Celebrating 4

Last Sunday we celebrated the twins turning 4 with a party.
We had it at a park because playing outside is their absolute favorite thing to do.
So glad we got lucky with the weather.
It rained and rained the whole day before but on Sunday we had clear skies.
It was somewhat chilly and my goodness, the wind was crazy but after about an hour it died down some and warmed up just a bit. By the time it was over the weather was perfect.

I wanted to share some photos with you all.
Pulling this party together was so fun. I loved it!

Invitations designed by Emily Kinsaul

The general theme of the party was "turning 4" with a little outdoor rustic and fish. (Goldfish crackers are the boys favorite snack. They would seriously eat them all day long if I let them.)

The bunting was cut from different fabrics and then sewn onto a piece of twine.

Our picnic lunch menu consisted of homemade chicken & noodles, mac&cheese, fruit cups (cantaloupe, grapes, and pineapple), slice bread, goldfish crackers, teddy grahams, and sugar cookies.

I had to leave the plastic on the plates and napkins since the wind was so crazy.

Love this cake stand! I put it together using tart and cake pans I found a our local thrift store and some cans. Everything went for a wash through the dishwasher and then I used cement glue to piece it all together. (Side note: the glue I used was not successful in keeping everything together. I'll have to try another kind.)  

The cupcakes.......Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough. So yummy!

I discovered the recipe here from Bake at 350. I left out the cookie dough from the center. They're super sweet all on their own. Also, I made the frosting version that Bake at 350 made.

The brown sugar frosting is amazing!

Homemade lollipops were one of the party favors I had for the kids to take home.

Flavors: Vanilla (tastes like cotton candy), Lemon, and Strawberry.

I'll post my recipe for them in a bit. :)

Stuffed fish in the basket that had a tag on the front saying "adopt a fish".

Originally I wanted to have real goldfish to send home but my wonderful husband reminded me how big a commitment that was to put on someone else. He was right, of course! Fabric fish were the next best thing.

Don't you agree? Isn't he just the cutest little stuffed fish?! The best part for me was Brett wanting to give his fish kisses. Just the sweetest!

We had a pinata this year and it was a big hit.

I used this tutorial here from The Sweetest Occasion. Cereal boxes, masking tape, and tissue paper. So easy!

One of my boys doesn't eat chocolate at all. Not that they eat cake either but I made him a couple cupcakes without chocolate chips just in case he decided to try it.

Still finding it hard to believe they're four already. Time flies when you're having so much fun!

Organizing.......

I have a confession to make.
I.
Like.
Organizing.
Here's the thing though, I have be in just the right mood for it.
Lucky for me today was one of those days.
I love it when my day turns out more productive than I originally anticipated.

A look at the before and after:

Before

After

Really it just needed some straightening and moving a few things around.

The "pantry"

Before

After

Same here. Mostly a lot of moving things around but it feels to much better.

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On a side note, I found a binder for my "family planner".

I absolutely love it.

It makes me happy with it's cool blue and grey color combo.

My photo doesn't do it justice.

Target has them here.

A baseball card page protector for business cards from favorite places.

Etsy shops I order from.

Photographers.

Hair Salon.

Etc.

I'm using these Avery page protectors in clear. Love them.

Slowly I'm filling it up. Making it work for me.

I am really enjoying the process of putting it together.

Have you done any organizing in your kitchen lately? If so, what did you do?



Comfort

cups of hot coffee.
sweet toddler kisses.
sleeping babies.
the hum of a dryer.
a quiet napping hour.
fresh baked bread.
homemade quilts.

a Christmas gift for one of my sisters.

she's pretty amazing, if you ask me

and she loves homemade quilts.

all these colors make me happy.

I hope they make her happy too.

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Have you tried this tea?

It's really good.

Just like getting it from Starbucks but at a fraction of the cost.

Try a cup. It just might rock your world.

Follow the directions on the box for brewing iced or hot tea.

I added a little sugar to mine because I like me tea sweet.

Add ice and sip.

