Ice Cream Party

a few months ago we were at joann's and they were clearing out their summer stuff.

they had some plastic ice cream bowls in green and pink.

mauryn loved them and thought they would be perfect for an ice cream birthday party

{of course she is my child and had her theme picked out like 4 months in advance}

so we picked up the ice cream cups on clearance and put them in the cupboard.

fast forward a few months and its time to start planning the party

we head off to pick out paper for mauryn's invitations, instead of just pink and green she wanted purple and blue too.

so my plan for her party colors changed a bit. 

{i was fine with that as we did pink and green last year}

the invitations were based off a stickers she picked to put on the envelopes

 they were super easy to make {thank you cricut}

it turned out cute

{all party info was on the back}

after the change in colors i struggled a bit with where to go with decorations for the party

i searched on line and didn't really find anything that i loved

i decided to just use the colors of her invitations as the inspiration behind her decorations

we went with all things green, pink, blue, and purple

since i couldn't find a table cloth that i liked, i decided to make a table runner using fabrics in the colors of her party.

i got a white vinyl table cloth and then added the table runner

i found colored sixlets candies at our party store

i put them in stemless wine glasses along the table

 since i couldn't find cups or bowls i liked either i bought some parfait cups {thank you target for saving the day}

i tied scraps of the fabric from the table runner on the bottoms of the cups to bring in some color

i used the empty frappuccino bottles that i had used that the cookies and milk shower for their drinks and just added matching paper straws

i found spoons and napkins in the coordinating colors

the morning of the party i decided we needed something hanging from the lights besides streamers

i had found an idea somewhere on line where you make ice cream cones from paper and balloons

i quickly whipped these up and hung them from the lights

i didn't have a ton of time to fuss with the perfect cone but the kids didn't care and they served their purpose

i used the same fabrics from the table runner to make a bunting for over our patio doors

then i begged pleaded asked lance if he would build an ice cream stand

i found this one online that i feel in love with immediately

he was willing to take my crazy only so far

so we compromised

he built a super cute ice cream stand that can fold flat and hang in the garage and not take up more space. genius idea!

we had extra turquoise paint from when we painted our laundry room so we used that to paint the base of the ice cream stand

i wanted the top to be in chalkboard paint so that we could use it for other things, like a lemonade stand in the summer

since the ice cream stand wouldn't have wood in the front, i quickly sewed a skirt to go on it using the same material from the table runner and bunting

i am in love with how the ice cream stand turned out!

i had all the kids stand in the ice cream stand at the start of the party and took their pictures to use as the thank you cards from mauryn

a party wouldn't be a party without a few games

as we waited for everyone to arrive the girls colored soda jerk hats which they wore in their pictures in the ice cream stand 

once everyone arrived we played a few games

- pin the cherry on the ice cream sundae {sundae courtesy of my hubby who has way better art skills than i do}

- ice cream cone bowling {this is WAY harder than it looks}

- ice cream cone relays

- a piñata {i am not a fan but my baby really wanted one this year so i caved}

mauryn requested no cake, just the ice cream sundaes

i found this idea on pinterest - scoop up the ice cream ahead of time

i scooped up ice cream earlier in the week, froze them and put them in freezer bags once they were frozen

when it was time to eat i set them out on my cake stand

it was so easy to get the kids served and through the line quickly

the ice cream shop served as our holding spot for all the toppings

 for toppings we had:

hot fudge

chocolate

caramel

whipped topping

cherries

skittles

m & m's

gummy bears

crushed oreos

chocolate chips

brownie bits

cookie chunks

{we also had sprinkles but they accidentally got left on the counter}

for drinks we had mauryn's favorite - chocolate milk. i also tried to bring in drinks that were the color of the party so we had pink lemonade, a blue berry drink, and a grape drink.

for the goodie bags i found the idea for the ice cream containers here

i ordered the small containers but i wish i would have ordered the taller ones... oh well

i tied ribbons and spoons in colors to match the party theme around the containers

we filled the containers with ice cream cone shaped candy, ice cream shaped lip gloss, and an ice cream cone magnet

we had a few things that didn't fit in the container: an ice cream cone popper toy, ice cream shaped cards, and another lip gloss. i had found these lip gloss in ice creamy flavors before i found the ice cream cone shaped lip gloss but what little girl doesn't love lip gloss so we gave them both!

overall it was a success and a fairly easy party to put together.

i think the birthday girl had a great time!

