Birthdays, ballet, school's coming, and such

All of a sudden I feel like summer is on fast forward, and I am not sure what we have done with our summer.  Other than the big dramatics like the car catching on fire and John choking, it's been a very uneventful summer, and it sort of seems like it hasn't even happened.

We have done our fair share of the pool (thank you, Jessica!) and what else?!!!  Not much.  I am afraid that I am getting a little too used to an empty schedule as the school year looms ahead.  With no tutoring and no school and no real schedule of any sort, we have been able to sit down to dinner as a family every single night with no really worries about if it's late or not.  We have been going to the gym in the afternoons, which has made it no big deal if Scott gets home late, and it's been nice.  Plus, Scott and I have got a nice system going where after dinner, he bathes the kids, and I clean up the kitchen, and then we get the kids in bed.  In other words, it's been relatively stress-free.  I guess I am just a little nervous about getting back to the school schedule. 

Now, obviously, our school schedule is very laid back, since I home school and Ada is only going to be in kindergarten (but that feels like a BIG deal--she's officially school age.  No more preschool.  And here is where I feel sentimental and say that she is growing up so fast).  But the whole world is on the school schedule--tutoring starts back, and Ada starts ballet, and the church schedule gets busier.  Summer is just laid back by nature, and I don't know if I am ready to give that up.  But, like it or not, summer is coming to an end.

The main reason I know that summer is coming to an end?  I am in full speed ahead planning mode for Ada's birthday party.  Her birthday will always mark the end of summer to me, as did my own birthday when I was growing up (exactly a week after Ada's)  She has opted to once again have a princess party.  Surely next year we can move on to something different?  I am trying to come up with new ideas that we didn't already do last year, but what can you do?  And two little boys will be invited, so I am also pulling in a bit of a knight theme (and I use the word theme loosely--have you seen the craziness of birthday parties on pinterest.  It's out of control, I do believe).  So far, "guests" will be coloring some princess/cars stickers (there were no knight stickers) when they arrive, the girls will then get their finger nails painted while the boys decorate a shield, and then everyone is going to decorate cookies shaped like crowns.  You know, cookies, just in case the kids weren't already going to get enough sugar with the cupcakes and ice cream.  I am trying to think of "unisex" activities.  The party is only going to last for an hour and a half, so does that seem like enough activities?  Does anyone have any really great, but inexpensive ideas for a princess/knight party?  Party planning is not my gift.  The main goal is that Ada feel really special and excited, but that we keep things reasonable as to not raise expectations too high for future parties--if that makes sense.  There has been talk of pin the crown on the princess, with my friend Jessica drawing a picture of a princess for me...

On the birthday note, I spent my entire Saturday afternoon driving around McDonough looking for a classic pink ballet leotard and tights, which will be Ada's birthday gift.  There were none to be found.  I was frustrated to say the least.  Ada will be starting ballet with a new teacher in a few weeks, and I want to give her the ballet "gear" for her birthday.  I have the shoes, but I cannot find a leotard.  I might have to order it online.  Does anyone know a good website to order from?  How sizing works on things like this?  I don't know what size to order her...  Or does anyone local know where to look for a pink leotard and tights?  Should it really be this hard?

I know, this post is beyond exciting. 

What is exciting is that John has eaten both watermelon and strawberries today, and if you are friends with me on facebook, then you probably saw that John ate watermelon only after I told him it was candy.  In my defense, most of the time I know in my heart of hearts that if John would only taste something, then he would like it.  Half of the battle is getting him to take that first bite.  And it was watermelon.  Come on...who doesn't like watermelon?  And it worked, he tried it because he thought it was candy, and he loved it.  And then tonight, at a friends' house, he ate lots and lots of strawberries off the host's plate.  Whatever works, right?  I mean, when the strawberries were on his own plate, he didn't touch them, but another man's plate, sure...

Okay, I am off to do a little searching for pink ballet leotard...