We're still here

Looking back I didn't post anything about Christmas or Kate's birthday. We had both. Both were magical. We had Brossette-side family pictures taken for Christmas.

For Kate's birthday we had a "Kate's favorite things" party. Think Oprah but  Pinkalicious inspirired teal decor,  fun foods, 20+ 6 years olds, crafts, face painting, nail painting, etc. Think hard because it was crazy busy and fun. All but two kids came. It was a full house and by the time Rich came home and took one picture, I realized I hadn't taken any. Kate loved it. You'll just have to be happy knowing she did.

Also we have been prepping our house to sale. We've finished and stuck it on some local websites this past week. We have had a couple appointments each night. Thankfully, the kids have had parties, library, and parent teacher conferences this week to keep me and them away. Last night was a "sleeping bag-in the church parking lot-in the rain-watching Madagascar-eating marshmallows and crasins" night. They loved it. Our realtor will post it on the MLS soon but I am excited with the amount of attention it is getting off of two free listings. So, if you know anyone wanting to move here two couples "couldn't believe we had 5 kids living here"...it's that awesome.

Mother's daughter

There are some instances I am not 1000% ready to own it, like oh April 15, 2010  but days like today I'll own her quirks 1000%. Some people know my issue freaking awesome idea use of milk boxes for filing...see the top of the shelves. They hold file folders, cans or pasta for food storage, cloth diapers, pretty much everything perfectly.

Costco has also provided me with another amazing box, the blue spinach box. It's solid. The base is solid. The flaps are on the side so weight to the bottom is distributed to the sides and not through flaps in the base. The dimensions fit the depth of the closet but not the moulding, so it sits on top of allowing for airflow {because I think that's important for something}.

 See the room for airflow? The boys have had these for probably a year because Kate took the dresser when she moved to the basement. They were going to be temporary but I like free, the drawings, ease of use, the fact that I don't care if they get destroyed, the fact they they have climbed them and they haven't fallen apart, & that they have grooves so they stack like legos.

 Plus I've used them everywhere and the kids get it. They know where stuff goes and..... put their own stuff away.

 Now back to why this all matters. Today at Costco Grace spied a spinach box. She got giddy, so much so that the lady in front of us in line was amused at her wavering inability to restrain herself. After patiently waiting she scored three boxes and while I was upstairs getting my pinterest projects, boys destruction projects, Kate's dress repairs done she was in the basement doing this.

 {beaming with pride}

 Here's some close ups of her intricate tags.

 Love.

 :)

Here's one of what I was doing. I added hooks to the hair bow board for all their .  Isn't it awesome? That brown hedgehog bow in the middle... PS: I did the mock-"make a bow tutorial" way before pinterest was even born...was also a pin project.

It's exciting!!

My Real Brother

Miles - "My brudder at my cheese stick. Mom, he ate it. I want it. He ate it." {unconsolable}

Me- {Assuming it was out resident cheese freak} "I am sorry. Granty is a baby. I'll get you...."

I was interrupted with "No! My real brother!"

Me-"James?"

Miles-"Yes."

Me-"Both James and Grant are your real brothers."

Miles- {now mad at me}"No MY REAL brother James took MY REAL cheese stick"

Sorry! The poor kid is surrounded by freakin' idiots! :)

8 is Great

 If you have older sisters, it's just going to happen. You'll learn to cope.

 Be grateful. She could have  dressed you to match her.

 Kate with her matching paper doll at school.

 Daddy with his new grilling toy he got for his birthday. We need to rotisserie something.

Ok, on to the real post...
Grace had a lego birthday party. She was very specific that she like the minifigs and ninjago. Since black doesn't do well with foods, we leaned towards the minifigs for our party. They made minifig heads out of baby food jars. They had minifig races with the jar size guys and duplos and several other loge-ized games. We ate minfig cupcakes and lego crispy treats.

 They created their own wall of minifigs too.

 But their favorite part was a last minute idea. They had 2 minutes to build something and sit down. The first person started a story about what they built. When they we getting comfortable it switched to the next person. They ended up playing it five times.

 After the party, Grace got her ears pierced. It was a late night. I think we got home at 9:30.

It's like the freakin paparazzi. Look at all those flashes!

 Saturday she was baptized and confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

 We had Tucanos to celebrate.

It was a Graciepalooza. Eight is great...or at least turning eight is great. :)