Capri's Sweet Lemonade First Birthday Party

So I would like to introduce you to a super sweet one year old, Capri!
Capri's Mommy planned and made almost everything for this amazingly sweet birthday party. you can see Capri discovering her birthday cake with one itty bitty little finger...

Capri's Daddy made something pretty great (if you ask me)....HER VERY OWN LEMONADE STAND!!! There were bottles of pink lemonade sitting out on the stand along with a personalized chalkboard. This stand (and Capri, of course) is going to the epitome of the lemonade girls.
Here is the sweets table filled with lots of yummy pink and yellow treats. I'm not sure if you can see them, but on the left of the picture the invitation is framed. I only mention this because QUEEN LONDON'S CARRIAGE designed it specifically for Miss Capri. And the treat bags on the right also have 2.5" round circle labels designed to match ;).
Below is the "sour" table....love that!!! Capri's Mommy set out lemonade, pink lemonade and water for all of the birthday partiers. Capri's Mommy had us design the water bottle labels and the labels for the lemonade stands.

Here is an up close photo of the "pink lemonade" label attached by pink and white ribbon.Isn't this table scape just amazing, and perfect for an outdoor first birthday?
Below is a picture of the water bottle labels which match the invites, all labels, the thank you notes. I'm so glad these worked out so well, and the labels withstood the ice bucket too!Here is the birthday cake and cupcake display, and I just think it looks so great! Capri's Mommy made all of this stuff herself, and I think it takes the cake!
A very special first birthday cake with cute yellow petit fours below...
Sugar cookies with yellow frosting.....mmmmmmm
Thank you so much Christine for letting me help with Capri's party, and I hope I can get you to write a few tutorials on how you made all of this super sweet stuff!

Super top secret spy birthday party

Last weekend our Son had his 5th birthday party. I am really trying to scale back on the decorations, and make it more fun for the kids because that's where is really matters. So here was our sweets table. I used 2 yards of herringbone fabric hung from a metal clothing rack (that the Queen Grandma had stashed away), and an "Easton" banner made by my good friend from Birthday Bliss.

We had Capri Sun's (because all kids love those!), caramel apples with sprinkles and some with peanuts, and cupcakes. These cupcakes were sooo good, and out of 48, I had only 9 left ;). I made the bottom layer chocolate fudge, then french vanilla, and the top layer was died teal green to match the party.

I made the fans, last minute of course, by cutting the herringbone paper into strips and folding it. I glued it together and added the 5 cut out to the center. And all of the cupcake toppers were made to match the invitations with Perry the Playtpus on them. Perry seemed to fit the theme perfectly as he is a secret spy on Phinneas and Ferb, as well as Easton has a shirt with "Agent P" on it.

Yes, I stacked my corningware up and made my own make-shift cake platter. I think it turned out cute, so that's all that matters!!!

We went on a mission around the house. I only took pictures of the first stop because frankly it was cooooold, and all of us were running to try to get back inside the house! So the first instruction:

1. Follow the crooked porch until you find the blue table with your investigative tools on it. (notepads covered in matching paper and pencils)

2. The goats will know where to go next. (Queen Grandma has goats, so we stuck all the kids party blowers near them pen)

3. Find row 7 and you will find your disguises for your last mission. (plastic glasses with the fake noses attached)

4. Crawl through to doorways and don't touch the lazer beams. (I took string and ran it through 2 doorways and one room, and everyone had to crawl through the string and try not to touch the "lazer beams")

5. Find the last window for your top secret identities. (I made identification cards for each kid that has their photo on it, their age, and their secret code for mission (which was their initials))


Here is our most special birthday boy. We can't believe our first baby is 5 years old....oh how I remember when he was so tiny, and I could dress him up and get him to smile for me.

The littlest knight shared his lolli-pop with our very own little Queen. Thanks Grandma for providing such a LARGE lolli-pop........ It was sweet that they were sharing. And the little Queen had a coordinating outfit to the rest of us. She had on white lace leggings, black lace up boots, herringbone panties, a black tutu, a special shirt that was decoded by the family, and a matching hairbow.

Happy Birthday my sweet Son. Mom and Dad love you so much and feel so lucky to get the opportunity to raise you.

Only in the movies...

Today, I had one of those days, you know the ones that only happen in the movies. You go in for one thing, and come out with so much more! Yes, one of those days!!! Stay tuned for more.....

