He's Nice, Not Mean & Now He's 13!!

     As you may or may not know.  I have boy-girl twins, Jacob and Kristin, who turned 13 in June.  We knew we wanted to do something special for the kids becoming teenagers.  You can read about Kristin's birthday celebration here, but now it was Jacob's turn!!! 

     While I was keeping the girls entertained, my husband took Jacob and a couple friends to our place in Lexington, Michigan (on Lake Huron). 

These Boys Are Great!!
Who's Birthday Is It...This Guy's!!!

  The invitations were given out...
 

  

  On the way up north, they stopped at C.J. Barrymore's for some go-kart and arcade fun!!!! 

 

Hunter is gaining on you, Jacob!!!!


The boys hung out in the Lake and on the beach.  They went to the Drive In and saw Fast and Furious 6 and World War Z.  Rumor has it some of the boys fell asleep in the truck!  They also went putt-putt golfing and had lunch at the local A&W, which is still the old style drive in type.  The boys also made their way to the country store and made out with lots of penny candy (which isn't a penny anymore!!).  They had fun being boys!

From what I heard, a good time was had by all.  My husband mentioned he was especially grateful (or not) to me for getting whoopie cushions for the boys -- apparently they provided hours of entertainment.  Some things never get old!!! 

 Sadly, this is pretty much the extent of the pictures -- remember Dad

was in charge of this little celebration!!! 

The Golf Dudes

 One of Jacob's favorite gifts was his remote control helicopter...which I didn't

really realize he would be using indoors!!  He assures me that because of his expert flying skills, I have nothing to worry about -- why does that make me nervous!!!??

The Birthday Pilot

 Jacob also made a point of spending some time with a younger friend who

was out of town for Jacob's birthday.  They had some fast food, did some golfing,

and topped it off with a trip to DQ!! 

 

 

 All is well with this birthday teen!!!!

 

 

Yep, She Was the Queen...Kristin turned 13!!

    Yep, another birthday(s) in our family in June.  June was crazy busy!  It always is, but combined with the struggles we were having with my mom's care, grad parties, Father's Day, end of the school year and then my little big birthday, my head was spinning!! 

     Jacob and Kristin (my twins for those that don't know) had not had "real" kid birthday parties since they were 10.  I had promised them birthday parties when they turned 13 -- they did not forget!!!  Let's face it, 13 is a pretty big deal -- TEENAGERS!! 

     It's tricky trying to plan a kid's party in June...for all the reasons stated above.  Kids are busy these days, vacation plans, camps, family obligations, etc.  One thing Kristin knew for sure...and never backed down on -- she wanted a party "just like Megan's" 13th birthday party.  To be honest, I had just barely recovered from Megan's 13th -- and that was almost three years ago!!  This year, their birthday fell on a Saturday so we decided to take advantage of that.  My husband took the boys (post to follow) and I was in charge of the girly fun!

     In an effort to "make it her own", we chose a different mall and some of the details for Kristin's party, but the concept was the same.  It was a "Mall Madness" shopping, scavenger hunt, sleepover extravaganza!!! 

 

We decorated...  In fact, we even cleaned up quite a bit.  Funny thing about cleaning up -- not one mom or parent even got out of the car or came in my house to drop the girls off!!!  I did know all but one of the parents, but I still thought it was almost funny how quickly everyone was dropped off.  (Perhaps we all needed a break from our "teens"!!?)  I guess it's never a bad idea to have your house extra clean though!!

 

 

But not before the invites were drafted up sent out...

The favors were put together...



Then the real fun began!  We went directly to the mall, and our first order of business -- a scavenger hunt.  The girls went in teams, maps and cell phones in hand, and were off on a scavenger hunt until they completed the two-page worksheet of questions relating to all things in and about the mall and stores.  First one back with correct answers was declared the winner.  However -- in this Mall Madness scavenger hunt everyone's a winner!!!  Each of the girls received gift cards to three of the stores in the mall.  The only requirement -- they had to spend them right then and there -- shopping together! 

 

Thanks to some great sales and their own treasure hunting skills -- everyone was able to put their own nifty goodie bag together, and they had fun doing it!!!

Then off to Johnny Rockets for some burgers and fries, and a little embarrassing "Happy Birthday to You" tribute to Kristin by the waitstaff!!  They caught her off guard, and it was hilarious!! 



 

 

 

Hours later, it was back to our house for some cupcakes and relaxing...

 

THEN, we made a late night stop at Menchie's for some fro-yo and more good times!! 

