Monster High Birthday { Sassy is 6 }

Today we had a little party for our soon to be six year old... 

Her official birthday is one week from today. But our move date is 4 days after that.. so I had her friend birthday party a little earlier this year for a good reason. 

I had done my usual prep for months.. Finding and making cute garlands and accessories, matchy matchy plates, napkins, serving trays. I could easily love staging houses and planning parties.. I love it. And even though this was the last party in this packed up chaotic house.. I spared no expense to do what I always have done at her celebrations in the past . I didnt want her to feel any different about the fact that we are moving very soon.

The treat boxes were packed and tied with hot pink tulle

Garlands, Balloons, Candy and Tables were set up.

The lovely western new york weather...*sarcasm*.... forced us to have the party INDOORS...

This was a bit of a game changer.. but we had so much fun anyways.. 

Samantha kept telling me it was "the best day ever".. so I dont think the kids cared where they were .. the party was perfect in their eyes. We had her favorite Wegmans pizza for lunch and her friends and her chatted it up and sat around the little tables and chairs we had left 

She has some of the sweetest friends.
We're gonna miss these girls.

She requested a pinata... So we browsed Party City, online stores and even Walmart .. But I couldnt stomach paying almost $30 for something that would be destroyed in 5 minutes or less.

So good ole Pinterest to the rescue.

I cut up an old box and made a 6... the hardest part was the tissue paper fringe. Just time consuming. But it was super easy. I will NEVER pay for a pinata .. its gonna be a DIY thing for me. Im excited to try new shapes and holiday pinatas..

I've never seen such a mess of candy, toys and stickers disappear faster.

The kids loved it, so thats all that really mattered.

After the Pinata .. Samantha wanted to do the cake/cupcakes.

She wanted to "save the presents for last Mama, its my favorite part"

Six. Oh boy.

She was elated. And just as it should be for my little big girl

Onto her favorite part.

I just love her face and her friend's face in this picture.

She was opening this friends' gift. I just think its so cute that her friend was just as excited as she was.

As people began to leave, each guest got a Monster High goody bag.

I chose the zebra takeout boxes to hold all the goodies, and tied hot pink tulle and pom-pom tags of course

Here is what was in each box

Homemade Raspberry Lip Gloss, Bubbles, Lipstick Pen, Monster High Stickers, Pink Lolly, Monster High Pad, and Eraser, & Pink and Black Gum Balls

The lip gloss was a diy 

I got the small containers from the Dollar Tree. 

I melted some vaseline and added pink edible dust (wilton) and raspberry drink mix 

Stirred until it turned pink. 

Then I put the mix into a ziplock bag, and snipped off one end to fill the little pots without a mess. 

I glued a monster high logo face on each one.

I made my first pinata for this party and my first tassel garland

A few new Monster High girls she got today.

I think these things are hysterical.

We had so much fun today

Silly and Sweet end to a fun day.

Lately Round Here

Every time I sit down after the kids are in bed, I have found it so hard to make time to blog.

I'd much rather watch some Sex and the City reruns, or surf pinterest ... or just veg out and not think.

My brain knows that we have a very busy couple weeks ahead, and lately I just feel drained.. and run down.. and nothing happened yet!

Anyways.. I'm making a conscious effort to document life around here so we can look back and not wonder, but know how we did it during these days. 

A few weeks ago Samantha had her zoo field trip which I was happy to be able to go on.

It was the last field trip of the year. 

There are boxes filling half of our dining room. Some are up to the ceiling. 

The walls, shelves, closets and most cabinets are bare..

And there are still so many things to pack.

I've been lighting a lot of candles, drinking coffee and surrounding myself with pretty flowers.

Im anxious to make the house were temporarily renting in NC a home. 

Last weekend I snuck away to Cleveland to see my girls.

We laughed so hard I cried a few times, and almost peed my pants. 

Yeah, those kind of girls ...where you can pick up where you left off... talk about anything with, and never have enough time together. It was just what the doctor ordered.
I love you girls!!!!

Back home too soon, and onto the next order of business. 

 Before we move, Im hosting a 6th Monster High birthday party for Samantha. 

There will hopefully be not a cloud in the sky that day, otherwise we'll be eating pizza and cupcakes around moving boxes on the hardwood floors.. ha!

Thankfully.. with all the daily errands and packing... This guy .. as crazy as he looks is an angel when we shop. And even though this is how we started our Monday this week.. bright and early at 730am.. 

He allows me to even make it to home goods and anthro for my favorite candles..
He stands in line like a little gentleman, and loves watching people and picking out things with me. 

I think this must be me "nesting"? for our southern home?

Samantha had her end of the year Kindergarten program this week.

She and her classmates sang us a few songs, and then they presented a slide show of memories which had me holding back tears. I cant believe first grade is upon us.. wow..

Soooo... Im getting ready for her birthday party this weekend.

I love putting together the little swag bags for the kids

I made homemade lip gloss this week

And I tested out a new cake recipe and technique.

It turned out pretty good... and the colors even stayed this awesome after baking!

I needed to test it out (and eat it) before I serve people, right?

So back to feeling tired... so so tired and I dont know why.

Im taking my Vitamins! I am running... hmmm...

I think my brain is SO incredibly overwhelmed and moving at light speed trying to gather everything for the close of the school year in 3 days, gifts for the teachers and bus drivers, Sam's party and all that comes with it.. including my attempt at a DIY Pinata...& Oh yea.. MOVING! 

I went for a run today and it felt good, but I really had to push myself. It was a hard run.. and it was my usual route.. nothing more challenging about it..

Hopefully when we finally get settled in Carolina I will get my old self and old energy back.

The next few weeks may be hard on everyone, but Im trying to think of the end result. This is what we have been praying for and wishing for, and talking about for years, and dreaming and pleading "please let something happen!" well I can only speak for myself.. ha. 

Anyways.. The kids dont seem to phased by any of  the packing or anything. 

Samantha hasnt really asked a lot of questions. She knows what the plan is, and I think she's pretty excited. She remembers visiting the "beach" and is looking forward to going back and meeting new friends. 

Andrew knows we are moving.. I think. He and I always talk about how we are going to visit Ohio first and our kitty.. and then drive for a long time to move to the beach. He sees boxes everywhere and Im starting to tell him "in a few weeks we're gonna live in a new house!" 

Nothing will prepare them until we are actually in the moment of things. 

And I have no doubt it will be an adjustment for everyone.

Hopefully knowing that we are 1 mile from the ocean will make the transition a little more smooth.

We shall see ...