there was this one time...

summmmmmmer

it's officially summertime! i now have a kindergartener, 5th grader, 8th grader and an 11th grader! this time next year will be emotional- as caleb and cam will be promoting from elementary and middle school. eeeek! this was a few weeks ago. little elsie climbing up to her brother's bunk, wanting to keep up with him. they play so well together. love it. it will be strange to see this summer- how once i had a house full of 4 children wanting to go on forever adventures, where the summer seemed so long. now the older 2 will be busy with friends, sports and work commitments. strange. this growing up thing. makes me wish i could go back a few summers ago where i was pulling my hair out wondering what am i going to do with these kids today?! sigh.

sweet sixteen party :)

last friday night we threw a surprise sweet 16 party for kira. it was a ton of work but such a fun experience. i couldn't have done it without both of our best friends' help! :) i didn't take any pics of the venue or details, so sad. thankfully her good friends were able to catch these pics for me :) i love them! dots cupcakes did all of the sweet treats. red velvet and toffee... kira's favorite flavors!

i couldn't resist the hello  kitty napkins, doesn't she look like she's holding flags up? our kira is a flaggie at school, captain actually! ;) cake pops and macarons. heaven.

spam musubi, heart shaped! my sweet friend punched all those hearts out, amazing.
bit of decor. flowers in random jars, candles, frames of her and her friends everywhere.
and my favorite :) the photobooth! i cut out the garlands myself and had kira's friends put it up for me. i gave them my vision and they went to town. i love how it turned out!


what a rush.. planning and executing a party. between the 6 in our family- we have birthdays quite often, now for a little break until november...when the big guy above turns THIRTEEN!

sixteen today

this time 16 years ago i was in a hospital room in encinitas, a new mom. she was born at 11:18 am. my first born. the one that changed my life in so many ways. the one that i had to grow up over night for. the one that took my breath away and made me rethink everything i thought about. we have grown up together. she's growing into this amazing young woman, capable of so much, taking on more than i ever did at her age. in just a few years, she will be done with high school. ready to take on the world. watch out world, you don't know what's coming. :) we love you soleil. xoxo