Good Idea, Bad Idea? Dumb Idea

Have you ever made a decision and then ten minutes later thought,

"This was a dumb idea."

Okay, I do that all the time.

But this is...

This is special.

Brooke has ALWAYS been a fantastic sleeper.

I lay her in her bed, give her a kiss and walk out of the room.

She looks at books, snuggles with Baby Lamb and falls asleep on her own.

Naps are the same way.

She reaches for her bed.

This has been going strong since she was six months old.

I blew it.

She doesn't get out of her crib.

She plays happily or cries until someone comes get her.

This is why I blew it.

Two reasons.

1. She is getting a big girl bed when we move and I wanted to ease the transition.

(stupidest thing ever)

2. I wanted her to get out of bed after her naps because our baby monitor is... well crap.

(buy a new monitor? hello!)

I taught Brooke how to get out of her crib... why?

I actually showed her where to put her feet to help her get down.

She can't get back in!

But she can get out.

She got out of her bed seven times tonight. seven.

Now Jocelyn thinks its fun to get out of bed too.

tear.

.

.

We eventually just locked their door and said good night.

An hour later this is what we found.

Okay... maybe its not quite so bad.

POW 52

Eight days with out a post.

I am fired.

Last week was busy, very busy.

Fed the Missionaries, lead a massive ornament making preschool party, hosted an "newbie" economics dinner, introduced foreigners to Apples to Apples, oh and the girls got hair cuts, like real ones. I may have cried a little.

This week will be... busy.

Can you believe Christmas will be in a 11 days?

I have no idea what I am getting Ben or my brother?

(what do you send to a migrant organic farm worker/5 star chef in Hawaii?)

Christmas cards have been addressed for almost a week sitting in my car waiting for three addresses, but mostly I am too chicken to take both girls to the post office.

I used the wrong picture anyway. It was very late at night.

Send us a card if you like. It would be nice to feel loved out here in Oregon.

Anyway it is 2:43 in the AM and Nicolas Cage is about to stab himself in the heart with a giant needle.

All of my Christmas presents Ben's family are finished and wrapped.

Oh he just did it.

I love this movie.

Ciao!

Birthday Festival

This party was insane on every level. We had it two days before we moved across the country. We wanted to throw a big bash to say goodbye to our dear friends in Maryland. For the last two weeks we had been living at the cousins house while they were out of town. Jeri and Lincoln came home a few days before and had all been together as one big crazy family for days. Any sane person would have bought a cake at Costco and called it a day. But that's not how we roll.

This party would not have happened without Jeri, she was AMAZING! She worked pretty stinking hard for a party that wasn't even for her own child. Major props to Ben and Lincoln for cleaning up the backyard and turning the dinosaur pinata into a dragon. (the one ordered online didn't make it on time)

And so it goes...

We had set up several little play stations for our nine princesses and two knights and a prince.

(The knights must have been fighting in the crusades during this picture)

The Royal Jewelers

I tried to let Jocelyn do her own thing, I may have helped a little :)

White pre-cut paper crowns from Michaels spray painted gold ($2.95 for 12), a bag of beautiful play jewels on clearance and you have your self a bunch of very happy princesses.

The Armory

What would a Royal Festival be without at an Armory? An empty deck across the yard made for the perfect "contained" fighting space. I bought three swords at Walmart (and my girls attack their father daily) and Wyatt had an arsenal that he was more than happy to share.

The Jester's Paint Shop

This was our most popular booth! As soon as I brought out the paint set the girls lined up to have their face painted (I think I will do this for every party in the future so great!) Face painting kit from Michaels (50% off coupon)

Not wanting the King to feel left out Jocelyn and Simone did a little painting of their own.

The Royal Bubblery

Lots bubble wands made from pipe cleaners and bubble juice. It was fantastic!

A View of the Party before it started. We called the Jungle Gym the Dragon's Lair (sword fights happened here too) In the back you can see the Armory, the Jesters Paint Shop and the Royal Bubblery.

