More of the 10th...

These pictures are just too cute not to post.

They should have gone on her b-day post but I'm super unorganized lately.

Look at that face!

I just love, love, love her!

10th Birthday Party

What an amazing day!

Gotta tell you that having a birthday on Friday after school rocks!

The kids are excited and don't have to wait all day while all the prep is going on.

So, here we go.  She turned 10!  I look back to her infanthood and can't believe 10 is already here.

She's witty.

She's smart.

She's a dancer and singer.

She's compassionate to others.

She's my beautiful daughter!

She chose a luau theme.  Plenty of decorations.  Plenty of color.

The kids arrived and got received a lei, home-made flower hair clip and their name in hawaiian.

They enjoyed some pupu (hawaiian appetizers for those of you who thought I was gross).

A scavenger hunt.

This relay race was a blast!

Put on a coconut bra.

Put on a hula skirt.

Slip on flip flops.

Put on a sun visor.

Grab a towel and a beach bag.....

and run across the yard.

Uh-oh....check out the coconut bra falling to the ground.

Laughing is grand!

No party goes without some type of craft.

Sand art....

And a luau party just wouldn't be complete without the limbo...

More food...

Pizza and cake.

Thanks to my wonderful friend, Laura, for decorating this amazing cake!

Total yummo!

Best friends, too.

and swimming...

Happy 10th, my sweetie!

8th Birthday Party

Her 8th birthday party was a blast!!

But before the fun began, the birthday girl got to choose her breakfast....

why not start the day with spaghetti, tons of sauce and sprinkle cheese!!

She's my kind of girl.

Having carbs while watching her favorite show....Phineas and Ferb was a great way to start her birthday!

Look at that B-I-G daddy bite my little girl took!

That's how she rolls now that she's 8!

Back to the party...

Three hours of solid games, food and fun!

It was planned for 3 hours that turned into 4 and that was fine with me.

The kids arrived and went straight to the adoption center.

Pick a card, then grab their pet.

Find the matching adoption certificate and complete the details.
Adoption is a big deal, you know!

Easy and cute!

Off to create their own, customized pet house with all the necessary embellishments...

Next came a fun relay race.

This is always a hoot and a half for the kids.

Take a big huge bowl of cheap cereal, like fruit loops.

Give each kid a plastic spoon.

Scoop some cereal on the spoon and balance it in your mouth to the other side of the yard.

Whichever team fills up their bucket first is the winner!

A little pin the tail on the bunny...

Some pizza....way too much pizza... 

The hubby is still teasing me about the quantity I ordered.

Delicious birthday cake...
it looks store bought but it's not!

Thanks to my great friend, Laura, for making this gorgeous cake!

She's made our b-day cakes for years now.

You're awesome, LT!!

Swimming...

A great bunch of girls!!

My Mom is in town.

She comes every year for the girls birthdays.

Thanks, Mom.

I appreciate you!

Grandma and Papa "M" are always here to help, too, but no picture to prove it.

Thanks for all your help!

Great fun!

8....really?

It happened so quickly.

Some things she really likes at this stage in her life are...

Spongebob Squarepants...

Dancing...

Singing with a microphone...

Rap music...

Playdates with her BFF, The Kid from here...

Being silly...

Drawing...

Littlest Pet Shop...

Phineas and Ferb...

Pigs...

and your all time favorite for the past 4 years...

Chocolate milk a little bit hot

Happy birthday, Sugar Nugget!

You are sweet and kind.

You are a silly soul.

You are sensitive and expressive.

You are my baby and I love you dearly.

Party like it's 1999 - or 2010.

We had a great NYE with some friends.
The party started early because we've all got kids under the age of 9.

The kids all played together.

No spats.

Just fun.
Tossing balloons in the air, playing with their DSis, watching a little Disney channel, listening to music, eating, playing barbies, playing with our doggies....anything that brought them happiness.

The adults enjoyed...

Great food.

Great conversation.

Taboo.
(That game is a blast!)

Lots of laughter.

At 9pm, we watched the ball drop and rang in the new year with millions of people in NYC.
The kids toasted with sparkling cider.

Then came a surprise!
Swimming, anyone??
Oh, yeah - there was even an unexpected swim-fest after 9:30pm for those who dared to jump in (who's kidding who?  the pool was a comfortable, heated 84 degrees).....and yes, you're right.  It was only the kids.
It's great to live in CA where the pool and jacuzzi can be enjoyed practically year-round...even on NYE.

After everyone left, the girls wanted to stay up until midnight to bang pots in our front yard.
THEY MADE IT.
It was a close call for Sugar Nugget who was dosing off at 11:45.  But, she did it!!

Happy 2010!

May this year bring all my blogging friends joy, peace, simplicity, accomplishments, humor and love to you and your families.