movie party for a seven year old

Boo wanted a movie-themed or swimming party this year for her birthday.  Being as the weather is usually a little unpredictable in November she opted for the movie party.  The movie Monsters University came out the week of her birthday, so that was our entertainment.  We enjoyed pizzas, popcorn and a concession stand filled with Halloween candy.  The kids walked the red carpet upon arrival and Boo and LE made the walk of fame on our drive-way for each of the invited guests.  I made huge brownie points with friends who got a four-hour date night.  One grateful mom even brought us a bottle of wine.
Mimi made the Monsters University inspired #7 cake to look like Sully with Mike Wazowski cake balls.  The kids got to decorate cupcakes with edible eyes and candy pieces to make their own monsters to take home.  And her friend Blythe, and cousin Emmie got to sleep over.  Thank you everyone for making her birthday so special.

Happy Birthday Boo!

Bella Boo Bunny, I love you so much!  You are turning into such a beautiful, young lady.  You are such a big helper with your brothers and you love them so much.  I cannot believe you are seven years old today.  Please always stay my my Boo Bunny!

Your favorites:
food- nachos and grilled cheese
color- pink and purple, but mostly pink
movie- Despicable Me 2, Monsters University
books - Rainbow Fairies
toy - Pooh Bear
things to do - draw, read books and write in your journal

Roman Feast

We just finished our studies on the Roman Empire.  To celebrate we had a Roman feast.  We tried almonds, grapes, olives, bread, grape juice, hummus and cecina.  The girls dressed in togas and we watched portions of the Gladiator movie.  The girls read Vacation under the Volcano, a book in the Magic Tree House series.

Cecina recipe:
olive oil
salt
basil leaves (dried)
2 cans chick peas

Heat oven to 375 degrees.  Drain beans, but save the liquid.  Mash beans in a bowl.  Add 2 T. olive oil and enough liquid as need to make a smooth paste.  Oil a cookie sheet with additional olive oil.  Spread batter on the pan, shaping into a circle.  Drizzle on a tablespoon or two of olive oil.  Sprinkle with basil and bake for 4 minutes.

Halloweeeeeen

Every year for Halloween, we have celebrated with our friends, the Richards, Bizarro Ben and Miss Julie.  Their daughter who is now a senior, was in my pre-k class the first year I taught her after moving to Austin.  Mr. Ben and Daddy are man-date friends as they share the same name and a love for guy movies.  I encourage it b/c it gets me out of seeing macho movies until I can watch them at home, pause and ask questions.  Mr. Ben's birthday is the day before Halloween so we enjoy a fun dinner and then we go trick-or-treating in their neighborhood with new friends. Thanks for another fun year Mr. Ben, Miss Julie and Briley.

Fall Fest

On Sunday, we went to Steve's church's fall fest.  There was a petting zoo, food, face painting, pumpkin painting, games, and snow cones. It was like a pint-sized fall fest.  Boo is Padme, HR is Pooh, LE is Quannah Parker, and R2 is Eeyore.

happy halloween

garage and bake sale

Last week was our homeschool group's clothes swap.  I started cleaning out closets and the shed in September b/c I had the date wrong.  Over the past few weeks I have accumulated quite a pile for the swap so we decided to have a garage sale instead.  The girls wanted to do a bake sale along with the sale items they wanted to sell.  They raked it in, making $44 for them to split.  Daddy and I made enough to make a second car payment.  Considering it was all items we were cleaning out anyways we are pleased with the day.

Tiara 5K

I have no idea where this desire came from, but a few weeks back I told Ben I wanted to start running 5Ks.  We started with the ROC race, which really wasn't a run, more of a obstacle course.

This past weekend I ran my first official 5K.  I did much better than I could ever have imagined.  I ran 3.1 miles in 30:55 minutes, that is at a pace of 9:55 per mile!  I came in 42nd place out of 200+ people!  I am so proud of myself, my goal was a 11 minute mile, and to finish.
 I used to tell people, I only run when it is raining and that is from my car to the front door, so this is a huge accomplishment for my short legs.  I could not have done this without Erica inspiring me to join the gym and encouraging me to run b/c it is the best way to drop pounds and Michelle, my trainer.  She has pushed me to do things I NEVER thought was possible at this point in my life.  What's next?

ballet lessons for 2

I have no problem admitting I am frugal.  Last summer, I used my connections to find Miss Ashley, a daughter of a fellow homeschooling family who teaches the girls piano lessons once a week.  This summer, I set out to find a home school student who could teach ballet.  I found Miss Joelle, a twelve year old who has been taking dance for eight years and assists her instructor with younger students.  She jumped at the chance to offer ballet and tap lessons to our home school group.
We are off to a great start, 4 girls in the older class and five in the younger class.  I have no plans for my children to be prodigies, but Boo loves to twirl and play dress up.  I had to find someone to nurture her creative side.  At the cost, we were able to keep both girls in piano and pursue dance for both of them too.

happy campers

When I start telling people the things that happened on the trip, the most common response I get it, that's the trip from Hell.
1) HR threw up as we were arriving at Gigi's house all over his car seat and the stroller that was at his feet.
2) LE got sick while she was in the top bunk and I was literally holding a trash bag open for her to aim in (from the top bunk).
3) Propane went out on night #4, the coldest night of the trip.
4) U.S Government shuts down on the day we are supposed to take a train ride to the Grand Canyon.
5) Flat tire, low spare $50 to repair, 10 miles away from seeing the Grand Canyon.
6) HR gets an ear infection.
7) HR begins to cry every time he is in the car.
8) We have to leave a day earlier than mom and dad, who keep the girls so they could go to Albuquerque balloon festival.
9) Dad's fuel pump goes out on the opposite side of Albuquerque of the balloon festival.  The only balloons they see are on t.v.
I absolutely LOVED our trip.  I wish we were able to bypass some of the above, but I enjoyed it so much.  We are all ready to go again, except maybe HR.