Tea For Savannah



Savannah is six!
Some words to describe Savannah:  Sweet, quiet, prissy.  She has a natural fashion sense.  The girl can put together an outfit!  She is a pleaser and a little mommy.  She has a really big heart and tender feelings.

Savannah's birthday was November 17th.  We had a little family party but she really wanted to invite some friends over for  a birthday party.  So, this past Friday we had a few of her friends over for tea.

Savannah loves her babies and loves having tea parties with them and, Tea For Ruby is her favorite book.  So it was just fitting to have a Tea Party for her.

Now, here is a little secret...I went to a friend's wedding reception not long ago, and I have been waiting for the opportunity to duplicate the fabulous tea cup centerpieces that were on each table.  A very  talented friend, Charity,  decorated for this reception and it was the most beautiful reception I think I have ever seen.  So, now that, that confession is out, here is a close up of my version!

I went to a thrift store and could not believe, that right there in the middle of a table were three brass candle sticks.  Just waiting for me to hot glue a saucer and tea cup to it!

A smaller table was set up for the girl's dolls to have a tea party. 

The best part of the party was when our special guest, "Miss Periwinkle," arrived.  She came to teach the girls proper etiquette.  She spoke with an English accent and was quite entertaining.  Miss Periwinkle, also known as Sariah, is a good friend of mine. She just so happens to have a degree in theater!  Aren't I so blessed to have such talented friends! 

She taught them how to walk properly in heels.

They balanced books on their heads!  Our friend Ava had amazing balance!

They had a relay race to see who could set a proper place setting.  Say that with an english accent.  Her accent was quite infectious.  I found myself talking with one. 

The girls then sat down to have tea and refreshments.  They were served by "Miss Periwinkle."  It was so cute listening to them use their manners.  This was such a fun birthday party.  I loved being able to use my real china, that just sits in the cabinet and rarely gets used.  The girls loved drinking from real china cups.
Without "Miss Periwinkle," it just would not have been the same.  I am truly amazed at how she kept the english accent up for two hours, without missing a beat.  True Talent!

Happy Birthday, Savannah!

Chores

I'll clean the tub, mom!

Excited.....

to decorate for Christmas!

Dear santa,
Laurel would like a red and purple bike and Savannah would like some walkie talkies

They have been really good.

I gave all tree decorating control to Laurel and Savannah this year.  They had so much fun. 

Landon saw the stockings and put them on and said,

"boots, mommy, boots!"

I love this time of year!

All Smiles

I wonder

what his

personality

will be?

Handprint

Sometimes you get discouraged
Because I am so small
And always leave my fingerprints
on furniture and walls

But everyday I'm growing
I'll be grown someday.
And all those tiny handprints
Will surely fade away.

So here's a little handprint
Just so you can recall
Exactly how my fingers looked
When I was very small.

It was a Sunday morning.  I was trying to get all the children dressed for church.  And, oh yeah, me too.  Mama can't go in her pajamas!

Seth has responsibilites on Sunday that takes him away early.
So that just leaves me to get us all to church.
I thought things were going pretty smoothly, it being my first time to get my new family of 4 ready and presentable for church.
That was until I found Landon with a bowl of oatmeal all over him and the table.
Big, big mess.
We had to walk out the door right then if we wanted to be on time.
I hurried and cleaned him up.  But left the mess in the kitchen.
We made it.
Church was great.
Very peaceful.
On the way home, I remembered the mess.
I started to wipe the table and then I saw this perfectly formed oatmeal handprint.
Tears came to my eyes.
These little hands make messes like I have never seen before.
I find myself saying, "he is a mess!"  "I don't know how to handle boys!"  "Boys are so different!" 
And, they are.
But on this day, this little handprint melted my heart.
And on this day I decided to enjoy the ride, and the messes, with these boys.

