{Rubber-Sol: Why, hello there!}

5 + 7

Despite the threat of RAIN on Henry's birthday, we managed to throw one heck of a party for our little dude.   Of course we changed venues, and the grass was a bit soggy, but Hank also managed to rent a bouncy house at the last minute.  On a Sunday morning. Whew was that a close call!  Our little 5 year old was quite the happy chap.

And now we're busy planning Alison's birthday party.  She'll turn 7, and we're planning a more sophisticated party for a more sophisticated little girl.  No bouncy house for this gal.   Our initial plan was to invite her closest friends for a day out at a paint it yourself pottery house down in Belmont Shore, but somehow the party has ballooned to a much bigger size  (doesn't that always happen?)

Anyway, the invites went out yesterday.  Here, take a peek, will ya?

I basically snagged the bird design off of my stationery, and repurposed it for the invite. And the little matchbook reads, "Just in case. . . " with the pottery house address and other essential info. 

Other than party fun, we've been just chugging right along.  The days are taking on a rhythym of their own, and the kids, Hank, and I are enjoying this ride called life. 

*****

And onto sillier things.  I forgot to mention who in the heck "Frannie Girl" is.  Well, she's my mom of all people.  Now imagine a local girl like my mom growing up in Hawaii with a name like Frances-Louise.  Yes, two names.  One hyphen.  Apparently as a girl my grandmother had a pen pal "in the states" (this was pre-statehood) named Frances-Louise.  She became so smitten with the thought of life on the mainland that when her first child was born, my grandmother named her Frances-Louise.  Eventually the name wore down to Frannie Girl, and today most of my great uncles still refer to my mom as such.  So there you have it. The history and legend of Frannie Girl.

Over the Hump!

In the grand scheme of things, all things and events that happened in the past are all lumped into YESTERDAY.  Everything pressing and of the moment are considered TODAY.  And the future, both the near and the far, is considered TOMORROW.  I've made it over the hump, and I can finally enjoy the right now moments.  Today has never been so grand!

 

Yesterday, I:

• Tended to all three kids who were sick with:  pneumonia, the flu, strep throat

• Gocco'ed over 1000 cards for the shop

• Had our IEP meeting for my son Henry.  We're moving forward now in such a great way!

• Announced the winners of the Valentine's Day Contest (via e-mail) -- The winners were: Amanda, Kelli, Allison, Lisa, and Courtney! All packages were shipped last week, save for Courtney and Lisa.

• Packaged up the largest wholesale order yet!  The 3 months they gave me to fulfill the order was crucial to my sanity!  Be gone package! Be gone!  So happy that is over and done with. . .though my fingers are crossed that my products do well in hopes that they reorder!

• Watched as Hank and Alison attended the first annual Valentine's Day Ball at school.

Today I enjoy:

• Taking Kate to her Giggles and Wiggles class (which she loves so much!)

• Planning for Henry's 5th birthday party this weekend.

• Watching Alison and Henry overcome their fears in their karate class

• Reading in bed before falling asleep (5 pages a night is okay, right?)

• Listening to Kate rattle off a new word every day!  Her newest faves?  Elmo, owl, trash, and waffle.

Tomorrow I am:

• Looking forward to visits from out of town guests

• Enjoying time with friends + family + celebrations!

• Enjoying the present!