Ditch Day

Justin pulled another “Ditch Day” and took me to a Spring Training game yesterday. I just can’t believe that it took us until the very last week of Spring Training to get to a game, that was literally walking distance from our front yard. We watched as the Camelback Ranch Training Facility was built and it turned out great (I mean if you are interested in that kind of stuff). The reason I love going to a baseball game is for the nachos (with jalapenos and extra cheese). When Justin was playing or coaching I would ask him if that game would have nachos and then I would decide if I wanted to go REALLY. The nachos yesterday we wonderful, therefore I did enjoy the game, plus the 73 degree weather helped. Brinley stayed with her Aunt Rachel and watched movies, so mommy got to hang out with her two handsome boys all by herself (jealous I know:) For dinner we went to one of our favorites Thai Lahna. We decided to get it a bit spicier than usual while Justin loved it I still think my lips are burning. It never disappoints I still enjoyed every bite. I love unexpected ditch days!!!!

Owens "New Do"

Okay I know he probably didn’t need a cut yet but I have been dying to get my shears on him:) I faded his pretty blond hair, Justin couldn’t really tell but here he is after is first hair cut.

Transformed

Thanks to our wonderful friend Monika we inherited this great piece of furniture. It just needed a little love and we transformed it into a new piece.

Yeah, now we eat and play outside more!!!

The Circus Was in Town

The Birthday Party has come and gone. Brinley celebrated her 3rd year in an “amazing” way… CIRCUS style. Okay so I am going to give a step by step of what I did and where I found the ideas because it took me so long searching the internet to find all the fun material I thought it may be helpful to condense it all into one. Plus, I really tryed to stay on budget so maybe some of these ideas can help anyone else trying to do a party on a budget.

So here is where it all started…
The day after Brinley’s 2nd Birthday I was at the dollar store and they were featuring was Circus stuff, I turned to my sister and cousin and told them “Next year I am going to throw a Circus Party.” When I got home I told Justin the same thing and his response was probably typical for a husband who had just gotten done cleaning up from and funding a large 2nd birthday party. He sort-a blew it off, but as for me the planning started then, the day after her 2nd birthday Party!
Because I knew so far in advance I was able to buy so many things on sale and stick them into a bin in the garage that I labeled “BIRTHDAY BOX.” I got the red plates and napkins the day after Valentines Day for 75% off as well as many of the prizes I got after Christmas, and Valentines Day (remembering not to buy the candy or food too early).

INVITATIONS
I looked all over the internet and I found tons of cute ideas but I was going the cheap rout, as time got closer I rummaged though the “birthday box” and saw that I had already bought popcorn bags at the dollar spot a few months back, using them and a design I made for Admittance tickets I created a cute and yummy invitation.
Cost: $4 for the bags, paper, and popcorn

TICKET BOOTH
I found the idea from www.disneygo.com I decided to try it. It was as easy as they said; it took about 1.5 hours and we used old circus posters, extra tickets, fabric and paint we already had. Andiee Jane handed out the kid’s bags with circus bucks and some starter tickets; they also doubled as goodie bags at the end.
So the cost was FREE. Plus all the kids loved playing in it Brinley thinks it’s a little house for her.

BALLONS
Balloons everywhere. From everything I read balloon set the stage for a circus party so I borrowed a helium tank and bought my own balloons.
Total cost for about 75 balloons: $15

GAMES

Now here I did spend just a little more money. Although the biggest hit was “The Balloon Pop” and it cost mere pennies. All I did was put different amounts of tickets in the balloon and the kids could pop them and keep the tickets inside. “Lightning ball” cost the most $21 at http://www.orientaltraning.com/, but it was a super cute game. All the rest were $1-$8 range

FOOD
We just chose things that we would see at a fair or carnival, Hot dogs, popcorn, pickles, snow cones, chips, all very reasonable. The snow cone machine was my moms, and aunts that gets used often and again it was a hit seeing that it turned out to be pretty hot day.

FACE PAINTING
This was very popular, for the girls and boys. Thanks to a friend (Julie) who is very talented. Snakes, flowers, and stars all over the place. Cost: $12 for the paint

CLOWN
Okay so I took a shot in the dark “Would the 3 year olds be terrified of the clown?” At first about half of them were just fine and the others ranged from scared to terrified? (Sorry Grace) Even Brinley was not a huge fan of her cousin Walkers new do. But most of them warmed up and even loved to attach him with balloons. Thank you Walker you are the best!!! Him and Drake even learned to do balloon animals just for the occasion. And sorry to any of those kids that may now have clown issues:)
Cost: $35 for the costume

There were other items such as the adorable banner, and birthday crown my mom made and the amazing cake I wish that I could claim as my own but my talented Aunt Kristin made. It is nice to know people. Brinley loved having all her friends over and after they left she turned to Justin and I and said “I don’t want my party to be over EVER” Justin and I didn’t feel exactly the same but it was fun for everyone.

