MB...3 years around the sun

Why can't I believe that MB is 3 years old? It really seems like yesterday that she was coming into my home. She's the most relaxed baby I ever had. She was and still is a girl who is so good with structure- it's amazing. She is also the only baby that never cried about transitioning. From day one, I took her from mom and she really just went with the flow.  

When you are a mom of many, every milestone is worth celebrating. I will never replace moms and dads here; it's not my goal. But there are boo boos to tend to, nap schedules to keep, hungry mouths to feed, and of course, minds to fill. There's been a lot of sighing on my part lately. Watching these kids grow up has been a blessing...

A "Cool" party

The final party of the year was something of magic. The kids worked really hard to get everything done (crafts and baking) because we were on a time crunch. See our last post  where we prepared for our event...

NATURALLY being at the North Pole, our friends needed to stay warm - so pjs were a must. I like the variety, don't you?
There were many activities awaiting the children. There were gingerbread boys & girls, a tree to decorate, Christmas bracelets to make, and snowmen to decorate. We had already finished some of our crafts which were needed for the big day - like the Santa cups (left with spoons inside) to shovel in candy at the end of the party.

Parents were asked to guess how many cherry balls were in a jar (see below)...one mom came very close. Oh, and at the last minute Big Boy helped me make a fitting label for the cupcakes (that he decorated). See what he called them...(pic below). Amira, Z and AH made the Rudolph cake (below). Each friend had a stocking waiting at the door, where friends gave their final greetings and wishes.

With only 2 hands and 1 helper, I just couldn't keep up photography-wise, but I think we captured the essence of our morning. Thank you for coming along for the ride dear parents!

Thank you so Much!

/our Christmas tree & decorations - AH's family
/ stocking labels/printing materials - JM's family
/ organic treat - JM's family
/ Christmas gift bags - MM's family
/ stocking stuffers - all families & friends
/ candy for friends - Z and Big Boy
/ Rudolph cake  & general helper/crafter - Amira         

a nice send off

It was a bitter-sweet day for all of us. Iman was leaving in a few days. We wanted to give her a simple but nice send off...and so we did. Big Boy suggested we make a tea party; that was a great idea.

Iman was more of a friend than caregiver to the little ones- that's why they really liked her. If anyone was hurt, or sad, it was Iman they turned to. She was their favorite, and I knew there was no point in competing with that :)

We really miss her.

Final Birthday of 2015 (I'm sure)

When I noted to a friend that we would be celebrating the final birthday of 2015, she asked if I was sure. Yes, I am sure...this is it for 2015, and it was a great way to end the year birthday-wise.
As I mentioned before, I try to keep it simple...

  big boy gave each friend some of our homemade peach, pear applesauce

the b-day boy shared minion-inspired loot bags with all his friends. The kids are colouring some of the pages from the bags (above).