Week in a Nutshell

Well here is a quick overview of what we have been up to…

Brinley and I had some friends over to make chocolate covered marshmallows, the kids loved dipping the marshmellos weather it be chocolate in their mouths or all over their clothes, it was fun:) They actually turned out pretty cute.

Here is a picture of our little man tired from a long day at the park




Brinley wanted to have a sleepover so this is what we came up with ...
Daddy rented us “Desperoux” and bought us candy. We set up the blow-up mattress and sleeping bags in the living room and we got the party started. Mommy and Owen passed out about 10 minutes into the movie. Daddy held out for another 30 minutes and our little trooper Briny watched the whole thing, and was still ready to bash, she was so excited!!!

We kept a window open and could hear the rain pour down, it took me back to the good ole’ days in Louisiana. In the morning Brin got her rain boots on a spent most of the morning splashing around in the puddles, as her audience watched.

We finished preparations for Easter by coloring eggs. Grandma Sage introduced Brinley to eating hard boil egg with salt and pepper and she loves them. After learning that she could eat all the eggs that were badly cracked we ended up with a whole lot more cracks in the eggs, but she enjoyed herself and all (4) eggs she ate.



Last is the picture of an attempted bunny cake. In my head it looked way better, I would like to blame the kids for this creation but no it was mostly my doing (with a little help.) I definitely debated posting this picture but Brin was so proud of her work. She called it “The Most Beautiful Kitty Cake.” Aunt Krisy and Erica, I know I need a little work but its not that bad right?:)

Ditch Day

Justin pulled another “Ditch Day” and took me to a Spring Training game yesterday. I just can’t believe that it took us until the very last week of Spring Training to get to a game, that was literally walking distance from our front yard. We watched as the Camelback Ranch Training Facility was built and it turned out great (I mean if you are interested in that kind of stuff). The reason I love going to a baseball game is for the nachos (with jalapenos and extra cheese). When Justin was playing or coaching I would ask him if that game would have nachos and then I would decide if I wanted to go REALLY. The nachos yesterday we wonderful, therefore I did enjoy the game, plus the 73 degree weather helped. Brinley stayed with her Aunt Rachel and watched movies, so mommy got to hang out with her two handsome boys all by herself (jealous I know:) For dinner we went to one of our favorites Thai Lahna. We decided to get it a bit spicier than usual while Justin loved it I still think my lips are burning. It never disappoints I still enjoyed every bite. I love unexpected ditch days!!!!

Owens "New Do"

Okay I know he probably didn’t need a cut yet but I have been dying to get my shears on him:) I faded his pretty blond hair, Justin couldn’t really tell but here he is after is first hair cut.

Transformed

Thanks to our wonderful friend Monika we inherited this great piece of furniture. It just needed a little love and we transformed it into a new piece.

Yeah, now we eat and play outside more!!!

The Circus Was in Town

The Birthday Party has come and gone. Brinley celebrated her 3rd year in an “amazing” way… CIRCUS style. Okay so I am going to give a step by step of what I did and where I found the ideas because it took me so long searching the internet to find all the fun material I thought it may be helpful to condense it all into one. Plus, I really tryed to stay on budget so maybe some of these ideas can help anyone else trying to do a party on a budget.

So here is where it all started…
The day after Brinley’s 2nd Birthday I was at the dollar store and they were featuring was Circus stuff, I turned to my sister and cousin and told them “Next year I am going to throw a Circus Party.” When I got home I told Justin the same thing and his response was probably typical for a husband who had just gotten done cleaning up from and funding a large 2nd birthday party. He sort-a blew it off, but as for me the planning started then, the day after her 2nd birthday Party!
Because I knew so far in advance I was able to buy so many things on sale and stick them into a bin in the garage that I labeled “BIRTHDAY BOX.” I got the red plates and napkins the day after Valentines Day for 75% off as well as many of the prizes I got after Christmas, and Valentines Day (remembering not to buy the candy or food too early).

INVITATIONS
I looked all over the internet and I found tons of cute ideas but I was going the cheap rout, as time got closer I rummaged though the “birthday box” and saw that I had already bought popcorn bags at the dollar spot a few months back, using them and a design I made for Admittance tickets I created a cute and yummy invitation.
Cost: $4 for the bags, paper, and popcorn

TICKET BOOTH
I found the idea from www.disneygo.com I decided to try it. It was as easy as they said; it took about 1.5 hours and we used old circus posters, extra tickets, fabric and paint we already had. Andiee Jane handed out the kid’s bags with circus bucks and some starter tickets; they also doubled as goodie bags at the end.
So the cost was FREE. Plus all the kids loved playing in it Brinley thinks it’s a little house for her.

