Tie Dye Party

Each year it becomes a little more difficult to come up with a theme for Morgan's parties. This year after a little research Morgan decided on a tie dye party. It seemed appropriate to go out with a big themed party since this is the last year Morgan will have a big friend party at home. {after this year, we will celebrate doing something special with just a few friends.}

Invitations:

The invitations were very simple. I found some tie dyed paper that we cut into the shape of a t-shirt. Morgan glue the t-shirts onto multi colored paper. On the back we included all the party information. They were just the type of invitation I like cute and easy.

Decorations:

I recycled the banner from Mauryn's party earlier this week. I turned the banner over and used tie dye letters to match Morgan's party.

Morgan and I tie dyed some paper earlier this week to use for the garland hanging over the table. It was super easy and Morgan loved making the paper. I used both food coloring and food gels to do the paper and the food gels definitely gave brighter color to the paper. It was fun to experiment and see how they would turn out.

I made some pom poms to hang from the light fixture.

The table decorations were fun and easy. I threw on some confetti and shredded paper around three glasses filled with multi colored candy.

The cake:

Morgan and I went back and forth on what she wanted for her cake. When I found this cake, she was sold. The cake was easy to make and by adding the buttermilk the cake was super moist. I frosted the cake white and then used the Wilton cans of spray mist for the cake. The mist ran quite a bit so that was frustrating but in the end they grew on me. Morgan loved them so that is all that mattered.

Activities:

Due to the number of girls invited to the party, I didn't want everyone tie dying at the same time. I set up three different stations in the garage where the girls could rotate as they finished an activity. I had a station where they could bead a bracelet with tie dyed/brightly colored beads, colored clay to make tie dye t-shirt magnets, and then tie dyed t-shirts.

The magnets turned out really cute and were a hit with the girls. I think it was even more of a hit than the tie dye shirts!

Morgan working on her t-shirt.

Morgan and her finished t-shirt

The Birthday Girl:

This was such a fun party and really pretty easy. The girls were old enough that they didn't need much help on the stations. It was definitely not as stressful as I had imagined having the girls working with the dye for their t-shirts.

Happy Birthday Morgan!

Eleven

You may be mad at me someday for posting this picture of you, but I want to remember your fresh from bed face and your mismatched pajamas. Memories have a way of fleeting. All the things I thought I would remember over 11 years I don't or it takes me a while and some prompting to recall the little details. It makes me wish I would have written more down instead of relying on my memory.

These last eleven years have flown by so quickly. I can picture you as a little girl and now you are growing into a little lady. It is both an exciting time and a sad time. It makes me sad that some of your innocence is fleeting. You are learning about some of the hard things involving friendships and the world around you. You are learning that life is not fair. You are changing, your body is changing and there are days when your emotions are a mess. It is a challenging and confusing time for you. I know you will make it through but the journey will not always be fun.

I love that as you grow up we can have real discussions about things. I love that you are a good friend. You are kind, you care about others, and you are loyal. You feel bad when other peoples feelings are hurt. You want to always do the right thing and try to do the right thing in every situation. You are starting to really enjoy activities like shopping and doing your nails. You are so anxious to go and have a pedicure. You do a pretty good job of managing your time with your busy schedule. It has been a bit of a challenge learning to balance everything but your ability to manage your time and stay organized will benefit you in the future.

You are a good role model for your brother and sister. They look up to you and love to spend time with you.

Happy 11th Birthday Morgan! I love you and am proud to be your mama. You challenge me, you encourage me, and you are one of my biggest cheerleaders. I am excited to see what the next year has in store for you.

Mod Monkey Party

It all started about six months ago when we were driving and Mauryn saw this driving on the road.

I told her how the bus came to houses for birthday parties and the kids did gymnastics stuff. From that moment on she wanted to have the tumble bus come for her party.

She also wanted a pinkalicious party thanks to this book. She also wanted to invite some of her friends that were boys and she thought they would not want to come to a pink party. After some thought, she decided she would do a pink and green pattern tumble bus party.

I was trying to decide how to pull all her little ideas together when I saw plates and napkins that were white with pink and green polka dots and a monkey face. Perfect!!!