To Morgan, On Your 12th Birthday

Dear Morgan,


It's your golden birthday!  


It amazes me how quickly time is passing by.  It just doesn't seem possible that it's been 12 years since you were born.  You are only one year away from becoming at teenager.  AAH!


I know that these next few years are going to be a roller coaster.  I am pretty sure there will be a few eye rolls, some back talk, and attitude.  Even though disrespect and disobedience will NOT be accepted, I get it.  I get that you are trying to find your way.  I get that you will think I don't really know anything and I probably will embarrass you. It's sort of a right of passage :o)


The teenage years are tough.  I don't envy you navigating through these years.  You are caught in the in-between... a child yet moving toward being more independent and grown up.   


You have always been mature beyond your years.  You  stay out of girl drama {thank the Lord!}.  You are a thinker.  You weigh the pros and cons of situations before making a decision.  Sometimes you think too much but I would rather have you over think than be too impulsive.  You have had some to make some decisions in the last year that have shown your maturity.  I have been so proud of how you have handled those situations and thought through your choices.  


You sometimes like to create drama with your brother and sister and they can get on your nerves but you have a tender spot for both of them.  You are a great big sister showing them love and kindness.


You are a good friend.  You are a good listener. You are kind to others.  You make people feel valued. You are an encourager.  


I love that you love to read and love books as much as I do.  I love that you still enjoy reading chapter books together.  I enjoy those times when we are reading together and talking about the books we read.  I love that we can share that passion.


I love you doodle bug!  I am so proud to be your mama.  I believe in you and can't wait to see the plans God has for you.  I know these next years are going to be an adventure and I look forward to treading the teenage waters with you.  You are a blessing my dear!


Happy 12th Birthday!

To Mauryn on your 5th Birthday

Dear Mauryn,


I have been telling you for at least six months that I didn't want you to turn five!  It's true.  Five seems so big.  I wanted to keep you little since you are my baby. It makes my heart a little sad that you are getting so big.  You will start kindergarten next fall.  I can't believe it!


You didn't like the idea of staying four.  You were ready to be five. So so ready!


You bring so much light into our family.  You are silly and make us laugh every day.  The other day you told your dad "I am funny and I know it."  


You are a performer. You are constantly dancing and singing.  You don't necessarily sing songs anyone knows, you blend every song you know into your own song.  You are full of drama and keep us hopping.  


I love that you have a tender heart for others.  You notice when someones feelings are hurt or if someone is scared or nervous and you comfort them.  You are the greeter in your class at church.  You welcome everyone into the class.  If there is a visitor you are one of the first to greet the new person and make them feel comfortable.  


You have  BIG personality.   What you lack in stature you make up for in personality.  You are so full of life and others are drawn to you.  


You are the best hug giver.  You still like to snuggle after your naps {which you think you don't need but you fall asleep almost every single day}.  


You are independent.  You are a leader.  You beat to the tune of your own drummer.


I love you little sassy.  I am proud to be your mommy. I can't wait to see the plans God has for you.


Happy 5th Birthday baby girl!

Tomorrow

this little lady

will be here celebrating her birthday a little early with her grandma

by having lunch and

picking out her first american girl doll

{she has her heart set on kanani}

i can't wait!

PinterTest Kitchen #2

its not secret the i love to bake.spending time in my kitchen is therapy.if things are crazy or stressed, i bake.even with little people in the kitchen helping me, this relaxes me.creating food and feeding people bring me joy.
i tend to stick with my old stand bys.in the last month or so i have had the opportunity to deliver meals to a few families and this gave me the opportunity to pour over my pinterest pins and try some new recipes.{with the old faithfuls as back up in case we had a fail :o) }

first up: cake batter blondies

i love me a good blondie.  these bars did not disappoint.

they were so yummy.

they were quick and easy = bonus points.

up next: cinnamon roll cake 

oh my word this cake was delicious!

i think it tasted more like a coffee cake than a cinnamon roll but it was soo good.

this was another quick and easy recipe.

a definite keeper.

we had a football party to attend one weekend and i was to bring dessert stuff.

i had been eyeing this cookie dough dip for weeks.

 this was a. to the mazing!

oh my word.

i really didn't want to share it with anyone.

it was so so good.

the toffee bits are the perfect surprise in the dip.

this is a definite keeper and one of my new favorite things.

i also made monster cookie bars to bring to the party.

 they were a fail and didn't make it out of the kitchen.

