arty party

So my little girl is 'almost six'.  Not quite there yet, but good enough!  Her birthday falls on the back to school day and with Labor Day weekend just before, its not the best time for a birthday bash.  So this past Saturday we celebrated her 'Almost 6 Birthday' with 6 of her girl friends.

Arty Party was the theme.  Freestyle canvas painting to start with, then a color-by-numbers canvas painting followed with decorating little note books and bookmarks.  Arty activities were interspersed with bashing the life out of a butterfly piñata (those girls are strong!), cake, photos and gift opening!  A fun (and not too messy!) time was had by all.

It's still beyond me that she is almost 6 and starting Kindergarten in a week's time!

happy birthday harvey, woof woof

1 year old today!

Harvey, our gorgeous, energetic, friendly, loving, black Labrador Retriever is one year old today.
77 lbs and growing!!!!

Loved by us all, he has been a wonderful addition to our family.

He will be spoilt with extra long walks and treats today.

Woof!

western birthday party

Ruby's 5th birthday celebrations were celebrated around here Western style.

A perfect chance to get a little creative and put to use all those hours spent browsing on Pinterest!

Red and White Checks

Bandanas and Stetsons

Straw and Twine

Pin the Tail on the Donkey

Skittles

Hoop La

Western Tattoos

Cow Piñata

By the time the birthday cake tower of doughnuts came around, the Birthday Cowgirl

had become a Princess

(as did many of the other little friends - dressing up box explosion!).

A surprise visit from Buster the horse added to the excitement.  All the little friends (and not so little big brother Luca) had rides on Buster around the garden in the sunshine.  Yee Haw!

Turning 5 was so much fun.

sea salt nutella fudge

This fudge should come with a HUGE calorie warning!!!  But it's worth the indulgence I can tell you!

I found this recipe via Pinterest and thought it will be a perfect indulgence for the adults coming along to Ruby's 5th birthday party last weekend (many photographs to come on that subject)!.  Actually I did see a couple of little kids running off with a piece in their hands, so quickly put an end to that and placed it well out of reach!

There was a whole plate of delicous little fudge squares, but I only remembered to take a photograph when these 3 little pieces were left (but not for long!).

1 (14 oz) can of sweetened condensed milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup Nutella
8 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips
3 tbsp unsalted butter
Sea salt
Butter for greasing pan

Grease an 8x8" pan and line with parchment paper.

Put all the ingredients (except the Sea Salt) in a glass bowl, and set over a pan of simmering hot water - the bowl not touching the water. Stir until all incredients are melted, smooth and combined.  Pour into prepared pan, smooth out and place in the refrigerator.   After about 1 hour of chilling, sprinke sea salt over the top of the fudge.  Return to refrigerator until its completely set.

When ready to indulge, turn out the fudge, warm a knife under hot water and dry.  Cut with the warm knife into 3/4 inch squares.

Enjoy!

five

Monday Ruby turned 5.  FIVE!

At 6.29am, she woke me up and asked "Am I five now."

"Yes" I replied, "You're five now."

"Well, I haven't grown any taller."

 Love her spirit.  Love her fun.  Love her zest for life.
Love her beauty.  Love her laughter.

Don't grow up too fast!

Happy 5th Birthday Ruby.

5 and Fabulous!

X X X

around here on Instagram

This week has been filled with birthday fun, christmas tree decorating, cake making, movies, puppy love and not enough sleep.  Three out of four of us have colds, and the other one has been on crutches (but that's another story!).  Still lots of laughter and fun stuff going on for the birthday boy.

'Rise of the Guardians' movie afternoon

The Reindeer Christmas decoration that comes out

every year, much to my dislike!

Harvey found Rudolph!

A birthday cake I rustled up and finished just 5 minutes

before Luca arrived home from school!  Phew!

(See here for the Nigella Lawson Buttermilk Birthday cake recipe - it's perfect every time).

Ten balloons for my 10 year old boy.

Dark early morning snuggling on the sofa with new Christmas cushions .

Another 6am wake-up I could do without.

Doughnut selection to finish off that birthday party sugar overload!

My favourite silver and lights tree decorations.

Hope you're having a great weekend.

10

He has turned double figures today!

Ten years old!

10 !!!  

Happy Birthday to our fabulous Luca.

We love you dude!

pom poms

Party decorations that are oh so pretty.  Now hanging in Ruby's bedroom.

s'mores on sticks

Easy peasy birthday party treats.   Luca made these for Ruby's birthday party last weekend.  They were a HUGE hit.

Marshmallows
Melted chocolate
Crushed Graham crackers

Dip the marshmallows (on sticks) into the melted chocolate, and then into the crushed crackers.

Chill.  Serve.  Enjoy!

and then she was 4!

I know, how did that happen? She's 4!!!!!

 It feels like yesterday that she came into our world after such a long wait, and she made our family complete.

Here's a little trip down memory lane.  Oh how she has grown!

early 2009

1st birthday

2010

2011

2012

Today we will celebrate with a Butterfly themed party at our house, with lots of little friends.  Can't wait to get the camera out and show you the photographs next week.

For now, we wish our darling Ruby - the life and soul of every party (even when it's not a party!) - a fabulous 4th birthday.  We love you Ruby. xxx

Previous birthday posts are here, here and here if you'd like to take a peek from the moment she was born through her toddler years!

pretty in pink and grey and ruffles

Ruby went to a little friend's 4th birthday party on Sunday afternoon.

The theme was a 'Princess Dance Party' at a Portland dance studio.  Not a better theme to be had for this group of girls who are all about the pink, purple, sparkle, ballet, dresses, spinning around and pretty pretty pretty.

Hope you had a fun weekend too!

saturday night at the rodeo

Not my usual kind of birthday celebratory Saturday night out - but great fun all the same.

Our family had a fun evening out at the Professional Bull Riders event held at the Portland Rose Arena.  Stetsons, checked shirts, demin, leather chaps, loud music, magnificent bulls and fearless riders.