The Right Note

This past weekend was the annual Christmas Piano Recital.  Kids practiced for two weeks.  Friday was their rehearsal with Ms Sarah--best. piano. teacher. ever.  Bronwyn barely was able to make it through her practice--as her special recital skirt had yet to arrive and she was very distracted by any moving object outside that could, potentially be a mail truck carrying her special skirt ordered for this important occasion.

It finally arrived.

Whew.

It gave her the super powers she hoped for as she not only hit every note but played each note beautifully.  Now, one might argue it was the PRACTICE that set her up for success.  But, both she and I know differently.  After all, check out the skirt.

Jack had his own magical charm to help him tickle the ivory with feeling and precision.  The mighty bow.

Clearly position so to help stimulate that frontal lobe prior to performance.  Bronwyn was pleased it matched their outfits ;)

Let's check out their performance.  First up was Miss Bronwyn (5.25), playing We Three Kings.   Click on the link below:

Bronwyn Christmas Piano Recital 2015

Did you see her Adele impersonation towards the end.  That's our Bronwyn!!!

And here's Jack (9.0) playing Up on the Roof Top.  Click on link below:

Jack Christmas Piano Recital 2015

Clearly, he was channelling Santa's inner frustration--as Pop Pop explained to me...it must be very difficult getting up on the roof top.  Not to worry Jack, you inherit your 'focus' face from your mom.  One of many things I will apologize to you for now, and most likely for the rest of my life.  xoxo.

I love sitting down and playing the piano--it always fills my bucket.  Robert Schumann said it best...

“When you play, never mind who listens to you.”  

But today--we got to listen to you.  And your Mom and Dad couldn't have enjoyed it more.  Thanks for sharing your music with us.  You both sounded great!!!  Now, let's get Santa down from the roof top before he slips and falls.  

Jack's NINE!!!

That's what Bronwyn said upon waking,  "Jack's 9!!!"  Indeed he is.  What a second...

He's halfway until 18!  

 Not.  Ready.  Yet.   

We're  kind of fond of this little boy and super proud of the little man he is becoming.  As excited as he is about turning 9--even he agrees being 8 was super cool.  He racked up at least 1000 hours of Minecraft play with his friends; rode his first upside down roller coaster; went on a hike to a waterfall; continued his obsessions with Lego's with at least a moderate level of passion; grew about 3 inches;  started and completed the entire Harry Potter book series.

What better way to usher in year 9 then with a little magic borrowed from his favorite book series?  With 12 of his closest friends (11 friends + 1 sister, who may or may not be considered a 'friend'), Jack had a blast at his birthday party this year.  Considering we did potion experiments--I use the term 'blast' with great hesitation :)

First order of business--Daigon Alley to get all your wizard school supplies.  What?  You don't have any wizardry money?  Good grief, muggle.  No worries, Jack opened up his Gringott's vault and shared his Galleon with all.  What's on the shopping list for a Harry Potter Birthday Party?

1.  Owls.  The kids made pets out of paper bags.  Owls are like magical postman (meaning they get you the mail without running down your mailbox).  Just kidding (we love you mr. postman...heh, heh).  The kids really got into their owl bags--perhaps because we let them know they doubled as their favor bags.  Super fun and cute!

2.  Spell books.  Flourish and Blotts had spell books ready for everyone with the most popular spells and a few curses, yikes!

3.  Cauldrons.

4.  Wands.  Now everyone who has watched or read Harry Potter knows the 'wand chooses the wizard'; and so we blindfolded the wizards-to-be to match them with their perfect wand.  Jack was thrilled with his cousin to the elder wand ;)

You may not think me pretty...
No matter aesthetics, the kids thought the sorting hat was the coolest thing ever!  We sang the song (or rather read the poem) and then the hat did its magic.  Dad hid a bluetooth device into the hat and stood off in the corner with his iPhone.  He downloaded some recordings of the sorting hat--so when Jack and his friends placed the hat over their ears, Dad pressed a button and the hat came to life.  Some of the kids really bought into the magic.  Now the hat takes your wishes into consideration--but ultimately this thinking cap knows best.  The houses:

Ravenclaw:  Jack, Reid, Trey, Jackson
Hufflepuff: Owen, Colin, John
Gryffindor: Patrick, Carter, Jacob, Devin
Slytherin: Bronwyn (oh my!)


