The invitations were simple (maybe you saw them if you are following me on Instagram). I used the wording from this spy party, but simplified it some, printed it on graph paper and called it good.

We hosted the whole party in our backyard. I made two giant coloring pages of [...]]]> My boy is 6. So we celebrated.

The invitations were simple (maybe you saw them if you are following me on Instagram). I used the wording from this spy party, but simplified it some, printed it on graph paper and called it good.

We hosted the whole party in our backyard. I made two giant coloring pages of trees and bushes. As the kids arrived, they drew spies hiding in the trees and bushes. It was the perfect thing to keep them busy until all the party guests arrived.

Of course we played games!

First up: target practice with marshmallow shooters and bowls. These paper cup shooters are all over Pinterest. My two cents is to use a paper cup (NOT plastic) and tape the balloon on.

The kids played with these in the grass. Clean up was very sticky. Next time I will set it up on the driveway so I can sweep up the marshmallows.

Next up: spy obstacle course. Run through the red laser beams (crepe paper), dismantle the bomb by building a tower out of blocks, walk the balance beam, dodge through the balloons without touching them, up the ladder, down the fire pole, and on to the finish line.

While I swoon over Amy Atlas designs, I feel no need to recreate tablescapes like those for my parties. But I do believe that food should be unbelievably delicious. So I made the most amazing chocolate cake ever. Smothered in ganache. Topped with sprinkles. I also served cups of fresh fruit and lots of water (we were outside, remember?).

Last up: spy disguises. We all know every good spy has a bunch of disguises. We gave each party guest a bag with spy essentials: fake nose glasses, mustaches, sunglasses, kazoo, finger trap, magnifying glass, notebook, and markers.

The kids got all dressed up and went right to work making top secret notes in their notebooks. Awesome.

Mission accomplished. One and half hours of party fun.

SOURCES:

> overall party inspiration from Chicken Babies
> marshmallow shooters tutorial from Real Simple
> chocolate cake from my Auntie Liz
> fake nose glasses, magnifying glasses, kazoos, finger traps, party hats from my local Party City
> sunglasses via Amazon
> mustaches via Amazon

Grammie, JoPa, my sister and her kiddos came in town to help us celebrate.

We spent the morning at the park swinging, playing tag, and shooting hoops. We had a picnic. The weather was  beautiful.

That [...]]]> We celebrated another birthday. Cooper’s three-year-old birthday request included basketball, really big cake, sprinkles, and gumballs. Ok. Here’s what I came up with.

Grammie, JoPa, my sister and her kiddos came in town to help us celebrate.

We spent the morning at the park swinging, playing tag, and shooting hoops. We had a picnic. The weather was  beautiful.

That afternoon, JoPa took all the boys on an outing while the women-folk got the party ready. We wrapped presents, made a few decorations, and set the table.

I covered the table in brown paper and used my trusty Sharpie to draw the lines of a basketball court. Cooper thought that was very cool. We ate pizza and had our favorite fizzy drinks.

Grammie provided party shirts for the kiddos. They also got sweat bands for their heads and wrists. Check out those muscles.

After dinner, we played “Pin the Basketball in the Hoop”. The Birthday Boy opted for covering his mouth with his hand rather than the typical blindfold covering the eyes. We were going to have a Slam Dunk contest as well, but Cooper was not interested.

Instead, I found him inside sitting at the table with the ice cream and a spoon and bowl. He was waiting patiently for his giant cake. That’s my boy. Happy Birthday, Kiddo!

(If I was awesome, this photo would not be grainy!)

My little super hero turned 5. How come all this growing up business happens so fast?

I believe in small, low-key birthday parties. Max could invite five friends (he chose Cooper as one of those –cute!).

SUPER DECORATIONS

Lots of balloons. WHAM, BAM, POW signs hung all over. [...]]]>

(If I was awesome, this photo would not be grainy!)

My little super hero turned 5. How come all this growing up business happens so fast?

I believe in small, low-key birthday parties. Max could invite five friends (he chose Cooper as one of those –cute!).

SUPER DECORATIONS

Lots of balloons. WHAM, BAM, POW signs hung all over. Streamers. I covered the table in paper.

**UPDATE** You can download the super hero signs HERE because I like to share.

We invited our friends to come dressed as super heros. My boys wore capes I made them for Christmas a couple years ago from cast-off IKEA curtains paired with old t-shirts with a felt letter appliqued on front.

SUPER GAMES

When the kiddos arrived, we made super hero fruit loop necklaces. This kept everyone busy until all the kids came. (Otherwise they would have been in the playroom dumping out all of the toys — and that sort of stresses me out…)

During our party planning session, Max came up with this game:

1. The Super Heros wait inside while Mom hides the stuffed animals in the backyard.

2. The Super Heros come running to the backyard to save the animals.

3. The Super Heros return the animals to the blue basket on the deck.

4. REPEAT!

SUPER FOOD

Actually, I’m not sure the food was super… but they ate it We had snacks and cupcakes. Simple. Easy.

