A Peek at my Blog Identity Card--or Whatever You Want to Call It

I just got back from Blog Sugar--well an hour ago--and I have lots to show and tell.

I saw old friends and new friends and blogging friends.

And I loved it all.

But people, I must sleep. There have been birthday parties and sickness and the making of these beautiful, beautiful business cards and it has all kept me up late into the night.

For like the last month.

So I am off to bed and I'll be back next week to talk of ships and shoes and sealing wax

and Blog Sugar and things. Like these awesome blog identity cards. Business cards? I don't know what I should call them. All I know is I love them.

Have a wonderful 3 day weekend, friends, and please remember to thank a soldier for the sacrifices he or she makes for us daily. Remember the fallen and remember those that are here with us now. They deserve our thanks.

Hoping to catch up on sleep this weekend (but it won't happen) and hoping you have fun plans too.

Love from,

Greta

Another Party Ends, Another Year Begins

Before we knew it, it was time for cupcakes.We couldn't get the candles lit, so we told the boys to blow out their pretend candles.

William fell for it. James didn't.

6 is so wise.Cupcakes were, by far, Lilly's favorite part. I don't know how many she ate._____________________________

Birthdays make me melancholy. I can't help but feel a tugging at my heart as I see them growing another year older. One day, the week before the party, I was reading the newest issue of Martha Stewart Living. There was an article about a graduation party. It was by one of the food editors, for her son, graduating from college.

And as I was reading it, it hit me hard:

today a Star Wars party, tomorrow a graduation party.

The days are flying by.

They will never again be 1, 3 and 5.

For now we are (almost) 2, 4 and 6.

It's a race.

And my heart wants them to stay back at the starting line but they can only think about the finish line.

Parenting. It isn't easy.

It's amazing and sweet and wonderful.

But it isn't easy.

Don't grow up too fast my dears. I'd like you to stay little, to run around in your underwear and ask me to cuddle with you at night, for just a little bit longer, OK?

And remember, you'll always be my babies.

Love from,

Mommy

A Star Wars Birthday Party Part 2: Battling Darth Vader and the Storm Troopers

After their training with the Jedi Masters and on the obstacle course, the young jedis got a chance to practice their skills with one another.

Little did they know their greatest challenge was lurking just around the corner.
Attack!!!! How many jedis can fight Darth Vader at once?
It's a wonder he made it out of there alive. Even with his Storm Trooper's protection.

William bravely took on Darth by himself and when Vader admitted to William that he is his father and then asked him to join the dark side, William proudly said, "I will never join you on the dark side, Darth Vader!"

He loved every minute of it.

After their battle with the forces of the dark side, the jedis were tired. So they retired to the Ewok forest and tanked up with some snacks.

But their troubles were not over. Now they had to battle the Storm Troopers, Ewok style!
That meant hurling paper "rocks" at the Storm Troopers while dodging the rocks being thrown at them and the laser guns being shot at them.

It was a total blast.

Finally they took the Storm Troopers down and the galaxy was safe once more from the evil forces of the Imperial army.

Last birthday post tomorrow and then it is time to move on!

Love form,

Greta

Stuccoing the Walls: Before and Not Quite After

Home Improvement Projects. We have a lot of them at our house. In fact, the whole house is one big home improvement project.

We have spent the last year working on the inside of the house and come pretty far, if I do say so myself, but the outside leaves a LOT to be desired.

After much hemming and hawing and what should we do first, we finally decided that the first thing that must be done is paint the house. There is a lot of prep to be done first.

And as I was contemplating the changes the painting would bring to our humble home, I came up with a brilliant idea. "Why not do the walls while we're at it?"

Well, not we, but somebody. (actually just not me)

These are the walls that surround our house. Ugly, faded, cracked, crumbly, 1952 brick. Or in other parts, cinder block. Not attractive.

Because they are in such a bad state, simply painting them is not enough. First they must be stuccoed. So Sunday afternoon, Aaron got out some bags of plaster, and got to work.
It is a big job.
And of course, the kids wanted in on it. Making it an even bigger job.

But Aaron is a good Daddy and he outfitted the boys with their own tools and gloves.

He showed them what to do and let them give it a go.

He did, however, forget to tell William to wear pants. Please don't report us to OSHA. I am sure working in your underwear is considered a safety hazard.
They were into it.
Lilly looked out the window and realized she was missing out on something fun.

I tried to trick her by setting her up with a paintbrush and water to paint the walls.

