Ashlyn's First Award

The first Award Assembly of the school year and Ashlyn was chosen to receive an award!

She was beyond excited and couldn't stop talking about it.

Bonus: Christian received a surprise award; glad I was there.

A great couple of kids!

Happy Birthday to Me!

Happy Birthday to me!

I had the opportunity to fly up to San Francisco for the day to do go shopping with my good friend Tina. Since my birthday was only two days away, what better excuse?

Especially since we'd be flying up on a private jet . . .

with exceptional service and food . . . and only the four of us (me, John, Dirk, Tina).

John and Dirk had appointments in the Bay Area and Tina wanted to go shopping so invited me along. Also planned was a romantic dinner with a view . . .

Not a great picture of the plane, but it's the best I could do in the dark with my phone walking to the car (which was brought right up to the plane . . . spoiled!)
It was a very fun trip, we came home with some good buys, and thanks to both sets of parents who helped with the kids, it was a perfect day!

On my actual birthday morning, Brooke, my planner and chef, whipped up this before school:

(with choice of salt and pepper - she's so cute!)

After a fabulous lunch date with my good friend Becky, John brought home a lovely array of sushi for dinner that was succulently delish!

Here's to another wonderful 41 years!

Brooke's Tenth Birthday Party Bash

Brooke helped plan her birthday party and only wanted to invite a handful of girls, and have it more like a playdate where they make crafts and play games. Great! Simple! We made a cute Twister-inspired email and sent to 7 of her closest friends. Each one of them were so excited and were all able to come.

The big surprise, which due to scheduling conflicts had to come early, was an old-fashioned ice cream truck. My friend Holly is starting this business with her husband and two kids . . . check it out - isn't it darling? They play fun big-band-type music and have fun treats for the kids to choose. They girls were all so excited!

Hi Holly!

And they all enjoyed their ice cream outside.

Then we divided into two teams and went on a scavenger hunt throughout the neighborhood.

As we were running around, I had to capture the splendor of the clouds! It was a magnificent night.

They dashed up the street and went into neighbors' homes (that we knew) and had a great time.

They each brought back a mod-podge of items and did a great job!

We ate pizza, then tie-dyed t-shirts. They did a great job and ended up with some cute creations. But man! was that a mess for me to complete the next day. Rinsing out all those shirts took me a full hour and then I had to run the washer four full cycles. I had no idea the back end of the project was so time consuming and labor intensive.

We also made cute satin hair clips and the girls did a great job! They all turned out beautifully.

The satin edges needed to be slightly burned. We decided that would be a great job for John.

They played Twister . . .

and did the CanCan (??)

and jumped on the trampoline.

All that running around and jumping got them hungry again . . . it's time for cake.

Brooke wanted what she has named a "lava cake" because well, it looks like lava.

It's really four layers of white cake separated by a light cream cheese frosting and sliced strawberries, topped with a whipping cream & cream cheese frosting and a strawberry glaze.

Check out that bad boy. That's one big cake.

Make a wish sweet girl!

It's present time! The girls sat in a circle while music was played and passed around all of the presents. When the music stopped, the one Brooke was holding would get opened.

John would take the birthday card after she opened the present and "read" it aloud: "Happy Birthday Brooke, I'm so glad you invited me to your party because I think your dad is so cool."

The kids were all hysterically laughing at the silly things he was making up.

After, they all did their nails while watching an episode of The Cosby Show.

Brooke had a great time! At the end, they all popped a balloon that had a number in each one. They would then choose a giant-sized candy bar in order of the number they had. They left with a little bag and their hair clip, a nail polish, candy and the shirt (that came later).

The party ended at 10:00 and the next morning we were so thankful that it wasn't a slumber party!

On Sunday, we celebrated with the Merrills. It was Chelsea's birthday, too.

Melanie made Brooke a ton of hair clips - they are so cute! She did an amazing job.
Of course John has to be silly. Brooke got a soccer ball from Grandma and Grandpa that they brought from Holland.
Happy Birthday my sweet double digit!

One Decade. Double Digits. X. Ten. 10.

A decade goes by in the blink of an eye.

Ten years ago today, I was laboring in a hospital bed

Not uncomfortable, just waiting and resting, excited for your arrival.

You were easy!

At about 4:30 in the afternoon, you made your debut and have been a beautiful, delightful and wonderful girl ever since.

You are a dark-haired beauty with gorgeous bright blue eyes.

Growing more fabulous each day.

You are fun, talented, and eager to help.

You love to create, plan, and direct.

Happy Birthday to our beautiful Brookie Cookie!

We love you!