a few from the party

WE SURVIVED THE WEEKEND!!!!

:-)

Okay... yesterday was Clara's birthday party. She went to dance in the morning and Alex went to swim. When we got home, both sets of grandparents were here to have lunch and do family presents. She got some really cool stuff and played for a bit before we headed over to set up for her party.

Here's the party girl in her special outfit....
Once everything was set up, she started watching for guests to arrive...
When they did... they went to the craft room to make collars for their pets...
After that, the place became a complete zoo, crawling with kids (18 of them, I think.... YIKES!) so I took very few photos. I meant to, I really did.... but it just didn't happen. Clara proclaimed it the best birthday party ever! :-)

She had so much fun with her friends and got a ton of cool gifts (including lots of craft kits which will definitely help keep us entertained during the cold snowy days of winter which are in our future).

Last night the kids were so wiped out, so after dinner they took a nice long bubble bath and headed to bed. Clara crashed almost immediately.... Alex stayed up to finish another of the Spiderwick books.

Now.... backtracking a bit... Friday night was Alex's musical. He was so excited... I, on the other hand, was a nervous wreck. He did an incredible job (they all did). I was so proud of him! It was nice that the grandparents could be there along with some of our friends.

After the show, we had a private party room reserved at a nearby restaurant. It was so nice to be able to just hang out with family and friends. The kids had a great time camped out under the food table. We were all exhausted by the time we got home around 10:30(ish).

So.... although it was completely crazy.... we had a great weekend. The kids are playing with Clara's new toys - the Littlest Pet Shops are getting well at the Get Better Center, Clara is covered in glitter ballet tattoos, the Webkinz have been adopted and they're currently sewing up a storm with Clara's new sewing machine. :-)

I am off to the couch!