Six+ Weeks Before the party:
Me: Mara, what kind of birthday party do you want to have?
Mara: Hello Kitty

Me: Great. Where do you want to have the party? Gymnastics?
Mara: No! Bouncy party!

Me: Are you sure, you loved Thane’s gymnastics party.
Mara: No, Bounce Bounce Bounce

….

Jay and I scout out places and try to pick the least evil bouncy party. A tough task. Have I mentioned how much I do not like bouncy parties?

Place booked. Reserved. Small snag with booking it same day as a friend’s daughter’s Sweet 16 (more to come) but all in all no snags with date. Got one RSVP no.

Nouna works on invitations and creates an awesome Hello Kitty invite. I buy favors and plan her outfit: the Hello Kitty dress from H&M I got in Sweden.

Invitations Sent. Cake Pops ordered (Yes, Cake Pops, not cake. Easiest thing ever)
….

Two Weeks Before Party:
Thane: Mara are you excited about your party?
Mara: Yay, Bouncy Hello Kitty Party!!!
Thane: Don’t you want to have a Toy Story party and be Jesse???
Mara: Yay, Toy Story Party! Woody!
Me: Umm…but you love hello kitty. [Looking at Jay for help.]
Jay: [Shrugs shoulders] She does love Woody.
Mara: Hello Kitty AND Toy Story
Me: [Leaves Room]

Later…
Mara: Hello Kitty, Hello Kitty, Hello Kitty
Me: Oh Thank God.

…
Day of the Party

It’s my party and I will cry if I want to gives new meaning to a 3 year old who did not nap enough. She falls asleep in the car and we get set up while she naps with Jay. Waking her up is no small task. But she does, and warms up after seeing “Bouncies!!!”

The rest can best be shared with pictures! It was a fabulous party in no small thanks to everyone that was there. So much fun and only a few tears. We had a fantastic turnout and the kids were exhausted by the end. Thanks so much everyone! Happy 3rd Birthday, Koukla!

Here is the video I referenced Christmas Eve that never got posted due to technical difficulties.

Maybe Aunt Joann will post the video of Uncle Terry.

Christmas Eve

There is no snow on the ground. It is 56 degrees outside. We have Christmas Carols playing on the radio telling us how cold it is outside (or should be).

Now this is how to celebrate Christmas.

Santa had some elves helping him wrap the mountain of Christmas presents last night way past midnight. Luckily, the children fell asleep around 9. The visiting Elves, Thanos and Madeleine went back to the North Pole last night when Santa arrived. Jay and I watched A Christmas Story and wondered how early the kids, who could barely contain there excitement to fall asleep, would wake up to see what Santa brought.

7:50 am arrived when I finally looked at the clock and the two kids still sound asleep next to me.

A few minutes later (after Pappou was woken up by an excited Thane and Mara) we were all awake though and checking how good Santa thought we had been this year.

Apparently, we had been very good.

Special thanks to Pappou, Nouna Nina, Uncle Jim & Aunt Diane, Uncle Terry & Aunt Joann, Aunt Sue, and Miss Tiffany for being part of our morning…even from afar.