SUPER TREAT BAGS

Max helped me make glitter initials for each bag. Then he got to choose a few things at the store to put inside. Instead of buying the prepackaged party favors, I like to buy normal, big bags of things and then repackage them at home. That way it feels more special and it’s cheaper.

And that’s everything. Happy Birthday, Kid!

Max wanted a race car theme with red and orange. Done.

We tied an orange balloon to each chair. I covered the table with brown kraft paper (the kind [...]]]> Spring time is birthday season at our house. I decided to let the kiddos have birthday parties with friends every other year. So this was our friend party year.

Max wanted a race car theme with red and orange. Done.

We tied an orange balloon to each chair. I covered the table with brown kraft paper (the kind from Home Depot that contactors use to cover the carpet – it comes in giant rolls and is super cheap). I used orange wrapping paper to cover the counter. The plates, napkins and cups were red.

I pre-poured snacks into cups – cracker, pretzels, goldfish. We had tangerines, chocolate cupcakes, and juice. About an hour before the party, I put the juice boxes in the freezer to get them cold and the froze! So most kids ate their juices with a spoon – but everyone likes slushies, right?!

The kids played “Red Light, Green Light” in the backyard. I made the flags out of felt and dowel rods from the craft store.

Target had some wooden cars and trucks for a dollar so the kids each decorated a car. Max takes his projects very seriously. He stayed at the table to color even after his buddies were long gone and playing in the playroom. He colored every inch of the car (and his face). I set up a ramp in the family room using our coffee table and some masonite board I had laying around for the kids to race their cars.

Max helped me put the party favor bags together. He chose punch balloons, race car pencils, bouncy balls, and little race cars to go inside the bags. I printed out some race car graphics. Max cut each one out and glued it on each bag. We used the extra images to make a mobile that hung from the light over the kitchen table (my mom’s idea). The kids loved that! We closed up the bag with jute twine following this tutorial.

All in all, the party was a success. No disasters. My parents were in town so they helped with all the prep and the day of the party. Max had fun with his friends. We were all happy.

Last week I hosted a baby shower for a good friend. She is having her fourth boy! I really wanted to have a celebration for her (not so much for the baby). Now don’t get me wrong, babies are good. But I think the party needs to be for the pregnant lady. It’s no small thing [...]]]>

Last week I hosted a baby shower for a good friend. She is having her fourth boy! I really wanted to have a celebration for her (not so much for the baby). Now don’t get me wrong, babies are good. But I think the party needs to be for the pregnant lady. It’s no small thing to have a baby. Motherhood is a big deal and needs some loving attention.

So, this party wasn’t very “boy-ish” because Melissa was my main focus.

I was inspired by this rustic party table. I really tried to only use materials I had around the house (that kind of thing makes my husband happy…) I covered my table in brown kraft paper. On top of that was a wrapping paper table runner using a blue on blue floral (from IKEA). I added one more layer with a burlap table runner. The red and orange tulip centerpiece wasn’t quite tall enough so I stood the vase on a glass salad bowl turned upside down. Perfect. The food signs are printed on construction paper and held up with giant clothespins. For my guests, I gave a little seed kit in a tiny clay pot (love those dollar bins at Target!).

I’m the awesome kind of party host and mom that sets up the buffet table the afternoon of the party. So the boys had to eat dinner outside on the deck.

The Menu:

+ Mango Salsa with chips
+ Broccoli Salad
+ Artichoke and Spinach Dip with crackers
+ Rolls and strawberry jam
+ Whole Wheat Banana Muffins
+ Fresh Fruit cups
+ Chocolate Cake
+ Peanut Butter Pie
+ Lemon Pudding Parfaits
+ Caramel Brownies
+ Pomegranate Izzes

Melissa has had baby name drama (to say the least) and so I had slips of paper prepared for each guest to suggest some names for her new baby.

We had a great time chatting and eating. And eating. And eating.

Party success.

Happy baby!

I used this table setting at our Easter Brunch but it would work with any spring or garden party. The nest is made out of marshmallow and All Bran cereal.

A few weeks back, our friend invited me and the boys to make these darling chicken cupcakes. They [...]]]> This might be a little late, but I’m sharing anyway.

I used this table setting at our Easter Brunch but it would work with any spring or garden party. The nest is made out of marshmallow and All Bran cereal.

A few weeks back, our friend invited me and the boys to make these darling chicken cupcakes. They were so much fun to make and the kiddos loved it (especially eating the Jelly Bellys off their birds). Great idea for kids or adults.

AND… here’s a sneak peek at tomorrow’s tutorial:

With Mother’s Day right around the corner I thought you could use this. It’s a card/book with pockets so you can write an extra special mother’s day love note to your mom.

See you tomorrow!

This is fabric flower garland is pretty simple. I made the flowers out on the deck while the boys played in the backyard. Later that night I made it into a garland. It’s the perfect thing for spring and summer.

