First Day of School

Emmy had her first day of preschool yeterday.

She had been chatting about it before she went to sleep last night.  It was the first thing she  spoke of  when she woke up.

Excitement. My little girl who is sometimes shy couldn't wait to go to school. 

I was excited to.  Two whole hours to get something done while Madison napped.  Dare I hope that a clean(er) house might be in my future.  Maybe a chance to paint my toenails or get caught up on email.  Or even better-to blog.

I was a little trepiditious to.  Would there be tears? Would my sweet child morph into someone I didn't even know with all of those other children and parents looking on. Would she screaming and fling herself into my body refusing to enter the classroom? Would she be responsible for starting a chain reaction of crying and pleading from other litttle ones?

I had prepared Emmy for the fact that she would be at school with her friends and teachers-without mommy.  She knew though that I would be there waiting for her ready to hear about all the fun she had when school was over.

On the way to school, she was squirmy and smiley in her car seat chattering away telling Madison all about her school.

At the preschool, her little friend yelled her name when she saw her and rushed to meet her outside the door to the classroom.  We joined the throng of parents who stood waiting to shepard their little ones into class as soon as the teacher opened the door.

We all knew the doorway to the classroom was an invisible DO NOT CROSS line as we starred at the closed door. They had asked us not to enter the classroom for many reasons.  The main one being that if our child sees us there, they will want us to stay and it will remind other little ones that their mommies and daddies weren't there. 

When the teacher opened the door, Emily's little friend grabbed her hand and pulled her towards the door among the other little ones and their parents.  She didn't wait for me as other parents pushed ahead with their children.  Ahead my baby went with me several people behind, rushing to enter the classroom with her hand in that of her little friend.

At the doorway, she stopped looking around.  It was then she realized, "where's my mommy?"  Her head turned side to side trying to locate me amongst the other adults crowded into the small hall. I heard her little cry of "Mommy!"

I couldn't get to her which was probably a good thing since at that moment my first instinct was to rush to her and pick her up.  Her teacher, God love her, picked her up and spoke quietly to her and held her as she greeted all the little ones at the door.

One lone tear trickled down Emmy's cheek but she wasn't looking for me anymore nor was she sniffling.  She was content right where she was.  This is where she wanted to be.  In school. She looked around in awe, curiousity replacing the look of fear on her face. 

In some small place inside, I was almost a little disappointed at how easily she transitioned to being a preschooler.  This is the  first time that cord that keeps her to me is starting to unfurl.  One day I know it will have to be cut.  Thank goodness, that is a long, long way in the very, very distant future. 

Those two hours flew right by and it came time to return to pick her up.  When they called Emily's name to leave, she burst through the door running towards me with a smile and a sheet of paper that she had painted.

That smile said it all.

If anyone asks, she is now officially a big girl. Not because she is three.  But because she is in school.

What I Learned at Bloggy Boot Camp in Philadelphia

What did I learn at Bloggy Boot Camp? A lot!  I wrote about some of things I learned here. Hopefully, you learn something new just like I did. 

Invest in business cards.
Have business cards professionally made.  You can get them really inexpensively at Vistaprint (under $10) or win them on another blog!  I hadn't wanted to shell out the money when I was moving to Wordpress but one of the women had put "coming soon..." on her card which I thought was ingenius.  My business cards were the do-it-yourself variety.

I had a stack of business cards by the end of the conference and couldn't remember half of the faces of people that I had met.  Linda from Blind Curves had a great idea.  She took a picture of everyone at the table so she could match faces with business cards.

Your blog represents YOU as do your comments on other blogs.
Jill from Scary Mommy gave great tips about what makes a good blog, maintaining your readership, and do's and don't of commenting.  What resonated with me and something that I sometimes forget is that your blog is your space and not anyone else's.  A common mistake of newbies is not filling out their Blogger profile so make sure your blog and email address are listed so others can visit you.  Payback the comment love in some way when people do visit your blog.  When finding your "tribe" of fellow bloggers, find other bloggers who are also starting out to so you can learn from each other. Hoping that an already successful blogger will be part of your "tribe" may be unrealistic so don't take it personally if they don't seem interested in joining your tribe.

