We Wish You a Merry Christmas!

She's Going to Be 30 in 24 Years

Here is the deal: I am not nearly old enough to have a six year-old little girl.

Oh, who am I kidding...of course I am...but that is neither here nor there. What I mean is that in my mind, Lilly is still a newborn infant, delivered three days before Christmas bringing instant smiles to all of us.

(Especially me...considering she was a miniscule little 7 pounder--a welcome relief on the heels of her Ten Pound Andre-the-Giant Brother.)

Thankfully, she LOVES have a birthday near Christmas time.

She is pretty sure all those lights and decor in your yard are for her.

She makes us laugh--the sight gags, the DRAMA, and the creative storytelling that always makes her look like a superstar to the detriment of her brother.

Her cheeks are still kissable, her thumb (occasionally) suckable, and her snaggleteeth? Adorable.

I want her to grow up.

AND.

I want her to stay little forever.

There's going to be a lot of celebrating today...the streamers, Going Bonkers, ice skating, and a VERY SERIOUS chocolate cake.

And if I take any blurry pictures, I'll be sure to post them soon.

Baby, It's Cold Outside

This is the actual image from the local news station's website:

Y'all, that current temp may be a mistake, but it FEELS true.

I take that back...it actually feels like -784.

Praise God for:

*a warm home

*a mattress pad warmer

*heated car seats

*ample padding on my butt

*my Snuggie

*slippers

*two giant-sized children that love to sit in my lap

*coffee

*three layers of pj's

*pictures of our trip to Mexico

p.s. It is only -11 with a wind chill of -32.

Forgive my exaggerations.

At Least We Haven't Caved to Disney's Grand Marketing Schemes

Brace yourselves, we are still riding the Magical Disney Train all the way to someone's 6 year-old birthday.

On the heels of one of the best vacations of my adult life, we received good news of glad tidings and great joy from Brad's employer.

This year, in the City of Denver, we watched Disney on Ice from the luxury box at the Pepsi Center. That would be a huge upgrade from the nosebleed seats we usually occupy at The Coliseum. (Which, for those of you out of towners, is nothing like the real one in Rome. It's more of a dirty, falling apart, get-me-a-shower-now, what-diseases-am-I-catching, monster truck rally kind of joint.)

Loooonnng story short, a sweet lady at Brad's office was generous enough to work some connections in order to provide Disney on Ice tickets for Lilly, her family, and a few friends.

Even though I'm always one for a delightful, homespun birthday, I will also jump at the chance to NOT clean my house amidst the December craziness.

One of my personal goals for 2009 was to have the kid's birthday parties IN the actual month of their birth. Being that I was still 7 weeks late for Jackson's Mario Bash, I was about to throw in the towel on my lofty birthday goals and aim for Mom of the Year in 2010.

But I was rescued in the nick of time and all I really had to provide were these adorable cupcakes:

They turned out pretty cute, if I do say so myself. Who knew Hobby Lobby carried the perfect cupcake papers for Minnie Mouse?

And it was super easy to make those little zebra and polka dot picks from some scrapbook paper and toothpicks.

Before we go any further, I want to disclaim {AS ALWAYS} that I have exactly zero original thoughts. All decor fabulousness was scalped right off the interweb from other little girls' Minnie Mouse parties and shops where you could buy all of this stuff if you were insanely wealthy and/or lost your mind.

Don't you love my attempts at fancy schmancy photography? I think I caught the cupcakes sunbathing in this picture:

What do you think of that banner? It is hanging where my chalkboard usually goes on my exotic treasure, The Door I Found in My Neighbor's Trash.

I believe those banners are for sale for big money online, or you can feel your hands spontaneously cramp in chorus with mine while you picture all the cutting involved.

What's a party without Minnie ears?

Or cute treat bags?
Or a polka dot table runner I bought on clearance at Pottery Barn last year and forgot I had until it fell out of my island while I was searching for my fall leaf cookie cutters that I didn't find until AFTER Thanksgiving.

Oh, and what does every snacker need?

From the maker of Sith Snacks comes this totally original combination of Stuff I Found in My Pantry.
And no party is complete without my two favorite Mouseketeers:

Even if one didn't hardly make it out of the parking lot without some beauty sleep.

Yes, that is my (almost) 6 year-old in her five-point harness car seat.

Asleep.

At her own party.

While her friends were still awake.

Party on, Wayne.