A Very Tangled Birthday

So we celebrated Addison's 3rd birthday in March, and I cheated.  I started making a pinata.  I wanted to make my own cupcakes and frosting.  But I didn't.  I cheated.  I used a store-bought pinata.  I used cake mix to make the cupcakes.  And I even used tubs of store-bought frosting.  And the kids loved it.  They loved breaking the pinata.  They loved licking the frosting off the cupcakes and gathering the candy and toys in there little pink goodie bags.  

I did manage to do a create a few homemade touches for the party though.  I made my own water bottle labels.  I don't have any fancy design programs, so I used Microsoft Word and I think they turned out pretty darn cute anyhow!  I attempted to make "macaroni and cheese cupcakes."  I adapted a recipe I saw on Giada de Laurentis' show Giada at Home.  Let's just say, the recipe needed more adapting!  We also had a family friend hand-draw a poster of Flynn Rider so the kids could pin the frying pan on his head.  It was a total hit!

Now that summer is over, I finally got around to loading all the photos of the party onto shutterfly.  

I made an adorable photo book for Addy.

Birthday girl playing Pin the Frying Pan on Flynn Rider.

So I'm behind, what 's new...

In February I intended to write a post about the pancakes my husband makes for Shrove Tuesday and about all the different breads we had been making.  We threw Addy's third birthday party in March and I meant to post photos and write a blog entry about that as well... but I guess I fell a little behind.  

St. Patrick's Day and Easter have passed, as well as the end of my eldest daughter's kindergarten year.  So we celebrated the beginning of summer by going to the theater to watch Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer.  We decided that we needed a Not Bummer Summer Dare Chart just like in the movie!

And voila, the poster from the movie on the top and our homemade poster on the bottom!

Judy Moody Not Bummer Summer

Mega Rare Not Bummer Summer Dare thrill chart

 

Stationery card

Modern Introduction Boy Birth Announcement

Turn your favorite photo into a birth announcement.

View the entire collection of cards.

Rapunzel Birthday

Back in January I was watching The Martha Stewart Show and she had guests, Aimee & Bettijo, from the Supermom Moments Blog.  Bettijo demonstrated the most adorable Tangled themed invitations!  I had to go onto the Martha Stewart website to download the template.  I had already been searching Disney's Family Fun website for Tangled themed crafts and coloring pages to use at daughter number 2, Addy's third birthday.  So I spent quite some times printing the templates, braiding tiny braids, filling in the times and dates, and creating my very own "castle roof" cutouts for the top of the invites.  But silly me!  Now the invitations won't fit into envelopes!  Luckily we are hand delivering most of them.  I can't wait to post pics when the party is over.

I'm just a simple sinner Who received God's good grace, somehow!

Christians - adapted from Carol Wimmer
When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not shouting "I'm clean livin'."
I'm whispering "I was lost,
Now I'm found and forgiven."

When I say.... "I am a Christian"
I don't speak of this with pride.
I'm confessing that I stumble
and need Christ to be my guide.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not trying to be strong.
I'm professing that I'm weak
And need His strength to carry on.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not bragging of success.
I'm admitting I have failed
And need God to clean my mess.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not claiming to be perfect,
My flaws are far too visible
But, God believes I am worth it.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I still feel the sting of pain.
I have my share of heartaches
So I call upon His name.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not holier than thou,
I'm just a simple sinner
Who received God's good grace, somehow!

Bri Wilson Music

My fantabulous niece Bri is pursuing a career in music, so she has created a youtube account.  Check out her videos!

Falling asleep

I've always had random thoughts.  As a child sitting in a swing; taking a bath or playing center-field on the softball field.  As an adult I finally started carrying a little notebook in my purse to make sure the good ones don't get away from me.  But those thoughts that come to me as I fall asleep almost always have a way of escaping.  As I lay in bed last night, I was thinking about my next blog entry.   I think I even composed a complete paragraph.  Today, that blog entry is a mystery to me!

Luckily I had/have plenty of other things to occupy my mind today.  This has been the last weekend of my two month maternity leave - I go back to work on Tuesday!

It's 2011, another new start!

While 2010 held some wonderful moments, adventures and blessings, it also had its share of frustrations and overall sense of overwhelming. In 2011, as I continue adjusting to now being the mother of three - to two beautiful & spunky little girls and our fabulous baby boy, I delight in my quiet, stolen moments alone.  My desire to craft has been renewed, as well as an urgent need to organize and purge.


Crafting with children in the house can prove difficult sometimes.  They are curious, so they love to touch and see what's going on.  They are loving and cuddly, so they want to be right on top of you when you are working.  And they are clumsy, so they knock everything over!  One thing I discovered last year is our local Michaels store has a monthly crop night.  I can take my current scrapbook, greeting card or other paper project with me to the store and set up on the tables provided.  I can even use their tools!  Plus setting up right in the middle of the scrapbook section is super convenient when I need to purchase something I don't already have (just don't tell my husband!!).


I haven't made too many cakes this year, between moving, vacationing and pregnancy/childbirth, but this special cake for out oldest's 5th birthday was a beautiful recipe found on Martha Stewart (ruffle cake).


And my husband made a fantastic chocolate ganache filled cake for my baby shower (it's surrounded by homemade marshmallows).