Actually, the neighbor's plants.
I came down to take more pictures, but Carmen had finished watering and was feeling thoughtful. 
Possibly a mood created by the incredibly fragrant lilacs just out of sight.
Chloe peeked out and saw us below.
She came down and even brought treats.
But it seems I need to work on my spy skills.
Before the party Chloe told me what hard work it is to be the birthday girl because you have to welcome the guests and act very excited. The excitement didn't seem forced at all when the first guest arrived. Where did the 'hard work' disappear to?
Cousin rivalry reared it's amusing head when it was time to drop the ball at the beginning of the birthday party soccer game!
Chloe dismissed the idea of a soccer field cake to go with the soccer candles that Marie found. There was no way Chloe was going to eat a green cake - she thinks that artificial color in icing is disgusting. She told me she wanted a chocolate cake with chocolate icing and everyone can pretend it is a muddy field if they want. Nice of her to try to humor us.
The kids performed from youngest to oldest. Chloe played 4 songs.
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Carmen played two.
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While Steven was playing, a mother took her son and placed him at Steven's elbow to watch. I'm sure in her head she was saying, "See, look. Look at that boy playing the piano."
Jaclyn entertained me with her Ray Charles look.
And we all topped off the afternoon with an ice cream cone.
Wool 'Point' Blankets were first brought to Canada from England to trade for beaver pelts in 1668, two years before The Hudon's Bay Company was formally incorporated.
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The First Nations People used the blankets as they were, or made them into coats. The beaver pelts were sent to England for the manufacturing of top hats. Isn't that bizarre? Don't tell me you knew that!
Honestly, that was so sweet and generous. Lena didn't care at all if I sewed myself the same dress. She said: "Hey, it'll be a different fabric, they won't be the same." When I talked to her mom, my friend, and I found out it was a Burda pattern I was hesitant to try it. I grew up in an anti Burda home, but my friend assured me that Burda has long since started including seam allowances in their patterns and there was nothing to fear. In fact, she told me, because Burda is European the styles are much more fashionable than the domestic patterns.
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I had this fabric in my 'stash' so all I needed was a $1.67 for a zipper and voila - my new dress. I even had this shell necklace which I didn't realize would 'go' when I first started sewing.
(Ignore the scrunched up neckline from the self-portrait arm, really the neck is perfectly round. The only thing I would change about this pattern is do the neckline not quite so wide. It works, but I'd bring it in a little if I were to sew it again. Oh, and how do you like the soccer sunburn? And do you know how hard it is to take a picture of your chest without taking a picture of your chest?)
Last night while we were watching the Germany-Portugal game, Chloe asked who were the teams? Steven answered, "Germany and Portugal". Chloe wasn't satisfied. "But what are the team names?" she asked. Steven told her again. Chloe started to get frustrated and repeated, "NO! WHAT ARE THE TEAM NAMES?" Finally, I clued in to what she was asking and explained that the teams represent countries, and they are just called by their country name - they don't have names like *The Blue Rockstars*. 
For the second year in a row Chloe is on the "Blue" team for soccer. Last year they called themselves the "Blue Rockets" and this spring they started out with the same name, but over the season the name evolved to the "Blue Rockstars."
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(Her idea)
Chloe demonstrated relentless persistence all season, winning over one teammate at a time, until the entire team now cheers, "Go Blue Rockstars!"
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Nothing puts a smile on Chloe's face quite like winning.
Jaclyn's Jr. High grad banquet and dance were held tonight. It was an Oscar's theme with movie posters, candles, mini lights, and lots of stars. The students and teachers giving speeches were introduced as the winning nominee complete with the tearing of the envelope to reveal the winning name.
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The two boys who M.C.'d the evening had very sweet things to say about Jaclyn not only for her involvement in school activities and academics, but also for her kindness and friendship.
Jaclyn's beautiful hair as she listens to her Math teacher's tribute to the class of 2008. 
My parents were able to attend, and I hope they had a good time. I thought the grad committee and teachers and students put on a stellar event. Ken's parents would have enjoyed the evening also, but they have a standing commitment to serve in the temple on Friday nights.
It is killing me not to post photos of Jaclyn with her friends - they all looked so beautiful and happy. I did catch this photo of Jaclyn and the boy we shared a table with at the dessert buffet. His mom chastised him for losing his jacket and un-tucking his shirt, but I felt no reproach for the young man that went to the punch table and brought back a glass for Jaclyn.
I wasn't the only mom who thought that the grad & parent dance was the sweetest moment of the evening. Ken and I didn't linger long once he had his dance - the rest of the night was for the kids to celebrate.
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Driving home Ken and I reflected on what a blessing it has been for Jaclyn to attend this school. The tradition of excellence (I put that in just for you, honey) and the positive culture have made Jaclyn's past 10 years the best they could have been.
[I'm in]
