Happy Birthday Sophie and Sage- PJ Party!

Can you believe they’re 11 already?  In August, it will be 8 years since our daughters have been home, I remember it like it was yesterday.  Such blessings!!

As busy as May is for mom’s and kids in school w/- year end school projects, testing, team tryouts, tournaments, volunteering, Spirit week, teacher appreciation (along with selling/ showing a house)…, we didn’t let that stop us from planning a fun b-day party for our girls 11th birthday.  It came up fast, right after Spring Break, so I let the girls do most of the planning.  We had fun putting it together.     

 

They wanted a home party, originally thinking of a Waffle Luv party, having the mobile truck park on the private lane and the girls can enjoy their delicious waffles, but WL was at their school just the other day for Jogapalooza (big school fundraiser), so we went with plan B, a fun PJ unslumber party.

They wanted to invite their soccer and school friends, so I had to limit the number (not easy, they wanted to invite more).  But a total of 20 was the limit.  It’s sometimes hard mixing friends, but Sophie and Sage made an effort so everyone felt welcomed and had fun, and they blended great together (soccer and gymnastic/dance girls).  They are loved and truly have wonderful friends!!   

 

Peanut Game VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

They started with a get to know you ball toss game, then played the peanut game.  When planning, my girls asked about birthday parties I had while growing up (what fun memories), they wanted many of the same games.  Such fun traditions!

Balloon pop!  Hmmm, Sage’s balloon is awfully small, lol

Sophie & R are out- heart her smile!

Water balloon toss, a Family Reunion favorite.  Awww, out of all of her favorite friends, Sophie ran and got Trevor to be her partner.  Although, I think they had something up their sleeve, planned while they filled the balloons, look at that pass.

We have a winner.  Good job R & K!

After the Treasure Hunt, was a bubble gum contest with a twist… 

the gum hidden in whipped topping, no hands

Sage- too busy giggling to blow

After pizza,watermelon, etc., they had some fun outside before singing happy birthday and opening gifts.

Cute soccer cupcakes with ice-cream bars.  Simple and sweet!

S & S thanked us many times for the fun party, saying it was their best birthday yet!  We’re so thankful for great friends. 

Happy Birthday Sophie and Sage!  As your awesome piano teacher put it… we hit the jackpot when we got you two!  Couldn’t agree with him more.  Love you forever, love you for always!

Christmas is coming…

the family I mean the Goose is getting fat.

twirling girls in their lovely dresses. 

 

Avalanche PJ Party VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

 

The girls soccer team had a great time at the soccer PJ party (my house).  It got wild at times, but a nice break from the drills and rigorous training they do each week.  We started out with a fun gathering game (questions marked on a soccer ball), then made bracelets in Avalanche colors (like the ones from Girls Camp), ate Pizza and snacks, had a crazy gift exchange, and they unanimously voted on the movie; Elf.  Tons of giggles and a hide and seek game in between, they had a ball.  Ha, do you like the nerd pictures Sophie instigated?  She cracks us up.  Thanks Leslie for hosting the fun party with me!   

 

Paul's Company Party

Such a beautiful night downtown with my sweetie.  Pampered with a nice banquet and good entertainment; a local boy band playing popular songs from now and the 80’s (they were good, they opened for the Beach Boys recently), and had some funny candid interaction with the group.  A pleasant company party, one of the better ones!  So thankful for the strong company Paul works for and the good people he works with, and they sure appreciate him.  It’s sad to see and hear of all the businesses going under lately, way too many families are struggling, and many people we know that our hearts go out too.  All you can do is keep praying, work hard, and help others around you :)     

 

Sub for Santa, the girls were happy to help!  They were involved in the shopping, wrapping party, and a heartfelt delivery.

 

Josh’s fun group for the Christmas sweater dance

Ice skating and tubing for the day date, then met here for dinner before the dance

 

I prepared an Italian meal, while Trevor and the girls watched Home Alone upstairs, Paul was on late

                              menu

• Lasagna and Chicken Alfredo
• Green Salad & Olive Garden style homemade dressing
• French cut green beans
• Garlic Parmesan Baguette (yum!)
• Cranberry sparkling Christmas drink
• Andes mint (dessert was planned after the dance, at another house)

They thought I was the best cook ever, didn’t tell them the Lasagna & Chicken Alfredo was freshly prepared at Costco, hey I still cooked it :)

 

To-die-for garlic parmesan bread

Homemade Olive Garden salad and dressing

 

Also, proud of my girls for keeping up on the heavy load at school this month.  Along with the regular monthly book report, poem to present, and big tests in history and math (squished in a short school month already), they also added a 3rd grade project (Native American book report with project).  It was due yesterday, and today the other book report is due, a poem to pass off, and a history exam to ace.   I’m thankful for good schools and teachers, but this is a bit overkill for 8 and 9 year olds, don’t you think?  (3rd grade seems to be the busiest, that was my biggest pet peeve while I taught here).  But the girls kept up on it all by doing homework often times in the car and taking their book everywhere we went, and keeping their projects good but simple.  Good job girls, for making your deadlines and doing well!  We’re all looking forward to a nice Christmas break.

Merry Christmas!