Lizzy's 5- Shimmer and Shine!

We got to celebrate my littlest little turning 5 a few weeks ago.

Alas, she's already registered for Kindergarten, full of knowledge and independence and there are in fact no more babies in our house.

In the days leading up to her birthday, I begged her to stay 4. I told her what a gift it was that I got to have two kids and they got to be babies together and how fun it was. How we loved watching them grow, but if she could just stop now, it would be awesome. 

On the eve of her birthday she sweetly tried to talk some sense into me explaining, "Mom. I know you loved me being 4 but I just can't help it. Tomorrow I'll be 5. It's okay, I had to turn into a teenager sometime."

Oh Lulu, you keep us laughing!

We took cupcakes to school for her class and I actually subbed that day at school so I got to be in her room for the celebratory snack and singing. 

We had dinner at Moe's Southwest Grill (per Lizzy's request) and just a little cake at home on her big day. 

Sometime around New Year's Day it was declared that she wanted a Shimmer and Shine birthday. Sounds great to me, I really like letting the kids pick what they want for their parties so the theme was set. 

As for her guest list, Lizzy just wanted to invite "every little girl in America". Whatttt?!?!?

She later amended her list to "just all the little girls in America that I know." We wound up inviting about 20 with 15 friends joining us for party day. 

FIFTEEN tiny girly-girls. It was a giggly, singing, shimmer and shining good time! 

I kept it simple with a cake from the Western that was simple BUT SO VERY DELICIOUS!!!

 We also had ice cream, cheese and crackers and fruit.

And every little girls dream--face painting at our house! 

We had the most WONDERFUL face painter in Birmingham. Seriously, she was fast and so fun and sweet to the girls and prompt and so TALENTED! We used Magic City Face Art if you need face painting in Birmingham call them! 

We played a Shimmer and Shine Party Game, sang Happy Birthday and opened gifts. 

It was a great party, lots of fun for the girls.

They played with every toy in our house, a few cried and I heard at least one got a little spanking from her mommy. But you know what? It was awesome. We're so thankful for the friends we have made and our kids have at school and church and around town. Crazy, loud, fun days like this one remind me of how thankful we are for these kids!

For more Birthday fun check out these posts:

Lizzy turns 4! Build A Bear Birthday

Lizzy turns 3! Peppa Pig Birthday Party

Lizzy turns 2! Pink Party

Lizzy's 1st Birthday Somebunny's One Bunny Party

Jay's Birthdays

Jay's 1st Birthday

Jay's 2 Infinity and Beyond Toy Story Birthday

Jay turns 3! Super Why Birthday for Super Jay

Jay turns 4! Ice Cream Birthday Party

Jay turns 5 Big Boats and Big Fish Birthday

Monday, Manners, Meatballs and Moderntone

Last Monday I was finishing up some Valentine's Day decorating and finally switched out some of our dishes for our collection of pink Moderntone. 

Since I had them out I decided Monday would be a good time to have a little dinner party with the family.

 

Now, we do this fairly often. I wouldn't say once a month but maybe every 6 weeks or so. I set up our dinner in the dining room with real dishes and flatware (no character cups and crazy straws) we use our real napkins and practice our table manners. 

Every time I am setting it up my kids have this freaked-out moment--

"Are we having company?  "Who's coming for dinner?"   "Why are we using these napkins?"  "Why are we in the dining room?"  

Every single time.

Which is another reason why we do it--to actually USE our dining room, to USE our different dishes, to USE our best manners, to BE together and focus on the meal.

 

So, I set a pretty pink table, served an amazing meal--can you say FRIED CHICKEN MEATBALLS.

They were every bit as amazing as they sound. I found the recipe in a new cookbook I picked up Well Fed Weeknights: Complete Paleo Meals in 45 Minutes or Less

Y'all. This is a Whole30/Paleo cookbook that's out of this world. All of the meals come together in 45 minutes and so far are awesome. Her method for cooking potatoes in a crock pot and having them ready to quickly add as a side or make into fries is a game changer!!! I have been eating/cooking Whole30 for a year now and this potato trick has given me new life! Buy the book!! $16 well spent!

We are having those meatballs again tonight--even the world's pickiest 4 year old gobbled them up and wanted seconds! Buy the book, make the meatballs, thank me later!

I have to say, I'm thankful for our dining room dinners and I hope the kids remember these nights. I can tell you that I know they remember their manners (at least some of them) after we teach them new things because they can easily tell you where their glasses and flatware should go before and during their meals. Even if they don't do it all the time, they know the rules and it is a little bit of a relief to know that they do remember some things we're teaching them. 

Seasonal Reads for the Family- Valentine's Day Books

Okay with a 1st Grade boy and a Preschool girl we read ALOT at our house. I love Christmastime because we have 20-30 Christmas books to choose from so the stories of the season never get old.

Now that Christmas decorations are all packed away and we are decorating for Valentine's Day I wanted to add to our seasonal library. Here are my picks for Valentine's Day reading for young readers! I'm already loving what we've gotten!

Fancy Nancy: Heart to Heart is only $3.57 and ships Prime!

Happy Valentine's Day, Mouse! (If You Give...)

Pinkalicious: Pink of Hearts This one comes with a poster and punch out Valentine exchange cards!


Happy Valentine's Day, Charlie Brown! This Reader is under $3!

Pete the Cat's Groovy Guide to Love Both of my kids love Pete the Cat and I can't wait to read these with them!

Pete the Cat: Valentine's Day Is Cool

Alvin and the Chipmunks: A Chipmunk Valentine I'm sure Alvin and the gang will be a treat for my boy and girl reader.

Roses Are Pink, Your Feet Really Stink Something tells me Jay is really going to like this one.....

The Berenstain Bears' Valentine Blessings (Berenstain Bears/Living Lights) this one is another one with stickers so I am sure it will be a hit with girls!

SO there you have it, fun characters we know well and cute stories to celebrate the season of love, friendship and kindness. Perfect picks for beginner readers and bedtime stories. I especially love that many of them have activities and stickers to make giving these books as gifts even more special! I hope y'all enjoy some of these as much as we are! Let me know what other books are popular with your family--I love getting ideas from friends too!