Our "Star" of PETER PAN!

Before Christmas, Taylor came rushing home from school with a handout announcing the spring school play: PETER PAN! She begged and begged to try out. I wanted to be supportive, but I also didn't want to be running around every night to voice lessons, dance, gymnastics, soccer, football, achievement days and so on. So we made a deal with Taylor: if she would be willing to quit dance on Thursday nights, we would go for it.
She made the cast as a mermaid dancer. Her dream!

Now to the costume. We were given instructions for those who sew and those who don't. Although I have a very talented mother-in-law, I didn't want to burden her with the costume stress so I attacked it with......the glue gun! I'm fairly confident that both of my grandmothers were looking down from heaven DYING over what they saw! And I don't think I'll ever play the piano correctly again after all of the hot glue gun burns....
The week of the play was intense. We had to get Taylor ready, take her early and then get seats. In other words, from 5:30-10:00 each night, we were locked in.

What a performance it was! This school has the greatest parents who committed their time and money to sets, costumes, music, choreography, advertising and on and on! It was beyond most productions I've seen at junior highs. Taylor was front and center, busting the moves like we've never seen. She was so confident and beautiful. We were so happy for her shining moment.

Taylor is front, 4th one from the left.

The Lindsays are always so good to come and support our children in their different events. Aunt Cheri came with Poppie and Grandma Barbie. Cousin Brittney and Connie came too.

We love you Taylor! We are celebrating right along with you and your happiness!

Happy 6th Birthday Austin!

Our youngest son turned 6 this week! What kind of party would this action-packed child want? The child who thinks he is a figure in a Star Wars movie? The boy who wanted a Star Wars game for his Play Station 3 at Christmas? The boy who loves all Star Wars computer games?

Yes, a STAR WARS PARTY!!!!

So, I went on Pintrist and realized that I wouldn't be throwing these picture-perfect birthday parties. Not because I don't think they are beautiful or cool? But because I don't value putting that much time and money into each birthday party. Yes, maybe a few parties during the span of each child's youth, but not each and every year. Finished.

However, what I did get was incredibly fun ideas to use! And each idea was a hit.

Here we go........

First, we made our own light sabers. They turned out cool and the kids had a blast with them!

Next, the Jedi Training Course. This was also a huge hit. The boys had to jump, roll, jump, run up some wooden blanks, slide down the green Yoda slide, crawl through the tunnel and then fight Darth Vader! Here goes Austin, jumping over the plastic crates!

Fighting Darth Vader!

Here goes Landon! After he made it over the crate, he threw his weapon and did the best summer-salt! We loved it! Wish I had a picture of it-

Here does the Darth Vader war!

Our cute cousin

Carter, always-the-athlete, was ALL about this course! He PLOWED through it with the speed of light!

Yay for Briggy!

I think Dave was a little scared of Carter's light saber.....

Next, the Hans Solo Rescue

I froze two containers full of water with a Han Solo in his carbonite. The kids had to find rocks and chip out Han Solo. They LOVED this!

We got him!

Saving Princess Leia!
This is way too fun! The boys lined up, showed me the fearless look and planned their adventure to rescue Princess Leia. She was stuck in a balloon.

Ahhhhh, the Yoda Cake!
(Not even close to a Jenna Flood standard, but yummy, yummy, yummy!!!!)

We want dinner!
I made the boys Austin's favorites: Pizza, Mac & Cheese, and Jello.

Presents on the deck

(This was Austin's face when he saw the money from the DuJardins. Priceless)

Happy Birthday to the best 6 year old on the whole planet! We love you dearly and love to experience the excitement of each day through your eyes and enthusiasm.

All our love,
Mom and Dad