Cheap Organization

I've been in an organizing frenzy lately, cleaning and reorganizing the garage, pantry and closets. The other day I decided it was high time to tackle this area:

It does not matter how carefully I fold the towels and put them away in neat stacks, after a day or two the piles inevitably look like this. And it's been driving me crazy!

Money is my common excuse for not having some areas as organized as I would like. I would love to just go out and buy bins or drawers for the towels, but that doesn't fit into my budget right now. So I decided to take matters into my own hands. I found some old boxes in the garage...

... and with an hour, some scraps of paper, and lots of modge podge, I turned them into this:

I smile every time I reach for a towel now.

Hooray for organization!

Daddy's Dues

As I was rereading my post about Katelee's birthday party this morning I realized (to my embarrassment) that there seem to be quite a few pictures of me and none of Gerald. I want to give credit where credit is due, because Katelee needs to know how much her daddy did to make her birthday party special. First of all, Gerald did all the decorating:

This isn't really the greatest picture, but can you see the cool princess 'chandelier' and glittery stars that Gerald hung on the ceiling? It looked pretty awesome. ;) He also bought the helium balloons to put by the front door:

Gerald also did a last minute run to the store for the candles and ice cream I had forgotten. (How do you forget candles and ice cream when you are shopping for a birthday party??)

During the party, Gerald was the photographer (which explains all the pictures of me) and he also did a million things to help the party run smoothly: cleaned up the craft project so we could continue the story, hid the 'dragon eggs' in Katelee's room while we were playing another game, held the limbo stick, helped princesses wash up after eating, kept the list of gifts given, and so much more. I wish I had a good picture of him holding the limbo stick or playing with the girls. But I want Katelee to know that he was there and having fun!

Oh, and speaking of what a great dad Gerald is, he left Katelee this cute note to find the morning of her birthday.

Gerald really is such an amazing person. He's often the one doing all the work in the background without any credit. I admire him so much and love him so much.

A Party for a Princess

Hear Ye, Hear Ye!

Princess Katelee is turning

5

and you are invited to her Royal Birthday Party!

Don't forget your royal costume!

____________

Welcome to Katelee's Castle!

Once upon a time, there was a beautiful young princess named Katelee. It was Katelee’s birthday, and so she invited all her princess friends to join her at her royal castle for a special princess party! Princess Chloe, Princess Sadie, Princess Claire, Princess Hannah, Princess Madelyn, Princess Issy, Princess Isabel, Princess Hailey and Princess Ella all came to the princess party!

When the princesses had all arrived, Princess Katelee invited her friends to join her in the royal gardens while they waited for the princess cake to arrive. While they were playing in the gardens, the little princesses met a talking frog!

“What are you doing in the royal gardens?” asked the frog. “Don’t you know that these gardens are enchanted? If anyone plays here who is not a true princess, they will be turned into a frog! Believe me, I should know!”

“Don’t worry, we are princesses!” giggled the little girls.

“But where are your crowns?” demanded the frog. “You don’t look like princesses without your tiaras!”

“Oh, dear!” cried the princesses! “We did forget our crowns!” The little girls all rushed back to the palace to retrieve their forgotten crowns.

(The party guests, creating their beautiful princess crowns!)

(Now we really look like princesses!)

After the princesses were wearing their beautiful crowns once again, they decided to go to the kitchens to check on the princess cake. But as they were crossing the castle's great hall on their way to the kitchens, they ran into a wicked witch, disguised as a peddler woman.

“Why, what lovely little princesses,” crowed the old woman. “Can I interest you in a juicy apple?” (Pull out an apple.)

Princess Katelee was feeling a little hungry, and so she took the apple the woman offered her and took a big bite. All her princess friends gasped! "On, no!" the cried as Princess Katelee fainted into a deep sleep!

(Playing Pass the Poison Apple)

Katelee’s Princess friends were very wise and quick. They knew the old peddler woman must have been a wicked witch, and they caught her before she could escape.

“You must tell us how to break the spell and wake up Katelee again,” demanded Princess Chloe.

“Tell us or we’ll never let you escape,” added Princess Hailey.

“Fine!” spat the witch. “I'll tell you, because you'll never be able to find the cure. The only way to break the spell is to find a golden dragon egg and eat the magical beans inside!” And with that information, the evil witch disappeared in a puff of smoke.