A year of anticipation (mostly on my part) and now its all over. What’s next years theme, oh wait I have 2 kids now I get to throw another party in August… dinosaurs, bugs, trains so fun to have a boy too. Maybe I shouldn’t tell Justin that I am started to plan again.

Another Year Older

Today is officially Brinleys 3rd birthday; wow does that age me to have a 3 year old. I can’t believe just how fast time has flown.

Happy Birthday my…
Tutu Wearing
Ballerina Dancing
Tinkerbell Befriending
Candy Snacking
McDonald Eating
Pink Coloring
Book Reading
Trampoline Jumping
Aladdin Watching
Cupcake Baking
Hair Twirling

Owen Loving
Block Building
Picnic Taking
Dress Adoring
Make-up Doing
Smiling, Laughing, Giggly, Happy Girl
I love you my Southern BEL!

Tinkerbell and the Ducks

Imaginary friends have become somewhat of an interest to me lately since we have an infestation of them living in our home!!! Fish, ducks, and the occasional octopus swimming in the bath with mom, here is a snippet of one of the conversations Brin and I have had.

“Mom don’t wash your hair they don’t like it,” Brin says

“Who doesn’t like it?” I reply

“Papaw White and Grandma Orange, the ducks,” she responds with a little frustration that I would be so insensitive to the ducks needs

Needless to say I have a showering by myself rule now “No “imaginary” Friends allowed”

Tinkerbell is the old stand by, and may I add she is a little mischievous, whining for snacks, demanding to ride in a car seat, and crawling in Owens crib to wake him up when Brin and I are cooking downstairs. I have on many occasions over heard Brinley tell her that she is “being naughty.” Worried about why Tinkerbell is acting out I have done a little research on the subject to see if I needed to treat this situation differently.

So this is some of what I found …
“Children may talk to their imaginary friends, draw with them, or even read books to them. And plenty of parents have had to set an extra place at the dinner table for the "friend." So are children's imaginary playmates cause for concern? In most cases, the answer is No. Imaginary friends are a pretty normal part of growing up, especially during the toddler years. They can help kids figure out the difference between right and wrong.”

There are a few supper cute stories of how much Brin loves her buddy, like the time it took her 3 trips up the stairs to clean up her shoes just so that she could keep one of her hands available to hold Tinkerbells, and how careful she is with her when they cross the street or drive in the car to make sure she is safe.

I also found some dos and don’t of dealing with Tinkerbell, so I will try. One more child to watch, and a rowdy one to boot.

Lensch Lowdown

I have some catch up to do thing like Valentines day, Basketball, and a new ADDITION to the family…

Valentines

Justin and I had a Valentine’s to remember, we dropped the kids off to his parents around 10:00 and went on a jog, followed by a day of shopping, a movie, and dinner ALL BY OURSELVES. This is the first day we have spent alone in maybe years and it was fabulous. I was super hesitant at first I was even contemplating calling the whole thing off, but as the day went I really started to enjoy the time with my hubby. Thanks for a great day!!

Basketball

Basketball is officially over a bittersweet moment. I am so stoked to not drive to Mesa so often, but I will miss so many things about coaching. I think if I knew that I would do it again I would be fine but I wonder if that will be a chance for me again, with the kids and schedules. I could not have asked for a better group of girls to be with Brin calls them “MOMMY’S GIRLS” and I suppose I started to think of them that way. I felt protective and concerned with not only there play but with life in general. (The mom came out in me.)
I loved Coaching and am so grateful for the opportunity. We ended with a 9-4 record, #1 in our division way to go girls!!!




We have an addition to the family...

Yes it is true; Brinley has an imaginary friend “Tinkerbell.” She is a cute little thing (I’ve been told) she has brown hair usually in piggy tails and always wearing a dress. She showed up the beginning of the week while Justin was pushing Brin on the swing set, and has only left her side to go home to eat. That’s a whole other story, Tinkerbell always wants to eat at the house so I told Brin that she has to go home and eat no setting a place for her at dinner. Brin was a bit disappointed but life has gone on. It’s been a circus around her and now I have to watch out where I sit on the couch or walk in a room because I have sat on her and run into her. Oh children’s imagination what next!!!

"Can Tinkerbell go to church with us?" Wow she is already doing missionary work, you go Brinley.

Owen

Don’t want to leave out our baby boy, he is doing well, sitting up, eating baby food and loving EVERYHING from peas to prunes. He is a happy little guy and for over a month has been sleeping 9-10 hour a night THANK YOU.