The Tale of a Knight's Birthday

A Knight Birthday Party. That's what he wanted. I did my best.

I used the masks as decorations. 

The sword was a birthday gift.

These tunics were so easy to make.

Knights and Princesses.

They decorated shields and hats.

 Slaying the Dragon.

Opening Presents.

It took me a few years to figure out that opening presents at the birthday parties wasn't going very well. Usually the birthday child was crowded and mauled with presents being shoved in their face by the anxious givers who wanted them to open theirs next. Sometimes they were so anxious, they would open it for them! It became a mosh-pit of presents and wrapping paper with toys flying all over the place. Two minutes later all the gifts had been opened and I had no idea who had given what.

I have found two solutions:

1. Spin the bottle

Birthday child spins it. Whoever it lands on gets to give their gift.

2. Present your present to the King (pictured here).

Birthday child calls someone's name and that child bows before the king and presents their gift. They then get to sit next to him while he opens it. NO ONE is allowed in the Kings circle unless their name has been called. It worked out fabulously! The kids loved it.

Ye 'Ole Royal Cake 

made by the Royal Mother.

Bionicles and an Erector set from Mom & Dad!

The Medieval birthday fun is done!

The End.

One Proud Piano Mama!

Check out this video of my oldest's very first piano recital! He played his pieces perfectly! I was so proud I really thought I was going to cry. Scroll to the bottom of this page to turn off the music player before starting the video. Enjoy!

I love seeing the smile on his face after he's done. What a feeling! That's my boy...

When you be an old lady...

Yesterday while sitting in church, my four year old sincerely and sweetly asks me, "When you be an old lady, what will happen to me?" Whatever it was I had said in reply seemed to have comforted him. It's hard to imagine myself being "old" but it made me realize that times passes  quickly and these little ones will not be little for long. I will never wish away these years and be grateful for every day - even the hard ones.

Tournament of Kings Dinner Show

The Tournament of Kings Dinner at Excalibur. 

The kids L-O-V-E-D this! We were really blessed with great seats. We sat bottom and center. The actors involved us in the show and flirted with the kids. A dirt-clod actually flew  up from one of the horses and hit me in the chest and landed in my lap. Cool.

A meal you eat completely with your hands.

Two thumbs up for the soup!

The Prince & Me

We found these two cute little things sitting next to us.

The Show...

Merlin

The King & his son.

The Princes of all the represented countries.

We sat in the Dragon Section.

And here he is...

The Dragon Knight!

KAZAA!

Ford Flex Bliss

To check out my new ride Click here

It's kind of like the wienie dog of Smart Cars.

To see why I have a new ride look down.

It's kind of like when someone breaks their leg and then they have to tell the story of how it happened at million times. It get's very old. I'm tired of telling this story but here it is once more.

The setting: Residential neighborhood.
I slow down looking for a place to park at my friend's house. I stop. I turn left into her driveway. (Excuse me, I attempt to turn left into her driveway.) A 16 year old kid in a Jeep Cherokee passes me on the left and smashes into me. The cops come. No, I did not signal. (Break lights should have been a signal, yes?) He is sited. His horrible insurance company (and yes, I will name names) State Farm says that we are both at fault and they will not be covering the damages. Here is a statement in their letter to me: "You did not have your left turn signal on and the driver behind you had no idea that you were going to make a left turn. Our insured could have stopped and waited but you were stopped and he did not know what you were doing since you did not have a left turn signal on." Hmmm....I think she failed to mention that my signal was not on. Never-the-less it's a ridiculous statement. She is saying that if you are in a residential neighborhood and the person in front of you slows down or stops you can pass them because they don't have their signal on. What if I had stopped for a child who had run into the street after a ball?

Meanwhile my insurance is handling the claim and it has not gone into arbitration.

My van went in for repairs today and I get to drive a rental car. I love it! There is just something about driving a brand new car that changes your perspective and makes you smile. No Kool-aid stains on the floor. Leather seats and key-less entry!!  And I keep saying, "Cool!! This car does that?!" We are feeling very spoiled and I'm afraid it's going to really hard to go back to the old Dodge Grand after driving this thing around. Now we're inventing errands to run and hubby and I fight over who get's to haul the kids around from place to place! No more games of Rock Paper Scissors?

Dearest Mr. repairman, Please take your time. Our rental car is really strange looking but since it's what on the inside that counts - we kind of don't want the old one back. Sincerely 

Yuppie Yum!

Ahhh....the aroma of fresh brewed...coffee? No. Actually, it's the Apple Bran Muffins at Starbucks that have me Star-struck! What a delicious little morsel! What do they soak those raisins in? I just know that it's perfection. No, I don't want a drink with that; just give me my muffin.

And what is that aroma luring me to the front of the IKEA store? How can anyone resist it? You can even pick your own! And did I mention they're cheap?! That's right; IKEA cinnamon buns!  These pastries melt in your mouth and make you want to eat them for breakfast, lunch, and dinner! I really could you know.

You're welcome! Just a couple of suggestions if you ever feel like getting your Yuppie on for some Yuppie Yum. 

Road Trip Part I

Part land & part sea pool.

Driving to Las Vegas, NV.

Red Rock! Hot dog! It's getting warmer!

Oh Yeah...time to turn on the A/C.

*Trumpet sounds* Ta da da daa

YES!!! PALM TREES!!!

Swimming at the Excalibur! 

We have arrived! Heaven!

I am part swimmer part mom paparazzi.

Sneak Peak

I am suffering from a case of "Blog-neglect". What happens when you neglect your blog? Do those three people that read your blog stop reading it? In any case, I've been busy. We took a very wonderful Spring Vacation to Las Vegas, Arizona, and St. George the end of March. It was quite simply; The perfect family vacation! We had such a great time. I took a million and two pictures. Here are just a couple to tide you over until I can down load some more.

The Excalibur Hotel in Las Vegas where we stayed.

We took a little trip to The Strip.

I think we all lost a few years off of our lives breathing in all the second-hand smoke but a blast none-the-less.