The little princesses looked at each other nervously. They knew that dragons lived in the woods just beyond the royal gardens.

“Let’s go find a golden dragon egg!” said Princess Hannah, bravely. They straightened their pink tiaras and marched bravely into the woods to help save their friend.

(Searching for the golden dragon egg. Found a pink one!)

The loyal princesses discovered a golden dragon egg and they each ate a magical bean. Then they fed a magic bean to Princess Katelee. Princess Katelee stretched and woke up, feeling well rested and as happy as ever. Just then the clock tower rang 7 o’clock!

“Oh, dear! We must hurry and get ready for the princess ball!” exclaimed Princess Katelee. “After the ball, we will have the princess cake!”

“Hooray!” the princesses all shouted as they skipped off to get ready for the royal ball. They went to the powder room, where Katelee had everything they needed to get ready.

"Wait just a moment," said Princess Katelee. "I think something is missing..."

(We had a platter with 10 princess things on it, and we took turns removing one item and figuring out what is missing. I think this game was probably the favorite! Now, on with the story...)

Once the princesses were all ready for the royal ball, they joined the other guests in the ballroom. Beautiful music was being played by the orchestra, and the princesses could hardly wait to begin dancing. But, just as they were about to join in the dance, a black puff of smoke appeared in the middle of the ballroom floor.

The evil fairy, Maleficent, stood in the smoke.

“Why was I not invited to the party?” she demanded. “Nobody ever invites me to the royal balls. Because nobody bothered to invite me, I will put a curse on this ball. Every time I say FREEZE every dancer in the hall will freeze in place and the music will stop! You will have no fun dancing when you are constantly interrupted like that!” Maleficent cackled with delight at her mean curse!

The music started again, and everyone began to dance, including Princess Katelee and her friends, but just as Maleficent said, they suddenly all froze into place!

(Playing freeze dance. Isn't it funny how everyone poses when it's time to freeze?!)

“Oh, dear!” sighed Princess Katelee. “Our ball is ruined if Maleficent continues to make us freeze like this. I wish we could do something ”

Suddenly, Katelee’s kind fairy godmother appeared at her side.

“Did I hear you wish for something, dearie?” she asked kindly.

Princess Katelee explained what had happened. “Oh, if only I could do something to break the spell, my friends and I could dance and enjoy ourselves!”

“Oh, but you can do something, if only you believe,” said her fairy godmother. “Now let me think. In order to break her spell, you and your friends will have to work together to create a wish come true. Here is a magical cape (pull out parachute) and here are some magical wishes that haven’t come true yet (pull out sparkly fuzzy cotton balls). All you have to do is keep at least one magical wish on the cape for an entire song. If you can do that, then you will break the spell!”

(This was another favorite game! The giggling never stopped!)

All the princesses worked hard together until they broke the wicked fairies curse. “Hip Hip Hooray!” they shouted, when the curse was finally gone. “Let’s celebrate!”

“But how?” asked Princess Madelyn.

“I know!” said Princess Ella. Let’s play a game of dancing limbo!

All the princesses cheered at this fun idea, and they lined up to play their favorite dancing game!

(Katelee plays limbo by bending forward. We thought it was funny, so we didn't correct her! Ha ha!)

“Phew, I’m exhausted” Princess Isabel said as she plopped down onto a cushion after playing limbo.

“Me, too,” agree Princess Sadie. “And hungry!”

“I think it’s finally time for princess cake!” exclaimed Princess Katelee!

“And birthday presents!” added Princess Issy.

And so the princesses sat down to enjoy a delicious piece of princess cake and then watched Princess Katelee open her gifts.

(The princess cake.)

(Making a wish and blowing out the candles!)

(YUM!)

(Pink lemonade, pink ice cream and pink cake - OH MY!)

(The royal present opening!)

(No matter how many times I said to back up and sit down, the little princess still ended up right next to Katelee. It was hilarious!)

Each and every princess had a great time at Princess Katelee’s birthday celebration. Even though there were some unexpected surprises, they learned that if they worked together and helped one another, they could make all their dreams come true.

And they all lived happily ever after!

I love you, Princess Katelee.

Cake for a Cause!

