Who needs sleep?

Saturday night I hosted a sleepover for mutual friends of Mimi and Max and preparations were under way... After shopping for all the required elements to ensure a successful party,

Max helped to ready the house for our guests:

And then our sleepover guests arrived.  There were six children in my home.  It was loud with laughter and squeals of excitement and delight.  To say they had fun would be an understatement. Here are some highlights that were captured.

 

 

 

 

How did Mama get through the night?  With a little help from my friends at Clorox, of course!

Lucky Number Seven

Max just celebrated his 7th birthday.  Before we begin you all need to know that he and his sister are being raised by a woman who never ever ever had a birthday party.  Not even a Sweet Sixteen.  *le sigh*  Soooooo to compensate for the childhood trauma their mother *coughs*me*coughs* experienced, she throws fabulous birthday parties for her children.  MTV should really come document these events.  No, but seriously... they should.  

I kid... I kid...

These parties are simply about making fun memories and being sure that no matter what they're eventually in therapy for they will never be able to blame me for not throwing them birthday parties.  So a party we had.  This year: BOWLING!

Max's beloved friend Dagny was in attendance.  I always contact her mother before finalizing any plans to be sure she can come because a party isn't a party if his sweet friend isn't there celebrating with him. 

Look at those smiles.  That's genuine 1,000 watts of happiness right there.  Oh and the outfit my kid is wearing?  He chose the entire thing himself.  I know... It was inevitable he be that cool with me as his mother. *grins*

Back to the party.... So who knew Max could actually bowl?  I didn't. 

This year's theme was Spongebob Squarepants.

Unfortunately Max didn't get to enjoy any birthday cake because he got sick at the bowling alley.  He did recover enough to be able to fully enjoy everyone singing to him before he blew out his candles.

Then we went home where Max was genuinely overwhelmed by all the presents his friends gifted him with.  It was clear that they know him well as he received all his favorite things:

He was a very happy birthday boy.

A Perfect 10

That's my daughter.  She turned 10 on Saturday. So we had a pool party to celebrate!

That's my son.  He's 6 years old.  He had to endure a day at the pool with a dozen "older women."  So what did he do to entertain himself (and the rest of us)?

Isn't that what tubes are for? *shrugs* Well, the 10 year old girls reacted to this much like I hope they do 10 years from now while at a pool where a boy is trying to get their attention:

Yelling: "Stop it!"  And like most boys, he was undeterred. 

*sighs* I have my hands full, I know.  I apologize in advance to mother's everywhere.... 

Fun Fact: 

Sunday morning I was preparing breakfast for the girls who slept over. One girl told me that she didn't like eggs. I then asked the other children if they liked cheese in their eggs.  She quickly amended "I like cheese in my eggs."  To which I said "Oh so you want eggs then?"  She hesitated, then asked "Well, what kind of cheese?"  I replied "American."  She asked "shredded or sliced?" I said "sliced." She sighed and said "No. I don't like that. I'll just have cereal." -- I will spare you the discussion on which cereal she was willing to eat. And no milk.  Because she doesn't like milk.   

Now you know why I drink on the job. ;)

Baby No More....

It feels like I'm saying goodbye to my baby as this little boy emerges marching forward through the grades... first, second, third... *sighs*  I'm just not ready to close the door on coloring and finger painting for math, science and history.  But no matter how much I protest, my kid keeps growing up so I got with the program and went to celebrate the end of kindergarten:

For today's party they offered lots of fun activities and games for the students to enjoy.  Oh, and cotton candy.

Max had to deal with a lot of changes in his life this year.  I'm super proud of how sensitive, thoughtful and loving he remained through it all.  His sweet demeanor was all he needed to win over his teachers with whom he forged a very strong bond after a challenging start.

Third Grade... Buh-Bye....

I don't know who is more relieved to FINALLY say goodbye to the third grade but it may be a tie, thanks to the CRCT mandatory testing. Today was Mimi's end of the school year party which I was honored to attend.

 

Mimi obviously has no trouble making friends.  She was like a social butterfly the entire afternoon. 

I am immensely proud of Mimi.  She has overcome many hurdles during the most challenging year of school for her yet.  Now with fourth grade is on the horizon I have no doubt that she will survive the many late nights working through homework assignments as I try to foster in her my love of reading while she, in turn, tries to encourage me to attempt long hand multiplication. 

We always find ways to help each other, though I still use a calculator for simple math and she still hates to read.