Thanksgiving 2011

If I could have a wish, it would be that both sides of mine and seth's family could spend every holiday together.  I loved having mom and dad here for Thanksgiving.  I have not had one of mom's Thanksgiving meals in years!  My siblings have not been without mom, EVER!  I just couldn't help but giggle everytime the phone rang on Thanksgiving morning.  Every sibling called mom asking her a cooking question.  I would answer the phone with a hee, hee, hee, instead of "hello."  They were all in Utah trying to make mom's Thanksgiving recipes.  We usually go to Seth's dad's for Thanksgiving.  This year everyone was so kind to come to our house.  We  had a feast and it was just a great day!  Here are some highlights.

Laurel, Savannah, Landon with cousin Luke.  Isn't he just the cutest little boy.  He is always so happy and my girls just love him.

Jamie, Kimball and one tired Luke

Granny and Papa

Roger, Jennifer (expecting their first baby in a few weeks) acting her silly self.
We were glad that Jennifer's parents and her aunt could come for Thanksgiving.

Eating some yummy food!

Laurel and savannah wearing their Thanksgiving shirts.

Mom and Dad

Mom and dad came to visit for a whole entire month after Sawyer's birth.  I was in heaven.  I was so excited to have help while I was adjusting to going from 3 to 4 children.  We had such a great visit.  These are just some of the things that topped the grateful list.

Mom was downstairs every morning at 7:15 to watch Landon and Sawyer while I took the girls to school.
Mom held Sawyer.  Sometimes all day long.  He is so spoiled.  But that is okay.  He knows his grandmother.
Mom made sure dinner was on the table every night.  There is just nothing better than my mom's cooking.
She bought me some much needed kitchen utensils.
A visit with mom is not complete until some room is decorated.
She made a duvet cover and pillows for mine and Seth's bed.  She made curtains for our bathroom. 
I feel like my girls when they tell me to draw a heart in the palm of their hands so they "can feel my love all day."  I feel her love when I walk into our room.  I have also made the bed every day since that duvet cover went on!  Funny how that works with me.
Mom turned on Curious George every time Landon said, "George pease!"
She did not judge me for letting George babysit Landon.
She ironed Seth's shirts and folded our clothes.
She made dressing and cornbread muffins for 125 students at Laurel's school for their Thanksgiving party.
She went grocery shopping for our family Thanksgiving dinner.  I dropped her off at Wal-mart and I went to help at Laurel's school with the Thanksgiving party.  She stayed in Wal-mart for four hours until I came back to get her.  Now, that was some service.  If you need to know what aisle something is on at Wal-mart, just give mom a call!
With her here, it allowed me to go to Laurel and Savannah's holiday parties.  She said, take full advantage of me while I'm here.  I did.

Mom related a story to me about how she always looked forward to her parents coming to visit after she
 had a baby.  She said that they would have their car packed with groceries and goodies for her.  She always felt so spoiled.  Well, thanks for spoiling me mom!

Now, I can not leave out my dad! 
Dad first and foremost provided us with humor.  That is what he does best.  This is what dad would look like with blonde hair!  He kind of looks like Donald Trump, don't you think?

He entertained and played with my children.  Landon became his shadow.
He was a babysitter.
He stayed in the car with Landon and Sawyer while mom and I went into stores shopping.
He bought me lunch, filled up our gas tank numerous times and would say, "Merry Christmas" when I would offer to pay him back.
He hung pictures on the wall.
He helped Seth outside.
He took Laurel and Savannah to McDonalds and let them play and eat anything they wanted.
He took Laurel and Savannah to school the last week they were here.  He was so cute.  He would come downstairs and say, "your driver is reporting to duty."  "I will be waiting by the van when you girls are ready."  They just thought this was great.  He sang silly songs with them all the way to school. 
He was determined to find a shorter route to school.  We now go straight at the 4-way stop, instead of right.  It saves about 3 minutes!
He helped Laurel with handstands and cartwheels.
He threw balls with Landon.

One word. GRATEFUL!

It almost makes me want to have another baby.
So we can do this all over again.
I love you, mom and dad.