Tuesday, May 31, 2016

Memorial Weekend 2016

 
We had a really wonderful Memorial Day weekend.  We didn't make any elaborate plans although, commercials, IG and Facebook posts may make you feel like you are abnormal if you are just cleaning your home or doing nothing noteworthy, but you aren't, you are perfectly normal. We filled our weekend with Jesus, family, friends, rest, completed tasks, and great food.  Our friends Nathan and Erin invited our entire small group over on Sunday, after Church.  Each family brought a dish or three and we enjoyed food, friendship, and watermelon fun.  LOL!  I only captured the watermelon event.  Brett and Jody brought a watermelon and a bag of rubber bands.  YES, rubber bands.  What would one do with a watermelon and a bag of rubber bands?  Well... I am so glad you asked because I captured it all.  First, begin using your giant bag of rubber bands to wrap around the watermelon. 
All of the kids helped Pastor Brett, but eventually only Ty and him were strong enough to do it FAST and quickly.  
 Those that didn't help wrap the watermelon made other plans with the rubber bands.  Like making goofy faces.  LOL!
Now why were we doing this? Well, because we didn't have a pool to play watermelon pool ball.  
Okay, that's not the real reason, but it was a good one.  Brett said that eventually, the pressure from the rubber bands, wrapped around the watermelon, would force the watermelon to bust.  
 It was raining and cold and the spectators were getting a little impatient.  
 But Brett and Ty worked hard.
 Jax and Cohen snuggled under a beach towel.  Hehe.
 Some of the wimpy daddy's stood under the garage "awning" and chatted/laughed.
 Lilah and Ansley bundled under a beach towel.  
 Then Julia joined them.
Then, Kate.
Finally, Vivian to complete the BIG girls.  These girls have been friends since they were babies.  
 Still working...
 Presely and Aliza hung out in the warm "club" house, kiddie club house.  
 Julia and Mason (brother and sister) sharing a beach towel.  
 Still working, but they eventually ran out of rubber bands and the watermelon wasn't budging. SO... plan A, turned into Plan B.
Watermelon baseball!!!!
 YUMMMY!
 That certainly is ONE way to break open a watermelon!
BIG KIDS like to ride outdoor toys too! LOL! Oh my funny hubby.
Thank you Nathan and Erin for hosting such a fun event! To see ALL of the photos, double click on the photo album below.  If you are trying to view this album from a cell phone, it will not appear on your screen.  

Recital Gifts!

Flowers. Flowers. Flowers.  That's what everyone gives and receives after a dance recital, but my 7 year old daughter isn't going to take care of them properly and THEY DIE! Years ago, I asked my husband to stop buying me flowers.  They are so expensive and they DIE! I would much rather enjoy a lasting plant or a sentimental gift, such as a Willow Tree Figurine, which I collect.  

So what in the world do you give a dancer if you don't give them flowers?!?!? I don't know.  That was my dilemma and is my dilemma every single time recital time rolls around.  There was NOTHING on pinterest that excited me, so I decided to let my brain juices flow and this is what I came up with.  

First up, backstage gifts.  I started a tradition with Lilah a while back.  Sitting back stage can be torturous for the younger crew, so I would pack her a bag of things to do and HERSHEY KISSES.  I tell her those are all the kisses, and more, that I am giving her as she is on stage dancing.  The hershey kisses keep her occupied and energetic.  This year, I added jolly ranchers to the mix.  I purchased TWO beautiful, small, PINK mason jars and filled them to the brim with both candy selections. I was TICKLED PINK when I spotted these wine bottle tutu's at Francesca's.  I HAD TO HAVE THEM!!! I think the entire presentation turned out adorable.  Lilah shared both candies with her dance team.
The night before Lilah's dance recital, Lilah said, "Mommy, if I do well tomorrow, can I please go buy some EOS lip balm with my own money?"  I said, "We will see!"  I planned on just getting Lilah fresh flowers the morning of the recital, even though I was truly against it.  I did purchase a sweet "L" necklace at Francesca's, but figured the flowers were needed because it's what "EVERYONE" does. When I woke up the morning of the recital, my brain juices were running wild and all of the sudden I had this brilliant idea.  

"I know!!! I know what I'll do.  I will run to Walgreens and purchase the last of their wooden roses, that Lilah got at Valentines Day.  
I will break off the rose and hot glue every color EOS lip balm in place of the rose!"  
So that's what I did.  After assembling them, I checked pinterest and guess what?!?!? NO ONE HAS thought of this idea or at least posted on it.  I was so excited to have an original idea.
Hot glueing the EOS lip balm onto the stem was NOT as easy as I had anticipated.  The top of the stem is the size of a nail head.  WHOOPS! I had to create a "base" for the EOS to sit on.  I just used a cutout, square piece of paper plate and LOADS of hot glue.  
 Wait a good 10 minutes for the hot glue to adhere fully.  
Lilah received a 1/2 dozen EOS roses.  Hehe.  
I absolutely LOVE the way they turned out. When Tyson handed them to Lilah after the recital was over, she exclaimed, "I seriously have the best parents E-V-E-R!!!"

Here is the sweet "L" necklace that Lilah ALSO received.