How to Make it An Awesome Birthday....especially when it's on a Tuesday!!

I think birthdays should be the BEST day of the year...and that is why I go completely ALL OUT on my kids birthdays - from the moment they wake up to right before they go to sleep....it is the best day of the year for them!!

This year Sis turned 10 on a Tuesday....blah!!!  I know, right??  

To top it off, it was a TAKS testing day (not her grade- thank goodness!) and we had a closed campus for school - no special lunch for Sis!! :((

So I was bound & determined to make it great.

 We started off with streamers hanging from her door when she woke up - I usually do a room full of balloons, but decided to shake it up this year (or this momma forgot to buy the balloons to fill the room with....)

 And we have a special note on her bathroom mirror......

 And we had to make sure she comes downstairs to a table full of presents and her favorite breakfast served on the "You Are Special" red plate!

 She even got to open a present or two before heading to school -luck had it that she picked her "big" present from Mom & Dad that she asked for (or so she thought....)

 And I was feeling nice and allowed her open another one - this one from her brother - exactly what she asked for too - a password journal!

Since school was closed to visitors, I sent her to school with a note in her lunch and a bag full of individual ice creams (Blue Bell, of course) for her class.

When she got home, I surprised her with a Birthday Scavenger hunt!!  10 clues that took her less than 10 mins to complete (here I thought i would be an elaborate hunt!!).  And all the clues led her to her BIG BIRTHDAY SURPRISE......

A Hamster named Stella!!!!

Isn't she cute Matt?????

Even the baby can't get enough of her......

 We always have a homemade cake - I just think putting the time into making it homemade makes it that much more special......

 And I let her spend the afternoon doing what she wanted to do...no homework on her birthday!!!

 My Sassy 10-year-old!!

 After her favorite birthday dinner (chicken cordon blue and homemade mac & cheese), we invited her sweet friend over to sing Happy Birthday and have some cake!!

Happy Birthday Sis!!

Was it a good one?

yup, I think it was!

It's the April Vlog Y'all!!

It's that time again! April Vlog - Join up with Shawn & Mamarazzi as we get to "see everyone" in conversations around bloggyland. Click on the button below and visit some really fun gals in a unique way!!







I was totally prepared this time too!! I "filmed" this a week & a half ago!  Our first assignment is a dialect vlog - we were asked to say a bunch of words and answer questions to hear how we answer them.  Here goes....

Secondly, we were asked to show everyone our favorite room in the house.

As usual ladies, I love me some vlog - I can talk...can you tell??  Come back soon to see how the Cake Pops turned out.  Let me just tell you...Bakerella, I am not!

These Are My Confessions.....

Whew! It's been a busy week here - and the school Spring Carnival is tonight - so I am quickly going to post this and head on up to school to schlep ice into the Cafeteria, get all messy making Cotton Candy, and count money all night.  Sounds glamorous right?  And I can't wait!!


So, joining up with Friday Confessionals hosted by Mamarazzi & Glamazon.  Go check out some of the great confessionals over at their blogs - Seriously, Friday has come to be one of the most entertaining bloggy days ~ Go check out what my friend MiMi did to her neighbors this week.....I promise you, you will LOL.

I Confess...
That I may or may not have been a little emotional with my sweet girl turning 10 this week.  Ok, I was - hard to imagine it has been ONLY 10 years since I was blessed with her.  So, yeah, I was a little emotional - how can you not be with posts like this and this and this. I think I'm over the tears...sniff sniff...maybe not.

I Confess...
That I put A LOT of effort into making my kiddo's birthdays special and my hubby thinks I'm crazy for it.  So what if I write "Happy 10th Birthday Sissy" all over her bathroom mirror in lipstick, hang crepe paper on her door, hang a big pink banner from the staircase, have a pile of presents waiting for her on the kitchen table, and serve her huge cinnamon rolls (her favorite) on the Red "You Are Special" Plate?  It is HER DAY!!  She was a great sport b/c in Texas, it was TAKS testing day, which meant NO campus visitors...so no lunch or school celebration on her birthday...I made up for it with a special scavenger hunt when she got home...more about that next week....

