This is how she rolls!

 Literally, this is how she rolls now that she is seven! This first day as a seven year old has been great, amazing really. And, she didn't want it to end. But my eccentric Reesey Poo still is true to herself even as she finished yet another journey around the sun. Her request tonight... To ride around the neighborhood to view the Christmas lights with her birthday balloons trailing behind her. I love this kid!

 Proof she hasn't changed... She wore Halloween leggings on her Birthday celebration for the second year in a row. She LOVES holidays, she loves them year round. So here she is wearing a birthday shirt and halloween leggings to a Christmas themed birthday party. Did I mention I love this girl?!?!?

 I forgot to bring candles to her birthday party in Williamsburg, but this classy mature seven year old didn't whine one bit. So we blew out a candle on her 'real' birthday during our weekly Girl Scout meeting today. I love her so much my heart could burst.

She lives in the moment with full intensity. She is present and making the most of what the day has to offer. May I learn to live life as fully as she chooses to! Happy Birthday Seven-Year-Old Reesey Poo!

Elli Turns Three

Every picture has a story. Every story comes together to create this chapter. Elli rocked her two year old year. Elli was as sweet and easy as I could ask for. Elli made the terrible twos look like a walk in the park. If the next year is anything like the last year, we are in for a treat! 

Elli shows compassion for life. Elli loves the people that she is surrounded by, her village. She has always felt attachment to her village. Being around just her mommy and daddy isn't enough for her. She loves her fan club often created by her big sisters' friends. Elli loves any adult that smiles at her. Chances are if you smile at her, she will ask to eat breakfast at your house. 

Elli loves imaginary play. Elli loves giving kisses out to those that matter. 

Elli loves exploring new parks and playgrounds. She loves to try and tackle new heights without qualm.

Elli doesn't know her age, and will do whatever those around her do. Elli's 'best friends' are usually four times her age.

Elli's connection with her cousin is special and unique.

Elli's sweet tooth has no end.

Elli is fearless.

Elli loves to 'help' out in all household chores.

Elli, even though adventurous, still knows how to kick back and enjoy life.

Elli, like her sisters, loves to read. She also loves to have an audience to read to. 

Elli makes the cutest oompa loompa EVER!!!!!

Elli is a twirler. If her clothes don't twirl they aren't good enough to wear. If her PJs don't twirl they aren't good enough for her.

But this twirler still knows how to shoot a spider web your way.

Elli is a self-made princess.

Elli is a keeper of the Orthner genetics. 

Elli is a lover of her thumb and hair to twirl. Remember, twirling is a must in her life.

Elli loves being a little sister. They can't go far without her creating their shadow.

Well, Elli is just plain super.

Elli on your birthday tomorrow, may all you wishes come true. May you stay sweet. May you continue to approach life with such zest. May life give you twirls up to your standards, and when it doesn't may you use your faithful connection to your village to support you through it all. If you continue life with greatness you approached two with, life will treat you as great as you treat it.

I love you, beautiful! Happy 3rd birthday!

Six. Again.

I can't believe I am posting about a six year old AGAIN.

We have a book, the pretty much sums up this six year old.

Olivia and the Fairy Princesses by Ian Falconer

Olivia was depressed.

"I think I'm having an identity crisis," she told her parents. "I don't know what I should be!"

"Well," said her father, "you'll always be my little princess!"

"That't the problem," said Olivia. "All the girls want to be princesses."

"At Pippa's birthday party, they were all dressed in big, pink, ruffly skirts with sparkles and little crowns and sparkly wands. Including some of the boys. I chose a simple French sailor shirt, matador pants, blank flats, a strand of pearls, sunglasses, a red bag, and my gardening hat."

"Why is it always a pink princess? Why not an Indian princess or a princess from Thailand or an African princess or a princess from China? There are alternatives."

"For the school dance recital, everyone was trying out for the fairy princess ballerina. Even a couple boys."

"But, Olivia," said her mother, "I seem to remember last year you wanting to be a ballerina."

"That was when I was little. I'm trying to develop a more stark, modern style."