Guest posting is a great way to put yourself in front of new readers.  Guest posts should always be new material!  Don't be afraid to approach other bloggers and offer to do a guest post for them.  Reach new readers or connect with those you already have via social media such as Facebook or Twitter but don't try to use every single one out there.  Pick and choose those outlets that work for you. I have been guilty of trying to utilize everything because that is what "works", or so I thought.  In reality, that just isn't the case.

The look of your blog matters.
Cynthia Wheeler, the NapWarden.com, talked about blog design.  On her site she also has some great design resources listed. Many bloggers use iStockphoto images or other stock images on their sites.  Keep in mind other bloggers may use these same images on their sites.  Change some of the features of the image when you do use them so you can make them your own.

Your header sets the tone.  It only takes seconds for your blog to make an impact on a reader.  Bring the design elements from your header into the rest of your blog.  Don't forget about your text either.  Use only two to three fonts on your blog.  Be consistent with your designs on all of your social media pages.  If you don't want to spend a lot of money on your site design and don't want to do it yourself, use someone new to blog design.  They may be willing to do it for free in order to use your site for their portfolio or they may offer a cheaper price since they are just starting out.

Know how to use your camera to take better pictures.
This is actually common sense but many of us (myself included several times over) never pick up those manuals and just point and shoot.  I am guilty of never opening my camera manual.  In fact, I don't even know where it is.   After hearing Laura from Better In Bulk speak, I need to find it pronto. She talked about the different modes and the best time to use them.  She also talked about the Rule of Thirds which can help you take better photos.  Basically, don't be afraid to have your subject off-center when snapping pictures.  Experiment. 

She had a useful suggestion when organizing photos.  If you are like me and you download all your photos onto the computer and have to wade through them when you want to print them or use them for a project, star them when you download them.  Windows Photo Gallery has a star rating system.  You'll know that those with more stars are the better pictures. This will make sorting through your pictures easier.


I wish my pictures looked as amazing as the ones on Lolli's site, especially the adorable pictures of her new little niece!  I do need to make it a priority to get a new camera instead of just talking about it with my husband.  Maybe I'll invest in Photoshop to while I'm at it.

Know your motivation for writing and what makes what you have to say unique.
I loved hearing Cecily K from Uppercase Woman speak.   Her presentation was called "Finding Your Voice"and it was amazing.  One of the most valuable things she said I felt was that you shouldn't try to control your message.  Let your readers get to know the real you and what you have to say and draw them in in your own personal but original way.  Be consistent with what you write and let your voice speak for itself.  They will love you or hate you but you need to be you and you need to be real.  What makes you stand out from the crowd?

Use SEO to your advantage.
Tara from Feels Like Home gave a presentation on SEO (search engine optimization).  Her  "10 More Things You Can Do to Improve Your Blog's SEO" can be found on her blog.  I think if there is one area where I know the least, it is probably SEO.  I have read articles about it but I often found them to often be over my head.  Tara really broke it down in a way that was easy to understand.

Rule #1: Get your own domain name.  Otherwise, you are just giving your SEO away.  This is #1 on my to-do list. There is also a Google Keyword Tool where you can input keywords and it will tell you how often those words are searched and your competition (how many other sites have that keyword).  Keywords should be placed in your title and especially in your first paragraph.  Keep track of your stats to see if your strategic use of keywords is working.   This can benefit you whether you write posts about your everyday life or how-tos.

Some other tips she gave included writing about your vlog or posting a trasnscript since search engines do not see video or animations and do not duplicate content. If you guest post on someone else's site, do not repost something from your site.  If you repost an old blog post from your own site, change it in some way so it does not appear verbatim. 

Tara did warn against sacrificing content for stats.  Also, if your search rate increases, your bounce rate will increase also.  When people come to your site through search engine's, your site may not be what they are looking for.  Apparently 60% is considered a good bounce rate when looking at your stats. And as far as  SEO is concerned, a good blog post is apparently around 300-700 words.  As you can see, I broke that one in a big way here.