I Confess...
That I may have brought a rodent in our house.  Her name is Stella and Miss Sis said it was the "best Birthday present EVER!!!"  Take that Dad!  He was totally against getting her a hamster...and still is.  But little Stella has won our hearts...... We'll see how we feel about her in a month.

I Confess...
That i had about 16 projects going at once this week and Dad was out of town at the Master's and we managed to get them all done with little to no major meltdowns.  I mean who plans a birthday, 3 movies for Darling Memories, a book report (which we made a 4th movie for), making a stuffed animal out of paper, AND a Spring Carnival all in the same week?  Bubba may have had a little meltdown at Hobby Lobby yesterday that may have resulted in some minor "mental counting" by me...but we all survived.

Now we just have to get through today and 2 soccer games and a sleepover with 5 girls tomorrow...can Sunday get here soon enough??

With that, I leave you with my little rocker..... and yes - that's a High School Musical microphone.  He's partial to "Fabulous"

Have an awesome weekend y'all!

Top 10 Reasons I Love You

It's still Sissy week here on the blog, so I wanted to share a few of the reasons I think she is so great.  Yes, I know, I'm her mom, I'm supposed to think she's great.  And I really do.  But sometimes I sit back and watch her in amazement....this tiny little thing has some really awesome qualities....and I learn from her daily.

1. She Shows Emotion
You can tell what she is thinking.  All the time - no poker face on her.  She is not ashamed to show her emotions.  Watching the video I made for her, made her burst into tears.  She loves to give hugs & kisses (but only when friends are not around).  I used to think she was "fragile", now I know she is showing how she feels...in a healthy way.  And I know that means the teenage years should be scary......

2. She Cares
My girl is so caring - and she's not afraid to show it.  I love that she comforts her friends when they are sad, is the protector & defender of Chief (even when he poops in the house!!), and loves unabashedly on her brother.

3. She is So Very Confident
When she gets out on the soccer field, she switches into this "game" mode and plays her heart out.  She knows that she has skills and puts them to work without even thinking about it.  It is awesome to watch.

4. She Loves to Laugh
This girl will find anything to laugh at - she wants to have a good time.  And I love to capture that joy when ever I can.

5. She Loves to learn about the Past

We both love history and will always be the last two out of the museum b/c we read every little plaque, watched every show, and listen to every docent.  Sometimes it drives Matt bonkers, but I love it!  I totally get how interesting it is to learn where we come from.

6. She Loves to Read

Sis takes a book with her everywhere she goes - at breakfast, in the car on the way to school,  to soccer practice..... Her Dad and I both love to read too..... she fits right in!

7. She is Competitive
I'm a competitive person, so when I saw that Sis was to, I was secretly thrilled. I think it is healthy to want to do your best and strive for it in all situations.  Now there are times I have to hold her back a little, when the competitiveness can cause fights with her brother (who is also competitive), but I know this quality will help her become something amazing when she gets older.

8. She is Friendly
Sis can make a friend where ever she goes - at the campground, with the next door neighbor's grandkids, and even on vacation....this girl loves to be social.  Hmm, wonder where she gets that from?

9. She is Smart
I know, every parent says this!  Sis does well in her school work...it seems effortless...and it amazes me how her tiny brain just seems to "get" it.  It all falls into place.  So cool.

10. She loves to Spend time with her Momma
As she grew up, I always planned time with just her & I ~ movies, reading, shopping, or introducing her the Little House on the Prairie ~ I wanted her to enjoy spending time with me.  As she is 10, I know this time may dwindle, so I hope that she still wants to spend time with me.

There are so many more qualities that my daughter has...too many to mention in one setting.  I am proud of the young lady that she is becoming.  Although I can't wait to see what she makes of her life, I want to hold onto this girl for as long as I can.