"Olivia, it's time for your bath," said her mother.

"And on Halloween," said Olivia, "what did all the girls go as?"

"Princesses." "Princesses."

"I went as a warthog. It was very effective. If everyone's a princess, then princesses aren't special anymore!" said Olivia. "Why do they all want to be the same?"

After her bath, Olivia's mother read her a story. It was about a beautiful maiden who was locked in a tower by an evil queen. "When a prince came along, rescued her, and made her his---"

"NOT HIS PRINCESS!" cried Olivia.

"Fine," said her mother, who was tiring of this discussion. "I'll read you the story of the Little Match Girl. 'Once there was a little girl who was forced to sell matched barefoot in the snow. The matches kept her warm for a while, but all too soon they ran out..."

"Oh, Mommy, that's so sad," said Olivia, tearing up. "I may not want to be a princess, but I wouldn't want to be freezing in the snow."

Her mother said, "Well, I want you to be ASLEEP in five minutes!"

"But first read me the story about Little Red Riding Hood!"

"No, Olivia, it's bedtime."

"Just the parts where everyone gets eaten. Please?"

"No, I'm turning out the light."

Olivia lay in the dark trying to sleep, but her brain wouldn't let her. "Maybe I could be a nurse and devote myself to the sick and the elderly. I could use my brothers to practice bandaging. And various other treatments. Or maybe adopt orphans from all over the world! Or I could be a reporter and expose corporate malfeasance. "

HMMM....

Then it occurred to her. " I know...."

"I want to be queen."

------------------------------------------------------------

Happy Birthday to the most unique, self-confident, spirited, trail blazing SIX year old I know!

"Birthday party"

Over the last week, Elli has repeated endlessly

"Birthday party, k?"

"Birthday party, cake, k?"

Luckily about five minutes after I shot this video Karl showed up (during his lunch break) with a cheesecake for is all!










He bought the Godiva one which is gluten free for everyone and a single slice of the s'mores one special for me :)

What a sweet surprise, literally!

Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Sleepover without the Slumber

Brady asked for a sleepover for her 7th birthday. This momma isn't quite ready. We compromised... all the fun of a sleepover (pizza, movie, candy, PJs, staying up late) without my taking care of other children overnight. So her party was scheduled 5-9:30. I know, genius!

I will have to say, it may have been my favorite party I have ever hosted. It is also my first 'drop-off' party I every hosted. So that means the kids came adult-less. That means this momma was one vs. ten. Pure innocent fun without loads of mommas intervening.

I smiled the ENTIRE 4.5 hours. My cheeks got sore and I kept smiling. It was a blast to watch, so I am sure it was a blast for the ten kids.

Brady was the brainstormer behind most of the party. She decided the colors should be red ("boys might not like seeing only pink"). She picked "Sound of Music". She decided to have a candy buffet instead of a cake so it was like the movie theater. She came up with labeling the bathrooms and exit like the theaters.

Since the movie of choice was "Sound of Music" I made them all PJs of similar fashion. So after pizza, all the kids were eager to put on their new PJs.

Well, then right after everyone was dressed they all decided to run outside to play...in their PJs. But who cares let them have fun!

Presents were opened, and every kid gifted the perfect present!

What a great group with is!

The movie only caught their attention for about an hour. But we caught a couple classic slumber party moments.

After I put Elli in bed,  I let the kids fill one jar up with candy... exciting. Jack even got to try his first Reese's cup!

Jack asked for a drum roll before he ate his first Reese's.

Candy and popcorn!

 When I saw them all wavering, I suggested playtime again and then the dress up bin was raided! Perfect time to blast the Frozen soundtrack! Girls chased boys, boys attempted to do the worm, kids played zombie, butterflies fluttered, lyrics were belted, memories were made, FUN WAS HAD!

All the kids were well behaved and not a tear was shed. I consider the night to be a success. I love that I was the only adult because I wasn't distracted by my own conversations and I reveled in the childhood fun of just being!

Can't wait to throw this type of party again!