So refreshing.

Happenings

Last week we had some crazy, warm weather around here. I mean, come on, it's January and we're wearing shorts and t-shirts to play outside.

Here's a little fact about my twins. They have language that only they understand but most of their play is communicated my other means. Gestures and looks are what they use. Without words or noise they can begin a game with the other. I think that's pretty amazing! (the game above started this same way) Incredible.

Sunday morning, David and I woke to the twin putting "breakfast" together in the kitchen. By themselves. It wasn't anything I wanted to deal with after just waking but I'm glad now that David suggested taking a picture. Sadly enough though, this is the only one I took. Like I said, I wasn't feeling inspired creatively at this time. The carton of eggs above was a brand new, one dozen eggs the night before. You would have gasped in horror if you'd been the one to discover such a mess. Eggs on the floor, in the dish drain, sitting in sippy cups...........an absolute mess. One day, though, I know they are going to be really good a cooking breakfast. lol You have to start somewhere!

I'm totally loving this reusable Starbucks tumbler.

A friend of mine gave it to me for Christmas. It lets me get free coffee for the entire month of January. Amazing!

I've seriously had a few days where I packed up the boys just to take a drive to Starbucks to get my free coffee. The best gift....... seriously!

What's your favorite gift?

random.......

We're staying busy around here.
Potty training.
Cleaning.
Planning.
Organizing.
Enjoying our nice weather.

Really, the weather has been amazing. Warm enough not to need a jacket or cool enough for something lighter. The best!

We've been to the park a lot this week. My boys are always so happy at the park. Makes me feel like a good mom. lol

Love those three!

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These sweeties went in the mail this week.

Just lovely.

Some friends and I are hosting a baby shower for a another friend.

These are the invites. I used a heart punch and coordinating patterned paper, glued the hearts to Kraft paper, then I ran them through my sewing machine for some texture. The info for the shower is on the other side printed on pink paper. Sweet, lovely, pink, and girly. :o)

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On the organizing side of things, I found some free printable sheet to get started.

When I have things written down, it's easier for me to get them done.

This is one of my goals for 2012.

To be better organized.

I think having things scheduled will really help.

Weekly Chore Schedule was found here, at http://www.theprojectgirl.com/ .
There are tons of great printables at this site and so many amazing ideas.
Go check them out. You'll be happy you did!
I also printed the Birthday Calendar from the project girl.

I think these are going to go into a "family planner" type book. I'll post photos of that later. :o)

Happy weekend everyone!

Goodbye 2011/ Hello 2012

The beginning of a new year refreshes me. It causes reflection and brings hope like no other time of year. I've been just giddy with excitement over starting this year. 2012.
What a beautiful year it's going to be!

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Okay.
So, I know we're already over Christmas and everything about it but I wanted to share one more post.
I made a couple of these albums for friends who welcomed their first child this year and therefor celebrating their first Christmas.

The front and back covers were made using stiff cardboard.

Baker's twine and pendents cut from scrap paper adorn the top.

The bingo card is from Jenni Bowlin Studio.

Enjoy tag from bananafishstudios.

Sorry, I can't remember where the Santa tag is from right now.

I made the inside pages from 6" x 6" page protectors and used my

sewing machine to stitch two separate pockets.

The large side fits 4 x 6 photos, the vertical strips of paper slide out for journaling.

There you have it.

I love them.

My friends did as well.

That's what matters to me.

Happy New Year!

I'm welcoming 2012 with arms wide open.

Oh, and a big smile on my face. : )



Emily

the day...............................................

We had the best Christmas.
Very restful & full of peaceful, quiet time as a family.
(Well, as quiet as it can be with two boys and noisy toys. lol)
I think Brett and Favre agree.
They had a great time this year unwrapping their gifts and playing with all the new toys.
The newest addition to our family was their favorite.

Kitty..........we haven't given him a proper name yet.

I think "Mr. Jingles" is a great name but it's still undecided.

Hope you had a wonderful Christmas day yourself!