Annika goes Into the Woods

Annika got a speaking part in the school play! Very nice, especially for a 6th grader.

They put on Into the Wood Jr. Annika was valet to Cinderella's Prince. So, her character was a boy....but I don't think she was fooling anybody! Hard to hide that cuteness!

She enjoyed hanging out after school for play practices and getting to know some fun friends.

My girl in the dress rehearsal - trying shoes on Cinderella and her step sisters:

Curtain calls:

Sofia was originally cast as the witch, and was very traumatized when she needed to be taken out of school...and wasn't able to keep her part. I was proud that she went to all of the performances, supporting her sister and friends, sans bitterness. 

They both performed very well!

James' Zombirthday

Ok. I'm not proud of this. 

By the time we got to James' birthday (in same week that Tony got back and Annika had her play), I was tired...and busy. We made sure he had a lovely day on his birthday, which involved get an happy meal and actually playing at McDonalds. (Not normally in the schedule.) ...and then we postponed his party for several weeks. 

We waited on presents and everything. He didn't mind.

...as long as there were going to be plants vs. zombies and a pinata, he was fine with it.

Sweetie.

Happy Belated 7th, James!

Also, I just invited over one of our favorite families as guests. James really only asked to invite them and his cousin Ryan (who is 17...and lives in Texas...not likely), so it was plenty for him.

The brain pinata could've turned out better. We painted it pink and started changing it's shape and...then we got bored and ran out of time...simultaneously. Still full of candy = no one complained. :)

My brain jellos, on the other hand, turned out great!

So glad I bought that mold! Now I plan on grossing out the kids with brain jellos every Halloween.

Raspberry parfait flavored! 

Maybe I'll get lucky and Tony will take an interest in neurology. Then I can make them for mandatory work get-togethers! 

James' cupcakes, with their lovely plants Vs. Zombies characters.

(We were hoping the sequel game would be out in time for his birthday, but nope.)

...and no more birthdays until July! Yay!

Sofia! (...and it's another birthday party...)

Sofia. So talented and such a devoted friend.

She's had a rough year, full of physical challenges and emotional drama. I hope the whole experience gave her some insight to tuck away for future use. (But please not next year. Far, far in the future.)

14 isn't a landmark birthday for most people, but the prospect of High School and being old enough to attend Church dances (which we all know are the best kind!) can make it pretty exciting.

Sofia wanted to celebrate in a very specific fashion - with lots of doughnuts, pizza, and a cheesecake.

(I guess I don't get my kids what they want very often, because they sure have specific requests when their birthdays roll around.) Whatever.

And, of course, lots of friends.

And, once again, Cozette thought they were all there to play with her.

When they were singing "Happy Birthday" you could see how many million teenage girls were at my house.

Thanks goodness it wasn't a sleepover! ...because it was dang crazy.

(But they did seem to have fun.)

I've already warned Sofia that her 16th birthday needs to happen outside of our home.  

She's already nixed karaoke and the roller rink...but I'm open to suggestions!

Annika's Turn

Annika had her big 12th birthday!

So exciting. She finally gets to go to the Young Women activities at church - which means camp this year! Yea!

Annika begged a sleepover party out of me, and it wasn't actually as bad as I thought it would be. 

All of the girls were nice to each other...and they all eventually went to sleep! So, my neither of my big fears came to pass.

I took the girls to Chipotle for dinner and we had an ice cream cake. Yum!

...and even the decorations were fun to play with...

Cozy was sure all of those girls were there to play with her.

And we finally got Annika a bike that isn't two sizes too small for her!

All of her birthday wishes fulfilled. Check. :)

$$$

Toddlers don't get much spending money. To me, it feels like I'm constantly buying them things, but I'm sure they aren't very interested in those things. Food. New underwear. :)

Cozette was thrilled by the idea of having her own birthday money and choosing her own present.

She chose ring pops - to share with her family (except for me...which I was slightly offended by...until she reminded me that I hate them).

...and a pink care bear!

And now every time we go to Target, she says, "Hey, let's go pick me out another birthday present!"

...and my favorite Cozy quote lately:

"Mom! My bath is too hot! I'm turning my favorite color!"

Cozy is Four!!!

April is birthday month around here...all three of our girls were born in April. 

We didn't plan it that way -  it was just a happy coincidence. ...and now, every other year, we have crazy birthday party month. Cozy's birthday ushers in the madness.

She turned four this year! Little Cozette, growing up too fast.

We had a horse birthday party....but without actual ponies. Dang.

We did horse crafts and had a horse pinata.

Annika was my number one kid wrangler! She played games with the kids and even made the cupcakes!

I gave her a big tip (relative to what I normally pay her) after the party!

Cozy had a wonderful time, and I hope her guest did too!

Home From Hawaii

My husband finally came home from Hawaii! It's so much easier to love your spouse when they aren't texting you pictures of giant sea turtles and tropical beaches. ;)  Plus he brought me presents!

A giant bag of the instant version of my favorite Hawaiian dessert....which apparently no one but me likes.

I am sort of a sucker for anything coconut flavored. Besides, instant haupia is SO GREAT for cutting into adorable shapes - doesn't stick to anything!

Tony also found some amazing Totoro bags from the flea market.

Aren't the soot sprites adorable!

Cozy got the backpack

Fluffy and helpful - just like the "real" Totoro. 

I got a little hassle for not keeping my blog up for my husband while he was away. (Not smart to alienate one of my most devoted readers.) So, now that "birthday season" is over, I'm getting right on that. Stay tuned.