Nothing New Except B's Birthday Invites

B's fourth birthday is coming up and she wants a mermaid party. Of course. You know I don't want Ariel - commercial -type stuff. And there isn't a lot out there mermaid that isn't Ariel. I found really cute dinosaur and lizard stuff for that matter, but not a lot of mermaid. We are having a reptile guy so, I will incorporate the lizards.

Oh well. I used the Silhouette to make the invitations. I am relatively pleased with the results. I am learning more and more about paper. I think I would have liked to print the background out on a glossier paper, the paper I used makes he printing look flat. I was going to cut out the seaweed, but I couldn't print the saying over the cutout. The mermaid (which I know looks like Ariel - B wanted red hair) is all separate pieces. The sparley bathing suit top is made out of glittery sticker paper. This machine is really neat. Plan to do temporary tattoos for the goodie bags (which I need suggestions for - that and some little decorations for the tables). My sister is ordering a mermaid cake (I would do cupcakes, but B wants a mermaid cake - this will be her first decorated cake. All the rest have been homemade).


Here is the invite. I placed this card on another card - kind of like a frame.



I will post things as I get/make them. I also want to make B a birthday mermaid shirt and some tissue pom poms to hang up. Balloons too. B originally wanted me to make everyone mermaid tails. That is when it was a mermaid/pirate party. This event has been evolutionary. I am happy we are having the reptile guy. I was sweating trying to come up with games or stuff for the kids to do. I was going to do a little carnival. I think I have the theme for next year.... Popcorn machine, clowns (OK, nix the clowns, who really likes them?) carnival games (bozo circus, ring toss, fishing (without real fish), face painting hmmmm...... I have a whole year plus. Wait, maybe I should wok on this party. I also have an idea for Charley's first birthday. Actually the idea for the invite. I just have to try it out, see if it will work.

OK, time to get ready for the day. B has school, Chuck and I have the Green Market and then a new class, Sing and Sign. Nxxt post is about a couple of the new things Charley has done.

What Has Been Happening on James Street You Ask? Recap Of The Last Week or So.

Let's see, what have we been up to?

*Mike and I had our 10th anniversary. Did not so much. We all walked to sushi dinner, with a stop on the way home at the chocolate shop.
*We (with some friends) made homemade play dough.
*I have been having a hard time with the kids. They have been making me crazy. I think it is the lack of time away. I am with them (specially Charley) so many hours. I carry Charley everywhere. And lately, if I go to put her down (unless I am holding her hands while she walks - see below) she cries.
*Mike bought me a Silhouette Machine and I made B's birthday invites on it.
*Charley is getting teeth by the boat load (currently at 5, but there is something else pushing through) or so it seems and isn't sleeping for anything. I would use an expletive here, but it is a family blog right?
*Charley turned 8 months.
*B had picture day at school. I took Charley so they could have one taken together and B refused. B also refused to wear the outfit I had picked out. The one that coordinated with Charley's, so I had to regroup and find them different one> And, Charley fell off the little bench into the dirt. At least it was after they were done with the photos.
*B is working on reading and writing. WE bought some Bob books and a books for cutting and pasting and tracing. I will make her a genius yet!
*B's school is going OK. Some potty issues that have coincided with change. Also I am making a connection between B's diet and her moodiness. I am really policing a good breakfast and less sugar (which lurks in so many places - which I would know because I am addicted to it). But otherwise, she likes being with the older kids.
*Charley's big thing is she wants to walk. She is on the verge of walking. OK, the verge might take 6 more months, but I am hoping and wishing for walking by Thanksgiving. Right now, she toddles all over while you hold her hands. I try to hold them so she can't hold herself up, but use them for balance. She leans a bit too far forward. However, yesterday and today she has taken a couple small steps while only holding one of my hands. And this past week, she took and unaided step towards Mike, them promptly fell over. Boy, it would make my life easier if she would walk. It is already easier since she stands. If we are out and about and I am carrying her, I can set her on her feet, where she'll stay until I pick her up or she spots something she wants and drops down to crawl towards it.
*Mike thinks Charley said Mama last night. I didn't hear it, so I cannot make a judgment.
*Charley is now involved. We have started Gymboree, and will start Sing and Sign and Lapsit Storytime at the Library.
*I realized this morning that Charley is growing up and will never be a baby again. Weird coming from me who hates babies, right? I will miss the fact that there are so many milestones the first year. After that, there isn't a rapid period of changes. I will miss looking for those things and the excitement that accompanies them. Because there will be no more kids. I am barely hanging on as it is.

OK, on with the pictures.

Every kid (or two) loves a box, right?

There was a lot of play dough made. I used this recipe.

This is the beach or the world or something. I forget.
But it has a name.

Charley even liked to squish it. And Layla ate some.
Imagine that.

I am sure this guy had a name too. Last night B
held up her crooked finger and said, "this is Mr. Puppethead"
He is sneaky." Really? I mean come on. Where does she get
this stuff. This morning I found out. She watched the
Animaniacs on iTunes.

Love this dress. The girls are eating chili. I know this will
make people (like my sister) gasp. But Charley loved it
and didn't have upset stomach afterward.

I got out the doll carriage hoping Charley could use it to
walk. The handle is too high, it needs to be lowered and
really, it rolls to easily.

However, Charley (and B) still enjoyed using it.
Actually, B pushed Charley around until she fell asleep.

Do you love the huge amount of drool?
I wish I could see where the new tooth is coming in,
but stinky baby doesn't like me looking in her mouth...

or wiping her nose. This is her 8 month photo.
I should have done a better job (as it is, this is a couple of
days late.)

So what is next for the inhabitants of James Street? A block party this weekend. Prepping for B's birthday. Cleaning up and organizing toys. Mowing the lawn. Cleaning the house. Oh and god willing lots of sleep. I am on fumes. (Mike has to be even worse. He lies awake listening for me to ask for help. Isn't that nice (and a bit twisted. Sleep is A-1 on my list.). Not even caffeine fumes. Ahhhh caffeine. Someday. Of course by then, Charley will be sleeping and I won't need it.