COMP Exam

I have been neglecting my blog, not on purpose. I have been swamped with graduate work, I mean swamped! I was emailed a comprehensive exam on Friday afternoon and it is due on Monday, April 2nd (my birthday!). I worked on it ALL last weekend and then 3 nights this week. I was determined to get it finished this week, as I did not want to give up another free weekend. Well tonight, after re-reading (again!), and making final changes, I sent it via email and didn't looking back! It feels SO nice to have it finished! Now I wonder how long it will take to find out if I passed or not?....I don't want to think about that part. :) I picked up my cap and gown today at the Grad Finale. It has been 17-1/2 years since I graduated from UNI for the first time. But I am proud of myself being able to graduate (finally!) with my Masters of Education in Reading while being a wife, mom, and full-time teacher. I am looking forward to May 12th celebrating with my family!

American Girl Doll Birthday!

Lindsey was finally able to have her friend birthday party last week! She ended up with strep-throat, and we have to reschedule it for Thursday afternoon during vacation. She invited a few friends from school, so there were 7 cute girls and their AG Dolls laughing and having a great time the whole 2+ hours they were here! :) One of her friends couldn’t’ make it, as we had a snowstorm that day (go figure!).

Darryl and I had given her the doll she wanted on her actual birthday, so this was the perfect friend party to have!

I quickly took a picture right when they got here, before the craziness started. Too cute!

We started out with a game I had read about online. I guess in the olden days, girls played with clothespins and tried to drop them into the jar. Each girl had 3 tries, and they laughed and tried so hard! It was hard, but Carlee was able to get all 3 in! :)

Next we played American Girl Bingo. I found this personalized Bingo game on EBay for $4! The girls had fun matching the dolls to their boards and trying to win BINGO.

Lindsey wanted to do a craft, so we went to Michaels to search around for the perfect one. They have a lot of American Girl doll different types of crafts. She decided on making headbands and bracelets for the dolls. We had SO much fun! Every girl made one, and they were able to take home the rest to finish. I highly recommend their crafts. They are pricy but very easy to do.

I dressed up our kitchen table with a pink linen tablecloth (thank you Christmas Tree Shop), and put out my CHINA and fancy silverware! The girls were SO cute and very gentle with everything! I had the cake made like the one you can order at the American Girl Bistro (for a lot cheaper!). We ate marble cake, ice-cream, brownies, candy, popcorn, and pink lemonade with crazy straws.

My girls have 2 hair-style doll chairs that they play with all the time. So they decided to set up a beauty shop in the living room, so everyone could do their dolls hair. I think I am still vacuuming up doll hair from the carpet! 

The party began to wind-down as she opened her presents and continued to play until parents arrived. We let the girls pick an American Girl doll book that we bought at the used bookstore here in town. They took their crafts, book, candy, and their crazy straws home in their goody bags. What a wonderful way to turn 8 with an American Girl Party at home!

Happy 8th Birthday Lindsey Mae! xo