Bird Watching

We have birds in our back yard. Many, MANY birds. Their chirping is the soundtrack to my day, starting in the unholy hours of the morning when the sun begins to lighten the sky. They have recently been feasting on the grass seed we laid down in the back yard in our pathetic attempts to resurrect the lawn.

My girls are love the birdies and like to watch them at their antics and like to "help" me chase them off the grass. One recent afternoon, while their dad and I toiled away on the yard, the girls set up shop and it was pretty darn cute.

This last one was my favorite!

Penguin Palooza!

Turning eight is a big deal at our house, so I pull out all the stops and go for it.

Since Little Sis loves penguins, we went penguin crazy and it was a blast!

Invitations

Let the celebration commence!

We played musical "icebergs", but instead of being out, our little penguins had to hop on another iceberg with their buddies. By the end there was a lot of hugging and giggling in our frozen ocean!

We went "ice fishing" for swedish fish! Yummy!

We even had a "snowball fight" (with rolled up socks), and waddle races too!

Penguin cookie craft!

It's amazing what you can do with Thin Mints, Oreos, M & Ms and some frosting "glue."

Penguin cutie!

I made these out of fondant!

Cake time!

Chocolate "iceberg" cake and 8 little penguins for our birthday girl!

Don't waddle off without your goodie bag!

It was so much fun!

Happy Birthday Little Sis!

Premonition

Little Sis came up to me just now and said, "I'm hungry, Mama."

I pulled her into a snuggle next to me and I said, "What do you want for dinner?"

She replied, "I don't know. What are you offering?"

I chuckled and said, "Oh, is this a negotiation?"

She seriously responded, "It doesn't have to be if you don't want it to."

The kid is six. Heaven help me in ten years.

See ya, suckas!

Yesterday was the last day of school.

R.I.P. 2009-2010

TIME TO PARTY!

On the last day of school, our PTA brings in the Hot Dog on a Stick truck and parents can join their kids for lunch. For a mere $3.50 you can celebrate the beginning of summer with a corn dog or cheese stick, a bag of chips, and a refreshing cold lemonade.

You bet your boots I was there. I ate with both Little Sis, and then again with Big Sis. That's right, folks, count that 2 cheese sticks, 2 bags of chips, 2 icy cold lemonades. Two happy little girls, delighted to have lunch with their mom. (The sacrifices I make...)

Big Sis was nearly jumping out of her skin with delight and excitement when we were just in line to pick up our deep fried delicacies. She kept grabbing my arm all through lunch and declaring, "This is the best day, EVER!"

There were not two happier kids on the planet at lunch time yesterday.

Then the bell rang.

It was time to say goodbye for the summer to teachers and friends.

Both girls cried all the way home from school.

Welcome, Summer.

A little Sunshine...

My how time flies. It's been many moons since I posted, and it's been 6 years since a little ray of sunshine landed in our lives. I won't say all the cliche things I want to say, but just know they are in my heart today as my baby girl turned 6 years old.

"Mom, last night I said 'goodbye' to 5!"

It's one of those laugh with tears in your eyes kinda moments.

I think I've known from Day One that this child was a force of Nature. Just as sunshine can be warm and cheerful it can also burn you with it's flaming heat. She's fire and light, warmth and energy. We're lucky to have her. Happy Birthday, Sunshine!

Love,

Momma