We donned our house badges and went off to our classes to start earning house points.  Who will win the house cup?  Ooh...the suspense.

School is in Session.  A sample of Hogwarts classes awaited all of our potential first years.

1.  Charms Class.  Before casting spells we all had to get comfortable with our wands.  We each had a minute to use wands (chopsticks) to get as many magical items (marshmallows and candy corn) out of a cauldron and into a cup.  Points were awarded based on how many items landed in your cup.  These kids were ready for some spells after this warm up act!

2.  Wand Duels.  Once the kids understood they would be dueling each other--they all ran back upstairs to find their spell books.  They studied as hard as they do for a Friday Spelling Quiz and picked their favorite spells to wage against their opponent.  Jack tried to obliviate his own mother's memory.  John took control over Own and made him 'fart'.  Oh boy.  and Reid sent a flock of birds over to peck Devin's eyes out.  Great fun.  Great, great, fun.

3.  Potions Class.  Professor Snape was off finding some more Gillyweed--so Professor Mom stepped in to lead this class.  Each student had a potions book to follow.  We went over rules--stressing how important it is not to sample any of these ingredients as we certainly don't want to grow a rat's tail or anything crazy like that.  The kids made Forgetfulness Potion (lava lamp) and used the leviosa charm to levitate balloons (the old baking soda and vinegar trick).  Two other potions were in their book--Pollyjuice (green volcano made in the cauldron) and Felix Felicis (good luck potion which we could drop into tiny bottles made into necklaces).  Kids loved this activity very much.  Matter of fact, we kept Potions Class around for the entire weekend--Jack, Bronwyn and I continued to finish all the potions in the book and had a blast (literally as a few balloons full of vinegar and baking soda went blasting around our basement...oops!)

Quidditch Anyone?  As if our neighbors didn't already think we were a bit crazy...now they certainly know we are.  When else will you see 12 boys on broomsticks racing around a Field?  Priceless, right?  In their houses, we did 2 relay races.  The ole' 'push a gourd with a broomstick' race (much harder than it looks!) and 'run as fast as you can with a broomstick between your knees without falling' race.   Somewhere in there we were interrupted by Hagrid as he lost his magical creatures and they boys had to hunt them down--Ravenclaw won (as they were the only team that figured out reading the clues would help them find the creatures versus running around the yard searching wildly while screaming!  HA!)  Then, once the boys proved they could be trusted with 12 broomsticks on the Field at the same time--we broke out the balls and played Quidditch.  WHAT.  A.  BLAST!

We calmed them down, by transitioning to Defense Against the Dark Arts...a.k.a. beat the dementor with a stick until it poops candy ;)

Inside to clean up.  Looks like Chambers of Secrets took over the bathroom.  Spooky.

FEAST in the Great Hall was the reward for everyone.  Slytherin Hot dogs; Pumpkin Pasties; Hufflepuff Popcorn; Broomsticks; Owl Feed; Veggie Crudites; and Fruit Wands were just some of the tastes.  The showstopper was Fortune Drinks and Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans.  Professor Trelawney left a fortune card on our plates--whatever color our drinks turned equated to our fortune.  Jack's future is full of happiness.  Whew.  We played a game with the Flavor Beans.  Each student picked the colored jelly bean the spinner landed on.  They had a 50/50 chance of getting a delicious bean or something rather peculiar.  Jack ate grass clippings;  Jackson had fruity tooty; poor Reid had BARF!  But the worse was Jacob's stinky socks--we all went hunting for the toothpaste Jelly Bean for him after we got a whiff of that.  YIKES!

What better way to wash down the beans then with a few sweets.  We made all the sweets ourselves except for the cake (thanks Whole Foods) and sent most home with the kids in their owl bags.

After everyone left, Jack looked at me with awe in his eyes and said, "Mom, that party wasn't very good."  BOOOOO!  "It was AWESOME!!!! Beyond AWESOME!!!"  Well, easy to have an awesome party when you have such an awesome kid to inspire you.

