I'll let Kaelin tell you.

So as Kaelin just explained today is her fifth birthday. She wanted a tie-dye party, so we did. The kids went home with their own tie-dye shirts, a tie-dye balloon, and a tummy full of tie-dye cake. A cake that Ms. Fisher would be proud of, (hopefully). I'm so glad that Micaela found this cake for me, it was perfect! The kids just played in her room, then they all helped make a shirt. Promptly followed by presents and cake. It turned out well and went really quick. Here are a few pictures from her party. Happy Birthday Kaelin!!!

I love the look on her face, "Jeff, can you believe it?!? I'm 5!"

Aliyah taking her turn dyeing the shirt.

Kaelin insisted on having party hats. Maybe so she could do this!!

Shirt cake

Tie-dye shirt cake

This is what the inside of the cake looked like.




"Haappy Biiiiirthday toooo Yoooouuuu!"

Kaelin found some plates that she loved.

Presents!!

With her birthday money from her Grandma and Grandpa Carlsen she bought this rainbow striped pillow. Rob and I got her the matching sheets and comforter. Kaelin actually let Sean share. Looks pretty comfy to me!

Sean Radio

Sean really likes to sing. It's sort of tricky to get him to do it, but when he does it's pretty surprising to find out what he's singing. If you don't know the song, click here. Enjoy!

Giveaway!

This is from Rob's Homecoming. Me and Kaelin totally took Rob and Sean out! Even though it was kind of cheap shot. I was mostly there to help lift the javelin, Kaelin was aiming, and knocked him off with one thrust "below the belt". Kaelin can be ruthless.Giveaway Rules

The first FIVE people to respond to this post will get something made by me! My choice. For you. This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:

1. I make no guarantees that you will like what I make! (But it might be nice if you pretend regardless. ;)

2. What I create will be just for you.

3. It'll be done this year. (might be a little while...)

4. You have no clue what it's going to be. It may be a story. It may be a joke book, autographed picture of myself, handmade bag, or a little invention of my own! I may create you a blog header or paint something for you with my food. (That would be scary). I may bake you something and mail it to you. Who knows?

5. I reserve the right to do something extremely strange. Believe me... it may blow your mind!

The catch? Oh, the catch is that you must re post this on your blog and offer the same to the first 5 people who do the same on your blog. The first 5 people to do so and leave a comment telling me they did win a FAB-U-LOUS homemade gift by me! Oh, and be sure to post a picture of what you win when you get it! Sounds like fun, right? So, let's play!


I know this is going around Memphis so I want to hear from my out of state bloggers, but if you're in Memphis and still want something from ME, then go for it! It'll be good!

Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day!! My sister told me about hearts in a little girl's hair. I investigated and this is what I found on a couple different blogs. James, is this what you're talking about (leave a comment). Kaelin saw the pictures on the blogs and wants a heart in her hair "everyday". We'll see if it lasts. I will be happy to do it for her, but she usually says, "I just want my hair down" If she wants hearts, I'll do hearts! Anyway, love and BIG, giraffe tongue kisses to everybody!
More to come...

Pretty Easy

Well, at least I think its pretty easy. Either way, it's still fun to see them all around the same age.




Who is who?


1. ?


2.?





3.?












A. ?



B.?






C.?

Kaelin's blog-stars

If you haven't already, you should check Kaelin's blog. She's so cute and loves sharing pictures. She recently has just been picking some pictures that we have taken instead of the ones from her camera. Anyway, on her blog she has a picture of their room and how much fun they had with some stars. I need to give my side of the story. So here we go. Kaelin found some mylar stars on her bookshelf. They were just in a Ziploc bag. She was so excited that she found them and asked if she could play with them. If you know me, you know that I don't mind messes. Sometimes, it gets to me after a while but if the kids want to paint, cook or whatever, I usually let them. Alright back to the story. I said sure, but it would be her job to clean them up when she done. I didn't think this would be too bad because the last time they played with these, we threw a lot of them away. The pile that was left, was a pretty small amount. Then, MAYBE, five minutes went by and I went in to see HOW they were playing with them. Kaelin had decided it would be fun it let the stars rain down from the top of her bed. The following are pictures of what I walked in on.




Shiny, static, sticky mylar stars everywhere! They were inside other toys, in the toy box, in their beds, under everything!
It turned out that the resonable looking pile that was in the bag was actually a WHOLE lot more than I expceted. It would not have been so bad if it was some other toy, but these things REFUSE to be cleaned up. When you think you have them all, you find 15 more hiding somewhere. They cling, and become more static the more you touch them.
She stuck to her word and cleaned it all up. I wasn't so mean that I didn't help. I went and grabbed a broom to try and corral the renegade stars. In the end she had a clean room again.

新年快樂

I know it's late but, Happy Chinese New Year!
Ever since Rob and I have been married we celebrate Chinese New Year! It usually includes a lot of food and a movie, (Chinese movie of course!). This year we did have the food, but with kids that had to make bed times and friends with kids that had to make bed times the movie was not included, although it was missed. Here are just a few pictures from the night's festivities.




We had Melon soy milk, chop sticks, and a large bottle of soy sauce.


When we move we seriously need to stock up on extra seating. We really enjoy having company over and we never seem to have enough chairs. Sorry Kyla! I have a hard time only inviting one family at a time. Rob is the one who has to talk me down to just a few. This night I was planning on at least seven families. Where I planned for everyone to eat?....I really don't know, but it would've been fun in my eyes!


Rob showing off some chop stick skills.


Some boc choy concoction and tasty beef and broccoli.


Pot stickers, Asian chicken salad, fried rice, Kung Pao Chicken, and some white rice. Kaelin specifically asked for fortune cookies, which really aren't Chinese so, Rob hunted them down at a local grocery store. She was a self-appointed vendor of fortunes, which she promptly kept for herself. The next day she kept bringing me paper so that I could write her more fortunes for her collection. My favorite one..."Chinese words".