Lordy, Lordy, Look Who's 40

I was born on this day in 1970. Do the math and yes, that means I'm 40 this year. Do you want to know who else is turning 40 this year? Well I did and guess what I found out?
Queen Latifa--(I think her real name is Dana or something)

Seriously, I LOVE HER!

 Next-- my haircut inspiration and MSNBC news gal-- Tamron Hall!

I love her, too. 

 

and Tina Fey! I was ok with this one, too. Loved her Sarah Palin impression!

and how about Jennifer Connely, Julie Chen and Kelly Ripa? All fun!

This is where it starts to get bad though-- Did you know these ladies have also turned 40 this year? Seriously! Look it up!

Mariah Carey!

Claudia Schiffer!

 

Naomi Campbell

and 

Jennifer Lopez!

Well, I do like J-Lo! But really 40?

 Who else?

Well, apparently Gabrielle Reece and Uma Thurman!

AND EVEN Food Network Star Giadi DiLaurentis…

 

Whatever! 

Out of all the names on the list of those turning 40 this year, I liked this one the most:

Oh yeah! Andre Agassi turned 40-- and you know he's actually married to Steffi Graff, age 41!

So I don't really mind being 40 at all. Even when my children do remind me it's halfway to 80!

Elmo's World

Here is the latest cake-- Elmo! It was a classic white cake with white butter cream 6 and 8 inch layers covered with fondant in primary colors. This was for two-year old Jonas' birthday! So fun! Although I did have that song in my head for a while, "la la la la la la la la el-mo's world!"

Good News about Great Girls

Last night we had the privilege to attend an awards assembly with Gabrielle. She was honored for being a cooperative, respectful, and responsible learner. She was chosen by her Honors Block teacher. In the program she wrote this testimonial: "Gabrielle Runnels is a model student. She is thoughtful, inquisitive, and genuinely interested in our class and raises good questions to challenge her thinking and the understanding of her peers. She is thorough and timely with her work, and respectful of herself and her peers. Her diligence and zest are wonderful additions to our block class."

She received a certificate and some candy. Better yet, she received the good feeling you get from doing your best! Yeah Gabrielle! We are proud of you!

I haven't written about this yet, but have been meaning to do so--I should also mention that Madison has been attending early morning seminary. They start at 6:15 and go to 7:05 am every school day. After seminary she goes straight to school where she practices her flute before school begins. She gets herself up everyday and is ready to go on time. She has 100% attendance at seminary so far. Keep it up, Madison! We appreciate the effort you put into this.

It is indeed a privilege to be the mom of these two girls! They teach me everyday and make me smile, laugh, and grateful I am their mom! Keep doing the very best you can girls! You are wonderful!

Zebra Stripes Redux

I revisited the zebra motif today for our friend Marge-- she saw the zebra striped cake we did this summer and just had to have one.  And well, I think she deserves it! She had the superb idea to do a vanilla buttercream with only the stripes in fondant. I loved how this looked. Best of both worlds, really. It's striped on the inside too since it was a marble cake-- clever, huh? She had all kinds of good ideas. This cake just makes me smile! Hope it survived the ride home, Marge!

Here's a few photos of the process and the finished product : 

The bottom tier-- 10 inch round

both tiers getting their stripes

Bright yellow border--totally sunny!

Bow topper

 

 

Maybe the cakes need their own blog!

If the Tiara Fits…

I am sorry! This was a hand out the girls got in class on Sunday and well, it was just the perfect size for the little princess here…Long may she rule!

Dinner Music

Saturday our church had a Humanitarian Aid workshop and dinner in conjunction with the General Relief Society Broadcast. It was a great day with lots of service projects going on. There were quilts, school kits, toys bags, baby books and baby clothing being made. I worked in a room that was made greeting cards to send to soldiers so they will have cards to send home to their families. It was so much fun and so much work was done in a short period of time. Prior to the broadcast, the Stake Relief Society Presidency provided a warm dinner (not just a salad!) while we got to listen to several of the young women from the stake play background music. This included Madison and Gabrielle on flutes! Another two girls played violin and cello and another girl did piano. They played both classical and church music. This was in front of over 200 women! Several of them came up and thanked the girls and told them how much they enjoyed hearing them play. It made me so happy that they participated in this event, for when we are in the service of our fellow beings, we are really in the service of our God. Wonderful job girls!

Gabrielle's Birthday

 So, you saw the cake. I probably should note what went on for the rest of Gabrielle's birthday. Unfortunately, Gabrielle had to go to school on her birthday! On the bright side, a friend bought her a cookie at lunch! How sweet! Her new young women's leader dropped by with a cute gift to welcome her into the 14 and 15 year-olds class at church, the Miamaids. We had her dinner of choice (penne alfredo, salad, and french bread) then opened a few gifts. Madison gave her the cutest little owl earrings, pop tarts and gum (the gum was left for her as a morning gift!).

I gave her this jean jacket I had been hiding in my closet since the 4th of July.

 I was afraid she was going to out grow it before her birthday.
Then we had cake to top off the night.

We had to make it an early night that night, but on Friday we got to go see the new owl movie The Legend of the Guardians--the Owls of Ga'houle.

Gabrielle has read most of this book series and was excited to see the movie in 3D! It was pretty cool! We liked it a lot.
Overall, I think she had a pretty nice birthday. 14 years already!