Do your research when working with brands.

Julie from Just Precious, Kelly Whalen from The Centsible Life, and Shannon Ott from Philly Burb Moms talked about how to work with PR professionals.  Before I started doing product reviews, I spoke to people who already did them and read about the relationship between PR and bloggers to learn more about the proper way to do things.  Even so, I found out that I was doing a lot of stuff wrong.

Do not ever tell a PR rep that you will send them your media kit.  It should be called a blog package. Even when you get proposals that you have no interest in, you should always reply to the PR rep.  If you are willing to do something else in lieu of their proposal, tell them.  They may just agree to what you have proposed. When pitching a company, be able to sum up your blog in 10 words or less.  For someone wordy like myself, that is hard, but necessary.  Finally, when you do reviews or work with companies in any capacity, keep a portfolio of your work.



The knowledge I learned on Saturday was invaluable.  I loved meeting some very talented ladies. The only thing I regret from Bloggy Boot Camp was that I didn't go up and introduce myself to some of my favorite bloggers who had not been at any of the tables where I had sat (and that I skipped the Virtua cocktail party)! If there was anything I learned it was that it's okay just to be yourself because that is who you are.  Even though I was somewhat timid about approaching some of my favorite bloggers because that just isn't me, there is always next year and another conference.  Would I go again?  Absolutely.

K'nex Review

When I received the K'nex Big Building Tub to review, my daughter couldn't wait to get started constructing.  She loves to build things.

The tub contains 50 building pieces and also a sheet with sample creations kids can make.  Emmy wanted to make the bird.  We set to work after her sister (who is a little to young to play with the little pieces) went down for her nap.

 Emmy's bird

Since she just turned three, Emmy had some difficulty handling the pieces but it will become easier for her as she gets a little older and as she plays with them more.

At first, I hated how large the tub was since the pieces only take up about half of the container.  But now I am glad after realizing that when my daughter makes creations she can store them in the tub without dismantling them.  This makes for easier clean-up in our house.

Overall, I envision Emmy having a lot of fun with her new building materials!  She has already asked to play with them after Madison goes down for another nap.

I received a product sample from K'nex through SheBlogs to complete this review, but did not receive any financial compensation for my post. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

One Hand, Two Hands Written by Max Lucado, Illustrated by Gaby Hansen Book Review

Max Lucado, a minister and writer, delights children yet again with his latest children's book One Hand, Two Hands.  A little girl learns all about just what her hands can do in this beautifully illustrated book.

The colorful illustrations depict a little girl and her animal friends as they go about their day.  While waving her arms in the air, washing a canine friend, making mud pies, helping with chores, and even saying her prayers, the little girl learns a valuable lesson.  Lucado teaches children this lesson through rhyms that will draw in even the youngest readers.

This book is a wonderful way to open up a dialogue with children about how our hands can be used for good but also how they can be used to hurt others.

One Hand, Two Hands which ends with a short prayer will make a perfect bed time story to end the day for my two little ones.  

I received a complimentary copy of this book  from the publisher through BookSneeze. The opinions I have expressed are my own.  No other compensation has been or will be recieved.

Countdown to BBC

Tomorrow is Bloggy Boot Camp, my first blog conference.  I got the schedule in my inbox the other day.
 
I can't wait!  But at the same time I am really nervous to.


Have any of you ever been to a blogger conference?  Any tips?


Am I prepared? No.

Did I print out some cards with my blog name and everything as someone recommended? No.  Do I even know what I'm wearing?  No, just that I am wearing layers.  Do I even know how to get to where I am going?  No.

I'll figure it all out tonight after I finish writing the dozen or so thank you cards that have been waiting to be written, paying the bills, checking my email, doing the dishes, laundry, repacking the diaper bag, and writing a list for the hubby on nap schedules and everything else for tomorrow.

