The Lalaloopsy Party

So, someone forgot to bring the camera out for at least half of the party.  

What you're missing: 

Kids coloring cute LaLaLoopsy paper dolls, kids playing with LaLaLoopsies, Kids running around, cupcakes (I do have pictures on my phone), food, most of the grownups at the party. Sorry.  This was my first birthday party without my sister, and apparently, she does a LOT of helping for birthday parties.  Also, all of the friends who would have grabbed a camera and started clicking away were unavailable last weekend. Sad Panda. We managed to have fun anyway, though, so... yay. 

Also- I'm not good at using my nice camera (I should, like, figure it out) and it's been so long since I've used it, I have apparently gotten worse.  I apologize.  I'll try harder next time? Maybe. Maybe not. 

The point is, the birthday girl had a blast. 

Moving on: 

Lorelei got first whack at the piñata. 

Notice her outfit... handmade (yes, by me). The skirt has a LaLaLoopsy embroidered on the back pocket.

 Whack. Smack. Boom!

 Stand back kids! I don't wanna mop up your blood if you get too close.

 Friends. 

Pretend you don't see that walking-machine-contraption behind them.

 Slightly beat up piñata.  It was SEW CUTE.

 More hitting...

 Sisters get matching outfits... and they like it : D

 Boys have 0 issues hitting a pink piñata. Boys are cool.

 This was only slightly frightening... someone give these kids candy already : O 

 More friends, relaxing inside.

 CANDY!

 The girls only look sweet...

 This one kept blowing bubbles in my face. Not cool. Bubbles & eyes do no go well together.

 Bouncy Castle fun.

 Don't ask me to explain why some of the kids are laying in the center and the rest run and jump around them. I'm not sure I want to know.

 Balloons...

 ...or torture device?

 Giant paper doll(s)

 Pretty lights.

 Bad shot of the bouncy castle.

 Pretty lights... chocolate fountain in the background.

 Piles of presents...

 Merida came all the way from Redding.

 No kids, don't sit still for a second.  It's not like I'm trying to take your picture or anything...

 You know what happens when my dad isn't at a party? No one gathers all the wrapping paper as gifts are being opened.  What a mess! I miss my dad.

Kids enjoying a bunch of new toys (and not so new toys) in the backyard.  

I'd call the party a success.  

Seven

My baby girl turned seven this week.  I can't believe how time flies.

This was her first birthday without our extended family here.  It was weird, but we still managed to have a good time.
We started the day with her sleeping in a bit, then quickly getting dressed for school.  We stopped at Starbucks for a birthday breakfast (bagels with cream cheese, and a green tea frappuccino to share with her brother & sister).  I took them to school, and then left to get cupcakes so she could share with her class.
Turns out I missed the 'entire school' singing happy birthday to her. Lisa also went up & led the Pledge of Allegiance.  I wish I had known, so I could have taken pictures.
I came back just in time to see my friend texting me, because I forgot to tell the girls what I was doing, and Lisa was looking for me before she went to class.  Oops!  I had told the teacher, at least.
Once the cupcakes where delivered, and the school picture forms (it was picture day) filled out & money left with teachers, my friend and I went to Starbucks (I only got water that time) and sat and talked, while Kevin played and watched some cartoons on my phone.

After school, my mom treated us to lunch.  Well, she told me to take money from her bank account and take Lorelei to lunch.  Lorelei said she wanted Mc Donald's, which we rarely get.  But, since it was what she wanted, that's what we got. (After a quick trip to Michael's...)
As we got our food, Bernix called to wish her a happy birthday & let us know he'd be home in a bit over an hour. We came home to wait for him, and when he got here, we went to the movies.  We saw Hotel Transylvania, and we all enjoyed it.  Yay for Tuesday birthdays and discounts at the theatre ; )

After the movie, we had an appointment, but it was at home, so the kids just relaxed and played while we took care of some stuff.  Then, I put a candle on a leftover cupcake, and gave Lorelei her birthday present.  I made her a dress to match her Rapunzel doll.

She's having a small birthday party tomorrow, and I am trying to get everything ready.  Wish me luck! 

She's Online

Last week I tested a pattern for Whimsy Couture.  The pattern was released this morning, and I clicked on the link.  Go ahead.  Click up there, I'll wait.
Okay, did you see that? Towards the bottom, under "Rompers made with extended legs and no ruffles and slimmer sleeves:" 
That's Lorelei! 
She (Denise from Whimsy Couture) also has a giveaway on facebook  (You can now enter a little giveaway game and might win this pattern! All you want to do is pin any picture of this listing to your pinterest sewing/crafts board and post the link of this pin to this post. 3 winners get picked! Game ends Oct.5, 9:00PM EST.) 
People are pinning.  Someone pinned this picture.

I found it all very exciting. 

School is in Full Swing... and Taking All My Time

So, the girls started school weeks ago. We were so busy with schoolwork, not to mention swim lessons and my parents moving, that I feel like I haven't had time to breathe the past 16 weekdays. Someone please tell me it's almost Thanksgiving.  I need a break. Unfortunately, I will only get busier before Thanksgiving.  We will be adding in Bible Study and Disneyschool classes on Wednesdays. Oh, and a church club on Monday nights.
Hey, that feeling of being unable to breathe is back! Why don't you enjoy some Not The First Day of School Pictures that I finally found time to take & upload.

After School Snacks

 Fun Braids 

 Hanging out at Starbucks, waiting for his sisters to be done with school.

One day, my kids will be able to do more schoolwork independantly. Or, maybe they'll go to a regular type of school.  One day, I'll have more time do the things I like. Things like blogging, and sewing, and keeping up with the laundry. Wait, I don't actually like the laundry, I just don't like the laundry never being completely put away. 

In the meantime, I am trying, really trying, to enjoy these three kids while they are little, and appreciate the time I have to spend with them. Even if they make messes, or take too long to answer a question, or have melt downs when they are asked to work on a writing assignment. We'll just keep swimming... 

Oh! There was one thing this week I'd almost forgotten about. One day, my husband came home on the early side, and we'd gotten a lot of work done for the day.  I thought it would be a good idea to go have some fun with the family. We headed to Disneyland, and even though I thought it would be too crowded, we went to the new Cars Land. It wasn't crowded at all!  We managed to do all the new rides (okay, it's only 3) and even saw a little show (a car Kevin says isn't nice, DJ, I think).  Kevin isn't quite tall enough for the racers, so after we did the other rides, my husband sent me off with the girls. I'm glad he did, because we loved the ride. I can't wait for Kevin to be tall enough to ride it.  I can see that being his favorite ride when he is big enough. 

 Super Excited Little Boy! 

 Cars Land! 

 Waiting for "school" to start

 Grouchy 4th Grader. Let's imagine she was grouchy that I interrupted her reading.

 Enjoying a snack while the girls were in class & Mommy was in a parent meeting.