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.

Kindergarten

The night before the big day was upon us.

I was a nervous wreck, but hid it well.

Would she cry?

Would she get off the bus and cry?

How is she going to get to her classroom

Will the children be nice?

How the heck is she going to get on the RIGHT bus, and make it home?

I just had to rely on the wonderful teachers and students at her school, and my faith.. to get me through every hour.. 

I wasnt sure what she would like for lunch, but her lunch time was at 12:30..and she was leaving the house at 7:30, with one snack in between. I was scared she wouldnt have enough.

So Day 1:

Goldfish Pretzels, Snow Peas, Cheesestick, Organic Turkey Roll Ups, and a Giant Frosted Apple Cookie. I didnt show her any of her lunch, I wanted the cookie to be a big surprise for her.

One of my hopes was that with kindergarten, everyones schedules would be pushed up earlier and earlier, which is what has happened over the week. I woke up around 6:30, after tossing and turning all night in fear of being late for the first day

I quickly put together a chalkboard sign (almost forgot)!!!

I literally snapped a few pics, and she was already hopping on the bus, no tears, complete confidence, and waving goodbye to us, smiling from ear to ear. 

We got to share this moment with her, bot Daddy and I, because Andrew was still deep in dreamland.

And just like that, my baby was gone.

I had to let go and trust that she would be okay and taken care of ... by people I had only met once, or never even met before. The tears were starting to come to surface. I dont know how the hell I kept them back, I suppose it was her confidence, and her excitement. 

I knew she'd be fine. But still, all my worst fears and awful thoughts were swirling in my brain.. naturally... crazy, nervous Mom. ha!

SO ... what do we do all day???

I woke up Andrew, and fed him some bacon and cereal. 

We needed milk, so he and I quickly ran to Wegmans, and on the way I may have drove past her school, you know, just to make sure it wasn't burning in flames, or being surrounded by the SWAT team.... (nervous mama... all day I tell ya)

Then we came home and ... 

We were off to the park. I wasn't brave enough to go to far from our house, so we walked. 

I couldn't help but notice how much lighter the wagon was that day, and how eerily quiet it was..

I missed her.. and I was a little sad.

I fought back tears all day..

I know this is part of her growing up, but part of that hurt.

Andrew and I had a nice little morning. 

He went down for a nap around 12:30, and I kept watching the clock, watch, phone ... just waiting til drop off time. 

I waited outside probably 25 minutes before the actual bus came.

My baby!!!
I gave her THE biggest hug ever!

She was home, and safe, and I was so happy.

She was so happy as well, which continued to ease my worry.

Day 1 was in the books.

She told me about some friends she made, and ate ALL of her lunch I packed.

She did so much by herself, I was amazed. This girl was a big ball of tears when she was 3 and 4 going into school...but not this year. This year she suddenly grew up.. and changed so much in just a few months. I am so so incredibly proud of her. 

Kindergarten is going to be great 

First Day of Pre-K! {Samantha}

My big girl.

All ready for Pre-K

We headed outside before our drive to school for a little photog session.

Brother joined...naturally.

Sometimes when I ask her to smile, she tries too hard.. haha...

When we got to school we found her cubby with her name and hung up her backpack and waited for the door to open, we were a little early. 

She walked right in .. no tears, and was happy as a clam when I picked her up.

We had got her a few goodies after she got home from her first day.

A Disney Princess Art Set, a Hello Kitty Cookie Kit & some Glow Sticks

 

Im writing this post after day 2, and she was even more comfortable today. 

When I went to pick her up I could hear her little voice playing with her new friends. I spied through the door and she was so engaged and happy.... 

I am so releived.. Last year was a rough start... 

I think she is going to have a great year.  

Looking back at her very first day of school ever.. HERE... she is so big compared to last year...They certainly do grow up so fast. To me, she just looks like such a baby in last years pics.

'Twas the Night Before Pre-Kindergarten

Twas The Night Before Pre-K

NOT Preschool... Pre-K.

The grade before Kindergarten... and until today it hadn't really sunk in.. and Im a little sad.

The lazy days of summer are over, the days where we have such fun things to do, or we spend the day in our pajamas, and hop from room to room having fun.

 

I went for my morning run (hadn't gone in a while)... and so I was feeling human again after a couple miles in the books.

We were having some family over for Labor Day, and I made these cute red, (sort of white) and blue sushi. Daddy was cooking ribs on the grill and they smelled so good.

I finally got my act together and set out all the school gear.

Labeled everything and packed her little backpack.. My baby is going to school...and not just a 2 hour glorified playtime twice a week, but real school ... every day.. with morning journals, and testings, and goals, and I am so so grateful that she got accepted into this program, but at the same time.. its one of the first times its really hitting home that she is growing up..

Okay back to the non -emotional part of the day.. ha!

We had an all American dinner.

Ribs, Corn on the Cob,

Deviled Eggs, and Dessert was cake and candy sushi!

We decided to be twins today... She truly is my mini-me, and I am so proud of her.

The little guy wanted to try corn with us at dinner tonight.

Whatever sister does, he does.. so that's fine if she is encouraging him to EAT! ha!

Oh, and under that Band-Aid? That would be 6 stitches.

We had a rough rough week last week.



I know this week is going to be better.

Its back to school time!

A Lemonade Party {SJ Turns 4}



 

It was here! Her 4th Birthday party.

We invited about 10 of her friends, cousins, family

The day was about 82 and sunny.

Perfect calm before the crazy heatwave storm we entered for about a week after.

 

The party started at noon.. and everything was all set up for our Lemonade Party

 



We got Samantha a bounce house for her big present ... and I think it was a good choice.

Her friends immediately bounced for almost the first hour of the party.

 

We invited all the girls from her preschool class this year, and she really had a ball with them.

Miss Lucy came too! Im so glad we got to spend some time with this sweet girl!

She looks like the poster child for our party.. perfect dress, and lemonade in a mason jar, complete with straw!

Lunch is served...



After lunch we had a "lemon hunt" like an Easter egg hunt.. 

 

I had little prizes for the kids, and they loved finding all the lemons scattered around the backyard.

 

Then the girls found their way to the sand table ... they were adorable, making mud pies, and "jelly sandwiches" as they told all of us. They must have stood there for at least 40 minutes laughing and giggling...

 

After sand was sprinklers...

They all jumped in, clothes and/or suits..

 

Gifts were next, and she got so many nice gifts.. 

 

Everyone knows Samantha very well..

Dresses, Tutu's, Art Supplies, Princess Art Kits, Shoes,

She loved it all.. 

 



 

We sang and made a wish

and enjoyed our baby turning 4, and some yummy cupcakes.



 

This little guy slept the entire length of the party.

It was nice, because he gave us a chance to focus just on Samantha.

But he made an appearance at the very end, and enjoyed one of his words he can say now .. "cone". ha!



Next party up is his.. #2... We'll see what that has in store! I have a few months to start brainstorming..