Isa Turns Eleventeen

This week has been bananas. It was Isa's birthday and I was able to have a lazzzy Monday - I usually work in Nana's class stuffing the HW binders but since this was a short week I don't need to stuff until this following Monday. WooHoo!!

Or so I thought...Tuesday had a dark cloud over me, Isa was home sick and somehow I didn't think it was going to end there. She rarely gets sick and I just thought "man, we've been doing good with yuckies this season". Ooops. I totally jinxed myself. I was hoping it was just the antsy feeling of knowing it was a short week not that more was to come.

BUT, Nana came in Dev's class where I volunteer on Tuesdays saying she had a horrible headache. Dev was going to have a friend over, so I asked the mom if she minded...my girls are good about being quarantined while sick so I didn't think it'd be an issue. UNTIL, Madi threw up on her bedroom floor.

YUCK. Wednesday, I missed an important day. Daddy unicycled for Dev's class - more on that later. So, I called around to ask moms to snap pictures of this special moment. He's done it for Nana's preschool co-op class and it was a hit!

Anyway...I'm finally getting a chance to sit down to write this special post of our sweet eleventeen daughter, Isa.

Her friend Kaylin knew exactly what she wanted - a PILLOW PET! Now, we are pillow pet-ifed. Everyone has one.

I racked my brain for weeks trying to think of the just right theme for her party. I didn't want it to be chaos at our house and I wanted her to be excited about whatever we chose.

Then, I thought about what she loves...currently she was reading the Percy Jackson series and I thought we should theme it around that since most of her friends were into that book series. A lot of it is based on Greek Mythology which is something she is also studying in class so it worked out perfectly she loves Greek Mythology and one of my favorite books is the Odyssey. So, I was amped to have fun with this theme.

I went to the Creation Station for ideas on how we could make swords and shields...and it never fails they had fabulous recycled materials for me to use. Even something to play the role "armor". I was so happy it worked out! Then, it was time to put Daddy's brain to work on how to use these foam blocks and make them into swords.

Good thing he's a genius. He used the table saw to make them and then shaved them down to fit into the thread spool handles. Then, threaded twine through the "armor" and made shields out of recycled film cans.

We were running a bit late due to the sleepover with Isa's besties the night before. She had Kaylin, Alexa, Bella and SoSo over. The C6 came by at 2 hours early to help us out because...well, we were behind. It all worked fabulously, thank you - C6 and Grandpa Eddie!

Grandpa Eddie and Dao were so helpful! We got it all done super fast.

I should say rather...they got it done super fast.

I didn't want to over think food...simple was better. I would just grab her favorite fast foods from Costco heat 'em up and call it good. She had BBQ chicken wings, mozzarella sticks, egg rolls and popcorn chicken. I did have pigs in a blanket BUT I burnt those. Whoops!

Blue Jello with sharks swimming in there as Poseidon's home...he is after all the God of the Seas.

Lotus Flowers...they couldn't stop eating them in Vegas during the Lightening Thief. Remember? Well, that fits perfectly with cream puffs those girls couldn't get enough of them!

Poseidon's son, Percy loved to eat all things blue. So, we made blue kool aid with 7up as our beverage for the party.


Poseidon's children were all over because they kept hovering over our blue buffet of goodies.

They ate and then went outside to play "capture the flag". We broke them up into 2 teams. Their mission? To capture the other team's flag.

Blue Team found it first...I did kinda rat them out a bit. Sorry, guys!

Red Team found Blue's flag.

Then they had team duels. The girls were so into this. And, of course the daddies were the biggest kids of all. No surprise there, right?

Grandma Kim made special cupcakes for Isa's birthday. She is so talented and the kids feel so special having a Grandma Kim original.

Everyone came in waves. After the kids left, Kae and Tim, Uncle Dennis and Aunty Kelli came as well as the Ignacio Family. Isa felt so special to have so many family visitors come by all day.

We ate soups, lasagna, salad and bread. I made this soup that seemed to be a hit - a knock off Olive Garden soup and Tortellini Sausage soup. If you're looking for something to warm you, check those out.

Madi zonkered on Aunty Kelli.

Look what Uncle Dennis and Aunty Kelli brought? Cupcake Royale cupcakes...as full as Sarah (from the Ignacio Family and my bud since 5th Grade) were we stuffed a Lavender Cupcake down. YUM. Isa had Red Velvet and fell in love with the cream cheese frosting.

SUNDAY

We went to dim sum with my side of the family. 22 people at dim sum = not a lot time for pictures. We had so much fun and Isa was happy to indulge in her favorite kind of brunch.

Isa, January 2003 - 3 years old

She will be forever our princess. She thanks us for everything we did for her and all I can think is we are so lucky to have someone like her enrich our lives. She is becoming a little lady right before our eyes. She is responsible, caring and most of all compassionate towards her siblings and is a huge help to us. We love you, Isa!