7

Cecelia is SEVEN this year.  I can hardly believe it!  This year she wanted a Chinese New Year Theme Slumber Party.  We braved 8 girls, 2 boys, and her sisters until 10.  After that 3 went home and the rest fought sleep until 11.  We did Tangrams, Chinese name writing, and pin the tail on the dragon (Grandpa Dale made the cool dragon!).  Weeks before we went to Jay's International on South Grand and bought many decorations and authentic foods.  Cecelia decorated the basement beautifully.  We indulged in pot stickers, stir fry, Lychee, dried squid, pure sugarcane, and a 2 headed dragon cake (made by mom).

S.N.O.W.D.A.Y

Yesterday I have to admit I did not want a snow day.  I have a ton of work to do and meetings would have to be rescheduled.  After today, I say meetings-shmeetings! 

We played in the snow for an hour and a half (I do believe it is a record for the slightly whimpy Hines girls)!  We then had hot cocoa (Mommy had Kahlua) and played games.  The girls helped clean their rooms to "Mommy standards" and after lunch the girls were so worn out they slept and I finished a HUGE laundry list of things To Do.  After nap we baked bread and pumpkin cheesecake.   I almost forgot I had a job; It will wait until tomorrow!  I just wish Bob had snow days to spend with us :(.

 No, Cecelia is not doing puch ups, she is eating snow.  

As usual we ate our snow cones with actual snow!

 I wish Bob was a teacher so he would have more time off with us :(.

 MMMMMMMM!

We build things

So I have always had this little problem of getting an idea in my head and not being able to find what I want in the stores.  It started at a very young age. 

Exhibit A:  For Christmas on year I wanted a black, preemie, boy, in a yellow outfit with a pacifier and a hat for a Cabbage Patch Kid.  Believe it or not my mom found it! 

Exhibit B:  For NJHS induction in 7th grade, I wanted a dress that was higher in the front than the back.  I ended up making that one. 

Exhibit C:  I made over 100 pinwheels to line the driveway to our wedding because that is what I had in my head!

More recently, I have started wanting bigger things like, say, furniture...  I wanted a headboard that looked like a fireplace mantle and had lights attached for reading and a wardrobe that had 2 hidden clothes hampers.   Bob made the entire bedroom set to fit my specifications.  Cecelia's bed is also planned by me and carried out by Bob. 

Last weekend he did it again.  I told him what I wanted cubbies when we entered into the house and he made my cubbies just like I wanted them.   All I have to do is add the hooks, paint a few flowers, and they will be perfect!  We make a pretty good pair!

Oh and as a bonus this weekend we finally got the dress ups

organized with many hooks the kids can actually use!

Lydia's Book in a Bag

Today Lydia got her first book in a bag and I have never seen her SO proud!  She was grinning from ear to ear and kept giving her special thumbs up & wink!  OK, I admit it, Lydia sometimes tends to get lost as the middle child, so tonight we made a huge deal of it.  She made calls to grandmas and grandpas, Linda and Sandy.  She got to pick the pizza for a dinner out at an actual restaurant.  She was the center of attention and we are so proud!

Oceans, Love, and Cowgirl boots

As the ocean is never full of water, the heart is never full of love.

This quote is what sparked our family Christmas card last year from Shutterfly Christmas photo cards!  We had gone to the ocean for a family vacation (a first for 2 of our 3 daughters).  The holiday card we made captured that family time of peace, love, and happiness.  We were able to send the card to over 100 of our family and friends because it was so affordable, easy to make, was shipped so quickly to us, and came with envelopes to make things that much easier.  Like all products from Shutterfly from the photo books to calendars to prints, it was quality.

This year we did not have a beach vacation, but will be sending another Shutterfly (card style this year) Howdy, cowgirl style (oh, and cowboy, sorry Bob).  Our family photo shoot had pink boots and all!  So Saddle up and try Shutterfly for your holiday cards.  They have a great selections of patterns, sizes, and it is really EASY to make.  I know I will be making this year's holiday cards very soon!  Here is a sneak peek of what may be on the card!

Campbell Trivia Night

After years of begging, and pleading for a Campbell Montessori Trivia Night, we got it!  I chaired the first ever Trivia Night and it went really well.  The table decorations for the contest were great.  People had a good time, and the school made about $4,000.  I can't wait to do it again next year!

Halloween Night

Cecelia as Junko Tabei, Lydia as Tinkerbell (yes, I gave in to Disney), Sylvia as Murphy (my brother's basset hound), I am a hula girl, and Bob a blind referee.  We got bags of candy this year!  Holy Cow!