2 Birthdays!

 Can you believe it's that time of year AGAIN??!! I have a 5 and a 7 year old! Where does the time go? So last year we had separate parties which meant that this was supposed to be combo party year to give Mom a break. We've done that on all our turning odd number years. But this year they just couldn't compromise. Teddy wanted Race Cars, Sasha wanted fairies, and on and on. So I said they could have their own but it had to be small and mellow. No erutping volcano cakes, no millions of people, just mello. Sasha opted for a sleepover. It was awesome. Easiest party we've ever done! She had 6 little friends over for the evening and they made designer cupcakes by adding mix-ins and then opened presents while they were waiting for them to bake.
 I love this age. They are so sweet and girly and all of them just ooohed and aaahed over each little thing. So nice.

Then we had Birthday dinner. Sasha wanted Spaghetti and meat sauce. Easiest dinner EVER right? That's a "can-do!" She was celebrating her birthday but I was celebrating the fact that we have finally gotten to the stage where the kid can eat spaghetti and not have it all over her dress by the end. Well... most of the time anyway.

 Then we decorated our cupcakes!

 Nice work Sash!

 Even Teddy got in on the action but he and Jeff had to work at a kids table we set up in the living room because there wasn't room for one more person in my tiny, tiny kitchen!

 Cupcake artisans!

 Of course then it was time to sing...

 Later that evening we all got situated and watched a movie. Sasha chose "The Little Mermaid" because she said she hadn't seen it in a long time. Classic.

 And they actually slept! They were pretty much out by 10:30 and got us up at 6:30 so it wasn't even an Epic night. What a groggy crew!

 Jeff made everyone a big pancake breakfast and we all felt like Sasha had celebrated being 7 to the fullest.

 Then just a little while later it was Teddy's turn! They didn't have a race car cake and he wanted cupcakes so I made him the cupcakes and bought the round cake at Costco and just decorated it. Kind of lame but he thought it was excellent.

 Each guest had to bring a race car and Jeff built a ramp. The kids took turns in a double elimination bracket to find out who brought the fastest race car. They loved it! Jeff and Perro did too!

 Ready for another race...

 Then after eating some pizza and what-not Teddy dug into his gifts. This is the first time we've let him actually open his presents at his party so he was stoked and felt like a very big kid.

 Having a blast!

 Then it was cake time! That's one happy Ted there in the middle. Cheese balls and cake all on the same day...heaven!

 He got tons of cars! It was insane. Too many actually. He is picking out some to give to the local orphanage so the boys there can have some cars too.

So that's what we've been up to in the last few weeks. The kids and I are heading home for the summer April 27. We'll be in the US until Sept 6th!! So I guess my next mission is packing....