A Messy Way to Reconnect

As apart of my 2016 master weight-loss plan I decided to plann one 5k a month for the ENTIRE year for myself and my husband! Since we haven't seen much of her lately we decided to bring Zombie on the color run with us. I'd been hyping her for the mounds of chalkish neon paint that would cover her tiny body for days prior.

Hubs and myself had gone to a color run last month and absolutely loved the pre and post party, we loved the random color stations and the energy of the hypeman and volunteers. This one was a little bit different.

We got to the race an hour and a half early as their registration website didn't allow me to use my Groupon code and I, of course, had to make sure we were still good to race. We walked up to the podium, turned in our waivers and were given our packets.

After downing a bourbon pizza pie and running around looking for paper toilet after the (1) women's bathroom stall ran out it was finally time for the race to start! I wish they would have had a disclaimer that said "please bring swords- will be chopping down branches during your run" The first 1/2 mile was spent avoiding splintering tree branches and raising tree trunks.

I'd go on about how unorganized this team was but it doesn't compare to how much fun we had as a family. Zombie ran for awhile and then abruptly stopped. She whined saying she couldn't go on and her toes hurt and we needed to be carried. Well you can't expect a 3 year old walk 3 miles so on daddy's shoulder she went until we saw the finish line. For days after the event it's all she wanted to talk to anyone about. She even kept her sticker tattoo on for 2 days! Hopefully this is a tradition we're able to keep even in our new city (details on that to come!)

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Your Friendly Neighborhood Totoro!

My sister's due date is on the day of my niece's 5th birthday so we decided to celebrate a few weeks early. She chose a far-stretch theme- Totoro! For those of you who haven't seen this animated film (like myself) here's a very bief synopsis:

It’s about two sisters being raised by their father for the time being Their mother is in the hospital Satsuki is the big sister and is trying to run things in her mom’s stead She makes breakfast, takes care of her little sister Mei Basically a coming of age story Totoro is the spirit of the forest who helps remind Satsuki that she is still a child Gives the children hope that their mother will be alright

For the last 2 weeks my sisters have been in and out of Viet-town searching for the perfect party favors like these cute sticker and chocolate "colored pencil" set, decorations, cake toppers and other party details. They DIY'd the heck out of this party including handmade sticker Totoro cupcake toppers and a "thumb print" canvas.

The results were incredible- and the turn out a lot more than my mom's 3 bedroom apartment could bear. Isa drew a lifesize Totoro poster as a photo op backdrop. Then they taped oragami cranes to the wall and hung a Happy Birthday banner from left over party invitations which were handmade Totoro silhouettes.

We kept it simple with pizza, chips, asian salad and cupcakes and one of our very generous guests even brought a dozen assorted donuts! We put the movie on for the kids while they ate- a great way to keep multiple children busy when having a birthday party at a small location. And by the time they were done it was time take pictures and sing happy birthday! It was a great turn out for a much-deserved 5 year old. And the best presents of all? Why the Totoro snuggie and Totoro bed of course!

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