Sweet and Sassy and the Pinewood Derby

The girls had their pamper day at Sweet and Sassy. They got their up dos and their nails painted. Tattoos on their arms, glitter stars on their cheeks, glitter spray in their hair, and rhinestones on their nails. After that we went to Build a Bear Workshop and bought new clothes for the girls' bears. (Using gift cards and coupons that we got last time we went we got 2 outfits for only $2!) Then we headed over to the Scout Hall to check on the Pinewood Derby. E got first in his den and #4 in the pack. If one of the top 3 is unable to attend he just may go to the district race, and he got a cool trophy.

Birthday Princess

Today is G's 6th birthday! And if you missed it she has a newly toothless grin as she had her first visit from the tooth fairy last week. The cake and candles pictures are oddly missing because today did not go quit as originally planned (what day does?). G request sloppy Joes and chocolate peanut butter ice cream cake. After I made choc/pb ice cream cupcakes yesterday I found out that our new countertops were in and could be installed. So no kitchen sink for today. G choose the Fried Macaroni Place (The Macaroni Grill) for her birthday dinner instead so we had cake and ice cream (and they sung happy Birthday in Italian) there instead, but I forgot my camera. Anyway she seemed to enjoy her day and in the am she get her present from mom and dad. While E and W are off racing their pinewood derby car tomorrow the girls and I are off to Sweet and Sassy for up dos and manicures!

Another year older.

Another birthday has come and gone. I am still trying to decide how I feel about that- older I guess. LOL

I went to a interesting/different kind of home party today. It is Once Upon a Family and they have products to help create family traditions and teach values. They have some really neat ideas. I ordered the Lessons for Little Ones- a monthly program that helps teach values like, courage, honesty, and sharing. Each folder has a game, several activities and a recipe to use over the month. Then you award a child a key when they demonstrate the value being focused on that month.

I also ordered the Love Pillow, It is a small red pillow that says I Love You on it and has a little pocket- here is what the web site says about it "Are there times when showing someone how you feel is more meaningful than telling them? Do you ever want to say you're sorry, cheer someone up with a note of encouragement or just tell them you are thinking of them? This pillow is the perfect way to show your feelings when words just aren't enough. It can be shared with a significant other or your entire family. Fill out one of the cards, place it in the pocket and leave the pillow in a special place to be discovered later. If you are using this pillow with your entire family, keep the extra cards someplace accessible to everyone. It's a great way for everyone to express feelings that are difficult to share."

I think this is a great idea to remind the kids that even when they are having a bad day that we still love them and also a nice way for the kids to let each other know that they appreciate each other (at least some days!)

Back to Business

Well Christmas break is officially over. I went back to school on the 2nd, the kids went back yesterday, and today we had school, gymnastics and boy scouts- when is the next vacation?

Teaching Mass

E's first communion class had a teaching mass today where the Priest stopped during certain points of the mass and talked about what he was doing a why. E was excited because he got to read the Responsorial Psalm, I thought is was interesting, but it was way over the kids heads. I was thinking he would talk about why we sit here and stand during this part, where he goes when he leaves the alter before communion (to get more hosts from the tabernacle- you can't see ours from the church) simple stuff that I think the kids are curious about but forget to ask after mass. Anyway, instead he was trying to teach them the names and origins of the different parts of the Eucharistic prayers. Oh well, the kids sat apart form their parents and made it through a mass that lasted almost 2 hours so it bodes well for First Communion day :)