Have you ever seen...

Such a huge piñata in all your life??

Piñatas are pretty easy to come by in our neck of the woods, and on Tuesday I went out in search of a High School Musical piñata, in keeping with our theme. I drove into the not quite so safe as my neighborhood part of town, three kids in tow, and checked out a rather seedy dollar store. Of course piñatas were plentiful, but they did not have the desired theme. Onto store number two where we quickly spotted (really, how could you miss it?) "the one."

Keith's admonition to not get a big one ringing in my ear, I took our behemoth up to the counter. After paying, I headed to the door while Sareny called out, "Mom, I don't think that will fit through the door." It did, barely. Not sure how we're going to lift it in the air, playfully keeping it just out of the birthday goer's reach, when this beauty is filled with candy, but I'm thinking that's a Daddy's job to figure out.

And in keeping with the title of our post, have you ever seen...

Such a cute girl all ready for preschool in her birthday finery?

Sareny's grandma sewed her this cute little skirt, which I think will make a cute school outfit.

So I'm sorry to report that, assuming we survive Saturday's festivities, there will be yet another post about Sareny's all important and never ending birthday coming.

The Birthday girl's special day

I think it is safe to say that Sareny enjoyed a fabulous birthday yesterday. As soon as she came down the stairs, I pinned a light-up button on her pajamas that featured Troy and Gabriella and said Birthday Star on it. She wore it the entire day until bedtime.

After lunch, we drove to Daddy's work and shared birthday cupcakes with him and his co-workers.

As is tradition, Sareny got to pick what we had for dinner. Her first request, while not very palatable, was very cheap--curly noodles. (Ramen.) I made the mistake of telling Keith that I thought Isaac would probably pick Panda Express for his birthday, and then she quickly changed her mind when she realized she could pick a restaurant, and considered Panda herself. In the end, she picked Texas Roadhouse for some ribs. Poor Isaac--when Keith was getting him out of the van he said, rather disapointed, "This isn't Panda."

Sareny got to sit on the saddle while everyone gave her a Texas, "Yee-haw!" She actually looked a little embarrassed with everyone staring at her.

We let Isaac have a turn in the saddle, and he was so thrilled! Look at the rapture on his face!

After dinner, it was home to open presents. What kid doesn't love a present as big as themself? (There could be anything in there!)

She got this adorable skirt from her Grandma. (Isaac and Finley in the background are enjoying her gifts/wrapping paper.)

She was pretty excited to get a picture of her and Lexi and a framed photo of them together.

And here she is finding out what was in the large box...a twist car.

She loves it!

It was finally time to blow out the candles on her cupcake. I told her to make a wish, and she said, "I wish, I wish, I wish, that I can go at Georgia!" (Her tia Holli, tio Johnny, and cousin Rhys live there.) Isaac got to blow out a candle and make a wish too, and he wished that he could go to Bampa's house. Is anyone surprised?

Sareny also had many family members call to wish her a happy birthday, and several of them even sang to her. I think she truly felt like a princess on this special day!

Happy Birthday to our little princess!

Sareny turns five today, and that is a big deal around our house! She has been counting down the days and going around saying, "I just can't believe it's almost my birthday!" Everything that happens is because of her birthday. For example--Keith cleaned the carpets in our family room on Saturday, and Sareny said, "I know why daddy cleaned the carpets today. It's because it's almost my party."

Sareny is such a joy to have in our family. She has so much personality and makes us laugh. Last night she put on a concert singing a made-up song with some pretty extreme dance moves to go along with it. The most extraordinary part was that she just kept going and going. I don't think she was ever going to stop, but we finally had to curtail the show for bedtime. How do kids have so much energy? Anyway, we love our princess!

The O'Fallstrom's St. Patty's Celebration

I love trying to make Holidays special for our family. Kids get excited by simple things, and I like looking for the simple things to turn a normal day into something special.

Lately, it seems like someone is always sick around here, and right now it is Isaac. Poor thing--he sat at the table for a minute, then said he wanted to lay down and he just crashed.

But between Isaac and Finley both needing attention all day, it was a little difficult putting on a party.

The cake isn't as fancy as my original visions, but it turned out perfect, I think.