Happy Birthday Jack.

Now just wait until you turn 11--and get your Hogwarts invitation for real ;) ;) ;)

Boo to You

We cleaned a dozen spider webs off the house; planted mums; and saw the thermostat drop to the 50s in the morning.

Fall

Is 

Here

No better way to usher our favorite season in then a pumpkin celebration day.  A new tradition is born ;)

Bronwyn cleaned out her pumpkin

Jack enjoyed the squishiness

Beginning of October and already carving pumpkins!

While Dad carved, Bronwyn decided sharpies and small pumpkins were more her speed.

Likewise!

Excellent carving Dad!  Didn't have heart to tell him it wouldn't last until Halloween!

A week later.  Oops.

Bronwyn sported a different Halloween tattoo every day in October.  Look who learned to do tattoos herself.  

Scary Zombie returned.  Here's Bronwyn posing with who she calls her THIRD GRANDPA a week before Halloween--before we went over to our neighbor's Halloween Party!

Finally, after a month of celebration All Hallow's Eve is here!

Bronwyn as Mal (Malificient's daughter) and Jack as a Storm Trooper of sort (guess we will learn who this dude is 12/19 when we see STAR WARS!!!)

Moments before the Trick or Treating begins!

The kids had a wonderful Halloween!  Jack came home and gave me his bag to give to the Halloween Witch--he ate all he wanted while running door to door.  Bronwyn on the other hand--eyed her huge pile of candy and then her small pile of peanut candy and said "Does the Halloween Witch have a peanut allergy?"  Nice try Mal!

Spook ya later!

Happy Fall!!!

Jack's First Official Book Report

Due this week is Jack's first book report.  He will give an oral summary of the book report in first person and even dress as his character.  He chose to report on a book we was reading, America's Paul Revere.  Here's his work...typed 100% by Jack himself.

America’s Paul Revere

By Esther Forbes

            Hi I am Paul Revere when I was your age I went to school just like you. (Not this school OK.)  You might say it would be really cool to go because you get a cake if you are smart, but if you’re bad they will shake you till your teeth rattle and you would be bored out of your mind because you only learn ABC’s. Anyway and no I am not dumb you get out of school when you are 13. When I was 18 my Dad died, so I became man of the house and became a silversmith plus I had to take care of my family. I was like the best silversmith in all of the 13 colonies. After I did all that silversmith stuff for a few years I volunteered to be In the French-Indian war. I didn’t get paid as much but I knew it was the right thing to do. I was a Lieutenant,you need to be responsible and a good leader to be that, but 4-star General would be better. When I got back the economy was bad.  Silver was a luxury and not many could afford it.   So, I taught myself how to be a dentist and engrave copper so I could afford food for my family.

I got interested in politics and joined the Sons of Liberty. England was also getting poorer so they started enforcing old tax laws to bring in more money.  I felt that there should be no taxation without representation and so did the others in the Sons of Liberty club. I realized that trade was important to Boston and if England taxed Boston then Boston couldn’t do as much trade! England sent over soldiers to make sure people were paying their taxes.  They were called redcoats or regulars. The redcoats didn’t like us and we hated them. The leaders of Boston, including me knew a fight would break out sometime. Well my prediction came true in about a year. It was snowing and I thought nobody riots in a snowstorm. Later it stopped and people came outside. They were more mean then usual. Wise people stayed inside. A solider knocked down a barber’s boy and people thought the redcoat killed him. A fight broke out. Three men and one boy were killed. I exaggerated about it to get people angry ohm. Next!

England removed all the taxes except for a tea tax.  I still felt it was unfair and so did a lot of others.  We called ourselves the Whigs.  England brought a ship of tea to Boston but we refused to allow them to unload it.  After 20 days the tea would have to be sold at an auction, but the Whigs would not allow that to happen.  So, we dressed up in funny costumes and dumped all the tea in the harbor.  I was leading one of the groups that dumped the tea. After we dumped the tea we cleaned the ship. This was a protest not a robbery.  As soon as I got home I was asked to get on my horse and ride to New York and Philadelphia to tell them what happened.  I accomplished the ride in only 11 days, which most people thought impossible. 