I Love You Sis!  I love you for who you are and what you will be!

My Fondest Memories....

Yesterday she turned 10.  It was a day of nostalgia for me.  I'm a little sentimental, in case you couldn't tell.  I spent the day thinking of the memories I have had with my baby girl over the past ten years.  I wanted to remember the fun and exciting trips & events, but also those tiny moments that you want to keep locked in your heart forever.   Memories like these......

1. Baby, You've Got Lungs!
Sis was always a charmer.  As the first grandchild and niece on both sides of the family, she had plenty of captive audience.  And oh, how we loved just holding her and watching her every move.   When she was just a little over a month old, we took a road trip to Colorado for her Uncle's graduation from the Air Force Academy.  One evening, the extended family was sitting around talking with Miss Sis lying on a blanket next to me.  Out of the blue, she let out the loudest squeal.....Hello??  I'm still hear?  Looks at me!  It was a happy squeal but the loudest noise she had ever made.  It was the first time I remember that she "talked" to us in her own little way. locked in my heart...

2. Hello Princess Jasmine!
When Sis was four, Matt & I decided to take a quick trip to Disney World with just her to celebrate.  It was a whirlwind of a trip, but one I will remember forever. It was so great to share in that excitement and happiness she had at meeting the princesses (ohhh how she loved Princess Jasmine & Aladdin), riding her favorite ride "Goofy's Barnstormer" and getting to hug Jessie but ignore Woody (he was heartbroken) . It was such a neat little weekend for us to get to focus on her alone.  locked in my heart...

3. I'm so Proud of You my Heart Could Burst!
The first time I ever saw her independently try something on her own was a moment I will forever remember - more for the feeling I felt, not what she did.  When she was 3, she started dance lessons.  Her first dance recital was at this enormous auditorium, where my tiny girl was swallowed up on stage.  She didn't care one bit - no stage fright from her - she got on out there and danced her little heart out.  I remember being so overwhelmingly proud of her.  Not because she was a suburb dancer (although I thought so at the time) but because she was my daughter.  Oh so proud.  And I am still to this day when I see her get out there and try something new - soccer, choir, cheerleading - she puts forth her best effort and shines! locked in my heart...

4. Come on Sis!  Just try it!
As much as she likes to have fun, my Sis is a cautious girl.  She has to be pushed ever so gently into trying new things.  Like the inner tubing behind the boat - terrified, didn't want to do it, but we made her (don't judge me) and she LOVED IT!!!  Last year, we waited in line to go on the Rock-n-Roll Roller Coaster at DW with her whimpering, "I don't think I want to go...." the whole time, we talked her into it (and a $20 bribe helped- again no judging!!) and guess what? She LOVED IT!! A little push never hurt her...ahem. locked in my heart...

5. Camping, Really?
A few summers ago, we spent the Independence Day weekend at a camp in central Washington.  It was GORGEOUS.  But the best part of it all?  We were completely remote and cut off from the world for 4 days.  And as silly as it sounds, we were forced to do everything together ~ and we lived it up ~ canoeing, crafts, swimming, hiking, horseback riding, s'mores by the fire ~ it was such a fun weekend.  One that showed me how even the "simplest" of vacations can be the most memorable, and meaningful.  We had a ball.  locked in my heart....

6. Defying Gravity!
I love musicals.  And very often have their soundtracks playing in my car.  Not thinking about it, Miss Sis started to pick up on the songs and by the time she was 6, knew all the words to Wicked's "Popular".  That summer, my dad gave us tickets to go and see The Lion King ~ he even worked hard at the box office to get us aisle seats so we could see the entrance of the animals at the beginning.  And another musical lover was born!  A few summers ago, I had the privilege of taking her to see Wicked ~ and I caught her singing right along with all the songs.  Love.  locked in my heart...

