Bella's Party

Okay, I am so behind in my posts, but I will come back with a recap of Bella's 4th birthday party. Afterwards it occurred to me that almost every single picture I took was of the decor and hardly a one of the actual kids or the goings-on of the party. What can I say? What did I spent the most time and effort on? The details of the decor, food, and favors... Molly took some more pictures so hopefully she has some that actually feature people and I can post those later.
Bella had originally told me she wanted a blue birthday party, a request that was met with more than a little reluctance. Blue? Really? Are you sure? So for a few weeks I racked my brain trying to think of the decor, food, favors and activities incorporating the color blue. I came up with giving the kids blue ribbon name badges, but that was about it. Luckily one day she suddenly told me she wanted a green party, at which point I replied 'Are you sure? Green? You're sure? Okay it's green. We're not changing.' Luckily it worked. Green happens to be my favorite color so I had fun imagining the possibilities for a simple and inexpensive party. The results:
It all started with the invitation. (Shell's affirmation covering my address and phone number)

Unfortunately none of the pictures do the party justice, so please mentally enhance the images.
Centerpiece featuring Molly's vase, limes, key limes, lemons, fake green and white Gerbera daisies and some forsythia stems from my yard. Monochromatic, so cute.
These were the favors. I spray painted mini terra cotta pots, tied them with ribbon and did a monogram rub-on for each guest. Then for an activity we planted a small impatien in each one. The kids had fun digging soil with a spoon and had a small cute pink flower to take home.
Fresh fruit- always a cheery centerpiece.
I attempted to make these party hats/cones for them to wear and then collect their loot in. I hung one on each chair.
Oh.
These tissue paper pom poms make my heart sing. I saw them on Martha Stewart's site, and then my friend Kim made them and solidified my desire to make them myself. Martha and Kim both have tutorials, and ti is the easiest thing possible. This is my new favorite decoration for any special occasion. Each one cost 99 cents, and took about 5 minutes to make. All you need: tissue paper, monofiliment, and floral wire. Ta-da! Seriously, I'm a little obsessed with these. It's now Thursday and they are still up. I'm not sure when these are coming down. They just lift my spirits to see them floating there, ethereal and magical. Also I made a mini pennant banner out of scrap green fabrics I had, using Michelle's tutorial, on a mini scale. Love it! Now we're going to hang it over Bella's window in her room. Whenever I take it down, which is undecided as of now.
I was rushed so I didn't get a better picture of the adults food as they were trying to eat from it (the nerve-), but I just served cucumbers, green apples, green grapes, celery and dip, all in various shades of green bowls of course, with another lime-filled vase with floating tea lights.
Party sign on the mailbox. Timm's only job prior to the party was to pick up 3 green balloons on the way home from work. I was somewhat exasperated with the 2 blue balloons, but apparently Timm thinks aqua is a shade of green. Really.
The setting.
If you look very closely you may be able to see an actual child at the party, and in fact, it is the birthday girl! I hope Molly has better pictures of my cupcakes, but just in case, here's the description: various green card stock wrappers around the cupcakes, green icing, and green pennant cupcake toppers. I had them on two stacked cake plates with Bella's topped with 4 skinny celery colored candles.
Also not pictured, or at least visible- I made Bella an appliqued '4' shirt. I used a bright green scrap of fabric that I also used in the banner and appliqued it to a white shirt we already owned. I'm going to get a picture later and make it a tradition.
Homemade paper bag pinata! I was going to make her a traditional paper mache pinata in the shape of a 4, but time was running out so I googled pinata substitutes and immediately came up with a paper bag version! What could be easier or cheaper? I didn't spend a dime on it except for the green candy inside of it. It was surprisingly strong! Totally doing this again.
I tied ribbons and bows through the arms of my chandelier.
Close-up of the mini-banner.

All in all, I felt like her party was a complete success. A little stressful and busy leading up to it, which could have been avoided by not procrastinating, but the actual party felt flawless. i wasn't stressed, I purposely kept the activities simple and low-key. The adults mostly socialized inside, and the kids played 'freeze dance', 'red light green light', planted their flower, hit the pinata and had cupcakes and ice cream. No gifts, no drama, no stress- just 5 4-year olds (or nearly 4) running around playing, together just for the sake of having fun, celebrating a birthday, eating ice cream and being friends.
Other things I loved about this party: the theme. I love that it is simple and doesn't promote or pursue commercialism, consumerism and doesn't feature any characters whatsoever. Other themes I've thought of for the future: a letter birthday, i.e. 'F' for Fiona- courtesy of Michelle and Martha Stewart, a polka dot party, a number party, i.e. '5' for next year, an art party, a book party...I want to do another one soon!
And last but not least, my total cost for the party including every detail was about $40. My goal was to keep it at $25, but the produce alone for the adults was $15, so that was shot. Still, $40 for the whole she-bang. Not bad.
So as you can see, it was cute, and as you cannot see but I will tell you anyway, is that a good time was had by all. I got several comments from the adults that they really enjoyed the party, and the general flow and feeling of it. It was the perfect length (almost 2 hours) and just enough mix of structure and freedom. Best of all, there was hardly any cleanup when everyone left!
I mention every detail and list every achievement not to boast, but to document and remember for next time. This was done well. We all liked the outcome, and the pattern should be repeated.
Coming Soon (meaning at some point-) Bella's 4 post, Fiona's 8 1/2 months catch-up post, gardening updates, whining and typical minutea. Where does the time go?
Stay tuned for the thank-you cards!