England punished Boston and the punishment was much bigger than we expected.  They blocked our harbor with lots of war ships.  They also brought lots of British soldiers.  You couldn’t turn around without bumping into one.  The Sons of Liberty meetings became much more secret.  We made up a spy system where British soldiers couldn’t even sneeze without it being reported to me or another leader. Using this spy system we found out that the redcoats were going to steal all the militia supplies in Concord. I told the rest of the spies to shine one lantern in the Old North Church if by land and two if by sea. John Hancock, Sam Adams, and I got on our horses and at midnight we rode everywhere and warned the minutemen. Once I got to Lexington I got caught!  They said if I made an insult or tried to run they would, well...blast their big rifles.  But, they were the ones to be captured by the minutemen so they ran off and joined the rest of the group.  Before they set me free they took my horse (why not my lantern?) Since I was in Lexington I went to help John Hancock and Sam Adams.  But, John Hancock left a trunk with papers somewhere and we had to get it back before it fell into the hands of the British.  As I carried my half of the dangerous trunk, the British arrived.  There was a bang and the cries of wounded men; the first shot of the revolutionary world was fired.

After the revolutionary war, I went back to being a silversmith and also made bells.  And no I did not make the Liberty Bell if you are wondering so please don’t ask that question.  I told my children to get back because if the bell hit them their head would ring louder than the bells do.  I also made some copper, and did you know the Paul Revere Copper Company is still around today.  I will always be known as the man who yelled “the redcoats are coming” but I was much more than that.  That’s why I wrote this book report.  I’m America’s Paul Revere!

Surprise I'm Five

Huh?

When did she grow up?

So. Not. Ready.

But she clearly is.  This is one amazing little girl.  Wells me to tears just thinking about how special she is.

She's silly.  Standard response to any question she doesn't wish to answer is "poop" or "ice cream."  Her favorite movie is Mr. Peabody only because it has the word PEE in the title.  GOOD GRIEF.  And if speaking in funny accents counted as a language she'd be fluent in about 15 languages.

She's generous.  She has to hug each of her classmates before leaving to use the rest room.  Whenever someone gives her a lollipop or treat, she asks for a second one for her brother--and asks for it in his favorite color.  She actually gives it to him, too!  She tried to give her own Birthday party favors away to her friends.  She goes to the bus stop each day with something for her friends getting off the bus--yesterday it was a homemade bookmark.  There is a reason she has 1,215 BFFs...she is an awesome friend to have.

She's smart.  She is one of the best problem solvers I have ever known.  Resilient as anything--resourceful, too!  And her logic--well, she's a preschooler but this kid has an answer to everything.  Sometimes the answer is "poop" but other times her insight is spot on!

She's beautiful.  Inside an out.  Strangers compliment on her striking coloring--especially her hair and eye combination all the time. But I think it is not just her beauty they notice but her beautiful spirit.  Bronwyn has this sweetness mixed with sass that comes across as a timidness overshadowed with purpose--if such a thing exists.  She truly loves her friends, her family, her dog so much.  She talks about her cousins, Aunts, and Grandpop, Grandma, Pop Pop and Minnie all the time.  Her favorite holiday is Fourth of July because she gets to go see all her grandparents--family trumps presents.  What's not beautiful about that!!!

Look at those eye sparkle!!!  

And now She's five.

But she's still our baby!  And she always will be!  Love all that you are, and all that you will be.  Love you always, Bronwyn!!!

She had a great birthday.  Her party was awesome. I went to her school and we celebrated with Birthday Oreos!  But most memorable--her father surprised her with a dream present.  Something she has always wanted but never even dreamt of asking.  Dad built it himself from a kit but slaved away in the pouring rain to build a platform for it so it could sit in a perfect setting on our hill.  Do you know what it is?

Hard work and a lot of it in the rain but Daddy did it!  The start of something really cool!

a

Almost done.  You know what it is, right?

Your very own PLAYHOUSE!!!  The crowd goes wild!!!

Yep, she loves it!

