bright (and toothless) elisabeth

While Sydney's look belongs in ages gone by, Elisabeth's look definitely belongs in the bright and colorful era.

vintage sydney

This is a typical "I'm not really sure about this" Sydney look. 

 Somehow it looks like the appropriate expression for a 1940's picture, doesn't it?

Family scrapbook

We have this table. 

I have had it since I graduated college.

  

It came from my parents, who got it from their neighbors who were going to throw it away when I was a kid.

This table has traveled with me just about everywhere I go.

It has a love of love worn into it.

And after rescuing it from our furniture graveyard (also known as the basement) it is now serving as our kitchen table.

I love looking at every marking and trying to remember how it got there.

Our children have already added their own "love" to the table, but that is my intention.  I'm looking forward to trying to remember some of the newest memories that are being made around this table.

Are you missing your bowling ball?

If you are, I think I might know where it is.

And I am truly sorry about that, but I was really, really hungry.

Are you also missing your ever-growing back end? Because I think I've got that too.

I am very hungry.  And happily 22 weeks pregnant. 

Our baby is the size of a yellow squash or something like that.  I don't know why they measure babies in terms of produce.  I honestly think sporting goods would be more appropriate.  Either way, I'm happy to be growing a lovely baby boy bowling ball. Or squash. Which used to be a turnip. And before that was a blueberry.  I wonder how long before they get to watermelon.  I wonder if I'll turn into any of these, because that's kind of how it's starting to feel.  In a good way of course, if it's possible to be a good squash flavored bowling ball.

(In all honesty, I'm truly enjoying this pregnancy.)  Did you know that squash have legs? And that they can kick and do summersaults?  One of my favorite things about produce.  You can't find 'em like this at Trader Joe's, and I know I'm going to miss this.  And so I enjoy every minute of this pregnancy, knowing it's probably my last.   I'm so lucky to be able to grow such amazing produce.

It's not just the blog that I am behind on

Because let's face it, I'm behind. Really behind.  But the good news is that I don't just suck at the blog, I'm much more well-rounded than that.  I also suck at planning birthday parties on time.  Elisabeth's birthday is almost 2 months past and we just finally had her kids' party.

But I made cupcakes, so that counts for something right? No? Did I mention that they had orange frosting and sparkly pink sprinkles on top? And that I bought a fancy cupcake carrier to transport them? That definitely counts for something.

Elisabeth's 7th birthday party was at color Me Mine, a paint your own pottery place.  We have a pretty big collection of pottery from this awesome store.   

We had eleven 7-year olds in a private party room.  Eleven 7-year old girls is not necessarily a lot. I mean, first grade teachers do it all the time, except they usually have eleven 7-year old boys thrown in the mix as well.  But when you throw these eleven girls in a party room without their teacher? 

Break out the earplugs, because they. are. loud.  

I mean, LOUD! 

Oddly enough, photos don't capture the noise.  Somehow the party looks so peaceful through the camera lens.  Maybe I shouldn't have divulged all of that.  I probably could have gotten away with just saying this:

Look at how well-behaved everyone was:

And look at their masterpieces, ready to be glazed.  Beautiful!  I was awe-struck at the creativity in the room.  Each piece was so uniquely beautiful.  I don't know why my creativity is so stunted sometimes.  These kids had no problem painting.  They put the brush to the plate and happily created their works of art.  And screamed and giggled and spoke in slight teenager-valley-girl accents while doing it.

Like, totally.

And then they sang Happy Birthday complete with the craziest lyrics, some of which I don't think should be repeated, and they ate their beautiful cupcakes:

And everyone went home happy.  Except for the one kid who said to me "HEY! Where's our goody bags?"  Patience may not be a virtue for seven year olds, but the plate is coming, my dear, I promise.

I didn't take a picture of my expression when I was asked about the goody bags, but maybe I should have!  I think that one would have translated equally as well through the camera lens...

In any case, Happy Birthday to our sweet Elisabeth!