups cool whip
1 16 oz. frozen pound cake – cube to 1 inch squares
1 square Baker’s Semi-sweet Chocolate

Combine berries and sugar. Refrigerate until ready to use. Beat cream cheese until creamy. Gradually beat in milk. Add pudding mix. Mix well. Blend in 1 ½ cups cool whip. Spoon half into 2 ½ qt. bowl. Top with cake, berries and remaining cream cheese mixture. Refrigerate 4 hours. Melt chocolate. Drizzle over dessert. Top with remaining cool whip. Serve.

Jack

I love this picture of Jack. I just discovered it.