SUPPLIES

+ fabric of your choice cut into circles (3″ diameter) + needle and thread + hot glue + twine or [...]]]>

This is fabric flower garland is pretty simple. I made the flowers out on the deck while the boys played in the backyard. Later that night I made it into a garland. It’s the perfect thing for spring and summer.

SUPPLIES

+ fabric of your choice cut into circles (3″ diameter)
+ needle and thread
+ hot glue
+ twine or ribbon

HOW TO MAKE A FABRIC FLOWER GARLAND

STEP 1: Fold one circle in half. Then in thirds (should be a triangle shape). Pinch it at the bottom to hold it together.

STEP 2: Put a little stitch in the bottom. I used a contrasting thread to make this tutorial easier to follow. You should use a matching thread.

STEP 3: Take another circle and follow steps 1 & 2. After you’ve stitched it, sew it on to the first circle. Continue doing this with 10-15 circles or until your flower is the fullness you want it to be.

STEP 4: Decide the length of your garland and space out your flowers. Hot glue each flower to the twine. I put the twine through the middle of the flower and then glued it in place. This will hold the flower better than gluing it to the back of the flower.

STEP 5: Hang it where you can enjoy it!

A few nights ago I had the honor of hosting a baby shower for my friend and her new baby boy. I love these types of celebrations!

Some party details:

Of course the only photo I took of the food table was before all the food was on it. (I would do something like that – maybe because [...]]]>

A few nights ago I had the honor of hosting a baby shower for my friend and her new baby boy. I love these types of celebrations!

Some party details:

Of course the only photo I took of the food table was before all the food was on it. (I would do something like that – maybe because a half an hour before guests arrived I was in the shower haha). We had the most delicious cheesecake ever (thanks, Amy!!), lemon bars, and chocolate cupcakes filled with whipped cream. Plus, we had Vietnamese Salad Rolls (thanks, Tricia!!) which are so yummy, artichoke-spinach dip, fresh strawberries, fresh clementines, and fresh veggies. Lemon water and Izzes to drink.

(love my Kroger flowers?!)

I made the garland out of craft paper and string. A matching one hung on the mantle.

The food was all labeled with these cute signs. I’m working on making this into a free download for you – I’ll let you know when it’s ready.

******UPDATE: Click HERE for the free download of these labels to use at your own party! It’s a 2-page pdf with the big labels I used for the food and the little labels I used on the cookie treats. Enjoy!******

I don’t believe any party guest should leave empty handed so everyone took a “glad you came” cookie for the road. (These labels will also be available soon for download)

And, of course, there were candy munchies a plenty (everyone needs buckets of m&ms!)

So that’s what I’ve been up to. I’ve also had a bunch of custom book orders lately – keep them coming! I love custom orders. I’ll post pics soon.

Christmas week was just as I hoped it would be. I spent tons of time with my little family. We (Chris, mostly) did a few projects around the house, raked leaves, and had a party. In years past, we have delivered plates of treats to our neighbors and friends around Christmas time, but this [...]]]>

Christmas week was just as I hoped it would be. I spent tons of time with my little family. We (Chris, mostly) did a few projects around the house, raked leaves, and had a party. In years past, we have delivered plates of treats to our neighbors and friends around Christmas time, but this year we decided to host a “Merry Christmas Hot Cocoa Social” instead. We invited our friends (who we knew were in town) to join us Christmas Eve afternoon. I love having a full house – and trust me, the house was full!

I kept things pretty low key. The hot cocoa & hot cranberry drinks were made from my great aunt recipes and I served them out of crock pots.

We also served chocolate crinkle cookies, banana bread, cranberry bread with walnuts, and hot chocolate mix-ins (candy canes, marshmallows, choco chips, whipped cream).

We will definitely do this again next year!

One activity from our advent calendar this year was to play Christmas Bingo with a few friends. Well, that’s what we did Saturday and it was lots of fun. So much fun that I didn’t even take photos. Why does that always happen? Oh well. I’m sharing my Christmas Bingo boards with you. To download the [...]]]>

One activity from our advent calendar this year was to play Christmas Bingo with a few friends. Well, that’s what we did Saturday and it was lots of fun. So much fun that I didn’t even take photos. Why does that always happen? Oh well. I’m sharing my Christmas Bingo boards with you. To download the Bingo boards, click HERE. It’s a 10-page pdf with 10 different Bingo boards. I filled one of my apothecary jars with prizes from the dollar store and had some snacks to munch on. We will definitely be adding this to our holiday traditions.

Another great thing I made last week was inspired by my Auntie who is an amazing baker. I made the most delicious chocolate cupcakes. Cooled them in the fridge. Dug out a tablespoon of cake from the bottom. Filled the hole with freshly whipped cream. Stuffed the cake bottom back on. Drizzled a chocolate ganache over the top. YUM! Don’t worry. I’ll be posting a tutorial on this one soon.

Also, we decorated graham cracker houses a few days ago. Two things that worked really well: we separated the candy into muffin tins so the kiddos could see what their choices were and to construct the houses I dipped the graham edges in melted sugar. Worked like a charm.