Is it almost over??

Weddings are like moving. It sounds like a great idea, you are all pumped up about everything and its so exciting. The planning, the shopping, things coming together......then you get to that point where you just want it to be OVER already!! But it is not an option to just say screw it, I'm tired and not finish. They got married this morning, and I am exhausted!!!!!!!! LOL And now I have just a few hours to get all of us ready for the reception, I'm nervous about the cake, I'm just hoping it all comes together OK. My mom paid someone to do the reception for us but we still have to get all the good there on time and get the bride re-ready. I must say, her hair and makeup turned out super gorgeous. I've been such a bawl-baby this whole week. They did their photos yesterday afternoon, and seeing my little baby sister looking that amazing out on the green lawn in front of the temple, I just completely lost it. And then the ceremony this morning, fuggetaboutit, I was such a crybaby. But it was happy tears, so I guess its OK. I can't wait to post pics.

Tomorrow I have to go to Cottonwood (about 2 hours away) for the grooms reception, and I have to take all the kids, but my mom and dad got a hotel so we will go swimming and then the thing and then drive home late that night. Then my sister goes to the airport at 6 am. I have to admit, it is not easy being the oldest sister, its just a lot of responsibility, and my mom needs me. I'm just really wanting to have this be the best experience of her life so I'm going overboard with the effort a little. Next week may be a bust, I think I may tank out completely because I feel like a wrung out dishrag physically and emotionally right now with all of it. So if you dont hear from me its becuase I'm laying on the couch drooling in a catatonic state. But its cool, I'm just trying to enjoy the parts of it that I can and work hard, it will be over soon enough.

Bluegrass and Wedding Hustle

I just have time for a super quick check in, I'm sure most of you would appreciate getting the previous post content off the top of this page LOL. Last weekend I took the kids (along with my dad) to the Huck Finn bluegrass festival in Victorville, CA. It was mostly good, a couple small glitches but a fun camping trip and my kids had a blast. It was a LOT of work. Now I know why camping is more of a dad activity, although I think I did prety darn good for a single camping mom with 5. Cade is quite the bluegrass singer. He can harmonize really well and was able to sing with Rhonda Vincent and the Rage (who is apparently a very famous bluegrass superstar) during an impromptu jam session, and really impressed everyone, which was exciting.

Now its full on wedding week. My sisters are all here at my house, we are going with our mom tonight to stay in a hotel suite, hang by the pool, go eat at Olive Garden, then back to the resort to play with wedding day makeup(I am doing it...I 'm a little nervous) but it will be really fun. Then tomorrow sleep in, checkout as late as possible and go get mani-pedi's and lunch. I even got a couple new things to wear so I'm feeling awesome. Chubby, but awesome. :D I trekked out to my friend Casey's house to pick up my new bling-y swarovski crystal Haviana flip-flops. She makes them and I traded her 2 hair weaves for a pair (Yup, they are pricey, but so fab!) so I have some cute shoes to sport my pedi this weekend. I'm so excited. Can you tell I don't get out much??? LOL I will post pics this weekend of all of this fun stuff, I love weddings!! :D

Not quite Ace of Cakes, but.....

Operation wedding cake is going remarkably well. I copied this from a Food Network show where Bobby Flay makes a wedding cake to challenge a real cake maker. I thought it seemed really pretty and elegantly simple. My first attempt the other day at a practice cake was a real cluster, and I was getting discouraged. I just jumped into the project without reviewing all the techniques I know to use, and it was terrible. It was a "remember as you go" type of deal. The things I had not done were pretty much crucial, and I was frustrated so I quit too soon and then the kids got a hold of it and made an even bigger mess. So sorry, Maddy I coudn't bring you any cake, it had finger lines and big chunks out of whole thing by the next morning. I chucked the whole thing this morning. I was thinking I'd take another stab at a practice today. BUUUUUUUT....My practice cake(s) turned out awesome. So now they have become the actual cake. All 4 tiers are frosted and ready to be stacked and decorated with fresh flowers. I have an extra fridge-freezer in my garage where they will chill for 8 days until the wedding. BTW this is not the cake that is being served, it is just there because you are supposed to have one to cut and the groom to stuff in the brides face, and the top for the couple to eat later. We are serving sheet cakes to the guests. I must admit though, I used the white mix with the pudding in it, and is it ever YUMMO. It will still be delicious. I just can't see making it all over again, for one thing it takes about 9 mixes and 2 dozen eggs, plus about 6 pounds of powdered sugar. and a LOT of work. I could do it again, but now I'll have one less thing next week to do. I seriously can't WAIT to put it together, I am so proud!

Here are some pictures I took of it (not stacked yet, of course). The bottom and 2nd layer are covered in thick flake cocount, and there will be Small and large buds ( probably roses) in contrasting colors around the base and all of the base of all the layers except one, and that will have big balls of white frosting piped on top of clear sparkly beads with a silver bead on the tip of each frosting ball all the way around. Then a little nosegay of the roses on the top. So pretty and simple. The coconut is genius because the frosting dosen't have to be smooth. SO I will transport it in 4 parts and assemble it there at the reception and sick a dowel through the whole thing and out the flowers and frosting balls on. It will still take me about 45 minutes to put it all together. Oh yeah, her colors are fuchia and lime, they look GORGEOUS!!

Brain buster.....

Dayton (age 4):

"mommy, why is water invisible??"

How cute is that? Future genius right there. Stumping me already.