Planning a Garden Party

My friend, Whit, is having TWINS! Exciting, huh? Well, if anyone can do it, she can. I am planning her shower. We are having at a really, really beautiful house in one of the nicest neighborhoods in Santa Barbara. I was really wracking my brain as to what to do. So... I came up with a garden party. Everyone wants to go to a Santa Barbara Garden Party, don't they?

Here are the invites:

Valentine's Solution

I don't want to give anyone homework. Here's the solution.

When Nerds Marry Nerds

Here is Claron's Valentine:

Simplify.

For you non-math lovers, I'll post the solution after V-tag.

Robbing the Stores

Want to know how I got this:

Original price: $71.66

I paid: $.91 (yes, cents!)

Hop on over to Saving Cents Together.

Crush

Check this out:

Perfect, huh? My only complaint with the whole room is that her daughter's dress is WAY too short. It is fabulous. Get this. She is not a designer. She did this on her own. Awesome! Here is another room. I love it.

Imaginaries

As a child, I had a MAJOR case of the imaginaries. I made up stories, friends, you name it.

I have bestowed this gift genetically upon my daughter. She plays make believe often. It hasn't hit Chessie monster level yet, but it is getting there.

Today, Eliza was in the bathtub; so, naturally, she was Ariel. She wanted to involve me. So, who would I be:

A) Sebastian, the strict, but friendly crab

B) Flounder, her faithful friend

C) The Sea Witch, 'nuff said

D) Eric, her love

E) Tritan, her parent

Nope, all wrong.

I am a clumsy, compulsive liar with wings. Yup, Scuttle.

She was not happy until I renamed everything in the bathroom.

You take the girl out of Maryland, but...

Picture this...

I'm cleaning a chicken. I pull the guts out of the middle. I see the chicken neck. I think, "Ooooo... I should freeze these for crabbin'."

Really! Who thinks these crazy things! Couldn't you see that TSA conversation. No, no, officer, those are chicken necks for crabbin' with my daddy.

Violet's First Birthday and Props to Lilly

It was Violet's first birthday! She is so big, grown up and sweet. She is such a smart girl. She says so many words and is an amazing parrot. While we were there she said the following words: Eliza, Violet, soft, George, cracker and shababababa.

The girls are getting along so well. Eliza was so excited to see Violet and vice versa. They played (in general) so well together.

Can you believe that Lilly made this cake?

It was banana cake and sooo... good. Here's the kicker though. This was Lilly's FIRST attempt at piping!!!! She had to go and buy the supplies. Impressive, huh?

Snakes, School, Stuff...Ssssss....

I know the week isn't over yet, but it has been exciting so far. Here is the report:

Sunday: 1 p.m. church is a killer! Eliza loves Nursery though. She had a great day at actual church, but afterwards, it was rough. She didn't want to take a nap and was so cranky. Our friends Ryan & Whit came over for dinner.

Monday: We had family home evening with our neighbors. They have a snake. Eliza proved that she is indeed my child. She couldn't wait to pet him. In fact, the hard part was keeping E from sticking her fingers in its eyes or mouth. Before you start calling child services, it was a ball python, which is the golden retriever of the herpetological world. I'm so proud though!

Tuesday: Eliza started preschool. She "luffs" school! Two of our neighbors also attend, and they were so sweet and helped her adjust. She's made tons of friends already. Here is a picture of her with her teacher.

Don't you like her "model" pose? She's so funny!

Wednesday: It was Violet's first birthday!! Can you believe it!?! We are so excited to attend her party. Eliza has been singing "Happy Birthday" all week.

Thursday: School day again! Eliza was so excited this morning. She didn't even bother to tell me bye. She was too busy.

We are going to Orange County for V's birthday this weekend! Can't wait!

There She Is!

I've heard you want more Eliza. Well, here she is!

About the cake plate, I should have been more clear. It is a special kind of glass that is made with uranium (but does not geiger count, so is safe); therefore, it glows under black light. It is c. 1886. Looks like this in the day:

Oh, and I checked. The last one went for $317. This one is Buy It Now for $275. They just put up another one a few hours ago. It is already at $70. It will go high. I talked to mom today. We are going auctioning when I come back East! Yes!