Valentine's Day

Today is filled with so many different emotions for me. Today is the day that my Husband (then my Boyfriend) taped a note and a rose to my window while I was at work and I knew I was smitten. We talked late late that night once i got home (because cell phones weren't cool yet). Then...three years ago today I picked my Son up from my Mother-in-law at 12:30 (because she needed to go to work), and at 1:08 pm our world stopped. She was in a horrible car accident. 12:30 was the last time I got to talk to her. We lost such a force in our life that the pieces have been crumbling around ever since. So there, that's the story (in short form). I want to remember the great things about her today.

Tami used to have fresh baked Hawaiian bread ready when I got done with the high school football games. (I would always sneak over to my boyfriends house after the games before curfew)

Tami went with me to every wedding dress fitting with my Mom and I.

Tami and I talked to each other every day, and would just sit chatting about anything and nothing at the same time.

Tami would just giggle when I told her of plans I had for a party, or school, or whatever.

Tami was the third person to know that I was pregnant with Easton, and she made me take one MORE pregnancy test just to make sure.

Between my Mom and Tami, I had someone with me during every doctors appointment when I was pregnant with Easton.

Tami was there the day we found out we were going to have a precious baby boy.

Tami was there the day we had our precious baby boy.

Tami watched Easton for us when I went back to work.

Tami was there for our Son's first robot birthday party.

And we were making plans for Easton's second birthday when she was taken from us just ten days before our little turned 2.

We will never let our children forget what a great person their Grandma was. We will always take her new flowers, so her resting place is as close to as beautiful as she was. We will never forget what we had, and what we lost so tragically. We will continue to see what a wonderful Mother she was, through her four wonderful children (one of which I got to marry!!). So today I will remember Tami! We love you!!

London's Vintage Cowgirl Second Birthday Party

This weekend my Daughter, Queen London, had her second birthday and second birthday party. I can't believe my baby is TWO!!! Below is the sweets table. I am trying to pair the parties down a bit, so this year we had pink cupcakes (thanks to Amber), sugar cookies (thanks to Sydney), caramel apples, and pink marshmallows. We also had lunch for the kids which consisted of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches cut into the shape of a star, animal crackers and juice for the kids.

And as a side note that little red barn is super vintage and was given to me for my Son's nursery when he was born and sat in his room until about one year ago when the kids began sharing one room. I may have to bring it back home because I still love it!

I made all of the cupcake toppers ahead of time, and they had her name on them as well as L's, 2's, and glitter 2's with pistol's in the background (because we all know that she is our little pistol).

Here is the door to the backside of the house and the kids table was set up right below this entryway. My friend Heather of Birthday Bliss made the adorable banner, and I plan on hanging it above London's bed once we transition her into her BIG GIRL BED!!!! Eeeeeee!!! And again you can see the WANTED poster I designed after finding a few other wanted posters designed similarly. London is "WANTED for crimes including climbing out of her crib, throwing daggers with her eyebrows, and being feisty like a pistol!"

Mom had this old gun sitting out on the table.

The Queen Grandma was primping London before all the guests arrived. Most of London's ensemble was designed and created by my Mom and myself. We ordered the pink cowgirl fabric from Warm Biscuit, and then rest of the fabric was purchased from Beverly's here locally. London's leggings were repurposed from a vintage sweater purchased at the local thrift store with some of the dress fabric. I made her bow a couple of days beforehand, and I like them BIG, so for everyone who likes dainty bows....great for you....BUT NOT ME!!! I think the more the better!!! I personally think that she looks like a cute little cowgirl cupcake with the frosting on top!!! And everyone knows the frosting is what MAKES the cupcake! :)

London's absolute favorite gift was from our good friends, and it consisted of a french paper basket, a black and hot pink skunk with a mohawk (their Son has a mohawk and picked this gift out for her), and M&M's.....London's LOVES M&M's, and we have been potty training this sweet girl, so we go through lots and lots of candy! :) :) :) So, on another note....THERE ARE PANTIES UNDER THAT DRESS!!!!!! We have one big girl!!!!

We sang Happy Birthday to our favorite girl...

And she enjoyed every last bit of that frosting!

The Queen Grandma and Grandpa stole a few precious moments with London. Grandma is teasing London "Don't you tell Papa". London's favorite person in the whole wide world is Grandpa, and Grandma always teases her that Grandma is London's favorite, and they just won't tell Papa.

London opened up one of her presents, and she may be a little bit bossy, so she was telling somebody that they can't see her present. Hopefully, someday, I can teach this little pistol to "be nice".

We also did shrinky dinks at the party, and they were a big hit with all of the little girls, and my nephew.

I had most of the pictures already traced and cut out and ready to be colored. Horseshoes, cowboys, cowgirls, initials, hats, and my personal favorite was the horse.

