Photobucket Photobucket Photobucket Photobucket

June 7, 2013

School's out!

The girls have a half day of school and then they are officially on summer vacation. My husband is done with his school obligations after Monday.  Woo hoo!!
1st day of school - September
1st grade Chinese New Year party - February

1st Grade Field trip to Boulder Ridge Animal Park - May 
 I can't believe Josie's done with 1st grade and Emma's completed her freshmen year of high school.
Marching Band camp - August

Marching Band State Finals - November
Homecoming - September
Emma's 15th birthday party - May

 It's been a year of academic challenges, new friendships and wonderful adventures. 

My new blog header!

Welcome summer! 

 

June 5, 2013

A great way to start the morning...

I hit an 50% off estate sale on my way to work Tuesday morning. I was literally in and out in less than 15 minutes.  My cell phone snapped a few shots of my stash. 

 A small box of vintage Christmas ornaments and handmade stockings were rescued.
Even more exciting was the box of strombecker dollhouse furniture that was waiting for me in the upstairs bedroom. 

 Here's a better shot of the furniture once I got home.

Yep.  Definitely better than a morning cup of coffee.  It was a great way to start my day.
    

June 2, 2013

Josie's birthday party... picture overload

You've probably gathered from all my pre-party posts lately, I love decorating and organizing parties.  The western dress I'm wearing was from the infamous farm house estate sale.  I spent a mere $1!  The boots on my feet were HUGE, but they were a great deal.  I had on 3 pairs of socks to keep them on my feet.  

It especially helps that I have a husband who equally enjoys entertaining. Yes. He talked like a cowboy during the whole party. 

I also have to give a big shout-out to Emma didn't mind dressing up and was a huge help during the party. Isn't she adorable in her hat?  

Josie could hardly stand waiting for her party guests to arrive.  

From the moment she got up, until the party officially got underway, she was constantly asking "how much longer"!!!

One of the biggest hits at the party was the lasso game.

Chris picked up this deer head at an estate sale and mounted to the saw horse.

The other game that was especially exciting was mining for gold in Josie's sandbox.

Some of you might remember the pink sand from last year's flamingo party.

The gold nuggets were rocks spray-painted gold.

We had lots of other games too. Pin-the tail on the horse.

Smashing a pinata cowboy boot.

Throwing horseshoes.

A horse craft

Although it wasn't super warm outside, the weather was perfect for active little people.

As you can imagine, Josie's horse tire swing got quite the workout at the party!

One of Josie's friends wore her mother's childhood Holly Hobby shirt that was hand-stitched by her grandmother when she was a little girl.  Isn't it adorable!?!

Josie was spoiled with lots of presents and many thank you notes need to be written this week.

I didn't get permission to share their sweet little faces, but know that they were all adorable in their western gear.

They dined on cupcakes and ice cream.

Bottle water provided liquid refreshment. My late grandfather would be happy to know that his metal pail was being put to good use as a watering hole.

By the time the last guest left, we were all feeling like our cat (Penny).

It was a really fun party.

But, we aren't quite done celebrating!!! Josie's extended family birthday party is scheduled for June 14th in the evening.  We'll be having a BBQ dinner.

Yee-haw.  I'm tired but very happy with how everything came together.

Happy birthday, Josie!
 

6 hours and counting...

On Saturday, Chris and I spent the day cleaning in preparation for Josie's birthday party this afternoon. 

We have lots Josie's 1st grade classmates coming to visit our house for the first time and my husband has a tendency to give tours (some of the rooms weren't exactly tour worthy).  
Here are a few more sneak peek pictures.



Our weather for today is cold and blustery, but the rain is finally done.  Most of the games (mining for gold, horse shoes, antelope lasso..etc. are outdoors.  I did set up an area in our sunroom for indoor pictures.  The cats have enjoyed smelling the straw.

My sister reminded me that even cowboys have to endure all kinds of weather conditions. 

We're at less than 6 hours and counting until the party!!!  Yee-haw!!