Spa Party

Hannah turned 8 last week. Hannah loves a great party.  Even better, she loves a party with a great theme.  This year was no exception- she asked for a "spa party". 

We asked the girls to wear their pajamas and to come at 9am. After meeting them at the front door with a clipboard and "confirming their appointment", we served breakfast: quiche, sausage, fruit and cinnamon rolls in leiu of cake.

 
Each girl received a goodie bag (comprised of a Turbie Twist, disposable flip-flops, toe separaters, a mirror, and lip balm).  The Dollar Store is great for things like that.

 
Next, they soaked their feet in some sudsy water and rose petals.  I went around and painted their toes. We passed a dish of mints around while they were waiting and had some American Girl magazines for brousing. Mostly they just talked and giggled.

I found some "all natural" mudd masks at Target (one packet was enough for 2 girls) and they applied it themselves using their new mirror.

 
To complete the facial, they used some cucumber slices as a cooling eye treatment.

 
When their masks were dry they took turns wiping it off with warm cloths in the bathroom.

It was a fun party, that didn't cost buckets of money and the girls had so much fun.

(wearing her Christmas nightgown!? and holding up her card illustrated by Carl)

Happy Birthday Fun Girl!

Sorry, a date, and some cake

** I'd like to start by appologizing for my lack of discretion yesterday.  I am sincerely sorry if it offended anyone. I really do not condone foul language nor would I allow my children to speak in such a manor. I was mostly just being cheeky and could've done a better job of keeping things wholesome.

Moving on to something more plesant...

Birthdays are abundant around here during the Spring. It was Carl's day yesterday. We spoiled him with a massage at the tennis club on his way home from work, homemade mac n' cheese and an ice cream cake. We have dinner out planned for just the two of us this evening...would you believe it's been more than a year since I've been with this man without our children present? I am a teensy bit nervous, and almost bashful. It is kind of like dating all over again- but better. Better because we are married. Better because I don't have to worry that I have something green in my teeth, or stinky garlic breath (he'll tell me). Better because I don't have order cheap because he's paying (we're paying). Better because I don't have to expend so much energy trying to keep the conversation going (oh the blessed, BLESSED silence). Better because I don't have to wonder if he'll kiss me (he will). Just better, you know?

My mom used to make this cake for me all the time as a kid.  I would request it year after year.  It is so easy to make...thought I'd share.

Cookies and Cream Ice Cream Cake:

2 pkgs chocolate wafers (I use these)

2 T butter melted

1/2 gal of cookies n' cream ice cream (chocolate chip mint is also yummy)

1 C heavy whipping cream

6 T powdered sugar (or to taste)

*Coat a springform pan w/non-stick spray, and place it in the freezer.

*Put one package of cookies in a gallon ziploc bag and crush with a rolling pin. 

*Mix melted butter and crushed cookies and press into the bottom of the springform pan to form a crust. Return the crust-filled pan to the freezer.

*Pull the 1/2 gallon of ice-cream out of the freezer and let it soften for 15 minutes or so. When it reaches a spreadable consistency spoon half of the ice cream over the frozed crust.

*Then, layer whole uncrushed cookies on top of the ice cream creating a thin middle layer.

*Spread the remaining ice cream on top of the cookies and freeze for a minimum of 2 hours. 

*A few hours prior to serving mix the whipping cream and the powdered sugar until stiff peaks form. Spread it on top of the ice cream cake and top with a handful of crushed cookies.

*Put it all back into the freezer for an hour or so.

*When it's time for the Birthday Song and candles, unlatch the springform pan and light it up baby!

Enjoy.

Microchimerism

"It has just been discovered that women carry fetal cells from all the babies they have carried. Crossing the defensive boundaries of our immune system and mixing with our own cells, the fetal cells circulate in the mother's bloodstream for decades after each birth. The body does not tolerate foreign cells, which trigger illness and rejection. But a mother's body incorporates into her own the cells of her children as if they recognize each other, belong to each other. This fantastic melding of two selves, mother and child, is called human microchimerism. ~ "Without a Map" by Meredith Hall

I recently came across that quote and thought it was just amazing. Hope you all have a wonderful day reveling in the joy of being a Mother.  Happy day!