It's a Webkinz Party!

"The Ultimate Webkinz Party"
First, we decorate!

Aimee and Lindsey were in heaven to think
they could finally color on the walls...

It took alot of little helpers to color in the Webkinz Clubhouses.

Now it's party time! The kids earned kinz cash during the games that they played and used it in my "W Shop" at the end of the party. This got everyone excited and kept them playing again and again.

Lily Padz: Toss the Frog on the Lily Pad

The "Wheel Of Yum" was everyone's favorite and became the most requested activity. They each had the chance to spin the wheel and collect 7 of whatever treat they landed on.

"Wheel of WOW"
Webkinz Walk

Dr. Quacks assistant (AKA pin the ice-pack on the cow's head) was a hit until Nathan cried because he put the ice pack on the horn and didn't get the full five kc. One of the girls tried to make him feel better by sharing her money. . I awarded her 5 kinz cash right then and there for her kindness and reminded everyone how Nathan had helped Lindsey earlier during a game and now someone helped Nathan. It was a great time to repeat my favorite phrases of "good things happen to good people!" and "everything comes back to you." It really was a highlight of the party for me to see how good these kids were with each other.!
The girls hunted for "gems" and traded them for a Webkinz Crown of Wonder. We made the crowns for the pets in advance out of gold pipe cleaners and beads as you can see modeled by my own webkinz "oreo." Then they went to the kitchen to decorate their own sparkly pink crown with sticky gems.
They had worked up quite the appetite, so it was time to watch "The Secret Chef" with Chef Gazpacho (me) making shiskabob sandwiches. I made it, put it on a plate (with the little french accent "weee meeex eeet all togezer and put it in zee oven....now let's see vhat vee made..) and then I placed a silver bowl over the plate and put it in the oven where I had another plate with chopped up jello on it hiding. I switched the silver bowl, brought it back out of the oven and declared, "Voila! -GUNK!" All the kids eyes were wide, "how did you DO that?" I smiled and had them make their own shiskabob sandwiches while we distributed more gunk. :) Getting to make their own creations allowed Elise to unleash her inner Carb Queen!
We played a few more games and it was finally time for cupcakes and presents (Elise's favorite part). Aimee really got into the cupcakes. At first she was all creative and trying not to get her hands messy. :) Then it was all business -get that cupcake NOW! :)

The End.

Well, of the party anyway. The cuteness just keeps going and going...

Aimee loves to find the tag on her special blanket and rub it across her face! She drags it around by the tag and it's so cute to watch her find the tag -searching all sides until she grabs it proudly, swipes it across her face and then toddles off with her treasured "tag" blanket.

When I picked up Elise and Nathan after school from the bus, I realized that they'd dressed the exact same that day! This only shows how busy the mornings are for me to get everyone up, fed and out the door. They were both so happy and laughing about being twinkies that I made them pose for a pic. I ran for the camera and found them in the tree. I LOVE this picture (taken yesterday) because it's so sunny, bright and happy. The weathers cooling down to perfect right about now and we spent the afternoon chalking on the driveway. Ah yes, the good days are just beginning in Florida. Now if Elise could just get over that crazy cough!

Happy Birthday Elise!

Elise turned 7 today and woke up at 4 am, ready to open her gifts. :) I'd put them all out on the piano and her wide eyes barely took in the beautiful butterflies or birthday banner now gracing our walls. Oh no, she lay on the couch with her eyes fixed on the big package in the middle, hoping and somewhat expecting it would hold her beloved Mariposa barbie (below). How could we disappoint such faith? It made her day and so her next year is off to a good start! (thank you grammy and poppy for the barbie!)

Elise and Nathan were excited to get back to school this week, especially since Elise was finally able to wear her back to school shirt (the whole reason for the extra pic).

The excitement lasted three days and Elise was already sick of school. j/k, but she certainly didn't last long. She woke up Thursday with a fever and I kept her home. That night, I pointedly put out a bowl, water, fluffed her pillow, fetched her blanket and started a movie. Jim's mouth was hanging open wondering why he didn't get that sort of treatment when he was sick? :) It's all my mom's fault. That lady is a declared super women who wouldn't take a break if her leg fell off! She'd find a way to hobble and beat the record recovery time.

It's quite the record to live up to and I'm starting to realize it's just what mothers do. You could be sick as a dog during the night, but when day breaks you find a way up and keep on going. I think in my mind I figure, if I can do it, so can you. :) but, for the record -look how spoiled that child is!

day one, it's kinda fun

day two, there's nothing to do...

