Nadia's Cousin Sleepover

There have been many times where I had regretted inducing Nadia on the 30th.  Part of me wishes I would have waited until New Year's Eve.  It would have been easier to celebrate.  For now, we just push back the celebration for a day and it seems to work.

This year we had another cousin sleepover per Nadia's request.  It went smoother than previous years as we are learning what works and what doesn't.  All the kids seemed to have had a good time.

Our spread.  A sandwich bar, 7 layer dip and other "healthy food" before we pulled out the fondue and cake.

It doesn't take much to infer which was more popular.

Nadia's yearly request for birthday celebrations always seems to include a DQ ice cream cake.  I'm happy to hand off the responsibility to someone else as I am not talented at cake decorating.  This year was, surprise, a fox theme for my little animal lover.

Nadia is a creative soul of Jackson Pollock proportions.  So we let the kids loose with face paint, temporary hair dye, fondue, firecrackers and all sorts of messy activities.  It was fun to see her in her element.

 Forever the ham.

 It was interesting to have two sides of my family at one party and see the differences between the  children.  Isabelle was very conservative with her choices, one small pink heart and some glitter in her hair, whereas the "Beck" kids looked like walking graffiti. 

Nadia had gotten a wii Just Dance game the day before as a birthday present and we used that for the party.  It was a big hit.  We brought in our new laser lights indoors and created a disco downstairs.

I cannot believe she is 7!

They did make it to midnight with the exception of Isabelle, Caroline, Sage and Elsa.  I think Isabelle missed it by 30 minutes.

Minecraft marathons

 

Firecracker and poppers outside! 

I loved this party.  I think because it reminded me of the parties I had as a kid.  There was a bit of nostalgia there I suppose.  No fighting, no problems, just good fun.  Hopefully we have a few more years where we can do this with all the kids.

Lucky 13

Steve and I celebrated 13 years of marriage this December.  It seems like more.  I can't really remember what life was life before Steve and I don't really want to.  As hard as things can be at times, they are still better because I have him with me.  We don't like spending time apart.  I'll stop with the mushiness there, but suffice it to say that we still really like each other after all these years.

We went to the Black Sheep cafe, which is a bit of an inside joke these days.  We were the black sheep in the Black Sheep.  So meta.  My mom was lovely enough to watch the kids for us.  Bless her.

 The bison burgers were delicious.  As well as the prickled pear lemonade and the sweet potato fries.  I look forward to returning someday.

A Cut Above the Rest

Elsa is 3.5 years old, so I figured she was probably overdue for a haircut.  I've lightly trimmed the edges maybe twice in her life, trying to get it be more even.  But it was starting to get really straggly as of late.

Before!  Forgive the fruit roll up teeth.  We were looking for entertainment in the form of sugar.

 And After!  Her hair couldn't support the length anymore, being as fine as it is.  I think it looks absolutely darling and she gets compliments all the time.  Even passing strangers make comments.  Elsa, on the other, likes to tell me constantly that she doesn't like her haircut and wants it longer.

The A line bob totally suits her spunky personality.  I'm hoping she'll get sold on it in time.  Not to mention that there's no styling required.  Her hair knows what to do and it has been such a breeze to get ready now.

I really love Cookie Cutters.  They did a great job and are set up to entertain the kiddos with movies or video games of their choice.  They even get to choose what "vehicle" to sit in as they get their cut and are rewarded with a balloon and a lollipop when it's all over.  I'm sold!

Nadia also got a cut.  Not as dramatic, but she's cute too so we'll add her in.

Before:

 After!

Love these sweet girls!

Learn to Jump Before you can Walk

Sage is still perfecting her walk here.  And trying to jump.  And somersault.  But she has the climbing thing down. 

In a Movie Theater, Not so Far Away

We saw the latest Star Wars with Rowan!  It was so fun to take him out to his first PG-13 movie and one that we all loved seeing.  My little man is growing up and still hates getting his picture taken.  Rowan liked it so much, he went to go see it again the next day with Grandma Dorothy.

 I'm pretty sure Steve isn't the only one who is mildly annoyed with my incessant picture taking.

Don't worry, that expression left the moment I put the camera away.

Snowman Sundaes

We seem to have started a tradition.  Last year I volunteered to provide the refreshments for Rowan's Christmas classroom party as a "birthday treat".  This year I volunteered to do the same.  Snowman sundaes have been a hit each time.  I hope to do it for Nadia's class next year if she has a stable teacher by then.  This year I brought in Snowman Kristy Kremes for her class treat. 

 Some of the kids came up with really creative ones.

 Smile for the camera Rowan!

 Rowan's "fly man" eating a marshmellow

Yes, he really loves getting his picture taken.

 We made some at home with Nadia and Elsa too.  They were thrilled.