BIRTHDAY WEEKEND!

Friday - So Much Fun!
As promised, I am reporting on Aubrey's "SPA-rty". Omigosh... so much fun! I must admit that I really outdid myself this time and I highly recommend this party for any girlie girl. The idea came about because Aubrey originally wanted a "Sweet and Sassy" party - a cute little party store where they do your hair, make-up and nails. But those parties also cost about $25 per girl - not including the food or party favors! So me, being the do-it-yourselfer that I am, thought I could do a WAY better job for much less money. And with the money I saved, I could do a cute craft project as well and hand out some sweet party bags. So, here's what we did:

When the girls got there they were first treated to facials with a homemade natural mask. I found this recipe online:

1/2 mashed banana
1 small yogurt, vanilla flavor
1/4 cup oats
1 T. honey

The girls LOVED this. Then they took turns at different stations where they got their hair done, nails and toes painted and make-up done. And FYI: I had lots of helpers. Our favorite babysitter and BYU co-ed Holli came to help along with Summer and two of her friends. I couldn't have done it without their help (plus, Holli is amazing at doing hair).


After the pampering, the girls made cute little flip flops to show off their freshly painted toes. I went to Old Navy and got a ton of black flip flops and then went to JoAnn's and bought a bunch of different hot pink and black patterned fabrics (hot pink and black were our party colors) and tore them into strips. Then the girls just tied the strips onto the flip flop using double knots. They turned out really cute and crazy and it was fun to see the girls' personalities come through in their choices (Aubrey's flip flops are pictured here). This was a perfect project for little hands.

Then it was time for some food. I pre-made a bunch of finger sandwiches (PB&J and ham and cheese) and served them with cut strawberries and some chips. Then we sang happy birthday, had cookies and ice cream (I'm saving a cake for Sunday when the family comes over to celebrate), and opened presents.


I'm trying not to make this post too long, so I won't go on and on. But, in conclusion, we had a fabulous party and Aubrey had a great time... and so did I. Who needs Sweet and Sassy anyway?

Saturday - Ears Peirced
Yup. You read right. Aubrey's birthday gift from mom and dad was to let her get her ears pierced. Now, you might think that 6 is way too young to get pierced ears, but if you know Aubrey then you know that she has been ready for this since the day she was born. She never once hesitate, got nervous or cried. And she LOVES her new earrings. Just look at that smile... and that was right after she got them pierced!

Sunday - Family Celebration
The party continued on Sunday when we had Marmie and Poppy, Aunt Karen and baby Paige, Grandma Judy, Aunt Kandis and cousins Wayne and Daisy over for an authentic carne asada dinner and cake & ice cream. I think we went through 6 2-liters of Diet Coke! But what a blessing it is to celebrate the special moments in your child's life with family! We're so glad they are close by.

Now it's the start of a new week full of baseball games, soccer practices, music lessons, presidency meetings, and helping where I can with Kandis and John's move. Today I am watching Wayne and Daisy and may venture to my favorite store, Costco, for one of those gross hot dogs that you all know I love. But, stay tuned because I'm sure there will be more Ellis craziness around the corner... there always is!