 

Once the girls came back, it was time to open presents and to settle in for a movie -- Safe Haven.  Sometime after midnight, I was officially worn out and the girls were settled in.  So, I gave them some space...  When I woke up the next morning, I found a bunch of sleepy heads -- even the balloons were worn out!!!  It was after 10 am so I started putting together some breakfast -- yogurt, granola, bagels and cream cheese, fresh fruit and juice.  They still didn't wake up!  Finally, as the noon pickup time loomed closer, I got Kristin to stir and they gradually came and had some breakfast.  I guess the party went until at least 3am or so....  By all accounts, the girls had a great time and were very polite and thankful!  Kristin was over the moon happy with her day and sharing all of her favorite things with her friends!!!!!

That's what it was all about -- starting the teen years off with a happy-birthday-celebration!!!

 

 

 

 

Halloween 2012

     I wasn't going to post about Halloween 2012.  My kids are older...the cuteness is somewhat gone.  We barely carved two pumpkins...on Halloween day after school.   
     However, at the last minute ALL of my "kids" decided to go trick or treating.  The only one who planned to all along was Kristin, the kitty cat.  I did not make bloody finger cocktail weenies, or float an iced hand in punch, or bake pumpkin seeds...or any of those things.  I was actually a little embarassed shocked that my 15 year old went out.  I am quite sure this was finally her last year.  She knows I thought it was a bit much...and only a very small percentage of her friends went.  Thus, the last minute "costumes".
     We had a total of 25 kids at our door this year.  Ever since they built subdivisions adjoining ours...with sidewalks and houses closer together...everybody goes over there.  More bang for your trick or treat mile. Plus, we live in a cul-de-sac so apparently nobody wants to bother much anymore...  When we moved in 15 year ago, we got over 100 kids...everybody's growing up!!

Yeah, I got him this shirt on clearance last year...

 

     It was a pretty quiet and subdued Halloween.  I drank my Witches Brew wine and had some leftover Fritos.  The years of school parties, passing out the cute little favors I used to put together, putting major thought, planning and money into costumes.  Well, those days are over.  I would like to have a Halloween party for some of the kids next time Halloween falls on a Friday.  Movies, treats, costumes,carmel apple bar,  bonfire kind of thing.  That would be fun!!!
     What age do you think is too old for trick or treating?  I remember wanting to give a midget tootsie roll to the big high schoolers who just wore their football jerseys...  Now that my kids are older...I kind of get that some of them want to drag out their childhood as long as possible.  Who am I to say?? 

 

 

 



Kristin the Cat



Jacob, the "locked out" hockey guy

Megan, the 15 year old Cowgirl...?

To Me, this just says "I want CANDY!"

Mr. Living...and his "Lucky" dog!

 

 

FALLing Into Waxing Leaves

 

     So apparently many families have a tradition of "waxing leaves" at this time of year.  Personally, I had never tried it but it seemed easy enough!  Besides, my kids are 12 and 15 so I have minimal concern of them burning themselves with this hot wax project.

Left: Silk Fabric Leaf Right: Waxed Natural Leaf



     To get started, all you really need is:

•      The wax which can be found in the canning section of your grocery store, near the mason jars (an area I do not normally frequent - lol).  We used two "bars" of the wax but probably could have gotten away with one.
•      You will also want to use one of those disposable aluminum baking pans (unless you love chiseling wax or ruining one of your regular pans).
•      Gather some pretty leaves...preferably with stems.  Of course, the more variety and color the better.  Oh, and imperfections are what make them look so natural so don't worry!!

     Melt the wax on the back burner of your stove on a very low heat for safety's sake -- and please if you have young kids do this they MUST be closely supervised.  (Please I don't want anyone to get hurt!)

     Make sure your leaves are dry -- we patted ours with paper towels since it was raining when the kids collected them.

     Then, just hold the stem and dip so the leaf part is completely submersed in the wax.  Remove and hold over pan until the leaf finishes dripping and then lay to dry on newspapers and wax paper.  (Somehow we never have wax paper when I need it and aluminum foil worked fine, too.)

     All three of my kids enjoyed doing this and the finished product is really neat!  I heard they should last until at least Thanksgiving time!!   We dipped well over 50 leaves and they look great in person!!

     For now, I just put them in a glass bowl but I plan to scatter them on the mantle and table tops soon!!   More Fall update to come.  If you try it, let me know how yours turn out!!!! 



 

 

 

 

 

 



Four Bars of Wax per Box - Cost About $4

My Aluminum Pan and Two Chunks of Wax on Stove Top

Making Sure Our Leaves Are Dry

Dipping Leaf in Hot Wax
(Wax Was Not Completely Melted But We Couldn't Wait)

Laying Out to Dry -- They Dry Quickly



Placed in a Glass Hurricane for Now

Might String These for a Fall Garland or Scatter on My Mantle*

 

*I have a leaf-lovin' dog so I hope he doesn't eat them and pounce on them like he does when he's outside!!!!!