Goosebumps

I actually have a lot of other things going on in my life besides American Idol, truly I do. But, I am enjoying this season so much that I get totally excited about it.

I am telling you that last night's performance by Jason Castro was AMAZING! Wow. Goosebumps. Tears. You name it, I had them.



David Archuleta's performance was terrific. He is definitely the one who probably has the lion's share of the votes. Popular young phenom.


David Cook rocked it out last night, though it wasn't my favorite performance. It didn't move me, so I was somewhat disappointed. Though, I believe that he is a shoe-in for the top 4.



Michael Johns' was great, too. I mean how can you go wrong with 'Dream On?' (Yes, much to the chagrin of my hubby, I am a closet Aerosmith fan)

Tonight is Idol Gives Back. A special American Idol where specific Charities are highlighted and you have the opportunity to donate.
Some of the charities are:
The Children's Defense Fund, The Global Fund, Make It Right, Malaria No More, Save The Children, U.S. Programs and the Children's Health Fund.

Stars and Celebrities who will be gracing the Idol Stage include:
Robin Williams, Celine Dion, Forest Whitaker, Billy Crystal, Dane Cook, Kiefer Sutherland, Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Tisdale, Jennifer Connolly, Elliott Yamin, Fantasia and Amy Adams join previously announced international talent and sports figures Bono, Brad Pitt, Reese Witherspoon, Miley Cyrus, Mariah Carey, Eli Manning, Peyton Manning, Fergie, Chris Daughtry, Carrie Underwood, Annie Lennox, John Legend, Snoop Dogg, Maroon 5, Heart and Gloria Estefan.

So tune in!

Red Hot!

"Mom, I love you with the red-hot intensity of a thousand suns."

Is that a great kid, or what? :) Okay, so maybe she said it with a joke in her voice, but I ran to the computer and blogged it as my quote-of-the-day just as fast as my little feet could carry me!

The Facts of LIfe

Nicky: Mom, was I born? Mom, was I born? Mom, was I born?...

Me: (tuning into the incessant chatter...) What?

Nicky: Mom, was I born?

Me: Yes.

Nicky: (to Lilly) Lilly, I was born. True story.

** he picked up this phrase from Big Sister Maddy-- she was very proud!**

Warm and Fuzzy

Imagine my surprise to find a totally sweet award on my blog after a horrendous Monday that WOULD NOT END!

Thanks Holly! You are a sweetie. I am honored.



I would like to pass this award along to a few great gals on the web. Firstly, to Nancy whose funny Faces always make me smile; secondly to Laurie who is a great inspiration as a mother, and finally to Katrina whose blog is always glorious Eye Candy.

Lilly's 5th Birthday

Lilly turned five years old this past week! I can't even believe that she is already on her way to Kindergarten in the fall. Wow, time does fly. And speaking of flying, Lilly had a Tinkerbell Birthday Party. She is very into fairies, pixie dust, magic wands and other impish things.

Backtrack to her actual birthday. Here is her Breakfast in Bed- our family tradition. We even do it on their first birthday. It is fun to bring yummies to them. It's a great tradition! So fun.

Lilly's Birthday Prize: A Big Girl Bike. Complete with training wheels and more purple and pink than you can shake a stick at! Sparkly streamers top the whole thing off in a most Lilly-like way.

Can't go on a proper ride without a helmet!

Out for a test ride. Down to the park and back; with a brief stop at the playground. She did such a great job!

Go Lilly, go!

One of Daddy's amazingly scrumptious cakes. Homemade yellow with raspberry frosting. Mmmm....

On to the Birthday Party. As I said, it was a Tinkerbell Party. I am not including pictures of any of her friends because I don't know how they all feel about posting pics of their kids. It was tons of fun. There were 13 little ones in all.

When the little 'Fairies in Training' arrived. They were crowned with Tinkerbell tiaras, and Maddy sprinkled them with 'pixie dust' - shimmery powder. As they were waiting for all of the kids to arrive, they all colored pictures.

We played 'Follow the Fairy'- each little girl got a turn to put on fairy wings and twirl or gallop around the house with everyone following.

We also played 'Pass the Magic Wand.' Kind of like Hot Potato- except when the music stopped and the child was 'out' it was actually a fun thing because they got to keep the wand.

I then told them that Fairies had come to fix us lunch. It was so cute. Everyone went a little hushed. Here is what we served.

Fairy Bread [bread with butter and sprinkles]

Magic Wands [grape and marshmallow kabobs]

And Golden Nuggets [cheese cubes]

Also served, but not pictured, Fairy Fizz [soda pop with pop rocks in it!]

Lilly with her Cake

I absolutely LOVE to make kids party cakes. I have made a lot of them through the years, but I think that this might be my favorite. It is made out of rolled fondant, and it is so much fun because it is totally like playing with play-doh!

5 Candles Burning Bright

Close-Up of the Cake

Make a Wish!

I wonder what it could be, she was staring so intently.

One, Two, Three, Blow! Got them all, yeah!

May All Your Dreams Come True, Sweet Girl.

Disclaimer:
In all of my excitement to post Lilly's birthday, I failed to mention that all of these fun ideas were found on the internet. There are lots of great birthday party ideas out there; I just picked my favorites from lots of sites and put them together.