Tomorrow will be my husband's first day ALONE (my cell phone is to only be called with an emergency) with both girls for an entire day.  I will be gone before they wake up and I probably will not be home before they go to bed. I just stopped nursing Madison at the end of June and my husband was away for almost all of July and the beginning of August so it is about time for some daddy and daughter one-on-one time.

I also have a bunch of reviews posting for this weekend that still I need to schedule.  I need to add that to my to-do-list.

For those of you going to BBC tomorrow, SEE YOU THERE!!!!!

Update on Polly: She (the whole bag I should say) is still missing.  How in the dickens that is still possible, I don't know considering I just cleaned my house.  She is still MIA.  Maybe this weekend she will turn up.  I can only hope.

Mommy Got Homework

A few weeks ago I got a letter in the mail for my daughter's preschool orientation.  It was for parents but children were allowed to attend as long as they stayed with their parents.

I figured I would play it safe and take Emmy and Madison to my MIL's while I attended the meeting.  Containing a newly turned three year old and a one year old would take more attention than the meeting would.

My biggest fear going to orientation?  Where would we be sitting?  "Please, not those little chairs."   "Please not in those little chairs" was all that was running in my head the whole drive.  I had slept wrong two nights before and my back was still aching.  If I sat in one of those chairs, chances of me getting back up unaided would be slim. I was better off just standing for the hour long meeting if that was to be the case.

Luckily it wasn't.  We were in another room with big people chairs (padded ones at that).  The orientation was for the parents of children in the two-day am or pm program. I was ten minutes early and the parking lot was already packed as was the room down from the preschool class.  My fears quickly changed from sitting in those little chairs to being in such tight quaters with so many other parents.  I don't think I have been in a room with this many parents since my lamaze class days. There were about fifty parents in the room.

My husband got off easy going to work.  There is something intimidating about being around that many parents, especially moms.  Thank goodness I ran into a friend from playgroup on the way into the building. 

Most of the moms were just standing around.  Some knew each other and chatted quietly.   Others sought out the teachers and conversed with them. 

I am the type to smile if I make eye contact with strangers but am not really the type to start a conversation unless I have something to say.  Small talk is just not my thing.  Most of the moms kept a seat or two between them and the other parents which I found amusing since old habits seem hard to break.  Isn't it funny how we really like our comfort zones even as adults and parents?

Snow days, the giving tree (a tree in the hallway with paper apples for the parents to take with things needed for the classroom like tissues, juice, etc), snack volunteers, appropriate snacks,  how to dress your children (not in their Sunday best), and when not to send your child to school were all covered.  It was basically an introduction into parent common sense in the classroom.

The next day was their open house so the kids could meet the teachers and get familiar with the classroom.  I worried that Emmy would shut down with so many kids since it was open to all the kids from all the preschool programs.  Em just walked right in and started playing.  She was shy with the teachers but totally at ease with the chaos.  I am hoping that is the same next week when I drop her off. 

Next week I think will be a little tougher on me since I will have to leave her at the door to the classroom in the capable hands of her teacher rather than in mine.  That will be hard and I know I will struggle with turning and walking away. 

Mommy even got her first homework assignment.  I volunteered to cut a craft for the teacher.  I have 34 circles to cut by the end of the month!  At least I don't have to use safety scissors!

Polly Rescue Mission

Growing up I loved Hide-n-Go-Seek.  I was really good at it to.  Probably because I could stay quite for a long time without those telltale giggles.

One of my favorite places to hide was in my mother's walk-in closet behind her wedding dress.  My mom's closet door would be closed with me inside which is why it made such a good spot.  With enough pressure from inside the closet, the one door would spring open due to the old fashioned latch on it. 

My sister would be downstairs yelling at me to come out and I would sneak out of my spot.   I would saunter downstairs keeping my lips sealed about where I was hiding. She never thought I was in the closet since I always reappeared and never had to be rescued.

Emmy is just as good at Hide-N-Go Seek to.  Except she does it with things like her glasses. Remember how her glasses were lost for months and we had to buy her new ones?

The latest casualty is her Polly Pocket set from Grammy from our zoo excursion.