But you can't really trick her anymore. She was onto me. And she was so over the fake stuff.

She wanted the real goods.

So to save her from getting covered in plaster, I had to send her inside to watch Peter Pan. Thankfully, she has a deep and abiding love for Peter Pan, so she stayed put.

After a while, James kept wanting to wash the stucco off his shoes, his legs, his arms and eventually moved inside with his sister.

William kept at it for a long time.

He spread it on pretty thick. And when I tried to show him how to thin it out, he said, "well, I'm not strong enough to spread it out like that. But that's OK!"

I like that boy's positive attitude.

Aaron worked until dark and finished the whole wall. It still needs another coat of plaster, a coat of paint and then there are 2 more walls to do.

But, it's a start!

Here's to home ownership--it's just a barrel of laughs.

Or something like that.

Happy Monday, friends. I am hoping to be back to normal with blogging when I stop being sick. (see here) See you tomorrow. Maybe.

Love from,

Greta

Falling Behind

Even though I am a night owl and get through my days on not nearly enough sleep, true sleep deprivation takes me down. I can hardly function.

Last night was the first decent night of sleep I've had in 3 weeks. I say decent, not good, because I was up late ironing. But, only 1 kid woke in the night and he went right back to sleep. It was bliss.

Beyond the many middle of the night wake ups, getting them all to bed also turned into a herculean task these past couple of weeks. I don't know what was going on, but it was like a sleep curse was cast on our house.

It left me cranky and exhausted.

And there was the birthday party. As much as you think it won't be much work, it always is. Before and after.

And then, this week, William got sick. He napped for 3 hours one day. Fell asleep right on the hard wood floor and then got up and fell right back to sleep on the couch. He was awake a lot in the night.

When he felt better we took a hike.
Had school in a cave.
We experienced Lego mania.

And this morning we took part in a bake sale.
Whew! I'm plum tuckered.

I have hopes of getting to some blogging this weekend. I'm really hoping to find some hours to myself one of these nights without anybody calling out, "mommy!" from bed.

So, I'll finish up those birthday party posts and the myriad of others that are filling my head.

Hope your weekend finds you getting to those things you like to do.

Love from,

Greta

A Star Wars Birthday Party--Part 1: Jedi Training

They were turning 4 and 6. They didn't mind sharing the day a bit. After all, they both wanted a Star Wars party. I confess I wasn't all that thrilled by the theme. But before I know it, I'll be planning their graduation parties. So we had one galactic sized Star Wars party!

And it was really fun.

The Jedi Training Academy

As soon as they arrived, the light sabers were out and the fighting began.

But the real fun started when the Jedi Masters took center stage.

They had a rapt audience.

First there were stretches.

Including the Yoda ear pull.

And the Jedi toe touch.

The jumping jacks were hilarious.

Then the light saber instruction began.

The Jedi Masters demonstrate the famous "Strike A".

It can also be used as "Block A".

Soon the drive way was filled with young Jedis practicing their newly acquired skills

Next up, the obstacle course.

In a nod to Luke and Yoda, James and his Jedi Master demonstrated the course together.

The young Jedis gathered around and got instructions,

and off they went!

It was a blast.

There is still a fight ahead with Lord Vader,

a battle between the Ewoks and the Storm Troopers

and of course, cupcakes.

Come back tomorrow for more!

________________________________

As you can see, the girls were mostly missing from this part of the party. They were there, but just not as interested in the Jedi training. They were mostly going on the swing and having snack, coloring or simply watching those crazy boys. This is the first party we've had where there was a distinct difference between girl and boy participation.

I think they are growing up.

I also have to give major props to Aaron and Greg. They were the life of the party. Besides training the young Jedis, they provided a comedy act for the parents to enjoy. I am really not sure who had more fun, the kids, the parents or Aaron and Greg. I think we will have to figure out a way to incorporate those 2 into many more parties in the future.

Lastly, more props to Greg and Jana, our dear friends, who throw the most amazing parties ever. They are insanely creative. I have been amazed by their parties for years. Their 6 year old wanted a Star Wars party and after James and William went to it, they could think of nothing else. So it had to be a Star Wars birthday for them too.

I stole several ideas from Greg and Jana. And costumes. And Greg himself.

Thanks guys. You made this much easier.

You might think we are insane for going through all this effort. Maybe we are. Or maybe we just like parties. Here are my thoughts on it. And some info on other party details here.

See you tomorrow for more Star Wars party fun!

Love from,

Greta