Catching up - some quick images from The Day He Turned 7

The cake - first layer of frosting, under the fondant

The banner was up all week

I decided to be brave and do this thing that I have been wanting to do for some time now. Maxine's reaction when I asked what color I should try was REDNOBLACK! And my middle child had pretty much the same reaction. My oldest, and my husband, thought that green or blue would be fun. (really?)

so here it is:

it's taken me almost the whole week (I did it last Saturday) to not get a shock when I look in the mirror. The color doesn't stick super well to my hair, so it will require some upkeep, but it's really fun!

Window shopping at ETSY

I've been wanting a hanging fruit basket for awhile now. This one is more than I'd want to spend but I LOVE how it is something practical made into art. I mean, really? Gorgeous. HERE

Have you ever seen a cuter plush toy? I declare, I have not. And, it's called "Yeti of the Night", even a cute name!- HERE.

I know they are not practical for a mother of small children (torn earlobe, anyone?) but I'm loving these super long feather earrings - HERE.

and then he was SEVEN.

Last Sunday was the middlest child's birthday, and he wanted everything to be lego themed. This is the cake - not the best photo, it's from my phone, I'll have other's up later along with the awesomeness that is Diagon Alley. This here concoction was my first time using fondant.

1. fondant wasn't as hard to dye as I feared it would be

2. fondant wasn't as easy to use as I thought it would be

3. ding dongs are the perfect shape for making the lego connectors on sheet cake

We told the kid that he could go to the Lego store and pick anything he wanted for his birthday present. I figured he'd go for a Ninjago castle, or the Burrow. He went for Diagon Alley. I tried to talk him out of it. He thought and thought. In the end, it was, "Mom, this one just looks like the MOST. FUN."

I couldn't argue with that.

So far we have gotten Gringotts bank and Borkin and Burkes put together. Next is Ollivanders! I'm really feeling the pull to read the series again - - so good!

Yesterday my family was headed out to the zoo in the morning and I stopped to slap on some lipstick and mascara before I ran out the door. My oldest son stopped to talk to me:

Him: Why are you doing that? It's not like you have a date or something.

Me: I do it to avoid looking like a hag, dear. You don't want people to walk by and think, "That poor boy, his mother is such a HAG" now do you?

Him: Well, putting on too much lipstick can have that same effect, you know.

I Turned around and grabbed his face and planted one big shiny pink one on his cheek. Teach him to share his opinions...

Be of Good Cheer

I've found myself spiraling into negative thoughts a bit lately - not emotional, depressive-type thoughts; just "this is annoying, this is stupid, people suck, why can't everyone just do what I want them to do" negative thoughts. I was reminded of THIS TALK by Elder Holland that always leaves me breathless after reading it. His words ring so true and inspire me to pay more attention to my words and my attitude, and how they affect the people around me.

I'm thinking I should read it every day for the next however-long-it-takes-to-really-sink-in.

Also hey! According to my own scale I'm 4 lbs down since last Saturday! It's CRAZY how much less I eat when I am 1.) Paying attention to whether or not I'm really hungry 2.) writing down my points and thinking about the food I'm putting in my body and 3.) eating 5 servings of fruits and veggies a day.

Cheerfulness! Kind words! Readysetgo!