...which doesn't bother our Lindsey-Lou! :)

what? we have to just lay quietly and watch movies all day for three days solid? twist my arm and throw me in the brier patch! Honestly, this was my type of brier patch, too -thanks to the book my sister sent me: Host. I was useless for a day or two, but somehow it all worked out. I loved the book while Lindsey and Elise loved their movies. But, what about Nathan and Aimee you ask? Not to worry.

Nathan always finds some way to entertain himself! If a picture says a thousand words, this one says it all. Oh yes, boy of all boys, heart of my heart -this is Nathan to a T! "What? Mom, did you say something?!" I couldn't hear for all the busyness in between my ears! Did you see the signature engraved on my piano? :) "Hey, look mom -I can write my own name -now how do I erase it?"
Let's not leave out little Aimee. This is our first studio picture of Aimee, isn't she sweet? Ah yes, so while I read, Elise and Lindsey veg, and Nathan creates, sweet little Aimee explored her artistic side and the world of coloring crayons all over the wall, the books and the table. I'm sure Nathan will not be the only one to leave his mark on life!

I am remiss to say that you may also be wondering what Jim was doing, right? :) Jim was being the sweetie that he is and doing everything that I was SUPPOSED to be doing, so I could finish the book. THANK YOU!!

" Mom, I don't need your help!"

(you'll hear it better if you pause the music on the playlist)

Lindsey and I were counting the Jenga pieces we collected before the tower toppled in French. She has this cute, high little voice and I thought it would be the perfect time to try out the video aspect of my camera. She paused, confused, when I whipped out the camera. You gotta love her response when I prompted her... "Mom,I don't need your help!" :) I just had to chuckle at her independence and tone of voice. "You are embarrassing me" is right around the corner... But, for now, it's just the two of us and I'm off to be "Tika" the elephant while she is "Ro" the princess. Oh, how our roles in life change. :)

The Picture Wall

I had a request to post up my picture wall. I was going to post the instructions to make it, but it's a pretty lengthy explanation. If you'd like directions, let me know.

LEFT SIDE (15x30)

CENTER (40x30)

RIGHT SIDE(15x30)

Hello School!

"It's the most wonderful time of the year..." School is officially in! At least it was for one day before the tropical storm Fay decided to play. They had school for one day, then were off for two, then went back for one and were off again due to the storm floods. It's like having the first day of school again and again and again. Nevertheless, these are the pics from the official first day and the meet the teacher. Nathan is so excited and proud to finally go to school with Elise and Allison. Lindsey was equally excited and proud to wear her new "back-to-school" dress (which is really a size small shirt in the latest style which was meant to match Elise's who had a size medium but it was a bit too big so Elise graciously wore something else).

Elise's Teacher: Mrs. Garcia

Nathan's Teacher: Mrs. Smith

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ONE LAST SUMMER BASH...
Elise was invited to a Libby-Lou party the Saturday before school started. This came just one timely week after I told her she couldn't go to the Disney Bippity Boppity Boutique to be transformed into a princess. At Libby-Lou you get to dress up and then they do your nails, hair and make-up. It's a real dream come true for Elise. Now the girl who was having the party was allowed to invite four friends and out of the five girls, four of them chose to wear hot pink, sequined rock star outfits with a sassy or rockin' hair style and a microphone accessory. I really had to hide my smile when Elise picked out her very own style with a princess dress, royal hair do and a crown accessory. "One of these things is not like the others...." It made me laugh, when I wasn't gaping at my little girl that looked like she was in a miss America pageant, thanks to the libby-lou sash. When we came home, Lindsey took one look at Elise and went running for her dress ups. :) Oh yes, watch out world, here come my two little beauty queens. :) Okay, one last funny point. I was talking with a friend about how my kid's hair describes their personalities and just keep that in mind as you scroll down the pictures. :) You can only imagine what life is like with our little Lindsey-Lou!

So Long Summer...

So long to the lazy summer days going to the beach, hanging out at the pool and just playing the day away. Haleigh was a bright part of our summer, staying with us for the last three weeks before school. She is so full of life, happy to help, great with kids and soooo in love with Joe Jonas (I put that in for you Haleigh!) that we all had a cry fest the night she left. It marked the end of summer for us and so here's a handful of pictures as a tribute to our super, sunny summer days.

COCOA BEACH
We actually saw dolphins swimming in the water beyond the crest of waves! How cool is that?!

BARBEQUE'S at MIKE and LUISA'S

Mike and "Aunt Weezie" had us over several times during the summer to grill some burgers, play in the pool and spoil us with their stylish mode of entertaining.

Here's Krista and her daddy, Tom!

Elise and Allison loved the Dolphin races...READY...

SET...

GO!

SUPER SLIDING AT KRISTA'S