My Little Pony Birthday Party

10% Cooler!!!  It started with a Netflix account.  Followed by several My Little Pony marathons.   Then an innocent comment by Bronwyn, "Mom, I think I want a My Little Pony birthday party this year."  

At first I'm thinking...hmm...themed party?  Then, I watched a few episodes and how could we not throw a My Little Pony Party!!!  I think all the planning turned Jack into a bonafide Brony (which is not a nickname for Bronwyn...even though we almost bought her a Brony t-shirt thinking it was a nickname...oops!)  The kids helped plan the entire event--down to choosing the activities and naming them.  Bronwyn, of course, had veto power over every detail.  Dad helped execute many of the details and never judged our craziness.  Minnie and Pop Pop came.  They thought they were  coming to take pictures and celebrate--in reality they were our manual labor (hee hee...I mean THANK YOU MINNIE AND POP POP).  Thanks to photographer extraordinaire (Pop Pop) we have loads of pictures.  So, let's look at the party and then the little girl deserves her own post to celebrate just her and her birthday!!!

WELCOME

No denying a party is happening at this house!  Next time we will email the neighbors in advance as many a peep occurred that morning through neighboring windows :)

Little sneak peak at what's to come!

This was fun...a ballooned lined walkway to greet our friends.  Pop Pop used wire and golf tees to secure the balloons.  Notice the cutie marks.  We did each of the "Mane 6" on the sidewalk!

Dad was going to do it as he is the artist in the family.  But timing is everything...so I will try not to be too embarrassed by my chalk art :)

Something new this year--I designed all the printables instead of ordering them.  Of course thanks to Pinterest not a single idea is mine but "inspired" by a pin :)  The execution however belongs to me with my family of helpers :)

Let's get the party started.  Our foyer welcomed each child.  Bronwyn greeted her friends with huge hugs and tons of excitement!!!

Bronwyn greeted her friends with huge hugs and tons of excitement.  Here's B with one of her 1,215 BFFs (Bridget!)

ACTIVITIES
Welcome Activity: Spike's Birthday Scroll

 Apparently, Spike coughs up scrolls to help Twilight Sparkle send communication to and from Princess Celestia.  Anyway...seemed like a coloring messages on a large birthday scroll was a good idea.  I traced the basic pony shape onto the paper roll and the girls decorated as they saw fit!

They all could have spent more time here, but once all the girls arrived we had more fun in store for them.  After everyone left Jack and some of the neighbor girls helping us at the party finished decorating all the ponies :)

Activity #1: Rarity's Dress Up Station

Rarity is the fashionista pony.  Thus, we had to start this party off with a little Spa experience.  Pop Pop helped hang all the Tutus and Dad decorated the deck for us!

We had a few tutu's for each of the Mane 6 ponies.  We lucked out and everyone was able to find a tutu they loved.  These were so easy to make and Bronwyn helped me a lot.  She picked out the colors for each pony and helped me count pieces of tulle and keep track of the patterns :)  I love this shot Pop Pop took of the tutus!

We decorate the hangers with some ribbon and then clipped on both a cutie mark tattoo that we bought from a talented artist on Easy and a picture of the pony I designed and printed.  

After the girls picked out their tutu with the matching cutie mark tattoo--they came over to the beauty station to paint nails, apply the tattoo, and if they chose either color their hair with hair chalk or pin a pony extension.

Thanks to our neighbor friends the girls were royally pampered.

Admiring her cutie mark!

When finished the girls posed with a photo booth frame.  We sent these pictures to them with thank you notes after the party.

Aww...you are beautiful my rainbow princess!!!  

Activity #2:  Fluttershy's Pony Rides

Fluttershy's talent is communicating with all animals.  So we were very glad she convinced Rainbow Dash's Cousin, Maggie Dash to come spend time with the girls at Bronwyn's party.

This is Bronwyn's first time on a pony.  I was a tad nervous whether she'd enjoy riding or not--but she was so excited about this activity that I wasn't all that nervous.  It totally lived up to her expectation! Whew...that would have made for a party don't huh?

Seeing as my girl's favorite movie is Mr. Peabody only because it has PEE in it...this seemed appropriate.  Look hard and you will figure it out!

