back to school

with summer over comes the beginning of yet another school year.

while it is always sad to see them off, i think everyone was kind of ready 

to get back into the swing of things. seeing old friends and making new ones; 

ruby entering 2nd and declan starting kindergarten...we are off to a good start. 

we shall see what this year brings!

7 year old tea.

so little miss ruby turned seven on us. with such a sweet little group of friends from school, i thought we just might have a fancy tea party, and while were at it make the cutest mini pies you ever did see.

it was just right, and i seriously can not believe how our little babe is growing up on us. where did chubby little rubes go? 

i found the sweet little pie dishes at crate and barrel. i made a triple batch of two crust pie dough, and divided each batch into four discs, so each girl could roll out a bottom and do a lattice top. 

i made an apple pie filling so they could just scoop it in. and i found pink pie boxes at the bake shop; topped it with a chalk board label and let them draw their names on the boxes.

and with what fabric i had in my stashes i came up with some sweet little aprons.  

mid morning tea 

*menu*

passion fruit tea

scones with butter and jam

nutella flower sandwiches

cream cheese and cucumber sandwiches

chicken salad croissants

dessert

pink pavlova with berries and cream

6 years old.

so we officially have a big six year old in the house! make this growing up thing stop already!!!

the morning of her birthday she actually had school so free dress was in order. fortunately i had this dress to offer or she was set on wearing the 'shaky dress' (red flapper dress) that her coolest godparents ever got her in the shiny gold purse full of dress-ups! not that i mind, but i didnt want to be the one to put a ban on birthday free dress up if for some chance it was not approved:)

so it was a pretty perfect birthday with uncle al and aunt mary in town (two of her favorite people); we had a nice requested dinner of spaghetti and meatballs, and brownies for dessert...which they had a bit of fun mixing and tasting. 

she wanted to go on a picnic for the actual birthday day so after school we headed to tempe town lake for a change of scenery and she flew her bday kite. the weather was rather perfect. we'll have to head back soon for a boat ride...perhaps without kids? 

ps. can i mention how hilarious mikey is;  in so many pictures he is found looking over at ruby. he sure loves his siblings! 

so happy happy birthday to you Ruby girl! 

we love you too much!!

milkshakes and pretty things.

 after picking up ruby from school one friday we had a bit of fun visiting the old mac alpines on 7th for some good old fashioned milkshakes up at the counter, followed by some fabulous thrift shopping next door. she has apparently taken to the upward gaze into the sky as the new picture pose. who knows why. 

we followed up our adventure with a visit to cleo and clementine; a shop on the 7th Ave. curve that is simply lovely. they sew all the dresses there and the owner is a doll with impeccable taste. if only i had a reason to dress fancy. new years party perhaps? 

so it was a pretty fun afternoon to treasure. 

first day of school.

so our little girl's first day of kindergarten finally came, even while i was sure it never would. denial indeed. i mean we had the WHOLE summer right? what happened to that? 

we are now coming up on our first complete week of full days, and so far she is loving it. I really think I am the one who is having the hard time. admittedly I have been holding back the tears and forcing myself not to go there in my thoughts, b/c i know the saddness is more than i can handle. i really am happy for her; seeing her happy and knowing this change needed to happen for many reasons. its just knowing that this is the beginning of growing up and kind of the end of that era of doing our own thing all together at home or wherever we wanted to be. for now, i will just long for weekends, breaks, summer, and every week day that rings 3 o'clock when i get to see her smiley face greet me, and ask "what are we doing?". plans, plans, always. 

and many thanks to my sis emily for being with us that day (the first day). it made the haze that was that day so much better. it is so great to have you home/back for now. we color with the new fancy hip hello kitty pencils almost every day. put that on 'my' christmas list:) thanks again em!

three cheers for kindergarten! i think. 

happy weekend!

5 yrs old.

the big five arrived. things are officially changing around here. kindergarden next year? ahhh. its going to be rough, but good nonetheless. this big girl is growing up. 

we had a nice little post st. patty' day party for ruby, starting the day off right with over 50 balloons. ed just couldnt be stopped. 

the cake request this year was chocolate and turquoise frosting. better than last years bright yellow cake request i guess. she told me 'mom, pink is not my favorite color anymore; its turquoise'. so thats that. sorry pink, you're old news. 

big on the birthday list this year were an ironing board...which as you can see below was pretty exciting to open, and a piggy bank. so big big thanks to all of you who were able to come and make it special for our ruby girl. it meant a whole lot to her! 

cheers to being five!!!

{opening the iron}

{thanks gina and jason...great pic!}

{science experiments...fireworks in a jar...thanks tim and sara!!}

cant believe it.

this ruby girl is turning the big five this month and i am struggling a bit with her growing up on me. soaking it all up while it lasts, before a major change next year...off to kindergarden; i can hardly believe i will not have her with me all day. not going to think about it. its a hard knock life turning five (ahem, 15). even harder when you are so sassy.