Kaira was a very excited princess when the big day finally arrived.  We were were joined by Lady Beverly, Sir Richard, the Bowman James, Lady Lorelle, the beautiful princess Kaitlyn, and the delightful jester Sirhc!  The games were underway when the Royal executioner showed up, escorting a servant girl he had found fleeing the Manor of Lord S and Lady K. 

The servant girl threw herself to the ground and begged the princess for mercy, and the executioner inquired what should be done with the servant, who was no doubt an accomplice in helping the Lord and Lady escape.  Kaira looked upon the groveling servant girl in mercy and answered the executioner emphatically, "Let her have fun!" 

And so, have fun we did.  The games included a quest for the grail, tests of archery, musical chairs, and tiara and shield making.  James the Bowman provided a demonstration of his skill, putting arrows through our bales with such force that we found broken shafts the next day!  The Lady Lorelle even brought along her pet draglet, whom Kaira took to immediately. 

Kaira's cousins attempted to present her with her very own prince, (who had journeyed all the way from Prague) but alas, her mischievous cousin, the wee jester Sirhc had enchanted the poor fellow and turned the Prague Prince into a Frog Prince.  The counter enchantment required she recite "Prairie Frog Fairy Prince" seven times in succession before kissing him three times.  (Seven plus three adding up to ten--her age, of course!)  Poor Kaira failed to recite it properly each time, and he remained amphibious.  Fortunately the fellow seems content to remain a pet.  (She's too young for a real prince anyway, so I'm secretly relieved.)

"Kenneth O'Laughlan" read the Fools Prayer, and the wee jester Sirhc did a Sirhcus act for us!  We feasted on shish kabob and raspberry cream filled cake. 

I should have required a few guests stand still for a quick photo op.  I didn't manage to capture my niece and nephew's beautiful costumes as fully as I'd like, and somehow the Lady Beverly managed to avoid the camera lens.  I also neglected to capture my own wee knights, Sir Keegan and Sir Kieran before they shed their armor.  (And, I was behind the camera instead of in front of it.  Which is all very good and well.)

A good time was had by all!  Huzzah!

After mailing out the invitations, Kaira was delighted to see her courtiers respond.  Here are a couple of the more interesting replies:

To the Attention of Princess Kaira,

It is my grievous duty to bring a matter of utmost importance to your attention. Reliable sources have informed me that the party invitees of (Lastname) Manor are planning to be late for the festivities. Such blatant disrespect for the royal Princess needs to be dealt with quickly and harshly to keep order in the kindgdom.  Therefore, on the appointed date, I will personally apprehend the culprits and bring them in haste for you to make a ruling on their punishment. I pray this will not cause too much disruption in the roayl festivities.

Signed in my own hand

X

His Majesty's Royal Executioner

And a little later, from her Aunt:

She sent invitations: sealed in wax, and delivered by national courior:



Most PrairieFrog birthdays are quiet affairs, with just our own little family.  Every ten years, however, for the entire duration of their childhood, we'll treat each child to a party with other guests! 

This year, as Kaira celebrated the completion of her first decade,  we hosted our first such event! 

I'll confess that the date gave me pause.  Although we do give a nod to Reformation day, the 31st of October is typically just another day for us.  We don't recognize the event our neighbors celebrate, or do any "alternatives".  But, with Kaira's birthday falling on Sunday, the day prior became a perfect choice.  (I think we've celebrated Ken's birthday on that date as well--He was born on October 29th--but it was a quiet family affair.)  Hosting a costume party on the 31st was new for me!

Stay tuned, for the courtiers' responses!

My blogging has been sporadic lately.  Last week consisted of beautiful snow storms that kept my sweetie home by my side.  We were delightfully derailed by family time, and I was blissfully kept from the computer by snug, homey delights!

This week another phenomenon has kept me busy.  Although we are typically home-bodies, it seems we've had more going on lately.  When extreme weather shut down the city, last week became rescheduled to this week.  This week, however insisted on continuing a forward march of its own, and the two are rather superimposed atop each other!

Busy as the week may be, an important update is in order!  After pressing "post" on this blog entry, I will make a subtle but important change to my blog sidebar.  Kaira's age requires updating!  She refused to remain a nine year old, and has now accomplished a decade!  She had lovely medieval-themed party which shall be blogged as soon as I finish sorting through pictures. 

The War Between the States draws to a close, and we look at a nation rebuilding with new inventions and enchanting literature.

Kaira's still working on her essay discussing whether the end justifies the means. (She told me she's taking a two pronged approach; discussing the topic generally, then more specifically as it pertains to unconstitutional moves President Lincoln took to preserve the union.) I'm fascinated to read what she's come up with when I glimpse her rough draft later this week.

Keegan's chuckling over Brer Rabbit, while Kendra and Keianna are thoroughly enjoying the Little House series.  All the children have been oohing and aahing over the other coffee table selections.  (And I've been nibbling at several of the titles myself!)

Yesterday after piano lessons we passed the roving maintenance herd.  To the children's delight, I determined we had time to stop and pile out of the van for a moment.  I think they've thanked me a dozen times since--Keegan especially seemed to think that it was the grandest field trip ever. "Thank you mommy for letting us visit the mowing goats!"

Sometimes it pays to pull over and take time to run across a bridge, smell the roses--or, perhaps, even stop to smell the goats!

Today I found myself calling one of the girls Kaiandra.  My desperate, sluggish brain scrambled frantically for a name, and instead latched onto a hybrid combination.  When my niece, Kaitlyn, visits I can call the four girls Kaiandralynn. 

Kaiandra are the girls previously known as Kaira, Kendra, and Keianna. 

Individuality?  Overrated.

Ken was scheduled to work the weekend, but yesterday evening after dinner when we checked road conditions, the road between here and there was closed! He was frustrated, knowing that the money would be nice, but I'll confess it was nice having him home. (Although, I was thinking, "Must be nice... sleep all day and all night too!") Seriously, he deserves the rest, and amazingly he was able to sleep most the night, rising just early enough to make us all a yummy breakfast while I was just rolling out of bed.

This morning is school as usual (with a bonus of extra Daddy involvement!, then snow-play scheduled after lunch!

Clifford the Big Red Van has spent the last few nights outside under the stars.  Ken's painting the barfice (barn-office), causing barfice contents to temporarily explode into the garage area, which in turn forces  poor Clifford out in the cold.

This morning, the following sight greated us!:  


Great excitement filled the house as the children woke to a wonderland of snow blanketing the fields behind us!  Something about the season's first snow thrills a child's heart.  (And mine too!)