No Mo Wheelz

At least no more training wheels! Watching Bryson trying to teach Ella how to ride her big bike without training wheels, Avery hopped on her little bike and took off. She is in love. Every spare second is spent circling the median while I watch for cars.

Then this week, Ella practiced riding through the downstairs of our house (um, yeah, I was taking a nap) and she figured it out too! Not that I'm excited about my walls being used as brakes, but now we have two bike riders in our house...and that means time for a family bike ride!

Part of Your World, Ariel

We got the chance to go to Tuacahn last week to see The Little Mermaid, courtesy of the awesomest job ever.

WOW.

Tuacahn is always a fun night out, but they really went all out with this production. There were bubbles and a water curtain and glow in the dark flying knives (in the kitchen scene). It. was. awesome. And what better show for little girlies than this? My kiddos knew every word and no, I mean, that wasn't my kids singing along at the top of their lungs. Ella and Aves even brought their Ariel Barbie dolls along for the show.

They announced that Aladdin will be next year--can't wait!

Over the Rainbow

Ella informed me about 2 weeks ago that the finalized theme for her party would be rainbows and that the invitation would include a ribbon rainbow. Of all the clever marketing plans she had given me over the past two years, I wasn't sure where this would go. It took me a minute to catch her vision.

We made flag banners and dot banners sewing rainbow-colored paper together.
OK, OK...mostly I just want to relish the fact that this room is clean. I might need to frame this.

We found a fun recipe for rainbow cupcakes. These are pain in the hiney to make but they do turn out pretty colorful!

This game we called Follow the Rainbow. I took rainbow-colored yarn and strung it back and forth all over the clubhouse in 9 different strands. Each girl followed her rainbow-colored string to her own pack of Skittles, going over/under/around other people's yarn as needed. Thank goodness for the clubhouse! When we walked in, all the threads criss-crossing looked like a great big booby trap. It did require some Mission Impossible skills to get to their treats!

Look at our friends! They even gave some themed gifts :) I love it.

We also did some rainbow water balloons, danced to "Somewhere Over the Rainbow," and drew rainbows on the sidewalk with chalk. And we sent everyone home with some freshly sliced rainbow playdough.

Ella had a blast with all her friends, and then got to celebrate again on Sunday with family presents and party! Keeping with rainbow theme, we got her a pair of sparkly Twinkle Toes.

Happy 6th birthday Ella! Being the artist that you are, I can't think of a better theme that is appropriate for you. I hope you will always live life vibrantly and enjoy all the colors that make up the seasons of life.

Grandpa's Funeral

My grandpa, Jack Huber, passed away on July 26. He was almost 89 years old, and he was my last grandparent to pass on. The funeral was held over Labor Day weekend and I was able to bring Ella and Hazel along. Grandpa served in the Coast Guard so he had a military interment with a 21-gun salute. He is buried at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis, Mo. alongside my grandma, Arline Huber. I'd never been to a military burial and I was touched by how poignant and direct and respectful the interment ceremony was.


The funeral service was held on Sunday and my dad gave the eulogy. Ella and Becca sang a duet of "I am a Child of God" (which was a small miracle that Ella would do it!). And my Aunt Sherry and Aunt Barb read scripture passages.



I have nothing but respect and good memories of my grandpa. He kept himself in great shape and was a medal-winning swimmer into his senior years, competing in the Senior Games, which, funny enough, is held where I now live. I remember swimming at the Civic Center by his house and jumping off the diving board as a little kid while he would swim laps. My grandma and grandpa spoiled all of us grandkids and would have us come stay with them for a week in the summertime to give our parents a break. I remember visiting tons of fun places because of their kindness. My grandparents were at my graduation from high school, they were at my wedding. I'm grateful to them for being a part of my life. I hope this will not be the last time I have a reason to visit St. Louis.