Third Annual Back-To-School Slumber Party

Well, it's that time again...Yep! Another school year is just around the corner. That means it's also time for the annual Henderson Hosted Grand Prairie Back-To-School Slumber Party.
Last year we added Gwen to the tradition.  This year...three new members: 2 more neighbors-Reese (going into 1st grade) and Avery (going into Kindergarten), and Cassie, Katie's Bestie.
We started the fun outside sometime shortly after 4.  It was beautiful out but not hot enough for swimming.  Instead the girls started with a dance party on the back deck.

Then it was inside for some video games...

And Barbie playing...

Oooh, and don't forget make-up

And general goofy-ness

Time for some dinner (yeah, totally slacked this year and didn't do homemade pizzas)

Poor Rowe barely made it past dinner

But the kids liked having popsicles for dessert

And playing outside more

They were starting to get a little snippy about the rules of some made-up game, so I decided to switch gears:  CHALK art!

They had fun!

And then, the high school cheerleader in me came out...

They were SO patient with me to get the pyramid to work!

As it started to get dark, the kids were quick to clean up and get in their pj's to start the movie and have some popcorn.

And, it took a while for them to fall asleep.  Cassie was out around 9:30 or so.  The rest...it took a while. I think the ultimate winners: Spencer and Avery--our youngest for the evening.

The morning was full of waking up, playing, and DONUTS!!!

Overheard

This are somethings one may have overheard lately if Chez Henderson:

Rowena: "Mommy, is my Daddy dead?"
Me: "No."
Rowena: "Oh, he must be at work still."

Katie (to Delaney): "Okay, let's pretend like we're sisters and our parents are dead.  We have to do everything and take care of ourselves."

Rowena: "Stupid...(insert name)" when angry

Rowena: "I'm almost 8.  I'm 3 now, then I'm going to be 4, then 5, then 6, then 7, and then I'm going to be 8.  See it's soon.  Then I'll really be a big girl."

Sleepy Boy!

The kids have been sleeping in past 7 lately, and sometimes as late as 8:45...and ALL FOUR!  AMAZING!!!  Well, today was *not* one of those days.  Charlie had me up just minutes after 5am.  With the Olympics on and a good book, I haven't found my eyes closed any earlier than 1:30 a.m. for the past 5-6 days.  Guess I need to start going to be earlier; school is just around the corner!

Anyway...it's been a productive day here: 3 miles ran this morning before 8, shower, laundry being worked on, dishes being done, go-fish being played, Wii being danced to, and crafts being completed.  Charlie wasn't able to take it all, and I guess I didn't get him to bed on time...

Splish, Splash! Katie and Her Friends Celebrate 7!

Katie decided to have her party this year at Splash Station.  What a WONDERFUL job they did!  I hope she wants to have her party here again.  It was affordable (in the sense of any child's party when you think food, cake, ice cream, party favors, games, etc.).  All the kids had a great time.

The kids from Katie's class/grade: Amanda, Katie, Cassie, Matthew, Alex, and Danielle

 The Party-Go'ers: Gwen, Julia, Spencer, Delaney, Amanda, Katie, Cassie, Sean, Matthew, Alex, Danielle, Sophie, and Rowena

Splash station has several sets of water slides: speed-mat slides, body slides, and tube slides, along with a lazy river and a zero-depth pool.  To ride most of the water slides, you need to be 48".  Sadly, Katie was the only too short (and significantly too, besides Rowena).  Thankfully, she passed the swim test easily and was able to enjoy all the ammenities of Splash Station.

We had hot dogs, chips and drinks, followed by AH-MA-ZING ice cream cake from Dairy Queen.

 Katie and her bestie, Cassandra, dancing on the bench

Katie and her "boyfriend," Matthew, going down the tube slide together.

Then, I took the 3 girls from Katie's class/grade along with Katie and Delaney to the roller rink in their pajamas for some free roller skating.

Next we headed home for presnts, fun playing Wii, Barbies, and Game Cube, and coloring before watching 2 back-to-back Barbie movies, eating popcorn, and finally falling asleep around 2am

The next morning, the girls had yummy breakfast and then ventured outside where they were able to watch a few locusts shed their shells, which was pretty awesome. Thanks to everyone who helped make her birthday wonderful!

USA! USA!~Olympics: London 2012~~USA! USA!

I love the Olympics.  I love watching all these amazing athletes that don't otherwise get recognition for their talents.  It's fun to watch sports that I don't know exist, and that aren't prevelant around here.  My favorite Summer Olympic events are swimming, diving, and women's gymnastics.  I will watch any event, though, and right now, NBC is my favorite channel.

For this year's Opening Ceremonies, we went to the Salkas' home for appetizers (Pinterest style), crafts, and company.  The kids had fun playing throughout the ceremonies, while Linda, Jeff, and I (Peter was at the movies with Ryan) chatted, made and ate food, and watched.  Later the kids made their own Olympic torches and watched the torch come into the arena, then a few fell asleep.  We got home around 11.

Throughout the Olympics we're planning on playing Wii Mario & Sonic Olympics as well as our own version of Olympic events, Henderson Style--which means Pillow Fighting, Pool Splashing, Breath Holding (in the pool), High Jump, Long Jump...you get the idea.

Starting the Olympics:

The Hendersons were all dressed in Red, White, and Blue with stars and stripes, but I changed two into their pajamas  just before the lighting-of-the-torch.  Go figure.

Fill In The Blanks

It's been so long since I've blogged.  I have so many drafts that I haven't published yet because I take so many pictures, it's difficult for me to choose which to use.  Have you noticed I have yet to publish Rowe's birthday letter?  Or her trip to American Girl store?  I also have a hiking post and a Museum of Science & Industry post to finish and publish.  Not to mention variou other here and there things.  Sorry.  These four kids have been keeping me super busy this summer!!!

My friend, Connie, did a post today about things she loves.  I wanted to share my answers.

I could blow an entire rainy afternoon…watching the Harry Potter movies with the girls.

When I was a kid, I used to love… roller skating, playing Barbies/house/school, being outside, and peeing in window wells.  There I admitted it.

I’ve always wanted to become really good at… cooking.  And not just in following recipes, but to be creative and truly know flavors and fragrances and what goes together.  I imagine myself on Master Chef.

If I could do one thing every day of my life, it would be… to nap.  I love to nap.  Oh, or maybe read.  Maybe I'm just picking things I'm not able to do often now?

I can lose track of time when I am… reading or on the internet.  It's disgusting how much time I allow myself to play on Pinterest, Facebook, reading blogs, and email!  And, if I'm engrossed in a good book, I can read for hours and not even realize it's been more than one.

Nothing clears my head like…running.  I just love the focus of my feet hitting the pavement, the steadiness of the breathing, and being alone.…

When I’m feeling drained, all I want to do is… sit on the couch and either watch TV or allow myself to be sucked into the virtual world of Pinterest and Facebook.

I feel most connected to my body when I’m…exercising.  It really doesn't matter what kind: Body Attack, Zumba, dancing, running, even walking.  Feeling my body move, the muscles working; it's a wonderful feeling and connection.

In my daydreams, I imagine myself… debt free, playing with the kids without thinking of what else is on my to-do list, and sometimes retired and travelling with Peter to various places and visiting our children.

I get a shot of energy when I… feel like one of my kids are in danger or being threatened/picked on!  There's nothing that gets my blood rushing more than needing to jump to the defense of my child. They will forever have me by their side.