Still Life of Fridge

I love the snapshot of my life this scene offers.
Clockwise-from left:
A picture of me and baby Bella when she was 9 months old, 2 inspiring quote magnets I've made- one from Jeffrey R. Holland, and one from Mark Twain- affirmations that Shell printed out for us, to-do lists for Timm and I both, more affirmations, a picture of Timm at the prom, the most beautiful card I've ever received (from Shell), free Cold Stone coupons, Sebastian's birthday party invitation, homemade magnets, more affirmations, Fiona's 3-D ultrasound pictures, my favorite valentine from Shell, my Weight Watcher's bookmark with my sticker accomplishments, awesome french postcard from Shell, giant 'B' magnet for Bella, and tiny note from Shell.
A very pleasing collection of momentos, colors, family, reminders, and pick-me-ups. And a whole lot of Shell :)

Mother's Day Shoot

Mother's Day was a lovely opportunity to take some family pictures after church. We haven't taken any since Fiona's blessing day, so it was nice to gather in our scenic backyard. Have I mentioned that I love our backyard? I've been mind-writing a post for weeks about my house, my yard, my city, my home...Soon.
Note: There is an obnoxious blur on my lens that I haven't been able to get off. Grr.
I'm not really sure why I take such strides to color-coordinate our family when the effect is lost when you photograph from the waist up. Bur trust me, we are all wearing black and white, with the exception of Bella, who is wearing the cutest black and white and green dress. Fiona is wearing one of Eva's old dresses in black toile. Above picture courtesy of the timer function and our deck railing.

Below, some father-daughter moments:




I know, I'm the only one that looks decent in this picture, but I like it so I'm flattering my vanity.


Bella requested her own photo shoot with her cat whom she named 'Mary Sparkles' for unknown reasons. Notice Hannah's hair clips in Mary's 'hair', or ears.
A self-portrait attempt whilst Fiona samples the foliage.

Mother's Day

Let me say, Timm did well. Last year I trained myself to have no expectations. On a day typically rife with conflicting emotions I decided to expect nothing, hold no resentments, bare no disappointments. It wasn't a great day, so it's for the best that i adopted this attitude. This year however, for whatever reason, I had expectations. I wanted to be appreciated, taken care of, and satisfied. Maybe it's because of the 3rd child I bore this past year, making me feel all the more entitled to a day of celebration and appreciation. Upon reflection, I think it is due to my own appreciation of my efforts. I am far from a perfect mother. Sometimes I struggle with merely being an adequate mother, barely competent. I can say however, that I am doing my best. I have a lot of room for improvement and I need to constantly work to improve and do right by my girls, but I can say that I am trying my best. I have done much better than I thought possible since having Fiona and adding another child to mother alongside Bella. I have surprised myself this year with my adaptation, acceptance, ease, and resilience. By my description it sounds as though I weathered some major adversities and trials when I actually refer to having another baby in September. Still, this was something I feared, something that caused me a great deal of anxiety, stress and doubt. But I did it, I am doing it, and I have surprised myself with my capabilities. So go on, shower me with appreciation and the accolades I have come to deserve. That's how I approached this day. Luckily, Timm was receptive and must have understood my expectations. That or he is actually appreciative and admiring of my mothering his children. Either way, well done.
It was a simple day.
It began when Timm got up with the girls at 7am, leaving me an additional half hour to sleep in before church. Then the 3 of them woke me with breakfast in bed which Timm prepared, a diet spread. Yogurt, strawberries, English muffins, jam, and the cutest little arrangement in one of my tiny vases. The best part was that they were all collected from my 'garden', or yard. It held Creeping Jenny which I never thought of using in an arrangement, Coral Bells, and Leopard's Bane. So cute and cheerful and satisfying to come from my own gardening efforts.
Then we went to church which was nice. The sacrament meeting talks were good- one from a grandmother giving her perspective she has gained in hindsight and her reassurances of our efforts and capabilities. We came home, I got the girls lunch (my only grudge-) then I went off to read and nap for 3 hours. So awesome.