{thankfully i had a back up plan :o) }

i may try them again and cook them for a shorter amount of time as they were really dry.

we will see i am pretty partial to a monster cookie.

i did one crafty project this month.

i've been working on prepping for mauryn's birthday party.

 i knew i wanted to make a bunting for over our patio doors in the kitchen.

i also knew the project would go smoothly if i had a tutorial.

this tutorial was easy to follow with a  cute little bunting completed in no time.

thank you pinterest!

i can't wait to hang it up next week for her party!!!

are you on pinterest? {if your not go right now and sign up}  have you tried any of your pins? success or failure?
i am linking up with my friend jessica who had the inspiration to start pinterTest kitchen.  thanks jess for getting me doing instead of just pinning!i am having so much fun!

Call Me Crazy

our local christian radio station plays christmas music on halloween every year.

usually it drives me crazy.

i love christmas music but hearing it on the last day of october makes me feel a little panicked.  it emphasizes the fact that christmas is around the corner and my to do list goes in my mind goes to overdrive.

this year it was different.

this year i heard the christmas music and felt joyful.

this year i am basically done christmas shopping. 

yep, except for homemade gifts we make for coaches and teachers {i still need to get something for my hubby} i am done.

we haven't exchanged adult gifts for years with either my family or my husband's family.

the kids haven't exchanged gifts with their cousins for a few years either. since we all live apart it just isn't cost effective to have to ship gifts.

so my shopping list is very small. just pretty much my little family.

ever since morgan was born i have usually had the majority of my christmas shopping done before thanksgiving.  her birthday is in november so once i started shopping for her birthday i would just do christmas as well.  so for the last almost 12 years i've done my shopping early.

i am not one to fight the crowds. 

i don't get a thrill from black friday.

i would much rather enjoy the friday after thanksgiving in my pjs hanging with my family.

every year i look through the ads on thanksgiving hoping i don't have any buyers regret. did i really miss a good deal?

i can't remember a year where i was wishing i had gotten up at the crack of dawn to fight the crowds.

this year i did most of my shopping from the comfort of my home.

it was so easy.

i had no stress and no crowds.

i loved finding fun new shops and having time to puruse their inventory.

i didn't feel rushed.

i didn't feel pressured to make choices or buy because i was running out of time.

it was perfect for me.

there have been packages arriving every few days on my door step.

my kids freak out when they see the packages.

they know the packages are off limits

but they love to guess what's in the boxes and who is getting what is in each box

it adds to the excitement of christmas.

i do have a boy who likes to snoop.

last year he climbed my closet and went into some bags and boxes looking at gifts.

this year i started wrapping early.

i usually don't wrap until mid december but my closet was driving me crazy with boxes {i really need to find a better spot to keep their gifts} and i wanted to prevent landon from snooping.

last weekend while the two older kids were on a play date and mauryn was snuggled in with her daddy to watch some football, i locked myself in my bedroom and got to wrapping.

it honestly felt SOO good!

i felt a weight just lifted off my shoulders to get those gifts wrapped.

mostly because i knew mr. snooper wouldn't get into the gifts but also because my closet was more organized {phew!} and it is one less thing on my to do list in december.

i know some people think its crazy to start shopping and be done this early but it is a sanity saver for me.

i can now focus on enjoying christmas.

i can be full present during our advent activities.

i can feel relaxed and peaceful instead of rushed and crazed.

let the christmas music play, i am ready!

do you shop early or do you like the hustle and bustle of shopping in december?

Halloween 2011

our halloween this year was unusual.

it was chilly.

the chilliest and windiest halloween we've had since we moved here.

since halloween fell on a monday night, mauryn had her dance class.

she could have missed class but our little dancer did not want to miss class.

i took her to dance.

she was the only one who showed up.

i wasn't really surprised.

she got to wear her costume, have her teachers attention all to herself, and practice her christmas dance.

she was in her element.

usually we walk the neighborhood with our neighbors and some of our friends.

but this year with mauryn's dance class falling in the midst of prime time trick or treating we allowed 

morgan to go trick or treat with a friend in her neighborhood,

and landon to trunk or treating with a neighbor.

i was left with only this little lady to take trick or treating.

i was a little sad that my kids weren't together to trick or treat.

especially these two who are best buds.

this year, its how things worked out.

the kids had a great time which makes this mama's heart happy.

i was able to spend my night with this goofball,

walking the neighborhood on a chilly night, collecting treats,

and coming home to warm up with the fire and hot chocolate.

Happy Halloween!

what was a highlight from your halloween?