Madison's Birthday Luau

I have done a lot of fun birthday parties, but this was one of my favorites! Who doesn't love a luau?! It was so fun and colorful! G-Ma already had most of these decorations, so it was actually an inexpensive and easy party to do. The pineapple cake was super cute and simple, and I made cupcakes with teddy grahams and little umbrellas that were adorable. And of course there were cookies! For lunch we had chicken salad sandwiches, cocktail shrimp, fruit, cheese, chips...just fun party type food. Party days are my favorite, because we get to have all of our family over at the same time and I just love it! I am so thankful that we are surrounded by so many people who love us & celebrate our kids with us each year. Such a blessing! Brian and I were counting down the days until our Hawaii trip, and I think doing a Hawaiian party just made us that much more excited! 

We love you, Madison, and wish you a very Happy 9th Birthday!!

Yum!

I remember seeing a cake similar to this at a birthday party when I was around 11...I loved it so much & always wanted a cake like that! So I was really excited to do these cupcakes for Madison!

Our pretty hula girl!

Poppa & Louise won the prize for dressing the most Hawaiian! So fun!

Time to eat!

I love having all of our family over!

We missed Uncle Clint & Aunt Abigail & Carver.It looks like she had a fun birthday party!!

Jonah's Last BB Game...and 2 Trophies!!

Jonah had a blast playing basketball with many of the same boys he played soccer with! And we have had fun watching them! Jonah didn't ever make a basket during a game, but he got so close a couple of times. He was finally learning how to shoot the ball regular instead of underhanded, by the end of the season. He ran as fast as his little legs would carry him up and down the court! His coach got all of the boys a special trophy with their name on it, in addition to the regular trophy from i9. Jonah thought it was way cool that he got TWO trophies! =0)

Way to go, Wizards!!

Jonah & his buddy, Kyzer.

Jonah & his good friend, Ace.

Shopping for Hawaii...

I think I spent half as much $$ getting ready to go to Hawaii, as I actually spent IN Hawaii! Haha! (not really) I had so much fun shopping and planning for this trip! Jonah spent countless hours at the mall with me in the afternoons when he got out of school. He is a good little shopping buddy! (as long as he has my phone!) I started doing Weight Watchers & exercising in January, and while I didn't completely meet my goal, I got very close and I felt good about it! It's fun to shop when you can look in the mirror and feel good about the way you look. Here are some of my Hawaii purchases!

Waikiki Beach Coconut & a GoPro...had to have them!

Trying on swimsuits is not fun...but I managed to find not 1, not 2, not 3, but FOUR swimsuits for Hawaii. Eeeekkk!! I know thats overboard, but oh well! I think this Nike one is my fav!

Rolled ice cream for being such a patient shopper!

"Look Mommy!" LOL!

The swimsuit shopping was motivation to go to the gym more often!

Retail therapy is real...

Oh and the swimsuit shopping was also motivation to stick with WW and eat things like this instead of Snickers... sigh::

Pretty sure I need this pineapple purse.

Watching Hawaii youtube videos while on the elliptical made it not quite so bad!

A spray tan is a must for these white legs!

Oh, Charlie...

I am not a dog person. I am not a dog person. I am NOT a dog person! My kids surely know how much I love them, to let them have a dog, right?! Ha! It's a good thing he's cute! So Charlie managed to sneak out of the backyard one day and what do you know...he was picked up by Animal Welfare. Ugh!! After driving around for 2 hours looking for him, I had the bright idea to call the pound, and there he was. Nearly $100 and my sanity later, and he was back home safe and sound. He didn't have a collar with identification on, so that's why it cost so much to get him back. The kids happy faces when I walked by into the house with him, was worth it I guess! We are still trying to figure out what we will do with Charlie once summer gets here. He still spends pretty much all of the time outside, because he pees everywhere when he gets excited and is inside. We have even tried putting diapers on him, but I just can't handle having him in the house very much. 

I'm cracking up, looking at these pictures of Charlie the day he was taken to doggie jail...he looked rough, to say the least! The picture above was after a much-needed trip to the Pet Nanny for grooming! 

The look of shame, as we drove home from the pound...

They love him, so I love him!

He did look so handsome after his haircut!

Working Through 5th Grade

I'm loving Mackenzie's drawing above...and I agree! Anytime IS the time for chocolate! =0) 

Mackenzie hasn't had the easiest year in 5th grade. She hasn't connected well with her teacher, and its just been difficult. We are pushing through it though, and will be glad for a fresh start next year at CHA. We are very proud of Mackenzie and how hard she works. She is a smart cookie!

Here are just a few recent pics of some things she has done at school.

Mackenzie led one of the pledges for Easter Chapel.

Mackenzie is always wanting to come up with ideas for ways to make money. This made me laugh! She asked to use my computer one day, and this is what she made...

Diagramming sentences is not exactly her favorite thing to do! I can't say that I blame her...