What could she possibly have done with it?

She carried it everywhere in the house.

Not only was Polly and all of her outfits in the little case but also all of Emmy's toys that her sister can't play with including her little Belle doll and all of her little matching outfits as well.  Basically the bag is full of choking hazards.

I have literally looked everywhere for it.  Everything is in its place so you would think it wouldn't be to hard to find this little plastic container with neon green edging and a little handle, right?

WRONG!

I've even looked under the beds and in the baby's closet (since that was where Emmy's glasses were for months).

She has been chattering about her little bag all weekend.

My mission today is to FIND Polly. 

Will I be successful?  Stay tuned.

Pet Names

I am not referring to names that we give our pets although my husband does resemble a rather lovable but untrained golden retriever at times.  I am referring to pet names for our significant others.

Awhile ago while visiting with friends, I had called my husband sweetie and one of my husband's male friends had remarked, "Sweetie.  You call your husband sweetie?  You've been married how long?  (Five years this year if you were wondering.)  I haven't heard anyone use that since college.  Sweetie.  Hmpf."  All of this was said with a sneer.  He then went on to list the names his wife calls him.  Unfortunately, I can't print most of them.  He was being a little overly dramatic about it but how do we address our loved ones?

My husband is most certainly not one for PDA's nor had he ever been a victim of Romeo & Juliet Syndrome which seems to afflict those who are young, naive, and more carefree (and less caring of the feelings of those who have to witness their exuberance over being in love). Nor is he one for overly romantic gestures.  When he came home after a month in CA, he brought me a loaf of Boudain sourdough.  He also stopped at Wal-mart for a bouquet of flowers and a chocolate bar (and the gift he promised our daughter that he would bring her from CA-a yoyo).  It was a sweet gesture and I was touched.  I'm also a sucker for chocolate.  Bring me chocolate and I will worship at your feet.

I never really paid attention to what pet names our friends used for their spouses or even if they used them at all.  I started to notice after my husband's friends' comments.  Some of our older friends seemed more likely just to use their spouse's names.  Maybe because after many years you exist in a comfortable familiarity that it doesn't seem as necessary to use those pet names or maybe it is generational. But our friends our ages (in their late 20's/early 30's) did use terms of endearment when conversing with their spouse's especially when they were trying to get their significant other's attention or when they were exasperated.

Not only have I noticed other pet names I use for my husband (including ones that others may find nauseating) such as Cute Boy but also my tones when I use them.  That one began when I worked in retail and the women I worked with all had boyfriends Well, except Annette but she was also in her 60's and still bitter over her divorce.  I don't think a one of use was married. It started with our boss using the nickname Cute Boy to refer to her boyfriend and then it became the nickname for all of our boyfriends.  "So what are you and your Cute Boy doing tonight?"  It stuck.  I do make sure to only use it within the confines of our house to avoid the heckling of our friends. Of course, our daughter now will yell up to her dad on the second floor, "Cute Boy, Cute Boy".  The first time she did it I was literally almost rolling on the floor laughing.  My husband wasn't quite so amused.

"Now, do you see what you've done?" he said to me. 

I use less complimentary tones when I am annoyed or frustrated when employing pet names when addressing my husband.  I find that I use pet names especially when I am annoyed.  Maybe to soften the blow when I inevitably have to explain why I am annoyed?

What have you called your husband or boyfriend today?

Do you do use pet names in public?  What are some of the funnier pet names you have heard?

Joining the Monkeys

...for a day at the zoo.

And

lions, and tigers, and bears...Oh, my!

This wasn't a real bear.  Want to guess what he was made of??????

It was my daughter's first trip to the Philadelphia Zoo for her birthday.  The area we live in has a small zoo but it is nothing like a large city zoo. Our zoo is more of an animal preserve than an actual zoo.

My husband would pick Emmy up at each crossroads and have her point to the animals she would like to see which resulted in us meandering around the park.



It was a lot of fun (and good exercise).

I thought this picture was fitting.  A mommy and her baby.