We got to work on her invitations. I couldn't quite find the pink and green paper I wanted so I didn't love her invitations but they worked.
As the party planning went along, I found I had a bunch of green monkey flannel that didn't have a specified use, so the flannel was turned into gift bags.
I had purchased some stemless wine glass last year to use for table decorations at Mauryn's mermaid party and they came in quite handy again this year.
The cupcakes were pink and green of course... not only in their frosting but on the inside. I totally forgot I have a decorating kit to make a fancy top until I was looking at pictures from last years party. I need to put a little list on the outside of my baking tub so I know what is in there. Oh well, they could have been fancier but the kids ate them anyway :o)
When I was working on Mauryn's invitations I was going to purchase two circle punches to help in the time factor with making the invitations. As I was heading to the checkout line, the store had a display of cricuit machines. I have been eyeing them for years but it was never a priority to save money to buy one. The price on the cricut was more than half off and was definitely a more cost effective option than the two circle cutters {are you hearing the justification}. So I toted my cricuit home, fired it up and made Mauryn's invitations. Then I used to make her a birthday banner
and garland to hang from the lights. Did I mention I love my cricuit???
Mauryn was so excited for her birthday. She just could not wait to turn "fo". I know I am biased but oh my does she look darling in her birthday shirt and headband. Yes indeed!
Mauryn L.O.V.E.D the magic tumble bus. She was smiling and giggling the entire time. It was so sweet to see her enjoying her party and time with her friends.
At the end of the party after had her cupcake and opened gifts, she curled up on the couch, fingers in mouth and about fell asleep. I think that is a sign of a successful party... a tired and content birthday girl.

Fo {four}

Today you are four! Four... it does not seem possible that four years have passed since you joined our family. I told you I did not want you to have your birthday I wanted you to stay three. You are determined to grow up. Even your look is changing... you are starting to look more like a preschooler than a toddler. It makes my heart sad and happy all at the same time.

You bring so much joy and love to our family. It is wonderful you have those qualities because you also bring with you lots of drama. It is a great balance my dear.

I love how you are the welcoming committee in the nursery at church. You embrace any visitors or kids who are sad and make everyone feel welcome. I love that you randomly break out in song or quoting your bible verses from awanas or dance a little dance anywhere.

This past year has been so interesting seeing your personality develop. Even though you are spirited, independent, and stubborn you do not like change. You like to be comfortable and I have learned that I have to push you a bit to try new things. You usually end up loving whatever it is you are doing and you become a leader.

I am looking forward to all your 4 year old year brings my love. I know it will be an adventure.

I love you sassy molassy!

The Fair

Growing up one of the highlights of my summer was our county fair. We had exhibits at the fair and spent pretty much every waking moment at the fair during the long weekend.

Even before we had kids, Lance and I would attend the local county fairs. He would check in with clients and I would enjoy fair food and the atmosphere. I don't know what it is about fairs but I love them. My husband on the other hand only tolerates them.

Since moving to Idaho, we have attended the Western Idaho State Fair each summer. It does not have the same feel as the fairs back home {they don't have fried cheese curds which is by far the best fair food EVER} but I still enjoy the nostalgia of the fair.

My kids enjoy the fair and look forward to going each summer. One of the highlights for them is seeing the animals. They enjoy the petting zoo area and marvel at watching the chickens hatch.

I like to walk through the exhibitors building. It is fun to see all the different things for sale and the new gadgets out. There was one booth that captured our attention. It was a man selling insurance and he was doing a demonstration of the dangers of not wearing a seatbelt. Each of the kids got an egg and they were to draw a face on the egg. He then put the eggs in a toy car without seatbelts. He pulled the car back and let it go where it hit a box. He then showed the kids what the eggs looked like after they crashed. The impact would have been similar to a car going 20 mph. It was definitely enlightening {yes, we ALWAYS wear our seatbelts but a great reminder of why we must wear them}
The fair wouldn't be the fair without going on rides. One of their favorites was The Fly. I had a hard time watching it go around and around and around but the kids loved it. I was really hoping my boy who has a tendency to get car sick would survive it and he did!

As our time at the fair was winding down we had enough tickets for Landon to do one more ride with Mauryn. Landon is super excited for this ride

because there was a picture of Michael Jackson

Mauryn was less than excited about going on a ride. She had been talking about going on the rides but once we got in line did not want to go on it. I have learned that she needs a little push to try new things so

i put her on the ride, tears and all, with her brother

landon is laughing because mauryn was smiling until she got close to use then she would put her head down

see, she still won't look at us but she is definitely smiling

by the end laughter and even getting brave and putting her hands up in the air. sometimes it just takes a little push.

Annual Halloween Party

One of the fall activities we look forward to each year is our neighbors annual Halloween costume party. The party has evolved over the years from an adult only party to a family event.

Mauryn was all set to be Tinkerbell but after reading some Fancy Nancy books at naptime she decided she would like to be Fancy Nancy instead. Thankfully we had a Fancy Nancy dress, shoes, purse, and plenty of necklaces to make my girl all fancy.

the highlights of the evening were cookie decorating, or should we say frosting tasting....

and pumpkin carving.

two of our pumpkins..... the cat won the pumpkin carving contest.

Halloween 2010

I know it is almost a week past Halloween, but hey we are fast approaching birthday week so things are a little crazy busy around here.

The rain cleared off and we had a beautiful fall evening for walking the neighborhood and trick or treating. It was simply gorgeous. We could not have asked for better weather.

I tried to convince Morgan she would be a perfect Wendy to go with tinkerbell and peter pan but she didn't agree so she went as an 80's girl. In the end, it probably worked well as their costumes seemed to suit their personalities.