Well, we made it through our first workshop (and had a blast)!
Before I share the details with you, I had to share some pictures of our beach trip & Ava’s (casual) birthday party.
We stayed in a gulf front beach house this year–our first time directly on the water. It was pretty spectacular to see the water washing almost under our balcony every morning. I’m not sure if I was all rested up from my health issues in July, but for some reason, I could not sleep past 5:00 a.m. every day.
I could be found most mornings here, soaking up some light reading (and difficult reading–The Ultimate Guide to Homeschooling & The Odyssey) & writing out a couple of novel ideas myself.
I wish I could create the habit of rising this early every day–the early morning quiet is peaceful in a way I can’t describe & I certainly do my best writing then.
We lazily made our way to the (seaweed cloaked) beach every day, and I’m telling you, Ava is destined to be in the Coast Guard. That kid is afraid of nothing–seaweed monsters and crashing waves included.
Grayson, however, scared the average passerby with his shrieks each time the seaweed grazed his leg.
Uncle Lance was not cool with this.
My mom traveled home several days early to see how my grandmother was doing, so that left Sara and I to pull together a last minute party for Ava’s birthday.
You know, I’ve been known to throw a party or two, but with all my hospital runs, planning for the perfect fairy party went out the window. Lance and Sara were wonderful–they ordered us an adorable Tinker Bell cake from Publix and brought fairy wands, crowns, blinking lights to make fairy balloons, and Sara even made these cute fairy dust bottles–which i didn’t take a picture of, by the way.
I couldn’t have done it without them–you guys are the BEST–and it proved that while the big, perfectly planned parties are fun, there’s certainly a place for a simple family celebration.
And the birthday girl was still filled with wonder.
P.S. I found the dress-up Cake Papers at Pottery Barn Kids–love these!
So, next time you can’t pull off the party of the century, shrug it off, blow up some balloons, and paint your daughter’s toenails–it will turn out perfectly in the end.
Aww, what a great little party!
Ah, a real party with real heart — heavenly! How refreshing to see a family enjoying something loving and honest like that (vs. today’s culture of debt-laden coronations that are artificially designed to impress others!
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Kudos!
It all looks lovely Shaunna! I am sure Ava had a wonderful time and now has some beautiful ‘family time’ memories.
Janet xox
The Empty Nest
PS….can’t wait to hear about your first workshop!
Your children are both adorable!! Your lovely photos make me long for another beach stay.
I may have missed a post, are you a homeschoolers?
Hey Gloria! You didn’t miss it–we are this fall! It’s just the right thing to do for now–we’ll see how it all unfolds. I was up to my eyeballs in curriculum yesterday.
shaunna
it’s really what they need when their so little, i think all the pomp and circumstance is for us and cute pictures to blog about :}
I’m putting my money on the party she reminisces about when she’s older as being the one spent at the beach.
~Bliss~
I think a “family” party is so much better – everyone is more relaxed and the “Birthday Girl” (I have 2 girls) receives everybody’s full attention.
I love the close family party!
I am SO not a morning person, but, like you, I get so many great things in on those few occasions that I wake early. I love that peaceful quiet….I just love sleep so much, too.
Your daughter is very beautiful. The birthdays at this age are the most wonderful.