I also bought the kids a green carnation at the grocery store today.

We had our traditional fare of corned beef, cabbage, and potatoes. Doesn't it look pretty?

A fun day at the Children's Museum

This past Friday we decided to check out the Phoenix Children's Museum for their "first Friday" event--the first Friday of every month admittance is free from 6-10pm. Grammy Jo and Bampa came down for a visit, and despite the fact that we were all pretty tired from running around shopping all afternoon, I pretty much insisted that we go.

So, big surprise, we aren't the only ones who like to get something for free! First Friday was pretty darn packed, and despite getting there around 6:15, there was already a substantial wait to get in. At this point, some in our group suggested going home and returning on a different day and actually--gasp--paying to get in. I, of course, wasn't having any of that. The museum graciously provided chalk to entertain impatient children.

And a spectacular view of all of the children playing and having fun inside the building...

We took advantage of this time for some pictures.

A boy in repose.

But we finally made it inside. The large room on the main floor had some fun tunnels for the kids to crawl through.

We also enjoyed the big wind tunnel that whisked hankies and balls through tubes and spit them out over our heads.

Sareny and Isaac both enjoyed the arts and crafts room. There was a little house that the kids got to paint. I was told it has over 150 coats of paint so far, one on top of the other.

Gotta wash all the paint off of your hands...and your hair.

The art room did seem really fun, and Sareny nearly threw a fit when we drug her away from one of the playdough tables to go check out the rest of the museum.

All in all, I thought it was pretty cool. The crowds did prohibit my enjoyment somewhat, so I think going during the week would actually be more fun. I would enjoy having a membership there, although some in our group didn't think it would be worth it. But I think the idea of rooms with creative toys and fun, messy art projects that I don't have to clean up after is my personal idea of heaven, so we'll see.

That bouncy place

I've mentioned that we've been trying to potty train Isaac, and the first couple of days were pretty rough. In fact, he just kept pottying his underpants and didn't seem to notice or care. One morning I was checking out the website for Bounce U--an indoor bouncy house place. The kids came running over asking when we could go. I tried to put them off, but Isaac just wouldn't forget about it. Every few minutes he would ask if it was time to go to the bouncy place. Finally, I told him we couldn't go until he stopped pottying in his pants. He said, "Okay!" and he ran into the bathroom and went in the toilet. From that moment on for the next few days, he didn't have any more accidents.

Seriously, it was like a button just switched in his head and he only went in the toilet. (Okay, he's had some setbacks since then, but it really was amazing!) So this past Monday, we took the kids to "that bouncy place" for family home evening.

It really was a blast!

Isaac got really brave.

Isaac loved playing basketball with Daddy.

We loved all the fun slides.

I thought it was a great family activity for less than twenty bucks.

We even took Finley in one of the bounce houses, which I didn't get any pictures of.

I love the pure joy on their faces!

After a fun-filled two hours, we headed over to Neilson's frozen custard where we enjoyed some "concrete's."

And some onion rings.

Yum!

They are already asking when we can go back. We're trying to use it to remotivate Isaac in the potty training...we'll see!

Fun in a grocery cart

There are two basic classifications of moms out there. Let's say, for example, that you have an abandoned grocery store cart sitting at your park, which just happens to have a nice little hill. The first group of moms would tell their children that it was not safe and to leave the grocery cart alone. A very sensible thing to do. The second group of moms would tell their children fine, play in the cart, but be very careful. I belong to the much smaller, lesser known third group of moms who say, "Wow, that looks fun! Let me help you in, give you a push down the hill, and take your picture to boot!" I did, however, convert another mom over to the dark side. :) And I'm sure there is an even smaller fourth group of moms who would have jumped in the cart to have a go themselves. (Why didn't I think of that until I got home?)

The kids all loved having a turn in the grocery cart.

If only we had multiple carts, we could have raced!

This is how we sled in Arizona.

Finley was a little disapointed she didn't get a turn in the cart.

The kids also love playing in the sand. We took our new sand toys and they had a blast!

Arizona winters are the best. The weather is beautiful and we can stay at the park for hours. I dread the summer that is on its way.