World's most creative Birthday Party~

The girls went to a neighbor's house for a "kitty cat party" today. In lieu of gifts, Abby collected kitty food for the animal shelter. We played original games like, scoop the kitty poop (tootsie rolls) out of the kitty litter (cheerios), mouse hunt, face painting, cat food relay, "woof, woof, meow" (duck, duck, goose), and so much more... They even had a pet squirrel for the girls to hold (not sure exactly how that fit in with the cat theme, but it was cool). The girls each adopted a stuffed kitten (adoption papers and all); and each kitten was checked out by the vet (Abby's dad). Even the food was creative. Besides a beautiful cat cake and ice cream, which the girls licked out of their pet bowls (no spoons), they also munched on goldfish and cute little strawberry mice with licorice tails. I can't imagine all the hard work and planning that went into that party. The girls said that was the best Birthday party they've ever been to. Abby's mom, Renee, said it was a lot of work, but really cheap. Gosh, I'd hate to have to top that one next year. I think I'll stick to Chuckee Cheeses / you get to invite one friend, and let them live it up at their friends' parties! I'm such a great mom!

Ellie's First Violin Lesson

Ellie had her first violin lesson today. She's already behind 4 lessons since we found out about the UGA Strings Project a little late. The master violinist gave Ellie her very own teacher today for a private lesson to catch her up with the rest of the class. While Ellie was practicing, I, of coarse, was reading a book/eves dropping... The teacher asked Ellie the names of all the different parts of the violin. To my jaw-dropping amazement, Ellie answered almost every question correctly! (How the heck does she know that???) The teacher said. "Very good Ellie, I can tell you're familiar with the violin." (Nope, this is her first exposure to the violin or any instrument for that matter.) The teacher said, "Any questions?" I raised my hand and said, "How did you know all that Ellie?" She said, "I read it in the music book yesterday." She just got the violin and the music book yesterday! She for some reason has been drawn to violin music. I was changing the radio station one day and she screamed, "STOP!" I said, "You want to hear this?" It was orchestra music. She loved it! Then I got this CD called, The 12 Chinese Girls' Band. She loves it and it's all string instruments. I don't know how well she'll be able to play yet, but she sure has an appreciation for orchestra music. As for her lesson today, she absolutely loved it!
Emma played with her stuffed animal while watching Ellie do her lesson. I said, "Emma, what do you think? Do you want to play the violin too?" She said, "Na, I'll just take karate so I can beat up my brothers." That's my girl!!! We're all soooooo different, isn't it awesome!!!

Drew and Ellie jammin'

Emma and Ellie with Ellie's new violin!

Chinese Moon Festival - Emma with Fei and Ray (Ellie was sick)

I know it's been a while...

Last weekend, the Sires (close friends of ours from our old neighborhood) came to visit. Suzanne came Thursday through Sunday, and Charlie and Nathan came down and spent the night on Friday, then hung out and watched the game with us on Saturday. We had a great visit! Unfortunately Emma was sick all weekend with croop and a stomach virus. On Saturday morning, I wiped out coming down my steps. Just call me grace! (Natalie, I know you will laugh your head off when you read this. You're sick like me. It's hilarious when other people fall, but don't you dare laugh at me!) I had on flat sandles, but they were slick on the bottom. I was even holding on tight to the rail because I know how slippery they are. The whole left side of my hip is black and blue. I've decided I'm gonna stick to rubber flip flops and tennis shoes from now on.
This weekend we had a garage sale with our friends and neighbors, the Schacon's. We both sold our big items, but since we didn't get it in the paper in time, we didn't get much traffic. So we're having it again next weekend. I can't stand having such a messy garage, I'm ready to get it cleaned out!
Poor Ellie has been sick this weekend. She started running a fever on Saturday. The girls were supposed to go to the Chinese Moon Festival at UGA with Fei and Ray today, but since Ellie's sick, they had to go without her. Emma looked so cute in her little traditional silk chinese dress.
I recently found out that there is something called the UGA String Project. Ellie has been asking to take violin lessons for years, but by the time you pay for the lessons and rent the instrument, it's so expensive. I told her she'd have to wait til she's in middle school when she could take orchestra for free. But now that I found this program, she doesn't have to wait. It's $80.00 for a whole semester. They offer 2 one hour lessons per week. It averages out to be $3.00 per lesson. They said they normally don't take children til they're 7 years old, but said they would accept Emma. I think I'm gonna just take her to watch Ellie this semester though and we'll see how interested she is.

Tyler's haircut... by mom! Not too bad...