After most of the guests left Grandpa and the King Daddy took the bigger boys outside for some target practice with Grandpa's BB gun.

Doesn't Easton look just like a little cowboy...I love the bandana, Sheriff badge, cowboy boots, and BB gun...he takes shooting very seriously!

Now I would like a small disclaimer, we do not allow our 2 year old to touch this BB gun. BUT, I asked my Dad if he would hold her and let her try to pretend to shoot for her birthday (and so I could take a picture)! I'm glad I did because it's such a sweet picture of my Dad and baby girl.

Happy Birthday to the sweetest little Queen. We love you London Tami Lynn.

My Baby is Turning TWO!!

Sunday is a big day...London is turning two! Although we are having her party on Saturday, we plan on spending Sunday doing what she likes. I can not believe that 2 years ago I had this little bundle of joy inside my belly. London is the most loving little girl with hugs and kisses and a very calm little girl, BUT she is as feisty as they come! She yells at her Brother and bosses anyone who will listen around....a girl after my own heart <3!

When London was one month old we took her to Disneyland for her Brothers third birthday, and she gave us a run for our money while there. I think this was the first time my parents got to see her this way!

Grandma took the reigns for a little bit and they met up with their Fairy Godmother!
And to top the birthday off, we have been potty training her and I almost feel like my baby is leaving! She's a big girl now....she only has a few remnants left of baby-hood: pacifier, crib, and she still has not had a haircut!!! On that note, King Daddy and I have gone back and forth since the day she was born about cutting hair and piercing ears....neither are things I want to do, but he taunts me often about it! London's hair is just so pretty, and it curls down her back....I just can't bear to cut it. King Dad wants to cut bangs, and I absolutely can't do it....CAN NOT DO IT!!! My Sister and I were plagued with half-a-head bangs, and I just can't put my Daughter through that! King Dad and I made a deal that we would cut her hair on the 2nd birthday, but now that it's here....I don't want to do it!!!! So in the end the saying stays true: Happy Wife, Happy Life....so London's hair is staying!!!! Next post will be pictures of little Queen London's birthday party!!! Woo hoo!!!

The Queen Grandma's Enchanted Winter Golden Birthday Party!

My Dad and I surprised my Mom (the Queen Grandma here) with a "Gold" birthday party. I stole most of the items used to decorate from her house (and she barely noticed)!! So here is table 1: a fat glass apothecary jar filled with moss sitting atop a sheet of matching printed paper. We filled those blue bowls with cake balls, and sugar cookies!

Here is a cake pedestal with a cloche sitting atop. I designed and handmade each one of those carriage fans.

Here is one of the taller vases filled with silver twigs and whispy grass and one of the hand made fans.

A close up of the table after the cupcakes were placed out. I don't know if you can see that frosting on those cupcakes, but it is chocolate chip frosting, and tastes JUST LIKE chocolate chip cookie dough.....A-MAZING!!

The gift table was just as you entered the building.

The CAKE!!! It was made Olivia of Piece O Cake by Olivia, and tasted amazing! The cake was french vanilla with the same chocolate chip buttercream....mmmmmmmmmm!!!

I know the cake table wasn't amazing, but I didn't anticipate how large the tables would be, nor did I remember to bring serving plates for those yummy-yummy sugar cookies.

I made red velvet and cream cheese cake balls. I think I learned my lesson...either I'm not a perfectionist (which is totally true) and/or I made these way too big and they kept falling off of the sticks. It didn't matter though, there was not one left!!! You can find the recipe to my red velvet cake pops here.

And here is the Queen of my Heart....Queen London. She was quite the little dancer this evening, and stayed on the dance floor ALL NIGHT. And by all night, I mean until we left at 12:00am (midnight)!!!

And here is the King of his Mommy's Heart....such a sweet cute faux-hawk boy. He's so much more shy than his little Sister.... Here is right when my Mom walked in the door! SURPRISE!!!

And we danced the night away!!!

My Mom's friends and family danced, and danced, and danced!!! It was such a great time! I need to find a place locally that I can go dance at....such a BLAST!!!

Grandma got a special dance with her little King....Michael Jackson, of course. He thinks he is MJ, and even does the moonwalk for which he has named the "walk backwards with your head back"....lolololAnd I will leave you with one last endearing photo. These are my parents, and they have been married 32...THIRTY-TWO years. That is nothing to laugh at, that's serious!! And although my Dad isn't always the most romantic man...he has the sweetest heart and threw this entire party for my Mom.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY QUEEN GRANDMA!!!!!

And....as her surprise present from us, we got her BABY GOATS!!!! She named them George and Emma....twins, 8 weeks old! Eeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!