7. Little Momma.
Sis has such a tender heart- she cares for everyone.  I have seen it time & time again where she is sad for a friend, wants to take care of the lost puppy, and even cries at a sentimental movie (Toy Story 3.....even for the umpteenth time, she cries...).  The first time I saw her so loving & mothering was when we picked out our dog, Chief - he was a little less that 3 months old and so adorable.  She followed him around everywhere and took such good care of him.  When Bubba joined our family, she was the same way - couldn't bear to put him down.  And she is still the best little momma with him..... locked in my heart...

8. Goal!!!
Sis started playing soccer when she was 4.  Her dad was her coach (still is) and they have this incredible bond because of it.  When she first started playing, the girls just swarmed the ball ~ really quite funny to watch ~ but Sis would never touch the ball.  She was terrified of it in the game. So we bargained with her.  If she scored a goal, she'd get a Webkinz.  Did it work?  Oh yes (insert proud as can be momma moment).  Too well ~ the girl has over 20 Webkinz.  (not all from goals, mind you).  This momma doesn't have to bribe her to get a goal anymore (but that proud momma feeling still remains!) locked in my heart...

9. Riding a Bike ~ It means so much more.
The summer we moved, we were determined to get Sis to stop using her training wheels - she was going into 2nd grade after all.  But she really didn't want to learn (insert Miss Caution here).  One hot summer  night, we took off those trainers and said let's do it.  She was hesitant, and whined, and fought it, and got frustrated.  But once she saw her brother take off without his on, she was determined.  And she did it.  It was the first time I saw her fight for something and persevere.  I loved it.  There is a strong amount of determination in her that I see in her schoolwork, on the soccer field, and when trying things for the first time.  It is an amazing quality that I can't wait to see her shine with!  locked in my heart...

10. Baby Girl
I always called her this ~ and still do (she acts like she hates it but secretly, I know she doesn't).  When I look at her, I still see that baby girl toting around her Lovey everywhere she goes ~ the fresh-faced innocence is still etched in her face ~ and maybe that is why I have such a hard time letting her grow up.  This is who holds my heart so dearly ~ who I love so fiercely.

And as time passes, I want to savor each moment with my children.  I am excited to see who she will become when she gets older, but in the same breath so sad to see these moments slip by so quickly.

I cherish every moment I have with her ~ the laughs ~ the frustration ~ the quiet moments ~ and the love that she shows me.  I am so thrilled to have been blessed to raise her.  And I thank God daily for allowing me this privilege.

I look forward to many more memories to lock away in my heart......

Swap Swap Away!

In the middle of the 10th Birthday Celebration week, Momma got a gift.  I mean it was MY 10th Anniversary of being a Mom. duh.  Do I deserved a little fun, right?  And fun it was!!




I have watched Mamarazzi have swaps for months now and never tried one...until now.  And Y'all...it was SO GREAT!!
My Swap partner is Misty from Rainy Day in May.  She lives in Idaho and has been so fun to get to know through her blog.  When I received her package yesterday, I was blown away at how similar our "favorite things" are.  It was as if I had sent a package to myself with all of my favorite things!!

all wrapped so pretty....

And look at my loot...err goodies.....

this picture doesn't fully convey the greatness flowing from my box.....

this is a fill-in-the-recipe book - I have so many recipes stashed here and there, that it will be SO great to get them all written down.  And think of the possibilities ~ I can pass this down to Sis one day full of her Mom's favorites.  SO excited to get started filling it up!

A beautiful journal and pretty page markers.

This one blew me away ~ I LOVE Trader Joe's Chai tea but have NO TJ anywhere close to get it!!! Amazing!!!!!

And another one ~ I have a weekly To Do list that I start every Sunday - what a great tool to keep it organized!!

Misty also sent me Milk Duds, a whole bag of Double Bubble gum balls, & Water for Elephants (yay- can't wait to read it!) ~ each gift had a wonderfully sweet note attached to it.

~It was such a great thing to receive in the mail~

~ Thank you Misty so much ~ I loved every bit of it!! ~  

~And thanks Mamarazzi for a great swap!~