Rubie Turned 7!

This week was a week of celebrating kids.  Max had a birthday last Sunday.  We took Eric and Rubie to the Jarvis' where they spent the night.  They got up to hike to the "Y" in the morning.  But it was so rainy that the trail was too muddy.  They were not able to hike very far.  Then Sarah took them to see the new Minions movie.  She did have planned to have a party at the park with more friends but postponed to Tuesday because of the rain.  So they came home after having a late lunch after the movie.  So Tuesday afternoon we all went to Kiwanis Park in Provo and joined Karl and Sarah and a bunch of Max's friends for water balloon games.  Karl and Sarah had filled something like 500 water balloons.  All the kids of course had a blast with Karl's water balloon launcher, water balloon dodge ball, and just throwing the balloons at things and at each other.  Then the party continued back at the Jarvis' with the slip'n slide and cupcakes and root beer floats.

Then I started prepping for Rubie's birthday party.  We invited Noah and Max, Reid and Link, Elinor, Paisley, Paige, Kiana, and Julie (but she was out of town).  Rubie wanted an American Girl Doll and pool party.  She has been asking for an American Girl Doll for the past year.  Since the American Girl Dolls are so expensive I went with the Target Brand--Our Generation.  There isn't a difference.  Target has just about as many accessories and dolls.  She got a cute doll, Shannon.  A Horse which she named Daydream and fun accessories.

Since we would be inviting boys and not all of her friends have an American Girl doll we decided to on the invitation ask the kids to bring their favorite doll or stuffed animal.  We thought we could do a craft that would be for the doll / stuffed animal, play some games, and go to the PG pool.  It was overcast, cool, and cloudy when it came time for the party.  We decided to see if we could drag out the party long enough at the house and not go to the pool.  We were able to do it.  We played lots of fun games like the Jelly Belly game (choose a bean, get a gross or good flavor), a drawing game where I drew a face shape and every kid added a feature, then we blind folded the kids and they had to draw a feature.  We split into boys and girls team for that.  We played the shoe game, kid gets blind folded, must find own shoe among a pile of shoes and put them on.  We played pin the tail on the donkey.  I had 3 young women, Megumi and Noelle Willey, and Michelle Bertele come over to help with crafts.  We made a mini cupcake using a cotton ball, yarn, and pom-pom for our doll/stuffed animal.  And we each made a pet for our doll/stuffed animal.  It was actually genius having those artistic, creative girls here.  They were great helpers, cleaned up, helped set up a few games, set up the kitchen for food.  They were awesome!!  Sarah stayed the whole time too and took pictures and helped out.  Sam felt out of place.  He kept trying to get my attention but couldn't.  He joined us for the pin the tail on the donkey.  I think he saw a game he could do.  Then we opened presents and ate food and let the kids play.  Somewhere in there the boys went to jump on the tramp and the girls had a dance party.  Rubie said it was her best birthday so far.  Friday we got pizza and then just had a chill night.

Saturday afternoon my mom came down.  Sarah came to stay with Eric and Sam as Scott had drill.  Rubie, mom, and I went to the mall.  Rubie got her ears pierced!  She has been asking for awhile and I really wanted her to wait another year, but oh well.  She wanted it badly.  We took her to Claire's.  She got really nervous when we got there.  I assured her that she did not have to do it, but I didn't want her to leave being disappointed.  The girls there were great.  After she had the dots on her ears I was worried that after she got one done she would be afraid for the other ear.  So I asked if two girls could do her ears at the same time.  I think Rubie was expecting it to hurt more than it did.  She scrunched up her nose, closed her eyes and tried to bury her head in her shoulders.  The girls punched the ear piercing guns and Rubie let out a big breath proclaiming "Ok!" and it was done.  It looks so cute on her!! She chose these blue rhinestones that match her eyes.  She has been so good every day so far about cleaning them 3 times a day.  I'm proud of her and she can't stop looking at them.  Then we took her shopping to The Children's Place where she got a few cute outfits and a pair of shoes.  I could buy her so much more.  She looks so cute in so many things.

That night after Scott got home we went bowling to Jack and Jill's bowling.  Rubie was mad that Eric got more points than her.  She thought that he should let her win because it was her birthday.  

We sure love Rubie.  Sometimes she is difficult.  But when Rubie is nice and in a good mood she is so much fun!  She always thinks of fun things to play.  She loves to be with friends.  She loves being active.  She is bright and intelligent.  She has become a good reader.  She enjoys helping in the kitchen but does not like to clean up her room.

Scott and I did receive a calling.  We got called to teach the 13 year old Sunday School class together.  There is like 20 kids in the class.  All great kids, but no doubt when there are that many 13 year olds together they can get a little unruly.  People are saying it is a difficult class, but after 2 weeks of teaching we don't think so.  Just keep their attention and keep it interesting and help them feel the spirit.  We'll see how it goes.