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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2010 Ends....

Well this year has been a big year in the King household...lots of new things, and lots of the same 'ol. Our Son turned 4, started a new pre-school, learned how to unlock my cell phone, learned how to use the computer, and generally became a wonderful little man. Our Daughter turned 1, started walking, started talking, grew loooooong hair, and became the fiestiest little girl that we love so much! King Dad finished his school program, and spent lots of time with the kids. I planned parties, juggled my family, worked full time, went back to school, and GRADUATED from college finally!


Queen London's Carriage grew in a few aspects by starting this blog, by opening a facebook, by brainstorming, planning and throwing a few fun parties, and by just keepin' on. Queen Grandma continued to sell her vintage on etsy, and I sold a few digital files on etsy. We still love what we do, and how we can do it together. Below are a few photos from our year in 2010.

London's first ever birthday party

Easton turned 4 at his Dinosaur Party

We celebrated our 8th wedding anniversary...8 YEARS!!!

Easter

We let our little one play at the Queen Grandma's IN THE MUD!!!!

Alice in Wonderland Tea Party & Cookie Baking Party

Halloween

We took the kids to Disneyland and celebrated the King Dad's 30th birthday!We matched our clothes.....even after all these years!!! We are truly best of friends!
I graduated from Fresno Pacific University.

Queen Grandma threw me an amazing party!

And we had an amazing Christmas that I haven't blogged about. Maybe someday you can see my tree, the Queen Grandma's tree, and all things royal for our holiday. Thanks for sticking around to see what we're up to. We have exciting things coming in the next few weeks, and I can't wait to share with you what we have planned!

Graduation Party 2010

December 11, 2010 I did something that has been in the works for many, many years....I GRADUATED FROM COLLEGE!!! I know there is no time frame to finish something that important, I wish I would have done this years ago!!!


My sweet Son came and supported me, and he was such a trooper.
1:00pm-2:00pm car ride to school
2:00-3:00pm wait for the ceremony while holding seats
3:00-4:30pm watch boring adult graduation ceremony
4:45-5:15pm car ride to restaurant
5:15-5:35pm wait for seats at restaurant
5:35pm-6:35pm eat in an adult establishment
6:35-7:05pm car ride home
= GOOD BOY!!!


Of course, my Husband, who watched the kids, listened to me cry when I was frustrated, dropped off dinner at school, brought stuff I had forgotten, and generally helped to put me through this schooling.


My parents who had this dream for me, and both said that "this was the best Christmas gift they could have received this year". They wanted this for me the first time I went to school, and second time I enrolled, and I finally decided enough was enough and applied for graduation!!!

Here are my: (from left) Sister-in-law Tiffani, Husband Eddie, Son Easton, me!, Sister-in-law Tori, and Sister-in-law Tara.......who watched me walk this walk...and their Mom would have been there will bells on if she could have been (and I suspect that she was there anyways)!

These girls are so important to me, and I hope to someday watch each one of them do the same walk I did!
My Mom and Cousin Janice threw this amazing get together for me, and wait till you see all the details!!!! Do you see that cake?!!! Piece O Cake by Olivia made this cake, and it was exactly what my Mom had in mind!!!

Again, Piece O Cake by Olivia designed, completed, and delivered this amazing cake!

It is no surprise that my Mom put this display together, and it is all things that are loved by us! We always make caramel apples, like for everything!!!, vintage desserts, keys to our heart, frames and pears (there is a side story to this: when my Husband and I got married oh so many years ago, and our theme was red and tan, with pears "Quite a pear"!! lololol, so it is no surprise that these pears would make a surprise appearance at my graduation party).

Do you see those cupcakes with fondant toppers??? Olivia made those too, yep! There were four designs, but my absolute favorite was the one with the silhouette on it. The silhouette was a graduate (me) holding the hands of her two adorable kids (made exclusively for this event).

Nobody can turn down red velvet cupcakes!!!!

This hand towel was the inspiration for the entire party, and my Mom did an amazing job!! I created the silhouette that is framed above the towel, and I was able to keep it afterwards to remind myself forever that I DID IT!!! With a Husband, and 2 kids in tow!!

And a very good family friend made these sugar cookies, and let me just tell you that they are amazing...not like good, like I ate the entire bag that night while I stayed up late with my Sister-in-law talking!!!

We did not take my Daughter to the actual graduation because can you imagine an almost 2 years old having to stick to that schedule I outlined earlier for my Son? Uh, no! She stayed home with the friend who made those sugar cookies!!

And here is the last picture from my party...my beautiful Sister-in-laws. I want to formally and publicly thank my Mother who listened to me, gave me advice, and who threw me this party. My Dad may have helped too! And to my Husband, who again, helped to push me to do this. To my kids, who gave me the drive to do it. And to my Mother-in-law who would have been there with bells on, and I believe she was there. She is probably the one who poked me, and reminded me that I needed to DO IT!!!!!

And thank you to all who read this blog....I love what I do!!!!