I sent the following email to friends in the Denver area:

In January, my beloved dad passed away from an aggressive form of kidney disease at the young age of 52. His birthday is coming up on April 2, and so to celebrate his birthday and honor him I am hoping to raise some money to donate to the American Kidney Fund. The American Kidney Fund provides treatment-related financial assistance to dialysis patients nationwide. I have a small cake business and for the next month, starting today and ending April 2, I will donate 100% of any money I make from this business to the American Kidney Fund. So, if you have a special occasion coming up, or just have a sweet tooth, this is a great way to enjoy a yummy treat and make a difference in someone's life.

To view my cake website, please visit: www.CakesByJenn.blogspot.com

To view the American Kidney Fund's website, please visit: www.kidneyfund.org/give-now/

Please help me spread the word! I'm excited about having a chance to do something, no matter how small, to make someone's life a little better and to remember my dad on his birthday. Will you help me out? Pass this info on to anyone you know who lives in my area. Or do you want a treat, too? I've never tried sending a cake or cupcakes through the mail, but it's something we could experiment with! Or do you want to help by making a donation? Even a few dollars could be a help to a family and individual in need of a transplant.

FIVE!

Dear Katelee,

It seems like just last week that Daddy and I were cleaning up our dinner dishes and my water broke. Daddy nervously drove me to the hospital as quickly as he could, and about 8 a.m. the next morning, you were born! Our lives changed forever, in ways we never could have imagined. You are our pride and joy, our beautiful baby. Only, you aren't so much of a baby anymore! You are growing into a smart, funny, loving, friendly, wonderful person. I feel like I love you more every day, if possible. I can't believe you are five-years-old today! I have loved every stage of your life so far, and I really love five-year-old you. You know and use such big words, like yesterday when I asked you if wanted to eat oatmeal and you said you would be delighted to, or the other day when you informed daddy he was driving too fast for the weather conditions. You have some favorite phrases right now. I think you say, "Oh, yeah!" about 50 times a day. You are a happy and friendly example, always willing to help include a lonely child at the park or "help"a toddler or baby. You have a gift for gratitude; daddy and I appreciate how thankful you are for all you have. You inspire me with your generosity; when your friend moved out-of-state last month you decided to give her your beloved pillow pet as a gift to comfort her and show your love. You love to play the piano, go to school, teach family home evening lessons, read books with mom and dad, and play with your princesses. You are amazing! We love you so much, darling girl.

We have had a fun day of celebrating you! You woke up to find your room filled with balloons, a fun tradition we started last year. You ran into my room with a huge smile on your face - you knew it was your birthday! After breakfast, you got to open one of your presents...

...a new outfit to wear today. :)You invited two of your good friends, Sadie and Diesel, to spend the morning with us at Pump It Up.

We had a complete blast there! We were the only ones there for half the time, and so we had full reign of the place - even I was able to get in and have some fun!

I forgot to change the camera to the movement setting, so my pictures turned out blurry. Still, we can see from your faces how much fun you are having!

Your favorite part of Pump It Up was this climbing wall. You could have spent the whole time there! And you were great at it - repeatedly climbing almost all the way to the top before losing your grip and sliding and giggling your way to the bottom!

After lunch, it was time for school. You love going to school, and this day was especially exciting because I got to bring cupcakes to your class. As usual, you requested chocolate cupcakes with chocolate filling and chocolate frosting - you are a chocolate girl! You also came up with the fabulous idea of putting little crowns on the top of each cupcake. :) I added the little pearl sprinkles as an extra elegant touch.

Your class sang Happy Birthday to you and you blew out a candle! You and your friends loved the cupcakes.
We let you choose what you wanted to eat for dinner. You wanted McDonald's chicken nuggets, so we went to dinner together and you had a great time eating your kids' meal and playing at the play place.

The night ended when we went back home to open presents!

You got plenty of fun and exciting things! Your favorite gifts were your new pink razor scooter, which you are thrilled about...
...and your new unicorn pillow pet!

What a fun day! Right now you are sleeping soundly with your pillow pet, after reading your new books, and maybe dreaming about the friend party we are planning for Saturday. As you were drifting off to sleep tonight, I said, "Katelee, I hope you know that lots and lots of people love you very much." You smiled gently and whispered, "I know." It's true; you are so loved. That's what birthdays are all about - celebrating the amazing person you are and remembering how very loved you are.

Happy Birthday, baby!

Love,

Mom