It was also funny how quickly the time flew.  We had walked around most of the zoo within 2 hours.  That was time aplenty visiting the animals since Emmy and Madison had had enough by then.

What would a trip to the zoo be without a trip to the gift shop where Grammy bought Emily a birthday present of her choosing.  Of course, Emily at first bonded with a stuffed tiger but then she saw the Polly Pockets.  That was the end.  Polly came home with us (along with the tiger courtesy of Grammy and a rhino for Madison whose tail she tried to chew off).

 On our way out, we passed the Impala Fountain which I fell in love with.  I loved how it looked like the impala (a type of antelope that can be found in Africa) were jumping through the water.  Rainbows appeared in the spray (you can see one in the lower left-hand corner of the picture) mesmerizing the children around the fountain.

The only unpleasant part of the trip was the fold up seating in the cargo area of my husband's SUV which we never use.  I had nowhere to put my poor legs (and I am only 5'8).  I even attempted to swing them up on the folded up stroller on the hideaway seat next to me to no avail. Not to mention with the two car seats in front of me, I had to climb in through the cargo area since I couldn't move the back seats.  My MIL offered to sit back there.  There was absolutely no way I was letting her sit there. I like her to much to do that to her.  Okay, I never would have let anyone sit back there in all honesty.  It just wouldn't have been fair to them. 

When you go to the zoo, what is your favorite animal to visit?  Besides the little monkies hanging on your legs!

I Still Have It in Me

It has been a long time since I stayed up (willingly) until 3 in the morning.  This past Saturday was our annual Labor Day picnic.  We normally invite all of our neighbors and friends.  It is a chance for everyone to get together before school officially begins.

The job of inviting everyone falls to me.  I just use Evite.  It makes it easier since guests respond directly on the site and its free.  Usually the party falls on Labor Day weekend. In case you didn't know, Labor Day falls on the first Monday in September.   When I scheduled the party, I had just glanced at the calendar and saw the last weekend in August and planned the party then.

Apparently, I need to go back to school to learn how to read a calendar.  Today is a Monday but it isn't Labor Day nor is it the first of September.  It is August 31st.  It all worked out though since many people who couldn't normally come were able to.  In fact, many of our guests seemed to prefer having it before Labor Day weekend.  It is officially an End of Summer Barbecue now rather than a Labor Day Weekend Barbeque.

I did many things I don't try to do to often including staying up to three am, eating all kinds of gluttonous food (okay, I have been indulging a little more than usual considering this is our third party in the span of one week), talking for hours about things other than my children (although they sometimes were featured prominently in the conversation), and being a little wild and crazy.

Wild and crazy?  Me.  Okay, I wasn't that wild and crazy seeing as how I didn't willingly jump into a freezing cold pool fully clothed at midnight.  No, I had my husband to thank for pushing me in at the encouragement of everyone else.    Of course, I did push him in first.  It was our next door neighbor who was the first to cannonball in.  It just escalated from there.  People were joking about jumping in.  Most of the adults didn't have swimsuits though so they just jumped in with their clothes on. 

It may have seemed like a good idea at the time but after the first 10 seconds, teeth were chattering.  It has started cooling down here at night to around 50 degrees.  Amazingly, I didn't lose my flip flops when I hit the water.  I was completely soaked (including my sweatshirt since I was already cold) since I went underwater when I first got thrown in.  It was a good thing it was in the shallow end since I am not a good swimmer.

The rest of the party was by the fire pit since most of us were soaked.  It didn't break up until three am.  I don't think I stayed up that late in years just talking and having fun.  No little ones with fevers, vomiting, teething, or tempers to soothe in the night.  No, they were sound asleep in their beds upstairs while all the shenanigans were going on outside.

It was a little thing, a midnight swim, maybe a little irresponsible but it was oh, so funny. It has been awhile since I have laughed quite so hard.

Party Party

On Friday, Emmy's little playgroup friends and some of my friends and their little ones arrived to help celebrate Emmy's birthday.

I really did keep it simple but simple with the final total being fourteen kids and seven moms really wasn't so simple. 

