Flip, Tumble and Play Birthday

I am sure it is a surprise to no one that Ella wanted a gymnastics themed birthday party.  We invited some of her classmates, friends and neighbors to join us to celebrate.  She had her party on Saturday, the day before her birthday.  Luckily, the snowy streets were clear enough for everyone to make it to the party.  They had a great time jumping on the trampolines, walking on the beams, flipping on the bars, running through obstacle courses and playing with the giant parachute. 

Jumping on the trampoline

Blowing out her birthday candles 

Ella and her friends 

Smiling with her birthday cake

Sam and Molly with the parachute

The treat bags for the party 

All good gymnasts need chalk 

I found a cute gymnastics cake topper and Ella wanted a cookie cake from Sam's so we ordered one in colors to match.  The kids loved the cookie cake!  It was a fun afternoon and a great way to celebrate my favorite girl in the world! 

Sweet Valentines

We had fun celebrating Valentine's Day this year.  Last year the kids and I made homemade valentine cards for their class parties thanks to Pinterest and it went so well we did that again this year.  I enjoy being crafty I'm just not that good at coming up with ideas so Pinterest is definitely the place for someone like me.  I saved some of my favorites and the kids chose what they wanted to help make.  We modified them a little and had fun being creative.  I think they turned out well and they both said that their classmates really liked them.   We also got to use our creative juices to make Sam's valentine collection box.  He wanted to do Faurot Field (Mizzou's stadium) so that is what we made.  His was definitely the class favorite.  

 Ella's valentines

 Sam and his valentine box

 Sam's valentines

Ella at her class party

We didn't really do too much else for V-day.  John had to work that night so we just all exchanged small gifts and cards when he got home.  Ella made the sweetest card for John that I will have to get downloaded onto the computer.  It was a nice day spent with the ones we love! 

Tooth Fairy Time

Ella lost her first tooth this week.  I did not even know it was loose until the night before she lost it.  She had been complaining that her teeth hurt when she was eating for a day or so.  She had a cold and I thought maybe it was making her jaw sore.  I didn't think about her having a loose tooth since Sam didn't lose any teeth until first grade.  When she complained again I asked if her tooth was loose and sure enough it was about ready to fall out of her mouth!  
She was hoping to lose her tooth at school so she could put her name up on the calendar in her classroom and get a little treasure box from the nurse to keep it in until she got home.  When she arrived home from school that day I could tell she had been successful.  She said she sat during silent reading and twisted until she got out her tooth.  

 Ella with her tooth in her treasure box

The sweet toothless grin

She was eager to put it under her pillow and was up early the next morning to check for her surprise.  The tooth fairy left her a dollar bill and a silver dollar.  She was very excited! 

Newman Week Carnival

The college students at The Newman Center host Newman Week each year.  They put together numerous activities and send the proceeds to a local charity.  One of the activities they host is a carnival for the kids of the parish.  You can purchase tickets for the kids to play games and know the money is going to a good cause.  
  
My kids had a great time fishing, golfing, playing ring toss, getting their faces painted, doing the cake walk and so much more.  I think the highlight of the event was the photo booth.  For only two tickets they could use numerous props and get their pictures taken in a photo booth.  Ella and Sam each did a collage of their own and one together.  Their poses were so funny!  It was a nice way to spend the afternoon and donate to a good cause. 

 Photo booth!

 Sam in the jail.

Ella showing off her face paintings

Let's Go Tigers!

We have really been enjoying our basketball season tickets this winter.  Unfortunately, our Tigers haven't been performing as well as we would have liked but we are still enjoying going to the games.  We have two tickets in the middle/mezzanine level of Mizzou Arena.  There are only five rows in our section and we are just feet away from the bathroom and restrooms which is great.  
Sam has attended more games than anyone.  In the beginning of the season it seemed like John was always busy so I would take both kids.  I could buy Ella a cheap ticket and she could sit in our section since it was never full.  Since Christmas though that has not been an option so it has been Sam going with either John or me.  
Ella doesn't mind staying at home.  Her favorite part of the basketball games is watching the cheerleaders and Golden Girls.  She likes to make it to the game early so she can watch them dance.  I asked her once what her favorite part of the game was and she said, "When they say, 'Time out on the floor'."  Sam on the other hand follows the game closely and keeps better track than I do of how many points each player has scored and how many fouls they have at any given time.  

It has been a great way to spend some time this winter.  Let's just hope some of the next games we attend are victories.  We really need them!