Check out My Camera Strap

Ok... my super crafty friend Dusti (the same one who made Zach's Pirate Cupcakes) has been sporting a cool cover for her camera strap for a while now... and I have been oogling it for as long as I've been aware of it...
Now, I DO NOT sew... so her and Cathy are always whipping out super cute things, and I always think - I need to learn to sew!
So Dusti comes to Sela's party, and lets me choose a band from several super cute fabrics... me I'm wavering between two - so she says, "take them both!" Me? I'm over the moon because now my camera will look as cool as hers!
Thanks Dusti - you are an excellent friend!!

Oh... and wait till you see what she gave Sela for her birthday...
And what Cathy gave her too... they are too too talented!

Sela's Princess Birthday Party

We had Sela's 3rd Birthday Party - A Princess Party. I tried to keep it a little lower key than previous birthday parties we have had for the Z and C. It was raining when we woke up - so all plans to have the party inthe backyard went out the window.

We had a Sparkle Station where we painted the girls nails (quick dry nail polish), I also bought Sparkle spray for their hair, and lotion with sparkles in it for their hair, and of course lip gloss.

We played freeze dance (princess music is too slow - find more upbeat music for this), and I also played a little game of what is missing with Princess items (tiara, wand, necklace, etc.) The girls were all three (except one 5 year old) - so the games were not really important.

Pink mini cupcakes with sprinkles and ice cream.
And cute little purses for their favor bags.

We had the boys construct a castle out of tubes and other reuse stuff while we were doing the girly stuff with the girls - and that worked out well.

More pictures to come - I didn't take many - but awesome Dusti and Cheryl did!

Swimmin' Lessons

We had a week of swimming lessons this week. Since Sela turned 3 - she got to swim! Zach got to be inthe Advanced Ducks. He started the week not wanting to put his face in - but after some practice was able to kicking and scooping and floating. He is ready to go to the next level skills wise - but the teacher suggested one more week of ducks to make sure he has the comfort level for the next level. I'm really pround of him. He did really good!
Sela was hilarious... He smiled the entire time (except on the colder days - when she was trying hard not to shiver. She did several of the skills which was pretty good considering that a class environment is new and different to her. The teachers were really sweet and patient.

Update on the Binky Front

We made it through night number one. She did wake up around 4:00 and asked me to rock her and just whimpered. But once I showed her her little present from the Binky Fairy she was happy and went to bed.
Tonight - feeling a bit bolder because it is her birthday she was yelling from her room, "I want my "Mouth Night Night" RIGHT now." I reminded her it was gone and she gave me a look of disgust and gave up.
I figure we will be good in a few more days! Thanks for the nice comments - I appreciate it!!

The Binky Fairy

Today Sela gave up her Binky. As I am typing this my bottom lip is quivering, because I realize this is a transition from baby to little girl. I have a lump in my throat because I know how much she loved her "mouth night night" as she calls it.... and I know that I will never get to be the one that finds her binky when she loses it... and have that moment where her who face lights up and she giggles with glee.... all for a silly little piece of plastic.

We went to the dentist last week, and the dentist said it's time. Sela promptly got sick - so I waited a few days... but on the eve of her third birthday I saw the opportunity.
I asked her who her binky should go to a boy baby or a girl baby - and she said, I think a boy baby... with dark curly hair.
I asked her what she wanted from the binky fairy, and she said, "I think a little toy pet and pet shop with a little girl. I was amazed that I found something that fit the bill. (I'll post the pictures tomorrow).
We took her Hello Kitty Castle and put the binky on the top for the fairy. Sela asked if she could have it back if she became a baby again. I tried not to cry.
Meanwhile, Zach kept asking to the call the fairy so he could see her - then he wanted her number so he could dial her himself to ask her to some early.... I told him the Binky fairy was nocturnal - and since he knows all about owls he accepted this and gave up.
She went to bed with no tears. Me? I'm bawling like a baby - because my baby is growing up.

Trying to Catch some of life and write it down

 

Thought it was time to update the blog. The kids are asleep, and for once I actually have a small bit of energy left. I sucked the pictures out of my camera - I love this picture of Zach - I took it at my parents house... he looks so happy! He just loves it there. I took Zach to his Kindergartern assessment today... it was weird. They come and meet you and your child - and then take them into the room and leave you outside... to reflect on how time simultaneously went rocket fast despite times you felt like the moments of motherhood for small children can move extruciatingly slow. The teacher gave Zach a sticker, and he nicely asked for one for his little sister. I think he got special thoughtful points for that. He likedher and that made me happy! I hope he gets a good teacher!

 

These little birds took up residence inthe vent of our fireplace - there are three chicks in the nest and even thought they are bald they are quite cute!

 

Sela "pimmin" (swimmin) in the Sand and Water table... I have completely given up trying to keep her out of it. I thought it was cute that she added flowers to her pool.

 

This one I caught when they were running around. I would have included one of Zach in his swimming trunks - but he grew so much from last summer that he barely got them on. I promptly went out and bought him a new suit in time for his swimming lessons.

Other news? I'm missing my old pals lately.... I was really glad to see Bob last weekend. (Big Bob as my kids call him). I also got a chance to meet up with Cheryl and Seany last week, and even grabbed a couple minutes with Brian on the phone... I'm really missing Susan and wish they lived closer - move back already! You know you miss your California friends! I was so glad to talk with Jennifer. You and Ned need to come to California.

So - while I might be lousy about picking up the phone or dropping cards and notes, please know I love you all - A LOT!

Princess Party Invitation

I just love knowing photoshop elements! Here is the invite for my daughters party... simple.. but i'm happy about how it came out... considering the lack of time I committed to it. I changed some of the text to leave out details of our address and such.. but you get the idea.

The Farmers Market is open for the Season

The Farmers Market is open for the season, and it is right on my way home from Zach's preschool. Am loving the organic strawberries I picked up.
I'm still contemplating a CSA box (local farm box)... but I worry we won't eat it all.
It is time to plan Sela's birthday party, and I am determined to make it a green event... wish me luck!