The party was moved outside so the kids could run and play with bubbles, my daughter's Jeep, her little toy house and all the other myriad toys that make up her plastic jungle in the backyard.

When my friends arrived one by one I introduced them to my mommy friends from playgroup.  Then, I proceeded to introduce my mommy playgroup friends to each other.  Not that they needed any introductions.  We all had a good laugh over that one.  This is what happens when your mind is going in four different directions at once.  Who is still not here?  Have I introduced everyone?  Where did my daughter go?  Did I get all of the snacks out?

Thanks goodness for the pool.  It helped cool off the little ones and there was nary a temper tantrum.  Did I just say that out loud?  Fourteen kids and not one grouchy little munchkin.  Is that possible?

I even figured out the tip for the pizza guy in my head when he arrived carrying four piping hot pizzas and he asked me how much change I wanted back after I had handed him his money. 

Of course Emmy didn't eat her pizza.  She was to excited (and not to mention she had ate her fill of strawberries and blueberries). She and one of her little friends did have a pretend picnic on the lawn.  She pretended to eat while her little friend heartily ate her lunch. 

 Cupcakes sprinkled with fairy dust (white sugar crystals)

 Emmy blowing out the candle on her cupcake

It was so funny how most of the kids just ate the icing on the cupcakes and left the cake on their plates.  

It is all about the balloons!

Emmy's favorite thing to do besides a craft (involving foamies) was to run around with her Tinker Bell balloon.  Unfortunately, her little Tinker Bell balloon ended up being released into the great blue yonder accidentally by one of her little friends.  It was bound to happen.  I just told her that Tink flew away.  She was free to fly away to Never Never Land.  Emmy just looked at me and incredulously yelled, "She flew away!".  Not a tear was shed (thank goodness). 

 Stick the Princess in Her Window Game

Before the little ones left, we played stick the princess in her window (kind of like pin the tale on the donkey but for princesses) and they dug for gold coins in a Tupperware container filled with rice.  They then exchanged the coins for goody bags.  

Princess Paper Dolls

The goody bags had wands, frogs, paper dolls (princesses and mermaids for the girls and knights for the boys), coloring sheets, lollipops, and other little goodies.

All in all, it was a great party since I always count a party as successful depending on how long my children nap afterwards!  They both slept for about 2 1/2 hours.  It was perfect, just perfect.

On Sunday, we had a small family party with our immediate families.  We just had some snacks, cupcakes and an ice cream cake. 

Toffee Ice Cream Cake (adapted from a Weight Watchers recipe)

Oreo cookie crust

Layer the following: caramel ice cream (bottom), crushed Heath bars, chocolate ice cream, whipped cream, and freeze overnight (use light ice cream and whipped cream to lower the calories)

This was a hit!  More people ate the ice cream cake than the cupcakes.

Emily's favorite present?  

Em & her favorite present

A bag of M&Ms from her aunt that was opened as soon as she pulled it out of the gift bag.   Yes, she commenced with her humming.

The good news:  next year we get to skip the parties (no milestone birthdays next year) and just let the girls pick what they would like to do for the day.  Their parties will just be small family gatherings with their choice of dinner and cake and ice cream. And pictures.  Lots and lots of pictures.

I'm Still Cleaning

It was a wonderful weekend filled with lots of yummy calorie-laden food, friends, family, and laughter. 

AND I AM STILL CLEANING UP.

Friday was Emmy's playgroup party, Saturday was my hubby's fishing tournament, and Sunday was Emmy's family party.  We also went to a baseball game knowing the season is drawing ever closer to its end.

NOW TO FINISH THE CLEANUP.

I should have added some relaxation time into the weekend.  "Take a nap" was missing from the list.

So this morning I am sleeping in and then going to the gym to work off all of those calories I consumed.

And I will be visiting and getting caught up on my favorite reads (and the over a hundred emails I neglected over the weekend) today.

I will have Emmy's birthday post tomorrow.

HOW DID YOU SPEND YOUR WEEKEND?