Saturday, April 25, 2009

"Sweet" Sixteen

This is why I haven't been able to post in awhile.
My oldest daughter just turned sixteen. So of course we had to have a "Sweet" Sixteen party. As you can see it's called a "Sweet" sixteen party because of all of the "Sweets".
Boy was this a lot of work!!! It was all worth it though.
I can't believe how fast time flys. I remember so vividly when she was born, it seems like just yesterday. I know that's a bit cliche but it really is so true.

Here she is my little girl. The party was a blast!!!

First we sent out invitations. They were candy bars. We hand painted paper and wrapped them, then we printed the info and attached it. She was very popular the day she handed them out. We had to have 2 chocolate fountains (of course). One White Chocolate and one Milk Chocolate.

These are our super fun centerpieces. I made the large candy in the center out of Styrofoam and then wrapped it in cellophane and added decorative ribbons to give it that final touch. They turned out better than I had hoped for.

Fun was had by all!!

Now, maybe I can get back to my life.

Saturday, April 11, 2009

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter!!
The other day I was getting out my Easter Decorations. I set them all out on the table just waiting for me to place them where I wanted them. Then the phone rang and I got distracted. When my call ended my 12 year old daughter told me to come and look at what she had done.
This is it. Her first vignette!! Yeah!!
I think she did a fantastic job.
Have a wonderful Easter Weekend.
Cari

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Flowery Jewelry

Lots of New Floral Jewelry!!
Yesterday I went crazy and made lots of floral jewelry using beautiful vintage beads and floral cabochons. I am so happy with how they turned out. Only problem is that my girls are stealing them almost faster than I can put them in my shop.

Take a peek!!!

Sunday, April 5, 2009

A Really Exciting Day!!

It's been really exciting around here!!
My oldest daughter, who will be a Junior in High School next year got some long anticipated fantastic news. She is a pianist and a writer and sometimes feels that she doesn't fit in at her current school. She just sometimes feels like the other kids don't get her creativity.
Well, last summer at the pool I was talking to another mom and she told me that her children felt the same way and that they had applied to OCHSA (Orange County High School of the Arts). They were accepted and they LOVE it. They feel that they finally fit in and are blossoming in their chosen passions. Boy, I don't know about you but I didn't have a passion in High School (if you don't count boys!! LOL).
So, ever sense that day my daughter has been on a mission. She immediately researched the school on line. Found out the requirements for rehearsals, printed the applications, went to her current schools office and ascertained her attendance records and her transcripts. All I had to do was sign the forms.
Then came the auditions. She was sooooo nervous during her piano audition that she didn't feel that she did herself justice. We started to worry. Then, she received a call back for her writing submission. She had submitted everything she had ever written and they were impressed. They didn't call everyone back who sent in an application. That was promising. So, we went down there and she had to write a paper with about 50 other kids. I started to get a little concerned when the director of the conservatory stated that this year they would probably only be able to take around 20 kids.
Then came the wait.............................................................................
Every day the first thing she would say when I would pick her up was "Did you get the mail? Was it there?"
Finally, it was there. I had vowed not to open it without her there. But, I must admit to holding it up to the light and trying to read what it said. I was just worried about how she would react to being rejected. Before we opened it I made her promise that wherever she spent next year she would promise to truly make the most of every day. She really is the most tenacious and determined child on Earth when there is something she wants. I am so proud of her.
Well, SHE MADE IT!!! (Boy, you should have heard her scream!!!)
She got accepted into the Creative Writing Conservatory. She can't wait to start screenplay writing, songwriting, writing poetry, etc.
I am so proud of her. Not because she made it but because she is so driven. She always remained confident, she refused to even let us talk about the possibility of her not making it.
I guess I could learn a thing or two from her. Or maybe, I should just start practicing what I preach.
Also, My youngest, my baby boy, lost his first tooth on Friday while we were driving home from school. He had made it so wiggly that it took one little push in the opposite direction and it popped out. He didn't even feel it. I cried and cried and cried. That was the beginning of the end of his adorable little baby face grin. He's so sweet though, he said "Mommy don't cry. I would give you a big giant hug right if you weren't driving" Isn't he sweet?
Next, my oldest sons baseball team won their first game yesterday. We truly didn't know if we were ever going to win. They are a really young team. Most of the other teams have 2-3 9year olds. We don't have any. But, they did it. YEAH!!
Finally, in an effort to be fair, my youngest daughter is just all around fantastic. She didn't have any big moment this weekend. She's just wonderful all the time.
I truly am a Lucky Girl.

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Great Target Find!!

Great Target Find!!
O.K., so a couple of posts ago I told you I was going to show you something yummy that I got at target, then life got really busy, blah,blah,blah, I know, you know!!
Anyhow, here it is!!
Let me just tell you that I only went to Target because my friend and I needed a break from our 7 wonderful children. You know, homework, cheer, dance, tumbling, little league, etc.........

Anyway, I had no intention of purchasing anything. I mean I already have everything I truly need (right? apparently not!!) Then I spotted it! OMG!! I think I actually said something like "I don't think I can live without this" really!!

Alright, here's my defense. It's not only absolutely adorable and totally seasonal and reasonably priced (as if that weren't enough) but, I can use it for storage. Perfect right?! Something gorgeous and utilitarian. How can you beat it. I also got the little egg cups they're perfect for storage too. The salt and pepper shakers I got at Wal-Mart and painted the lids. They were like 80c each. I thought at first I would be able to use small votives for containers but I'm finding them a little too wide so, I'm thinking shot glasses.

Boy, I had a lot of exclamation points in this post. But, I really do adore it. I mean everytime I look at it I'm glad I got it. What better justification is there than that.

Well, thanks for indulging me. Even if my family just said "Oh, that's nice, what are you gonna do with it?" Maybe you'll understand.

Oh yeah, Happy April 1st.

Cari