When I woke up Timm took the girls out for almost an hour, then came home and made a great dinner- a new Cooking Light recipe (from the purple book) called Mango Mustard Chicken, jasmine rice, sugar snap peas and rolls. It was seriously good- we will definitely be incorporating that recipe into our repertoire.
Then I ran out and picked up a 100% free ice cream from ColdStone. (Mother's Day coupon.) I got fat-free sweet cream with strawberries which was absolutely delicious. Then he gave me an unexpected and extravagant gift- a portable dvd player for our pending road trips, flights, and use in my studio. Top it off with a RedBox and going to bed at a reasonable hour and I felt refreshed and at peace.
All I want for Mother's Day is to be appreciated and have the day off from all of the tedious Mother's duties I perform on a daily basis. I don't want to change any diapers, wipe anyone's bum on the toilet, fix meals, tame tantrums, pick up toys, clean the kitchen... I don't care about gifts, but of course they are always nice. One thing I would love that I haven't yet gotten is a card, a letter. I am a huge fan of the written and spoken word of love and appreciation. Tangible evidence of these feelings, something I can reflect back on, refer to, have proof of. So if this year is to be improved upon, it would be with this one gesture. Plus next year I won't be breast-feeding so I won't be the only one who can perform that duty, I would prefer not to change diapers, and not glance over and see my husband reading on the couch while I tend to the girls. I'm just sayin'.
The only reason I even mention these details is to be fair in my expectations and wishes. I can't hold him to something he doesn't even know about, so at least it's out there.
Well done Timm, and thank you. This Mother's Day I felt a part of a universal, timeless and unrivaled strength of women. A force to be reckoned with, one that has created and changed the face of the world. A very small and inconsequential, yet vital part of the whole of Motherhood- the greatest power, blessing, gift and charge given to humankind.
This coupled with my love and appreciation for my own mother, sister, grandmother, aunt, best friends and mother-in-law who have shown me the way, and this, this is what Mother's Day should be.

Running Minutea

PR: Personal Record- not that that means much...)
33:13 minutes
2.5 miles
12 min/mile 1st mile
13.2 min/mile average
Ran 2 minutes, walked 1 the entire time.

Friday night I went running on a different route, but the same distance, and it was 5 whole minutes longer, and separated into two halves with an hour or two break in between. (I met Molly at ColdStone.) HUGE improvement in 3 days!!

Sweating like mad. Tingling with accomplishment. Meager though it may be to other athletes- to this 'adult-onset athlete' it is just short of miraculous. Off to shower.

BTW- I decided against the 5k that is this Saturday. Partly because it is so soon and partly because it seemed kind of lame with no registration fee, no racing number, no t-shirt, small attendance. I want my first race to have all the excitement of an organized race. So I paid my $17 registration fee and registered for one on June 6th that is basically around Molly's neighborhood. I can pick up my race packet on June 3rd that has my number, t-shirt, goodie bag. I'm giddy thinking about it! I almost did a 5k tonight...Just need to extend that route a bit.

Quickie

Happy Mother's Day!

more to come...

Always Good For a Laugh

Bella is always good for entertainment, as well as a heartwarming reassurance that vocabulary and an appreciation of words is not lost on the young. I'm pleased to reflect on my own conversations and see my daily influence on her impressions and expressions. Here are a few gems in no particular order, to each their own context, from my not-yet 4 year-old.

General words and expressions:

'This is trash, however.'
'As a matter of fact...'
'I'll take that as a yes.'
'I'd prefer to put it over here.'
'I'm just trying to be helpful.'
'It's going to be a puppet show, most likely.'
'I would be delighted to help you.'

A couple of nights ago we had tilapia and gave her some. Her response: 'I'd have this anytime! This is Delicious!'
She regularly tells people we meet on the street that they 'can come over anytime!'
Today in Joy School we were talking about belonging, and the most important group we belong to, our family. While trying to prompt the answer that family are the most important people Bella told me: 'Jill. I love her very, very much.' While I don't disagree, it was seemingly very random. Bella hasn't seen Jill since last July, so apparently she has left quite an impression.
'Won't it be sad when I get to be a grown up?' (No, it'll be fun- why, you don't want to grow up?) No, I want to stay to a kid.' very astute.
She was trying to cajole me into reading a book that I said was too long and we didn't have time for. 'Can you read half? (no.) A third? (no.) A fifth? (no!)

Recently she told me out of the blue that she misses her aunt, who she clarified as Michelle. Now often when she is sad she will also cry out that she misses Michelle. This has caused a great increase in one of her favorite role-playing games in which I play Michelle. Luckily for me I don't really have to affect any change or character, I just go about my business with the understanding that I am Shell. I only know that we're playing this game when Bella will ask me a question directed at Michelle. Yesterday was the most I have had to perform in a single day, about 50/50.

Today Fiona was stalking her as she often does since B is her favorite person. Bella was getting frustrated and cried out 'Fiona!! You are a very cute baby, but I LOVE YOU!' in a tone that did not match her words. Her tone was more suited for an insulting tirade.

That's all I can recall at the moment, but I jot these things down and least once or twice a day. Ah, she's a weirdo. A well-vocabulated weirdo. (That's for you Rin!)

Today

I dug out 182 daffodil bulbs with a trowel and my bare hands. I have about twice that many to still transplant.
Molly said my butt looked much smaller.
My neighbor Emily said I was a dream wife.
I weighed in at Weight Watchers and lost .6 pound, for a total of 22.6 pounds.
I stayed up until 3:45 am sewing a birthday present for Sebastian.
I ran one mile in the pouring rain: 13:30.

More to come, I'm sure.