I have a confession to make, last week Jocelyn got in trouble (not serious) for "decorating" the living room walls, it wasn't exactly her fault. You see she had done it once before...

We (Jeri) blew up a picture from the Princess and the frog from this website and taped the pages together. I think it was 12 pieces of paper total. The girls LOVED it!

It was announced that an Evil Dragon had come to the castle and stolen the gold, it was up to the brave princess and princes and knights to get it back.

Off we went on a Dragon Hunt

This was so easy and so fun. As the boys were setting up I lead a dragon hunt around the block. Every few steps we stopped to search for dragon clues, preform dragon dances, share our favorite colors, discuss dragon eating habits, hide from dragons flying over head and any other random thing I could think of while we were stalling. The kids got so into it, the bigger kids helping the smaller ones along the way. It really was quite precious.

It was time to slay the dragon with a flaming sword!

Wyatt's dragon slaying blow!

The treasure rained down on the the little guests to squeals of delight.

After all the slaying it was time to Feast.

And what a Feast it was...

The cake was a labor of love and a whole lot of fun!I searched for pictures on the internet of different cakes trying to find one I could make without fondant (too intimidating). The towers are sugar cones and cake cones dipped in a sugar cookie glaze several times until they were properly coated. The pictures don't really do it justice. It was really spectacular and Jocelyn tells everyone she meets about her "Seeping Booty Castle Cake".

It was late the night before and Jeri and I had a good time making signs for all the food and play stations. My favorite was "Knights of the Round Pizza."

They liked it

Those towers were the most requested Item! Everyone wanted a piece including a little sleeping beauty who had just woken up from her nap.

By this time everyone (especially the moms) were exhausted. Presents were given (and Jocelyn scored) and then it was time for goodbyes. It was such a good party and everyone had a marvelous time! Next year... she is getting a cake from Costco ;)

the end.

Acknowledgments

Jocelyn- You are our little princess of light and we love every second of you. We had so much fun planning and putting this party together for you. We LOVE you darling! Happy Birthday!

Ben- Thank you for putting up with this, being at my beck-n-call, making the pizzas and supporting me in making this wonderful party... and paying for it. I love you.

Jeri- Thank you for letting us trash your house, staying up late to help me make everything, laughing with me when the cake was growing through some "technical difficulty", Taking the pictures and being my Diana Berry.

Mom- Thank you for inspiring me as a child and sharing your wonderfully creative ideas with me through out my life.

Susan Richards- who taught a cake decorating class when I was in the fourth grade. She taught me about the crumb layer and how to make the frosting smooth.

Google- You Rock!

Lincoln- Thanks for hanging out at a kids party because I know you don't do that :)

Wyatt, Natalia, Simone- For doing everything we asked you that morning without complaining!

Catherine- For putting on a wonderful dance performance and entertaining the kids when we needed a minute and for just being wonderful in general.

Maggie- For showing up three weeks after having a baby.

Katie- For driving over an hour in traffic to be there.

Christina- for being our first friends in Maryland.

Jazmine- You were there in spirit!

We love and miss you all!

What kinda party would it be with out a few tears ;)

happy friday

It is a happy Friday.

Things are still crazy, BUT we I am dealing with it so much better.

People come four times a day at different times to look at the house

I stay home cooking, cleaning, getting into the shower.

Gratefully I heard the "hello"? downstairs before I actually got in. :)

That would have been embarrassing.

the girls are happily running around like little chickens

Jocelyn gives better tours then the Realtors

Pointing out every mark that needs to be patched or painted on the walls,

and only announced that she was naked once.

This weekend will be full of packing, swimming, and maybe a little drive in movie.

Next week a truck will arrive to take our things back to the other side of the country.

For two weeks we will stay with our favorite people, sans the people but plus their dog, and play as much as we can, see all the spots in DC we always wanted too but never did, and maybe throw a little party for a little princess who will soon be three.

"Bremember my special day? My Seeping Beauty Happy Birthday Cake?"

I remember little bug... we need to wait"

(our daily dialog)

I got plans for you kid, and their is a 75% chance I just might pull it off