Definition malfunction

While discussing her big Nutcracker ballet performance tomorrow, this convo goes down....

Natty: I better practice putting my bangs up for the Nutcracker
Mama: Oh yeah? I think your a master, kiddo.
Natty: Bang me, Mama.
Mama: (eyebrows raised) What's that, Natty?
Natty: Bang me, Mama.
Mama: (biting the inside of cheek to keep from smiling because I'm 98% certain I understand what she said) What did you say, kiddo?
Natty: BANG ME, Mama (pulls her bangs back). It means put my bangs back for ballet.
Mama: You miiiiiiiight want to tell Daddy that's what it means cause he might get confused.
Natty: Oh, Daddy! Bang me. It's easy!
Mama: Yeah. Sure is.

Healing

A year ago today I learned a few good lessons: how quickly life can change, how the love of friends and family can carry me through, but most importantly how great God's love and protection is. 

Today I'm celebrating these 3 splendiferous wonders who love me unconditionally and look to me to guide and protect them. I'm so thankful for the opportunity to be their mom and I give thanks and praise to God that I have them here with me today to squeeze and snuggle. We're all scarred in our own ways, but we're all healing. We've got plenty of reasons to smile and celebrate!

Sharing day - letter N

You'd think since the letter of the week is N that Natty Kat could just present herself for sharing. But since the rules are 1. your sharing has to fit in your backpack and 2. your sharing can't be anything that is alive, she had to come up with something else.

I present you with Natalie and her nutcracker, a gift from Jake and I from her first ballet performance in The Nutcracker.

Natalie and her news-worthy nutcracker 

This is how she rolls; PJs, lady bug rubber boots and a pint tutu

Giving hearts

Today my girls parted with something they had been waiting MONTHS to receive......Halloween candy.

Between the 14# of sugary treats Natty brought home from Disneyland, and the nearly 5# they got Friday from trick-or-treating, I wasn't looking forward to the constant "can I have a piece of candy" nagging that was sure to follow.

What's a mom to do?

Bribery.

I'm proud to share that Ash, Natty and Keely traded their sweets for the choice between a horse toy or a Groovy Girl doll. Ash picked the doll (Rapunzel!!), while Natty and Keely opted for the horse (shocker!). The candy will be boxed up, donated and shipped to our troops overseas. Even though I'm sure my girls (and me!) would enjoy those scrumptious mini-delights, I can almost guarantee the brave men and woman over there will enjoy them even more.

So even though more toys are the last thing these girls need, I was happy to invite in more "friends" if it meant seeing all that candy go.

I'm proud of you Ashley, Natalie and Keely.

Happy with their trades

It'll be a miracle the day I can get all 6 eyes on the camera AND smiles on their faces at.the.same.time

A spooktacular breakfast

Flapjacks?
Not this morning.
Pumpkinjacks---------o-lanterns were on the menu this fine Halloween day.

A teeny pumpkin for my teeny Keely pumpkin

A creation made special just for Ash

Natty's 1/2 smile jack-o-lantern; looks just like her!

An unhappy/not impressed face for Jake - there's a party-pooper in every house

And for mama? The leftovers. It's a sort of green blob/monster eyeball.

Happy pancake eating girls

A fairy princess Halloween

Happy Halloween from the princesses of the house!

Happy to present Rapunzel,, Ariel and Princess Aurora, the cutest princesses in all the land

Just can't get enough of that regal royalty 

Why yes Mama happened to join in the fun, too

Apparently Snow White wasn't in on the joke; something tickled the giggles out of Aurora, Ariel and Rapunzel

Pretty princesses 

It took a while, but Keely finally shared her smiles

Loving the memories these days are making

Storytime! 

Can't explain what's going on in this picture, but there isn't anything about it not to love

Halloween parties allllllll.day.looooooong

I started partying this morning at 9 am with Natalie and her preschool friends, and wrapped up my day at 3, partying with Ash and her buddies.

Hard to admit that those kiddos wore.me.out. 

Seriously. How is it, even after they crash from their sugar high, they just keep going and going and going?

Ashley's teacher asked me to plan the class party. I was nervous, but did what any self-respecting mom would do....I hit up Pinterest. Thankfully moms before me were smart enough to blog/post pics/etc. their party ideas, so coming up with things to do was simple enough. Between cupcake decorating, pumpkin matching game and thumb print art, I think I won over her classmates with my party-planning capabilities! 

Of course they're 6 and 7 year olds so anything involving games and candy, and they're easily swayed. 

So thankful for the opportunity to spend Natty's first ever school party with her

A roomful of nothing but adorable 

Looks to me like Ariel is ready to party! 

Working on her monster-mouth, apple snack 

Snack time was more like meal time with all the tasty treats they had

Cutest mermaid butt, evah!

After Natty's party I was off to lunch with Rapunzel

Party time with Ash means cupcake decorating

Proud of her sugar-sweet creation 

Making her very own spider hat

Styling! Even if it is a spider.

Time for Pin the Face On the Jack-o-Lantern...

....which wasn't exactly successful 

Didn't know it, but Ash received an award for perfect attendance for the first quarter 

The one station I was worried kiddos wouldn't enjoy ended up being the hit of the party! Good to know my girls aren't the only ones that enjoy thumbprint art.

Decorating pumpkins

Will hold on to these memories all.my.days

Ms. George getting a pep-talk from her students before she's turned into a banana split

Congrats to Amity Elementary for raising over $14,000 from their jog-a-thon and giving your students the chance to banana split their teachers.

Ms. George looks like you've got a bit of chocolate sauce in your eye. And on your nose. Oh. And maybe your chin?

After the banana split assembly it was back to the classroom to finish out the festivities with a movie; Ash was pretty much pooped and snuggled up for the show. I can't say I minded!