Celebrate!

Jillian turned 9 this month (Blessing #1139) and for her birthday we decided to try and make a balance beam for her. I found a DIY website that made the beam construction sound pretty easy(#1140), so we got the supplies (after procrastinating several days) and began construction (after procrastinating some more) 2 days before the big day. Plenty of time!

 

First, we glued 6 8-ft 6x1 boards together. Then we enlisted the help of our handy neighbor to plane the boards to make them even and smooth. (Thanks, Mr Lum!). And then Jacob and Chad attached the legs.

Next, I wrapped it with padding and imitation leather, and Waa-Laa!

This is how you hug a balance beam!

Jillian spent the next 2 days celebrating. (#1141) After school that Friday, Jillian had a party at Gutterz Bowling with 8 extremely energetic little friends (the longest 2 hours of my day).

Jacob & Jenica even found a spot in this photo

And then we picked up Jillian's special friend Marilyn and took her to McDonalds for supper. Marilyn loves Jillian and sits by us in church every Sunday. Marilyn had been looking forward to Jillian's birthday just as much as Jillian. Jillian and her friend Ava provided the entertainment for everyone at McDonalds that night....just ask the Stratton's. (#1142)

Jillian, Ava, Marilyn

The next day, we celebrated her long-anticipated birthday with our families that lives close by. (#1143) Since my nephew Adam had a birthday the same week, we celebrated his birthday also (#1144). As you can see, Jillian got into the play makeup before we lit the candles.

Jillian (9) & Adam (8)

 

Twelve Eggs

That's how many egg whites it took to make my first home-made Angel Food Cake last week. Because the 2-step Angel Food Cake Mix is easy-peasy, I never really desired to make one from scratch. But this year we hosted Easter (Blessing #1136), and since my mom is allergic to the preservatives found in the boxed kind, I wanted to attempt baking one from scratch so she could eat some too.

 

The result? It looked beautiful and tasted wonderful! (#1137) I don't think I'll ever go back to boxed angel food cake again.

It was so easy to cut, and unlike the boxed kind, it didn't get all squished up when I sliced it. (#1138).

Now, what do I make with the 12 leftover egg yolks?