So I spent most of Friday and yesterday, making sugar cookies, decorating them,
baking cakes, 
icing them
and putting it all together
,
just so I know what I am going to be getting into next week before her party..
it came out better than I imagined, so next week, it should be pretty great.
I will post more photos then.
...
want to thank Amanda for the ideas for the cake in the first place.
Seems that so far my resolutions are going well.
I have switched to Truvia instead of sugar for my hot tea.
I have not had a drop of soda since before new years.
I figure if I spent $.86 a day on a big gulp that was roughly $6 a week, $24 a month, $310 a year... yay me.
I have not had fast food since the New Year either.
I have not seen a drastic change in my weight, but I have noticed I am sleeping better and I have more energy throughout the day.
This may not seem very significant, but I think over the long term, I will see some positive differences.
We are trying to night wean Julianna.. who by nature is a very determined and LOUD little girl when she is both un happy and happy.
Chris has taken to dealing with her through the night in the guest room, so that she doesn't wake Owen, since they share a room, and me since no matter what effort I take, she roots for the boob like nuts when I try to rock her back to sleep if she wakes up.
Last night she only woke twice. She is eating more table food throughout the day, and napping a bit better too.
Owen now sleeps in hig big boy bed, no more crib, and the binky is gone for good...
We finally got the Yo Gabba Gabba bedding we ordered on like Dec 17..took FOR EVER to get here, but he loves it.
Today at preschool, he didn't cry, ate all his lunch, napped AND took his nap without a pullup and stayed DRY.. these are all huge...making good time...on this trip, yes we are.
Donovan can kind of get in a funk when he gets back from visiting Dirk( his OGD, or Dad) and it seems he has finally come around from his Christmas trip out there.
We went to Cub Scouts last night, and they played this game. "Harbor Master"..the boys all spread out around the room, then the leader blindfolded one scout outside of the room, then brought him back in to be directed by the chosen Harbor Master...go straight, go left 2 steps, right one inch.. so they don't bump into anything and make it safely across the Harbor/back of the room.
Quite fun to watch and to hear how a young boy gives directions.
He had a really good night, then we headed over to Misty's house, one of my mommy friends, and took off her hands a computer desk she no longer needed so Donovan could have on in his room for doing homework. He was amazingly thankful and gracious.
Again, making good time.
Chris and I have been on the same page, (so to speak) for the longest time, and boy can I tell you how good that feels? We don't often quarrel or argue..but when we get along for long periods of time, like the same wave length kind of thinking,gotta love that!!!
So, on all fronts right now, in Casa de Mallow, all is well, and on the trip of life, we are indeed making good time.
Happy Birthday Owen.
You are talking more and more now, you can run fast to try to keep up with Donovan.
You love and adore the baby in the house. You call her sissy and love on her all the time.
Your favorite activities and Bubbles, riding in your push car, going outside. and of course doing everything that your big brother Donovan does, whether it's good or bad.
Momma and Daddy are SO PROUD OF YOU!!
In other updates:
Julianna is now 2 months, she is smiling all the time, cooing a lot and even laughs out loud sometimes. She had her checkup, she is tiny still only 10 lbs 10 oz. I am not used to a small baby, the boys were both so big. She is a real treat. She loves to nurse but hates anything atrificial in her mouth, so no pacifier for her..can be challenging, but we can manage.
Donovan turned 9 over the weekend and man oh man, it's like all of a sudden he is a young man. He is maturing so fast, he is reading above grade level and getting straight A's in school. He is continuing to do Karate, but we aren't sure for how long.
I am so proud of all my kids.
We are of course still working out the stuff with Katie and Connor..I think Lisa would really like to drag this out until Connor is 18 so there is no resolution, but Chris is no where close to the point of giving up.
It really taxes him, but he won't give up on his kids.
I am so lucky to have him.
Sorry this is so brief, I have a limited amount of time to be the digital mommy, so much to do, so little time.
I hope whoever is reading this is having a fine day and thanks for stopping by.
my 5 kids