Check out my diet blog!

So I posted a little about motivation a few entries ago, and it turns out there is a whole group of other authors out there who are looking to push past the pounds as well. I was lucky enough to receive an invite to post my triumphs and failures on their diet blog. It is a great place to learn about different diets, see other people struggle and overcome the same things I am trying for. So come on over and check us out at Pushing Past The Pounds. BTW-I am down 7 pounds since Jan 1st. To see how I am doing it head on over!

Viva Las Vegas!

This past weekend M participated in her first out of state soccer tournament. Lightning FC was the only Utah team in her age division and bracket to compete. It was a tough weekend, but our girls held their own and learned a ton about playing out of state teams. It was really a step up from the local teams we played in the fall where we won every game, and beat the team that came in second 9-0. Southern California teams are very competitive and the girls saw what it takes to win. We missed going to the semi-finals by one goal. That was tough on the girls, but they came away from the weekend feeling more confident and gearing up for the St. George Cup in February. M really stepped up her game down in Vegas. She is one fast kiddo. When she puts her mind to it she can outrun almost anyone on the field, which saved goals from being made by the opposite team several times. Not bad considering she is one of the younger girls on the team and is technically still U9. Because of that fact we can't play in the U11 league this spring, so the girls will be playing U10 boys instead. This will be a fun challenge for them, but one I think they are ready to tackle! Las Vegas was fun, though cold and M was awesome! I am so proud of you girl!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SQUISHIE PIE!!!

C turned 7 last week. I can't believe how big my squishie pie is getting. She is reading up a storm, can unload the dishwasher and is learning to load it, right now she is missing four teeth and looks adorable! C has been wanting an H20 party for a year now. So as the time grew closer I started scanning for ideas on how to make my little girl a fabulous mermaid party (on a budget of course). The party averaged out to be about $35. Some of the stuff I bought in bulk at Costco, knowing I would use it later so I averaged the cost of the price on just what I used for the party.
When the girls first arrived they got to color a mermaid coloring page which I downloaded for free here. This website gave me a lot of ideas for the party!
Next we played a game called "What Sea Animal Am I?" For this, I printed pictures of sea animals (dolphin, shark, puffer fish etc...) and taped them to the back of each girls shirt. They had to ask yes or no questions to try and guess what they were.
After that they had lunch.
We had....

Fish Ice Cubes in Sprite

Sushi Sandwiches

Blue Jell-o with Swedish Fish and Whipped Cream Waves
Also Goldfish Crackers!

Then we played with colored sand on plates (pixie Stick dust, although I used David's candy filled straws which were cheaper and worked really well). Here are some of the art pieces.




Next we went on a big treasure hunt and found the hidden treasure...


After opening presents, we dug into a mermaid cake.



Go here for instructions.

And last of all we put garbage bag fins on the girls and let them race around the house.






For decorations we were under the sea with blue balloons, white waves, and green seaweed.



It was a great party with tons of smiles and never a dull moment. I learned that I really can't frost a cake and want to go to a cake decorating class, that just because my kids like turkey and cheese on their sandwiches not everyone does, and the more sugary the treat the more the kids will like it. L is already looking forward to his Star Wars party next month. Any suggestions?