Because she's so stinkin' cute...

Editing to turn this into a What's My Kid Wearing post. 

Silver Sparkly Toms - $3.99 @ Goodwill (and they were practically brand new)

Jeans - Levi's ($.99 @ Goodwill)

Sweater - Old Navy ($.99 @ Goodwill)

Jacket - Gap ($1.49 @ Goodwill)

Hat - Not sure of the brand ($.99 @ Goodwill)

Total outfit - Approx $8.75

Bringing my work home

I spend a good portion of my day working with toddlers and guiding them through the fine art of practical life skills.  This includes dressing themselves, using the bathroom, washing their hands, cleaning up after themselves and various other tasks.  All of these things have a process that the kids follow.  I try to incorporate some of these same processes at home (sometimes).  This is especially true with my younger two girls.  All of the kids have chores and the older girls have been doing chores for years, so the novelty of work has worn off.  But the younger girls, especially Zion, are still intrigued by doing big work.  This week, one of Zion chores is to clean the dining room table.  This chore includes clearing things off the table and putting them away, sweeping up crumbs and scrubbing the table.  Zion really LOVES scrubbing the table and has mastered all of the steps.  The steps to scrubbing a table (because I'm sure you are wondering) are as follows - 1.) gather materials (a small sponge, a small scrub brush, a clean cloth, a small bar of soap, a bowl of warm water) 2.) wet the sponge in the bowl of water, squeeze out the excess and dampen a 1' x 1' area of the table. 3.) dip the scrub brush into the bowl of water and apply the soap. 4.) scrub the dampened area of the table in small circles making bubbles. 5.) use the dampened sponge to wipe up ALL of the bubbles. 6.) use the cloth to dry the table. 7.) repeat until the entire table is clean.  She is very proud of herself when she's done.  Now if only I could get the older girls to be as thorough.

Bijou's purple Parisian party

Well, another birthday party has come and gone.  Bijou turned 6 on the 27th and we had her birthday party on Sunday (which just happened to my birthday).  Everyone had a good time and I figured I would share some pictures.

We spent last week in St. Louis, so there wasn't much prep time for this party.  I think I cut paper for a full 36 hours!

I always envision these parties in a nice, calming, clutter free space, but we always have them in our fairly cluttered school room.

Our little "bon anniversaire" bunting made from purple paint chips from the hardware store.  There are tons of shades of purple!

The birthday girl.  In all honesty, she was a complete brat this entire morning, but you can't tell from the pictures!

Her purple birthday crown.  I actually got this one done ahead of time.

Zion had to get on the action.

The purple cake and cupcakes were delicious, but not very pretty.  That's what happens when your husband volunteers to make the cake at midnight after a few beers, lol.  Thank, hun!

I printed these vintage french chocolate labels from Graphic Fairy and wrapped mini chocolate bars.

The flowers were my birthday gift from the hubs.

I had to have these pretty purple gumballs for this party.  It was really the only thing I knew that I wanted.

Happy birthday, Bijou.  It seems like just yesterday you were a tiny little baby with big brown eye and tiny feet.  Now you are reading and riding a two wheeler, doing ballet and writing stories.  You drive me nuts and make me smile.  I am very proud of you and look forward to seeing the young woman you will become.

Next up, Zion's sushi party!

Another Birthday Party Season is Upon Us...

It's that time of year again.  The time of year when I have birthday parties to plan almost monthly.  Bijou's birthday is the coming up on the 27th.  This year she has chosen to have a purple Paris themed birthday party.  She really wants to go to France with her older sister next summer, but unless we win the lottery, that isn't going to happen,  So, this is the next best thing.  I have stocked up on purple party supplies and invitations are ready to be delivered (almost).

Zion's birthday is on February 2nd.  She has chosen to have a sushi party.  I'm pretty excited about the prospect of a sushi themes party and all of the fun things we can make.

Ashni's last big birthday party will be in March.  This will be her tenth birthday!  She hasn't chosen a theme yet, but I'm sure she'll start coming up with ideas soon.

Update on the Lady Clan

I know, I know.  I shouldn't even consider myself a blog owner these days.  Life has certainly increased its pace here in the last couple of years.  Work takes up time, schooling takes up time, the kids are all in extracurricular activities (which take TONS of time), so there's very little time left for me to do anything except eat and sleep.  And I really don't do either of those very well anymore.  Anywho, life has been good, despite the level of business, so I thought I'd share a little update.

Three of my four girls are performing in the Nutcracker this year.  Jena will be Clara!  The show opened last night and was a success.  The entire weekend is old out.  I've finally gotten comfortable with doing the girls' makeup (thanks to a few years of crazy face painting for Halloween).  I still can't believe how much older they look now.  I mean, Ashni still has that childlike face, but Jena?  When did she start looking like an adult?  Fortunately, she is still a big goofball, so maturity is a long way off I think.

This is my classroom.  Generally it is full of busy little toddlers.  There's nothing in the room that is taller than 15 inches, lol.  Well, maybe a couple of things.

We've become part of a great little homeschool co-op.  Jena finally has girl friends her own age.  Not that she has ever complained about having boy friends, or friends that are younger, but I know that she is enjoying it.  We meet weekly for rotating lessons (nature study, geography, art, science, PE).  We also have field trips and social get togethers.  We went on a trip to a National Park here in Mississippi and hiked.  Zion  is showing off her mopey stance as we finish up the trail.

Ashni is still fencing and we are all very proud of her.  She just returned from Houston, TX competing in a youth circuit.  She won a bronze medal!  So far, she has medaled at every competition she has entered.  She loves it and we love seeing how proud she is of herself.  Her coaches envision great things for her fencing future.

Adn, although it doesn't seem like it, we still manage to get some school work done.  I printed this giant map ages ago (and pieced it together on the wall) for the girls to map the countries that they research for geography.  It is also been helpful with the younger girls learning the continents and oceans.  Bijou is labeling the seven continents while Zion names them.

I've also been painting quite a bit.  I've had some portrait work and currently have a show hanging!  So things are going well.

Day of the Dead

Happy Halloween, folks!

Ashni's short movie

Enjoy.