Happy 60th Birthday Mom!

Happy Birthday to my beautiful Mother.

Today she is 60.

She won't be embarrassed I told you, nor should she be!

Isn't she beautiful?

Everything I am I contribute to my loving Father in Heaven

and my Mom.

I'm so thankful for her!

Here we are together last year when she turned 59.

I'll be 40 this year. . . 

I remember when she was 40.

I hope I am as good and strong and beautiful

at 60 as she is today.

Love you Mom.  Looking forward to our celebration later!!!

Garden Birthday Party

Jessica turns 7 August 8, Wyatt and Walker turn 5 August 11th. Every year this poses a general problem in my house. . . how to have 3 birthday celebrations in only 4 days! (Our anniversary is also the 7th and my birthday is in late July! Oh my!) I always feel guilty having a party for Jessica, but not W&W or having one for W&W, but not Jessica. . . I feel equally guilty about having them all share one party. Last year we went to the Grand Canyon and took a railway trip. That got me out of the dilemma last year (even though we still had cake and ice-cream along with presents on each of their respective birthdays.) So here it is, time a ticking and I had not a clue what to do! Then, a miracle happened! I saw a cute flower cake idea and thought "I should make that for Jessica's birthday." Then, I saw a caterpillar cake idea and thought "that would be the perfect cake for W&W!" My mind started working and by noon today, I had a party planned. Tonight I made the invitations. Here is how they turned out. I made 24 (customized for Jessica and her friends, W&W and their friends and of course family who will be celebrating for all of them!) in about 2 hours with some help from the divine M. The party should be fun. We're going to do some buggy (boy) and gardeny (girl) activities and all should be well! I'm really excited now and the guilt (for now) is at bay. I did tell Mikensee though, that I think from now on I'm going to rotate birthday years making sure I hit the biggies for each child in their year.

The Cat's Meow

Pajama Party was a huge success! Here is how our cat chow turned out:




And of course our cat themed party cake:

11 Things I Love About You at 11

1. I love that you are still my Sunny Sunshine, my Sweet Pea and my Stinky Stinkerton.
2. I love that you give far more than you ever expect to receive.
3. I love that you don't have an I want list.
4. I love that you choose to create and make the world a better place.
5. I love that you live happy.
6. I love that you expect yourself to do well in life.
7. I love that you are willing to help me and others with just about anything.
8. I love that you desire to not only choose the right, but do the right.
9. I love that you sincerely, deeply, love your brothers and sister.
10. I love that you are completely you; wonderfully amazing, sweet, charming, smart, funny, cheerful, happy, diligent, talented, kind and beautiful.
11. I love that you made me a mother and without you our family wouldn't be.

Happy Birthday my precious Mikensee!

It's Birthday Time Again

Mikensee is turning 11. . . already. I just can't believe it! She's been planning her party for about 6 months. In October we saw a kitty litter cake for Halloween and the theme for her party was born.

So here are the invites we made today getting ready for the big event!