getting ready for the Frozen party

I've almost finished the post for Grace's actual Frozen birthday party, but I just wanted to post a few of these pictures of preparation- for memories sake, I suppose.

I wanted some of the decor to be a surprise...and for other things, I wanted them to help in the preparation.  

A couple of weeks before the party...I made took a strand of lights and tied lots of strips of fabric around it.

The girls helped me make the sugar cookie dough for the snowflake cookies.

I know you can't see it on her face...but they love to sift!

We also made popcorn balls.  This was our first time to use this popper and I think the girls thought this was neat.  I have fond memories of sitting not he counter using a popcorn popper when I was little.

Silly girl in Mommy's sunglasses.

The girls had to go to bed before I actually rolled the dough out and used the cookie cutter....but this little girl would snatch some dough...and quickly run under the dining room table to eat it!

So for this party I made hard candy for the first time.  It was serious business!!!  I used the recipe found here.  And instead of using food coloring and lemon extract...I just diluted this whole packet of kool-aid into 1 tsp of water.

We were in serious business here....using a candy thermometer and all!

We put the girls to bed at a normal time...and then we let her 'sneak' out of the room once Grace was asleep and she helped for a bit.

We had a little photo booth at the party.  Geoff used 3M hooks to string up the icicle lights, then covered with tulle.

The morning of her party was the first time she saw all of the lights.  She was the first one up...and had her breakfast in Arendelle.

Photobooth check:

And one of my favorite things....the countdown...

The girls love to do a countdown and it helps me not have to constantly answer questions about how many more days!

I made these using the clip art from here.

Earlier in the afternoon, before the party....we gave Grace one of her gifts.  She really really wanted an Elsa dress.  There's a really pretty one from the Disney Store, but was sold out due to it's popularity and Christmas.  This is the only would I could find.  And she was just as happy with it.  

But what she reeeeeally loved was the Elsa hair.  This was from my mom and Terry and she did not take it off the whole party!

Up next....the party!!

it's gonna be a good day

I woke up this morning....a little groggy.  Ok.  I was tired.  Slow moving.  I sat in the recliner to feed Nolan while the girls watched a show on the iPad, patiently waiting for Nolan to finish his bottle so I could then make them their breakfast.   I read my Jesus Calling for the day while feeding him....and it reminded me again to cast my care and worries on Him, and He will carry me through the day...to 'transform my fear into confident trust.'  I prayed over the day and to give me patience...and lots of other things.  ;)

  Nolan finished his bottle fairly quickly.  But I wasn't quite ready to get up just yet. So I turned him around in my lap facing outward to just sit there for a little while longer.  I decided I wanted to try to get a picture of the 2 of us...and just as I was about to snap away...the girls trickled in and immediately sat right beside me...just as you see in the picture above.  I snapped this one.  Looked at it.  And new that today was gonna be a good day.  Not because 'great' things were going to happen, per se, or that we had amazing plans of some sort.....I just knew that I had a whole whole whole lot to be thankful for....and that whatever I did....would be with these 3.  These 3 healthy, beautiful kids I'm blessed to call mine.  I can sit around and come up in my head with all that I want (me, me, me!)..and it never ends.  It's awful.  I know this.  

I have way more than I deserve.  And I know this, too.

_______

We were fresh out of coffee...so I bundled 'em up and headed to Tom Thumb.  We bought some baby food, bagels, donuts, and a Starbucks coffee for me.  

{this shopping cart is getting heavy!}

We came home...Nolan napped....Parker and I worked on school...while Grace sat quietly with the iPad.  

Nolan woke up right before we were done....so we moved it to the floor.

We had lunch...then out the door for a stroll around the block.  It seemed to take us almost 30 minutes to get dressed and out the door!  Then halfway around the block...a small dog had gotten out of his fence and was barking at us and kept coming closer...and the girls lost it.  Lost.  It.  Thankfully I was able to 'shew' the dog away...and we resumed our peaceful stroll.  It was so good to be out, though....such a beautiful beautiful day. 

Home again and time for Nolan's afternoon nap.  The girls had some quiet time in their room while I tried to get a few more things done for Grace's birthday party gathering on Saturday evening.

Then we attempted to make 'sandstone' out of sand and glue (for science).  We'll see if it turns out after it dries?  I don't think our sand was sand-y enough.  Anyways....either way...it was good to get outside again and the girls loved playing in the sand.

{Yes- my kids own clothes other than pajamas, why do you ask?}

Nolan likes to participate, too.

And then some playtime.  

The girls use a hose and wrap it around the swing set somewhere (I fully realize this  is prooooobably not the safest thing)...and climb their way up.  They are 'playing' something...I think Disney's Frozen movie somehow.  It's the funniest, sweetest thing.  Love their little imaginations.

Pure joy in their faces here.

And this boy.  It has begun.