The Making of Yoda

Oscar's party was the Sunday after his REAL birthday...what would that be the 25th - yes, the 25th.  Oscar requested a Yoda cake for his "friend" party.  This is after a Kung Fu Panda cake on his REAL birthday.  I'm not sure what I've started - but I think the new rule is cupcakes for family/real birthday party and then the "Cake Boss" cake for the friend party.  Otherwise I'm in serious trouble with 4 kids.  Let's do the math: 4 kids x 2 cakes (1 cake for real birthdays + 1 cake friend parties) = 8 cakes/ year...and that's 4 too many for this amateur baker. 

 Three cake mixes, baked in 9" rounds, stacked and frosted - then frozen and roughly carved.

This is the waste!  After all that carving we had at least a cake maybe two in shavings. Why doesn't anyone sell 8" round cake pans anymore?  Tim is STILL working on the extra cake in the fridge.  Not sure what the lifespan on cake is - but we're testing it!

Yoda with a thin layer of crumb coat.  My cake decorating life change with the discovery of the crumb coat:

 The ears were made with rice crispy bars.  Notice how they are held up with sticks?  I thought the ears would be all good after a night in the deep freezer.  Well, the next day, as I added the details - both ears fell off!! -pulling cake with it.  I've got 12 5/6 year old coming in an hour and Yoda's freaking EARS just FELL OFF!!  So, I cut the ears in half, remolded them, re-frosted them and here's Yoda with smaller ears...

I had to re-lite the candle a few times - wind + Wally = candle trouble.  But the cake was a hit! 
Yoda was yummy!

36 WEEKS!

Holy smokes!  I'm 36 weeks pregnant already.  Blows my mind.  The even scarier thing is, Wally came 2 weeks early.  So that could mean I only have 2 weeks left.  AHHHHHHHHH!

Maybe I should do some baby laundry?  Or get a bassinet set up?  Buy some diapers?  Jeepers.  I keep telling myself that all this baby needs is something to poop/pee in and my boobs. The diapers I can probably steal a few from the hospital.  And the boobs I always have on me so we're good there.

Here's the belly!

I'm starting to actually FEEL pregnant.  Peeing 3 times a night, limping when I get up because of sciatica, legs swelling like I've been eating Christmas ham 3 meals a day. I really don't want to complain though - some women have months of feeling like this.  I can suck it up for a few short weeks.

I've been focused on trying to get this baby to flip head down.  Laying with my feet up and my head down on a board at a 30 degree angle.  Just getting into that position threatens to send me into early labor.  While on the board I put an ice pack on the baby's head.  I've been going to the chiroprator, the cranial sacral therapist and the massage therapist.  Making an appointment for acupuncture today.  I DO NOT want another c-section.  So whatever it takes.  Makes me think girl even more...my stubborn little girls :)

Oscar Turns 6!

Happy Birthday!!    Oscar turned 6 on the 19th.  He started the day with a decorated bed, birthday pancakes and ONE gift from Rowan. 

 We had dinner on the deck (one of the last times for that). Oscar picked the meal...black beans and rice with all the fixings.  Although, Oscar just likes beans, rice and hot sauce.  Sorry no food pics.  Then it was present opening time!  We had Grandma and Grandpa Inge with us.  Grandpa happened to have a doctor appointment in Duluth that day,  but when the appointment was cancelled - they came anyway!

Star Wars Guess Who from Grandpa and Gma Kubes

Mini skateboard ramp from G and G Inge

Yoda from G and G Kubes

Spiderman Skateboard from Mom and Dad

The "haul"

Kung Fu Panda Cake!

Ready for the first spin

It was dark, past his bedtime, but it had to be done.  He did a great job!

How We Spent September 11th

An emotional weekend for our country.  You couldn't turn on the TV without seeing a special about 9/11 and the people it directly affected.  Hard to believe it's been 10 years.

Kids and I spent some time watching the opening of the memorial in NYC cuddled up in my bed.  I couldn't help the tears as the almost 3,000 names were read.  The lump in my throat was hard to talk around when the kids asked questions like "Why did those planes fly into those buildings mom?"  "Did people get hurt?"  "Why are you crying?"  I struggled to find the words to explain the unexplainable to my 7 and 5 year old.

Rowan didn't understand why I was watching something that made me so sad.  I just needed to remember.

We found a perfect way to spend the day.

 Something about flying kites in the clear blue sky, safe from all the troubles of the world with my husband and 3 (almost 4) healthy kids was the best way to remember that horrific day - with the same clear blue sky - ten years later.  We were only there because a certain kid below insisted that's what we did.  He got the hang of it and kept his kite in the sky the longest.  I found him lying in the grass, peaceful and thoughtful...

Oscar: "I told you it was the perfect day for flying kites."

Even Wally got his to stay in the sky.

September 11th, 2011...a good day.

First Day of School!

Rowan started 2nd grade and Oscar had his first day of Kindergarten on the 8th.  They were both so so so excited.  Oscar has been waiting for over a year for this day and it FINALLY came!

Rowan!

Oscar!

Here comes the BUS!!!!!

Holding back tears!

Day 2!

Day 2!

The kids had a great day and Wally and I hung out with Noah while his Dad helped out at school.  The days go fast, but I do miss the lazy days of summer and just having the kids with me all day.  Trying to take advantage of time with just Wally before the baby comes.