Happy Birthday Kaylee!

Happy Birthday Kaylee

Kaylee turned 7 at the beginning of the month and we threw her a party, her first "friend" party. Each of the girls got to make a bracelet, they came up with some really cute things!

Then we played a few games. The girls loved hot potato and played it probably 15-20 times. Here's some pics of them playing the balloon popping game


Next up we played a game where you put vaseline on your nose, put your face in a bowl of cottonballs and whoever got the most cottonballs stuck to their face won. I wasn't sure how this game was going to go over, but I wanted to do something different. Well, I'll definitely do it again because it was a HIT! After someone had won the prize, the girls all wanted to play again and again just for fun. They even got Carl and I to try at the end :)

Last up we opened presents and had cupcakes

I can't believe it's been seven years since I first held Kaylee in my arms. We had a great time celebrating the blessing that she is in our lives.

For my beading friends

For all of my beading friends, a designer I love is having a game on her website and giving away 1 free pattern to everyone who plays. If you're interested, her blog is http://fdekszer.blogspot.com/2010/06/game.html

Bonding Time

With both Carl and I unemployed, we have a lot of family time. Carl and Kaylee have been doing stuff together to bond. Here are three of my favorite activities:

Carl has been doing a lot of work on his Jeep, here's Kaylee helping him do an oil change


Carl and Kaylee both LOVE spaghetti. Carl was making it every couple of days, whenever their leftovers ran out. Finally he decided to teach Kaylee how to make it so she can help him. She loves being his little helper!


A couple days ago Kaylee came running in the house telling me I just HAD to come watch what she was doing. Here's what I found them doing:


I love seeing my two favorite people bonding like this. It's been a slow process, but we're getting there. It's a great feeling to have that family bond between the three of us!

Girls pampering night

One day this week Kaylee and I watched Live with Regis & Kelly. They had a segment on at-home beauty treatments and ever since then, Kaylee has been bugging me to try it. So yesterday I went to the grocery store and got the ingredients that we didn't already have.

We did two treatments, one to remove buildup, and one to condition. Recipes can be found here.

Our shower caps came in a three pack, so Kaylee decided Carl should join in the fun. He was a good sport, but he also doesn't know I'm posting this pic on our blog LOL!


At the end of the night we decided it was fun, but next time we're not doing homemade stuff, getting the bits of avocado out of our hair wasn't fun. We're already planning our next pampering night, Kaylee has lots of ideas. I love having my little girl to do this fun stuff with!

Way to go!

Today at school Kaylee was recognized with the Climbing Higher award. All the students get it as some point during the year and today was Kaylee's turn. She was recognized for her willingness to help others with their schoolwork.

It's a girl!

No I'm not pregnant.... we got a puppy!

Carl had a Great Dane when he met me, but I was so allergic that he gave her back to his ex-wife. Ever since we bought our house last fall he's been wanting a dog. Our neighbors have a Yorkie that I'm not allergic to, and that got us researching what breeds are supposed to be hypoallergenic.

On Monday after we met Carl for lunch (it was my birthday) he sent us on a search for a dog. We went to the Humane Society first to try to find a dog there, but they had no dogs that were the right breeds. Besides, I got so sick in there that I couldn't tell if I was reacting to a specific dog or not.

Our search ended when we found Miley. She is a schnauzer, maltese and yorkie mix. We stayed and played with her for a while and I had no allergies to her! Kaylee was SO excited that we were getting a puppy, and she's proven herself to be a good dog owner.

Here's the newest addition to our family:

I didn't know puppies could be so calm. She's quite happy to be carried around and held all day. And falls asleep in your arms too

Our Energizer Bunny

When I was little and we were being rowdy at my Nana's house, she'd send us outside to run around the house. Carl and I came up with a new version of wearing Kaylee out: