Ninjas Know How to Party!

Roman's 5th Birthday was on Wednesday!  Five years can fly by and at the same time can seem so far away.  I can remember holding this beautiful baby boy the day he was born.  I stared at him constantly.  I couldn't stop and I can only explain that it was surreal to have a "boy" - so different from my girls from the very beginning.  My heart was bursting and it still is!  I sure love this kid and his love of all things "boy"!  

Roman's current obsession is Ninjago - or Lego Ninjas.  It's a relatively new line of Legos and so there are NO party supplies available - but there are lots of creative gals on the Internet luckily.  I was able to purchase a file with these Ninjago eyes off Etsy.  This cake and gifts were for his family party.

There wasn't school on Friday so it was perfect timing for his friend party.  We only do friend parties on odd numbered birthdays - I love to put a lot into them and that's why we only do them every other year!  The party turned out really fun inspite of my last minute preparations. 

The red curtains were hanging in Roman's room before we changed the decor - perfect for Ninjago party.  I printed the Chinese symbol and just pinned it to the curtains.  "The Cake Ladies" made his yummy cake.  I found the picture idea on Pinterest.

These red Chinese take-out boxes are from the dollar store and the eyes are from Etsy.  The boys took their swag home in these.





This was in our entry way.  When the boys came in Roman greeted them saying, "Welcome to the Ninjago Temple of Light." and then he bowed.  He came up with that quote himself!  Then I put on their Ninjago head band with their name on it and their black belt and gave them their samurai.

Some two year-olds don't like to hear "It's not your birthday." when it's time to open gifts.  The solution is obviously to photobomb all gift opening pictures.

The boys went through Ninjago training to earn their Sensei Mustache...Okay, I found these really funny mustaches and had to incorporate them - but it worked and the boys looked hilariously tough!

Here's a video of the first part of training.  After this they painted a Chinese Star and then had to fight off Ninjago Trainers (helium balloons) to prove that they learned all of the skills of a brave Ninjago.  It was so fun to watch the boys take each challenge seriously.  They stayed in character and did their best.  I'm pretty sure Roman will never forget his 5th birthday party.  He's been blessed with great friends and it was a perfect day to celebrate with all of them!







http://www.craftinterrupted.com/2012/05/ninja-party-headbands.html

http://www.craftinterrupted.com/2012/05/ninjago-party-printables-you-can-make.html

http://pinterest.com/sarahlunt/roman-s-bday-party/

Http://www.MaddieRoseDesignz.Etsy.com - Etsy store where I ordered Ninjago eyes.

On a mother's heart and mind...

Before I get into the deep stuff, here's our Halloween update for the Grandparents.  Halloween was fun but COLD this year.  Luckily, our church had "Trunk-or-Treat" a week earlier when the weather was perfect.  So glad I took pics that day because I failed to take many on Halloween.



Spiderman, Kate the Pirate, CindyLooWho, Princess Scarlett



Cute friends Kate and Eden.



Roman the real hero protecting Princess Scarlett.



Cute friends Stella and Scarlett...who would NOT take her eyes off the kids in the scary costumes, just in case.



Scarlett catching a ride with Allie and Halle.



Darin told me he needed a costume for work and I jumped on the chance to make him my cowboy! We got a kick out of the mustache and sideburns.

 

Pumpkin Patch

Fall in Ohio is spectacular!  I'm already missing it as the cold, wet weather has arrived.
On my mind and heart lately...
I wish there was a manual for parenting each child.  I constantly struggle to know what activities to enroll the kids in.  I have strong opinions on some things, like music, the kids know it's non-negotiable.  I also think it's best for the kids to develop physical skills and talents.  So my girls have always been in ballet.  I think they are beautiful ballerinas and I tear up when I get a chance to watch them dance.  But they don't always feel the same.  It breaks my heart and I don't want to push them into something they have no interest in.  Allie has been telling me that she no longer wants to dance for MONTHS.  I told her that we had to live up to our commitments and that meant she had to finish this season.  I really hoped that an upcoming performance in her Children's Ballet Ensemble would change her heart.  Sadly it didn't.  After literally pushing her into the car for her next ballet class, I decided that it would hurt our relationship if I continued down this path.  I contacted the studio and told them that Allie would finish out November but she needed a break.  I thought she would be thrilled to hear the news but when I told her she looked shocked.  I asked her if she was happy that I finally let her quit.  She said that she wasn't sure how she felt and went to get ready for bed.  A half hour later I heard a knock on the door.  Allie stood there with a sad face.  She told me that she felt very confused about everything and wasn't really sure that she wanted to quit ballet.  "Mom, I'm sorry that I don't ever want to get ready for ballet but when I get there I really like it.  I just don't like to get ready for it and I'm not sure that I want to stop dancing."  Wow, I'm clueless.  I told her that we're committed through November and then we can make a decision.  I really hope she doesn't quit but I don't want to pressure her.  Kate on the other hand is happy to do anything but mostly she wants to keep dancing.  During this month we'll look at a new studio, new style, more performance opportunities and maybe even a new direction and I HOPE that with prayer the answer is clear.