Maiya Tea's Tea Party!

Maiya turned 4! So she decided that she wanted a tea party "just like cousin Natalie."  So, we went all out and copied everything from my sisters blog, they say that imitation is the best form of flattery, well she should feel really flattered.  And boy... with 6 girls, it was a lot of work! But, it was worth it, and we all had a great time.

My girls wore matching 'Tea Time' shirts that Grandma Tea bought them. I picked out because of our last name, I just thought it was too cute to pass up, but then Maiya was the one who decided she wanted to wear them to the Tea Party! Good idea!

the invitations

Decorations!

The table

We read Fancy Nancy Tea Parties to learn all about proper etiquette. :)

Our yummy lunch! We used lemon wafers as crumpets, and we had sugar cubes and the girls got to ask each other if they wanted "one lump or two?" And it was most commonly answered with 'two'... of course! 

 Next, we all made purses!  The idea comes from here... and it was so much fun. The girls loved to string the beads onto their purse handles.  It kept them occupied for a good 45 min.  Amazing!

The Finished Product!

And here is Maiya's cake!!!!! 

I got the idea from my sister Amber to do individual mini tiered cakes for all of the girls, and also to use homemade Marshmallow Fondant. I have been wanting to try to make my own fondant, and it was sooooo yummy.  Here is the recipe that I used (I used marshmallow creme instead of mini marshmallows).  I'm not gonna lie, these took forever!!! And they were not perfect at all, but the girls loved them! And they got to take them home in a fried chicken bucket that I got for free from  the nice lady at the Safeway Deli who thought I was crazy for asking for 5 empty fried chicken buckets  ;)

Make a wish!

My beautiful birthday girl! She makes it all worth it.

 

The party was a success, and Maiya is already talking about what she wants for next year!  Hold on just for one minute! Let me catch my breath :)

6 months!

I can't believe that Aftyn has been with us for 6 whole months!(tomorrow). She is growing so fast. She is now in 12 month or 18 month clothes! She was weighed last week (because she was sick)and she was 18 lbs. 6oz. She is almost sitting up by herself, I still have to spot her a bit.  I have tried to introduce her to solids about 10 times since she was 4 months, but she is not having it.  I will keep trying though! Because breastfeeding this little monkey full time is draining me! (pun intended.)

ummm....mom! falling over here!

Roll Over!

Baby girl learned to roll over a couple of days ago. Here is a video of that! (sorry for the loud Strawberry Shortcake in the background, big sister Maiya begged me not to turn it down.)

And she has learned to scoot backward with her feet while laying on her back.  I will lay her on her play mat, and then come back a few minutes later and find her like this....

 Let the mobility begin!

Kitchen and Dining room update

The kitchen has been like this for a few weeks, but I finally got it clean enough to take a pic! (hopefully I am not the only one who knows what that is like!) We are so impressed with how it has turned out so far! (It is not done yet). Especially since we found the counter top at a neighbors yard sale! Score!

Kitchen Before 

Kitchen After

Darker camera setting

Lighter camera setting. 

Dining room before

Dining Room After

Can't wait to decorate! We are excited to keep going.

Tea Family Reunion in Disneyland

We just got back from our trip to Disneyland for our Tea Family Reunion. We had a great time! It was my first time going ever in my whole life. I was a little overwhelmed by just how busy it got, but it really was amazing. 

Quincey and Maiyas favorite rides were Pirates of the Caribbean and Haunted Mansion.  My favorite ride was Space Mountain.  Maiya loved meeting Minnie Mouse, she kept talking about how Minnie gave her kisses.  Quincey got chosen to be a Jedi in a Jedi training show, but the idea of fighting Darth Vader was too scary, so he didn't go through with it, but I thought he looked so darn cute in that little robe. 

One memorable moment was when we were waiting in line for star tours the line started outside and then goes through a cool Space themed room and then takes you outside again. When we got outside after waiting for 20 min, Quincey said disappointedly and loudly, "Mom! That ride was not even fun at all!" it was pretty funny.

It was great to see all of our family there. It was a wonderful vacation with a lot of great memories.  Here are a few pictures, I have these and more posted here.

Happy Birthday to Me!

I had a great birthday! I got to go to lunch with Geren and Aftyn at Applebees, and they gave me a blonde brownie for free without having to have them sing for me!Then, I came home and made a lemon berry cake and got to hear G and my sweet kids sing to me. Good day. 

Lunch at Applebees

Maiya First Dance Routine

Well, Maiya finished her first year of dance class.  They did have an end of the year recital, but we couldn't attend because we were in Disneyland with Geren's family reunion.  But, I did dress her up in her beautiful dance costume and took a video of her at her last dance class.  I thought she was so beautiful and sweet to watch.  I am so proud of her that she finished the entire year without complaining.  She always wanted to go and loved it.