Our Weekend

We had a big and fun weekend planned, but the weather had it's owns plans too...

 We sadly had to reschedule some events but we still had fun like always...rain or shine!!

Elliana and I did a lot of playing inside Saturday while Lucas was at work. Poor thing kept looking out the window saying "outside...play...slide" over and over. So we whipped up some homemade paint, got out the kraft paper, and went to town. Of course what's painting if you don't use yourself as a canvas?? Luckily she didn't go too crazy with it. We also did some coloring and drawing. She's learning her shapes so during this time it's "mommy daw a pink circle" or a "blue scare" or a "purple star". If you haven't discovered kraft paper you are totally missing out, especially if you have little ones. I bought a roll to use for her birthday party and it's been so useful ever since. I tape it down on the floor or table for her to draw or paint on. She absolutely loves. Plus with a roll you can attempt to trace your child's body on it and that is a great way to help them recognize body parts and then color it! 

 After all the playing it was time for Elliana's nap and time for mama to start preparing for dinner, then daddy came home! We ate dinner fast and got ready for a fall festival before the rain started again. Of course Elliana's favorite part of the festival was holding out her treat bag and people putting candy in it. Sadly the rain caught up with us and it was time to go home, but not time for the fun to end! (:

(I just love that smile...)

 I had a little craft planned for her once we got home and it was a hit! But she did have a little too much fun with the paint on her hand. It may not look a like hand print or a spider, but it is hers and that makes it a masterpiece to me. (:

Sunday we had plans to go to the pumpkin patch after church, but the weather wouldn't allow it... But we still had a great day spending it with family and watching TWD premiere (shout out to my TWD fans out there!). We also had plans for a Halloween craft night yesterday with some friends, but once the wind blew Lucas' grill away we felt like it wasn't a good night for anyone to get out. 

So here's to hoping for better weather and more fall fun this week! 

What kind of fall activities do you and your family have planned??

Tea for Two Birthday Party!!

I apologize for being M.I.A... We have been trying to get settled in the new house, had Elliana's 2nd birthday and birthday party, and now preparing for the holidays that are coming up. Whew.. so many things but I love it!

A couple of weekends ago we had our sweet girl's 2nd birthday party. It's still crazy to me that we have a 2 year old, but oh my, this age has been so fun! I love hearing her say and do new things every day, she is such a joy to our family. Here is a little party recap!

I wanted to do a simple party this year. Since we just moved in, and built her "big" present, it was just easier that way haha. All I wanted for her party was for her and her friends to have fun and I believe we succeeded.

I made most of the decorations myself. I found an easy DIY tissue garland on Pinterest, and the birthday banner..well, I just "winged it" (haha..that was scary). The chalkboard labels were actually something to put in plant pots. I just replaced the stick with cotton twine string for the drink dispensers.  I do not see myself as an artistic person so when I attempt a DIY I procrastinate as long as I can, and in this case I procrastinated until the night before the party (yeaaa..I'm that girl). So of course I freaked out more because all I could think about was "what if this doesn't work?" "it's too late to get something else!!" but luckily it worked out well enough for me to use the decorations! (:

One of my best friends who did mine and Lucas' wedding cake, did Elliana's birthday cake for me this year, and I did the cupcakes. A craft stick and a tied colored cotton twine string was the perfect simple cupcake topper. Thanks to my sweet husband for tying them and for painting the 2 ;)

My favorite part of the party was the actual tea party set-up for the kids. I covered the table with white kraft paper and put crayons out for the kids to color on, inside the paper bags were the kids' lunch which was pb&j sandwich, gogo pouch, chips, grapes, and caprisun. I made them ahead of time so the parents didn't have to make the kids plate and their plate. The kids loved sitting at their own table with friends, and did great eating together! Plus it was super adorable!!

For party favors the kids got a goody bag, and had dress-up accessories at the tea party table. The girls got a boa and jewelry, and the boys got a bow tie and glasses. It was definitely a hit with the kids, and again super adorable!

Overall the party went great. The kids loved playing outside on Elliana's play set and upstairs in the playroom and it was so special for her birthday to be our first event in the new house! Elliana really enjoyed having her friends over and loved all her presents. Thank you to all who came to celebrate our girl we are slowly looking forward to next year! 

RESOURCES:

Tissue Garland / Bow Ties / Elliana's Cupcake Outfit / Wooden Crate / Party Favor Glasses