Birds Flock Together

So--I've been going through a little bird fetish as of late and thought I'd share some of my latest creations. The last few weeks have been filled with birthdays, teacher appreciations, mother's day...and let's just say many opportunities to "create." It's always fun to see what happens down in the "craft room." Here are some of my results.

Love those birds!

Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

Bookclub was at my house last night. Too fun. The best was I just loved this book. It is so fun and witty and charming and cute! A new favorite of mine. You really must give it a try.

I can't do two things at once, like host a party and take pictures...so I don't have much to post. But, I did manage to take a couple pictures afterwards of the "awards" I gave out.



I searched the web for ideas, knowing this was such a well read book club type of book, so I was surprised that I couldn't find much in the way of "ideas." I thought about making a potato peel pie, but I couldn't justify spending hours on something I knew wasn't going to be "edible." Who wants to eat a pie made with potato peels and some beet juice to flavor it????? NOT ME. So, I came up with my own idea.

Instead of doing our usual pass out questions and discuss each one, I made up a game. We played a kind of pictionary with objects from the book. I went through the book and pulled out objects like a suitcase, tonic and potions, barrel of water, etc. and wrote each one on a piece of paper. Each team took turns pulling a paper and drawing the object for their team to guess. Once the team guessed the picture correctly they then had to tell how or why or who that picture related to in the book. This would spark discussion relating to that subject and we were able to cover what we would have discussed anyway, just in a different format. It was lots of fun, I thought.

So, at the end, I awarded the winners honorary members of the Potato Peel Pie Literary Society with a potato peeler. And, we did not eat potato peel pie.

Paper shoes

Aren't these fun?

I found the idea here and just loved how they turned out. I made the white and black one first, to give to my mom for Mother's Day, and then decided to make my Grandma's each one too since it turned out so cute! You'll have to try it. It was so easy. I just printed the template right onto the back of the patterned paper and ta-da! A little cutting and folding and that was it. Anyway, just wanted to share.

Kung Fu Fighting

Each year at AFHS the teachers spend their lunch minutes preparing dances to perform in front of the students at the Renaissance Assembly. I went the first year to watch, but with all the kids and it being so crowded, I haven't been back since. Now that most my kids will be in school, I'll have to try it again.

Each year Larkin brings the camera hoping to find someone who will record his dance so he can show us (and see it himself.) Each year, for whatever reason, it hasn't happened. One year the battery died in the camera after just a few seconds. Another year, there was no more room to record on the camera because the memory card was full. Another year, the teacher thought it was recording, but unfortunately, it wasn't. So, this year, when he came home and had it recorded, we all gathered around the computer to watch it. The girls loved it. They wanted to watch it over and over again. Our next mission though, is to get whoever is recording it to be on the side Larkin is on. It's hard to see him, but he is in the back with a black robe thingy and yellow belt. Go Larkin!

Happy Birthday Paige!

Paige has been so excited for her birthday this year especially because she was going to have her first FRIEND birthday party!

I was excited because she let me make up the invitations any way I wanted.

We went with a color theme, inspired by the pink, green and yellow tissue "pom-poms" my Mom and Dad had made with the girls the week before. One of Paige's favorite things to do is color, cut, glue and eat candy...so we found some fun velvety posters and a bunch of candy to give to her friends as a party favor.
I got this crazy idea in my head the day before the party to make a birthday banner. I decided after a little thought to make a P.A.I.G.E banner instead since there are WAY FEWER letters. I'm glad I did.

It took the whole day as it was.

But,

I'm so happy with how it turned out! Here's a close up of the "P" and some more pictures of it hung inside and then out for the party.

Fun...huh?

So the friend party was Saturday, the day before her actual birthday.

We lucked out and had beautiful weather that morning, so the party was outside (like I had hoped.) I had another bright idea the day before to get the jump house from my parents. Thanks to my amazing cousins, Shauna and family, we had access to this fun bounce house. It was a huge hit at the party.

This is Paige's "boyfriend" Braxton. We think he's pretty cute! So does she ;)

Here's Chelsea.

And the cupcakes that somehow got frosted in the 20 minutes I had left that morning after running to the store for food coloring, sprinkles, and fun candles. That was a close one.

This is our sweet neighbor, Taelyn.

And my other party goers who were so excited I didn't have the party while they were at school.

We played a form of musical chairs, but instead of eliminating people as the chairs are taken away, you just squish together with other people on what chairs are left.

Here is a picture with only 4 or so chairs left. It was fun.

And of course, presents. TOO. MUCH. EXCITEMENT.

It turned out to be a great party. I'm glad. It was fun to see Paige so happy.

Here is Paige on Sunday morning, her real birthday with her birthday donuts.

Larkin was able to come home early from church meetings that morning so Paige got to open her presents before church! She was thrilled. Here is a video of her opening the smallest present there. I kept telling her and the girls it was her biggest present, but no one would believe me...until...



Here's the group with the prize. Thanks again to Shauna and family! I love hand-me-downs!!!

So, who knew that a pack of gum could bring so much joy. And then there's Abby who couldn't believe she got 3 packs in one! I love it.

And yes, we did eventually all get dressed that morning. Paige in her new clothes--and we even had time to crimp the hair. What a sweet little 5 year old. She is such a joy and delight. Can you tell by that smile? We love you Paige.

Since we had "cake" the day before, and Paige really only likes the frosting, she decided that she wanted CINNAMON ROLLS for her birthday cake. Here's the birthday song and the blowing of the candles (you'll notice how much August likes birthdays too!)

Here's to a great year little one. We love you.

Easter Dresses

I saw these dresses at Costco back in January, but of course they didn't have the larger sizes in, and only a handful of the smaller ones. I would check back a few more times on the sizes, but with no luck. So, when I happened to be there one morning (weeks later) and saw the sales lady pulling a new shipment of dresses out of some boxes...I decided to just go check the sizes one more time. I couldn't believe it when I saw there was one left in each of the 3 sizes I needed right there! It was meant to be. It's so hard for me to spend this kind of money (one isn't so bad, but when you buy 3, ouch), but I did it. I hoped my girls wouldn't grow too tall by the time Easter rolled around...and it worked. Aren't they fun?

I love it! What sweeties!

Our Weekend

We enjoyed GENERAL CONFERENCE this past weekend. I loved all the advise directed to parents and family. I hope to talk more (not just read) about the scriptures and my testimony with my children and watch and listen more carefully to their responses and questions so I can get to know them even better. I love them so much and want them to be prepared to be good, nice, helpful people who are happy and a pleasure to be around. Is that asking too much?

While Larkin was at the Preisthood session we had a "girls night-in" at our house with our good friends, the Jones. We did name banners with the girls, six all together. We started out with a few supplies

and they each chose their own colors and papers and patterns and we ended up with this Not bad huh? It was so fun to see how different they all turned out. I wish I had a picture of Katie, Lindsay, and Chelsea's but I didn't think to take pictures until after they had gone home. It was fun to spend some crafting time together though. I loved it.
EASTER

We enjoyed a quiet Easter home with just our family this year. The kids woke up early to this

and had fun collecting lots of eggs

August was in heaven with all that candy and couldn't trouble himself too much to keep collecting when he already had a few waiting to be eaten! What fun.

Ashley

Abby

Paige

August

We had a relaxing day listening to conference and we even managed to have a yummy dinner, ham, mashed potatoes, broccoli and bread.

Hope your day was happy too.