Pinwheels

Who doesn't like a pinwheel. The girls made these from a kit that contained the paper, tacks, and sticks. But pinwheels are simple enough to make. All you need is decorative (or decorated) paper, straight pin, and a straw. Here's a link to a template, trace it, cut it out, and fold.

Whatever Wednesday

...Is at the bottom. First, pics of Vienne's 5th birthday party.

Pre party smiles. She accessorizes all on her own.

Patches the Clown came to celebrate with us.

Found this at Hobby Lobby. Cool, right?

Party favors with circus goodies.

This pic courtesy of Dawn. Thanks, Dawn, for getting me in a picture. I love this picture because Vienne is grinning so big.

• We had a very successful clown/circus/acrobat 5th birthday party in over 100 degree weather. I actually don't think the kids ever felt the heat. Vienne loved every bit of it. But I just can't help thinking that next year, she may not want all of the hoopla anymore. I love planning their parties.
• My desktop Mac is acting really sick right now. I was hoping to post more pics of the party but I had to put it to bed early tonight. My laptop will have to do for now. Another friendly reminder about backing up your computer. Often. I hope it recovers by the morning. There may be a part two to party pics because I even have some pics on the point and shoot.
• Another party tidbit- Pinatas are always fun. Except if you are a big kid apparently. Natalya has always been bummed that the big kids have to be at the end of the line. Which also means that she most likely won't get to hit it because by the time it gets to her the pinata is already down. This has happened to her "a lot!" Well, the last time it happened, I told her that I would get two pinatas for this party, one for the little kids and one for the big kids. Natalya still ended up at the back of the line for the big kids' pinata and this time- she still didn't get to hit it. About two big kids knocked into it and it was down. Poor thing was so disappointed.
• Vienne and I have been downing smoothies almost every day since Summer vacation started. We love them. We can only get Natalya to drink them sometimes. I'm so glad that at least Vienne loves them. Our recipe: About 3/4 C. of Stoneyfield organic vanilla yogurt, fruit, about a tbs. of honey, about an 1/8 cup of orange juice. Blend. That's it. I prepare my fruit ahead of time by slicing it up and freezing it and I freeze it in individual bags so that they are ready to go. Our fruit is usually bananas, strawberries, blackberries or bluberries. Oh, this can also be frozen into popsicles, especially if you've made too much.
• Cherry pitters are a wonderful invention. I gross out looking at a bowl of cherry pits.
• Back to school catalogs. Anyone else getting them?? I was in a store today looking at shorts. A gal came up to me and said, "If your considering those you better get them. That's our last shipment of shorts." Huh what? It's over 100 degrees here in S. Texas. Summer is far from over.
• I'm over. And out. Gotta get back to posting these in the mornings.

Whatever Wednesday

Evening edition. 

• Phrase that I've said a lot of since last Wednesday:  "Please come find me!  Why do you have to yell to me from across the house?!"
• Some card games that the girls are loving right now:  Match of the Penguins, Wig Out, and Monster Maker.  They all state ages 6 and up and were all a little difficult for Vienne the first time around.  But she got the hang of them quickly.  They are all quick playing card games that we can get a few of in before bed.  And they really are so fun.
• At one point in our day today, the car thermometer read 105 degrees.  Enough to melt just about anyone.
• Vienne has been going to circus camp this week so Natalya and I have been having some much needed and wanted "Mommy time", as Natalya calls it.  Today, I took Natalya to get her first ever manicure.  I picked out a subtle light pinkish color.  Natalya chose bright fluorescent green.  Our sweet friends Angela and Lynne were having sushi for lunch so Natalya and I joined them.  It was Natalya's first time there but we found a roll that she really liked, the Texas Roll.  It had roast beef, cream cheese, and cucumber I think.  Oh, and it was fried.  
• The whole South Carolina governor thing just blows my mind.  As much as I say, "I'm not surprised", I just can't help but be a little surprised.  How did he think he could get away with it?
• I found this cute, tulle skirt and had to buy it hoping that Vienne will wear it for her party.  It was on sale, too. 
• My sister is visiting this weekend for V's party.  I can't wait to see her, the girls can't wait to see her. 
• Just saw this on a Facebook post and had to share the link.  It really struck a chord for me being a mom of girls and consciously raising them up to be "integral to the mainstream".  Check it out here.
• I always tell Vienne that I want her to stay little.  Since her birthday is coming up, I said to her today that she could still have her party, but would she stay four for me?  We could have the cake but we could put four candles on it again.  She replied, "No. But I can always love you forever like I'm a baby."  I knew exactly what she meant. 

Baby's Got a Brand New Do

I have been wanting this for awhile. The struggle to comb it everyday was a huge one. Knots galore. It would get stuck under her pits. She was always pushing it off her face. But as soon as we got to the salon today, I felt a little sad. Vienne has had her hair cut before. As a matter of fact she was born with a full head of hair so she had many cuts before she turned one (I'll have to find a pic). But it has been awhile. And I LOVE her curls.

She looks adorable.  But older.  And I'm sad that she looks older because she turns five in a few weeks and I didn't need a tangible reminder.  The stylist blew it out straight and I don't see any curls right now.  I'm gonna wash her hair tomorrow and hope to God that her curls are still there.  Vienne loves it and I guess that's what's important.  I guess.

Whatever Wednesday

• Phrase that I've said a lot since last Wednesday:  "Please don't find me.  I'll be back over there in a minute."  Why is it that they have to follow me everywhere I go?
• Still working on the circus/acrobat party.  I've got lots of games lined up and ordered some banners (or buntings) from etsy for decoration.  Any other cool circus decoration ideas out there? 
• Speaking of parties-  One of these days, I am going to have a miscellaneous-whatever-everything under the sun-mismatched-every theme you can think of party.  Because I have something from every party the girls have had over the years- cowboys plates and hats, hula leis, pirate silver forks, unicorn napkins, princess necklaces- stuffed into about three tubs.  And they are in my craft room now waiting to find a new resting spot.  The child that agrees to it will be rewarded.
• Speaking of circus-  Vienne is going to Circus Camp next week at her gymnastics place.  Big coincidence that it's happening the week of her party.  Couldn't have been better timing.
• Natalya is starting speech therapy this week at a private office.  She had been taking it during the school year at school for free but I don't know that I've seen much of a difference.  The new therapist says that the only issue she has is "R" and that it should be easy to fix.  Then why wasn't it fixed during the year for free?  Anyway, she's entering the 3rd grade and I thought, for social reasons mostly, that we nip it in the bud.  She is excelling tremendously regardless.  We just got the letter yesterday that she passed her Gifted and Talented test and will enter the GT program next year.  Proud Momma over here.
• Vienne asked me the other day what a "boyfriend" was.  I said, "Well, it's a friend who is a boy."  V's response, "Oh, I thought it was a boy who said 'I love you and I want to marry you.'"  Natalya never freaked me out with questions like that. 
• The girls are getting hair cuts.  Their hair is soooooooooooooo long that I just can't take the combing out the knots anymore.  It's always such a dramatic event.  We won't cut it short but at least 4 inches off of both heads. 
• Natalya had a great time at horse camp last week.  They spent two days riding at the river and even got to take some of the horses in the water. 

Natalya on her new favorite horse, Reggie. 

• We had such a great day yesterday.  We did some workbooks and flash cards, started on Daddy's Father's Day card (which is so cute, by the way), we cleaned out the playroom some more and filled up a nice size box for donation, we practiced juggling outside.  All before noon and all because one of our appointments got cancelled.  When that appointment got cancelled, I cancelled the other two and we stayed home until Natalya's riding lesson.  Nice. 

Happy Wednesday!