BALLONS
Balloons everywhere. From everything I read balloon set the stage for a circus party so I borrowed a helium tank and bought my own balloons.
Total cost for about 75 balloons: $15

GAMES

Now here I did spend just a little more money. Although the biggest hit was “The Balloon Pop” and it cost mere pennies. All I did was put different amounts of tickets in the balloon and the kids could pop them and keep the tickets inside. “Lightning ball” cost the most $21 at http://www.orientaltraning.com/, but it was a super cute game. All the rest were $1-$8 range

FOOD
We just chose things that we would see at a fair or carnival, Hot dogs, popcorn, pickles, snow cones, chips, all very reasonable. The snow cone machine was my moms, and aunts that gets used often and again it was a hit seeing that it turned out to be pretty hot day.

FACE PAINTING
This was very popular, for the girls and boys. Thanks to a friend (Julie) who is very talented. Snakes, flowers, and stars all over the place. Cost: $12 for the paint

CLOWN
Okay so I took a shot in the dark “Would the 3 year olds be terrified of the clown?” At first about half of them were just fine and the others ranged from scared to terrified? (Sorry Grace) Even Brinley was not a huge fan of her cousin Walkers new do. But most of them warmed up and even loved to attach him with balloons. Thank you Walker you are the best!!! Him and Drake even learned to do balloon animals just for the occasion. And sorry to any of those kids that may now have clown issues:)
Cost: $35 for the costume

There were other items such as the adorable banner, and birthday crown my mom made and the amazing cake I wish that I could claim as my own but my talented Aunt Kristin made. It is nice to know people. Brinley loved having all her friends over and after they left she turned to Justin and I and said “I don’t want my party to be over EVER” Justin and I didn’t feel exactly the same but it was fun for everyone.

A year of anticipation (mostly on my part) and now its all over. What’s next years theme, oh wait I have 2 kids now I get to throw another party in August… dinosaurs, bugs, trains so fun to have a boy too. Maybe I shouldn’t tell Justin that I am started to plan again.

Another Year Older

Today is officially Brinleys 3rd birthday; wow does that age me to have a 3 year old. I can’t believe just how fast time has flown.

Happy Birthday my…
Tutu Wearing
Ballerina Dancing
Tinkerbell Befriending
Candy Snacking
McDonald Eating
Pink Coloring
Book Reading
Trampoline Jumping
Aladdin Watching
Cupcake Baking
Hair Twirling

Owen Loving
Block Building
Picnic Taking
Dress Adoring
Make-up Doing
Smiling, Laughing, Giggly, Happy Girl
I love you my Southern BEL!

Tinkerbell and the Ducks

Imaginary friends have become somewhat of an interest to me lately since we have an infestation of them living in our home!!! Fish, ducks, and the occasional octopus swimming in the bath with mom, here is a snippet of one of the conversations Brin and I have had.

“Mom don’t wash your hair they don’t like it,” Brin says

“Who doesn’t like it?” I reply

“Papaw White and Grandma Orange, the ducks,” she responds with a little frustration that I would be so insensitive to the ducks needs

Needless to say I have a showering by myself rule now “No “imaginary” Friends allowed”

Tinkerbell is the old stand by, and may I add she is a little mischievous, whining for snacks, demanding to ride in a car seat, and crawling in Owens crib to wake him up when Brin and I are cooking downstairs. I have on many occasions over heard Brinley tell her that she is “being naughty.” Worried about why Tinkerbell is acting out I have done a little research on the subject to see if I needed to treat this situation differently.

So this is some of what I found …
“Children may talk to their imaginary friends, draw with them, or even read books to them. And plenty of parents have had to set an extra place at the dinner table for the "friend." So are children's imaginary playmates cause for concern? In most cases, the answer is No. Imaginary friends are a pretty normal part of growing up, especially during the toddler years. They can help kids figure out the difference between right and wrong.”

There are a few supper cute stories of how much Brin loves her buddy, like the time it took her 3 trips up the stairs to clean up her shoes just so that she could keep one of her hands available to hold Tinkerbells, and how careful she is with her when they cross the street or drive in the car to make sure she is safe.

I also found some dos and don’t of dealing with Tinkerbell, so I will try. One more child to watch, and a rowdy one to boot.