Here's the crew.  Everyone loved the pony and I think all rode her more than once except one or two shy girls.  As the pony rides took place we also had other activities going on.  Never a dull moment!

Activity #3: Apple Jack's Boppin' for Donuts

I'm a sucker for a cute printable.  I made these activity signs, placed onto a wood doll and ribbons dressing it up.  Super cute...thanks Pinterest :)  

Apple bopping seemed a little dangerous for this age group.  Turned out donut boppin' wasn't as appealing to the younger kids.  Bronwyn was the only one her age that participated...her two BFFs that are older and her brother were the other takers.  Now, once the contest was over (yes, Bronwyn won!) no one hesitated to come PULL a donut off the string and eat it.  Good grief :)

Activity #4: Rainbow Dash Relay

Found these hoops at Party City for a bargain.  Hmm...what to do with them?

First we tried to do a hula hoop relay race.  Rainbow dash loves a good race. These girls...no so much!  The girls all had to hold hands and get the hoop from one end to the other.  It didn't go very far until we helped out.  A lot :)

Always have a back up game.  We had a lot of fun hopping through the hoops as fast as we could...anything to pull from the goody bag!

Activity #5: Twilight Sparkle's DIY Book Bag

Twilight Sparkle is a favorite of Bronwyn's.  This pay has cool magic powers and loves reading.  The girls (and Jack got in on this action) decorated book bags which doubled as a party favor.  I set out a canvas tote for each girl.  We had fabric markers, letter stamps, and felt stickers laid out for everyone to use.  This was a very popular activity and they spent 10-15 minutes completely engaged at this station.  Enough time for me to slip inside to start setting food out on the buffet with a lot of help from Minnie.  

Each bag had a My Little Pony book in it and a Thank You card from Bronwyn.  My little girl is so sweet, she decorated her bag with all her friend's names on it and had I love you, by their names.

Activity #6: Pinkie Pie Party Games

Pinkie Pie is the party planner pony.  Bronwyn had me dress as this pony for the party, if you couldn't already tell.  One of the games we played is being demonstrated here by Arden--keep the balloon in the air using your party hat.  We should rename this "keep the balloon from going in the street using any body part you can!"

I didn't get a picture but Minnie had cut up pool noodles and the kids used them as golf clubs to shoot the balloons into pink tubs.  It was a lot of chaotic fun.  We reigned them back in with three words, "pin, tail, pony!" You think, how cliche? Let me tell you something...FAVORITE ACTIVITY by far.  Who knew kids loved to be blindfolded so much.  

You know what else I learned?  They're all a bunch of cheaters.  I think this girl and little Maddie were the only two who either have an incredible honest streak or just couldn't figure out how to see through the blindfold :)

Cheater!

PARTY FOOD

We didn't get a great picture of the food--because the ponies were very hungry and gobbled it up before we could stage a few shots :)  We had Twilight's Friendship Sandwiches (nutella/ Turkey); Apple Jack's Apple Dips; Fluttershy's Bunny Food; Rainbow Dash's Sonic Fruit; Rarity's Popular Corn; and Pinkie Pie's Party Mix. 

Here's a shot before all the food was played out...but you can sort of see the cute food labels we made.

Table setting before the ponies arrived.  Rainbow plates for all but we personalized to their pony a bit--with a mane made out of tulle as a seat cover; cutie marks on the milk bottles; sticker set; and color matching straw and flatware.  We added a drop of food coloring into the bottom of the milk bottles.  When we poured the lemonade it changed colors.  We called the drinks "Twilight Sparkle's Magical Punch"

The rainbow desert table was a lot of fun.  Kids and I made and decorate the cake pops.  Minnie and I made and decorate the cupcakes.  I bought a rainbow cake but we put the balloons in it as decoration.  I loved the balloon topper!!!

And here she is blowing out her cupcake candle.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRONWYN!!!

A bit blurry (iPhone shot!) But here's a shot of the delicious rainbow cake.  Each layer was flavored based on the color--red was strawberry, orange was well--orange, green was apple, purpose was grape.  It was a surprise as everyone bit in and a definite favorite of the kids and the moms.  Yummy!

Happy 5th Birthday my Love!!!