Solar System Birthday Party

In the past our daughter has insisted her birthday party be about dress-up and princesses and tea parties, which is all well and good, but frankly it’s not really my thing. Each year I’d hope for a literary or science theme (cause that’s how I roll), then gracefully support our daughter’s desire for pink and pouf and finery, with tricycles.

Solar System Birthday Party

Imagine my surprise and delight when our kid announced that this year she wanted a “solar system tea party” theme. It quickly became just a solar system party when I pointed out, gently, that our little girl doesn’t particularly like drinking tea. Ahem.

Now a space, galaxy, astronomy, planet, solar system themed birthday party sounds like a whole lot of fun to me! Throw 20 kids, plus their mamas, in the mix and we’re talking about a whole lot of crazy fun (in our little house!)…

We made solar system lollipops (using these stickers) to go with glow-in-the-dark sun, moon, and stars temporary tattoos, glow sticks, and chocolate earth balls for the goody bags:

Solar System Birthday Party
Solar System Birthday Party
Solar System Birthday Party

Our homemade cake featured our daughter’s favorite constellations Orion, Sirius, and the Little Dipper (with Polaris):

Solar System Birthday Party
Solar System Birthday Party

Our banner, made using NASA photographs of moons, planets, stars, and nebulae, hung proudly above historical photos of the birthday girl:

Solar System Birthday Party
Solar System Birthday Party

We displayed some of our homeschooling projects, which I’ll blog about in more depth soon:

Solar System Birthday Party
Solar System Birthday Party

The kids colored constellations of the night sky (photocopied from this coloring book) and made spiral galaxy mobiles:

Solar System Birthday Party
Solar System Birthday Party

The sunny, warm weather allowed for outdoor scooter and bike fun for this sweet group of kids:

Solar System Birthday Party

The most perfect day!

Solar System Birthday Party

Six, Say What?!

Our little girl young lady turns six years old today!

Happy birthday to our daughter

She’s full of sass and fire, keeps us on our toes, and brings such tremendous joy and love to our lives.

She’s a passionate reader…

Happy birthday to our daughter
Happy birthday to our daughter
Happy birthday to our daughter

Kind, loving big sister and friend…

Happy birthday to our daughter
Happy birthday to our daughter

Brilliant, endlessly curious, and dedicated student…

Happy birthday to our daughter

Talented cook and able helper…

Happy birthday to our daughter
Happy birthday to our daughter

And fun, strong girl…

Happy birthday to our daughter
Happy birthday to our daughter

We love you, sweetheart.

Happy birthday to our daughter
Happy birthday to our daughter
Three cheers for the birthday girl!

xoxo,
Mama

Not Your Typical Obligatory First Day of School Photo

It feels so right that our little girl is finally starting kindergarten.

She’s so ready.

Well, after several weeks of homeschooling, the enrichment classes at our local charter homeschool program have finally begun…

Not Your Typical Obligatory First Day of School Photo

I’m relieved (but not surprised) to report that she LOVES going to school! (Luckily she loves staying home to school too!)

Not Your Typical Obligatory First Day of School Photo

Phew.

How are your kids adjusting to the school year? Was the anticipation more intense than the actual transition for your kid too?

A Child’s Perspective

I loved this cleaver interview that Kate (of Centsational Girl) did with her children and thought I’d ask my four year old daughter the same set of questions. We were so charmed by her answers that we had to share them with you.

Happy daughter

When are you (or have you been) most afraid?
When I have gone to the museum and worried that the dinosaurs are real.

What was the happiest day of your life?
Sunday.

If you could change one thing in the world, what would it be?
I have to think about it.

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
I don’t know anything.

What is the one thing you could not live without?
Dad.

What is your favorite movie?
Harry the Dirty Dog and Giada.

What is the worst thing about being 4 years old?
Not being able to read like a ten year old.

What is the best thing about being 4 years old?
Going to the potty by myself.

Describe your perfect day.
When I love everyone.

What job would you like to have when you grow up?
That’s a great question. I don’t know what I’ll be. I’ll have to find out what I learn.

Daughter making fruit salad

What does Mom always say to you?
Lunch time!

What makes Mom happy?
When I listen.

What makes Mom sad?
When I not listen.

How does Mom make you laugh?
By tickling.

What was Mom like as a child?
I don’t know. What were you like as a child? I don’t know what you were like growing up. I wasn’t there.

How old is Mom?
32

How tall is Mom?
4

What is Mom’s favorite thing to do?
Cook and play.

What does Mom do when you’re not around?
Clean.

What is Mom really good at?
Cooking.

What is Mom really bad at?
I don’t know. What are you really bad at?

What does Mom do for her job?
Take care of me! That’s your job.

What is Mom’s favorite food?
Cauliflower, chickpea and onions.

How are you and Mom the same?
We both love digging underneath grass.

How are you and Mom different?
I love the spray bottle and you don’t.

How do you know your Mom loves you?
Because you say I love you every day of the week! Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday!

Where is Mom’s favorite place to go?
Grocery store.

Ah, to be four years old…

Handmade Watercolor Thank You Notes

You may be wondering where all of our craft project posts have gone. Well, instead of our typical morning craft project (that we LOVE to share with you here on the blog!), we’ve been writing birthday thank you notes.

Handmade Watercolor Thank You Notes

Many, many birthday thank you notes.

Handmade Watercolor Thank You Notes

Our daughter surprised us by announcing that she was going to hand-write her thank you notes. She’s doing a beautiful job, but because she’s, well, four years old, it’s taking a rather long time. She can only write about one thank you note a day. Make that, one note every other day. I don’t want to rush her, but that means we haven’t been doing that much else in the sit-still-while-we-do-a-project department.

Handmade Watercolor Thank You Notes

We have many more notes to write. (Thank you all for your generous presents!)

Handmade Watercolor Thank You Notes

Aren’t her notes precious?!

See our budget-friendly watercolor postcards tutorial for instructions on how we made the cards.