Fun In The Sun

Summertime...perfect for outdoor fun and delicious on-the-go snacks.  Here are some little treats I decided to make for my daughter's classmates.  What kid doesn't like bubbles and Goldfish?

Summer Treats

I am so excited about these little treats I created.  I have been working on them for a while and they are finally done.  Yay!  It means a lot to have friends who are physically there to support you during the challenging times and celebrate with you during the good.  I wanted to let some of them (and their little ones) know how much I truly appreciate each of them.

Nascar Box Car Derby

My daughter's daycare is hosting a "Nascar Box Car Derby" and it gave me yet another excuse to get the creative wheels turning.  Although, my daughter refuses to cooperate and drive her car, I am happy with the end result.  Maybe daddy can convince her to actually participate in the derby.  For now she is just content with sitting in the car and sucking her thumb.

I Love Science

This weekend I organized a family event at the Museum of Life and Science.  We had lunch together and enjoyed the museum as a large group.  As favors for the kids, I made snack robots (using cups of oranges, cheese crackers, cookies, apple juice boxes, and boxes of raisins). My daughter loved the robots and would imitate a robot every time she saw one of my little creations.  I am glad that she really enjoyed the museum as well!

I Appreciate You!

Every year around this time mothers begin to stress out regarding what to get their child's teachers for Teacher's Appreciation Week.  The gift card route is always nice, but in the case where your child has multiple teachers that can add up pretty quickly.  However, you also don't want to waste your money on trinkets they will never use.  This year I decided to go with a simple idea I found on Pinterest (I Love that site).  There were tons of variations, but I wanted to go with a small beach bag filled with summer themed items.

Below is a breakdown of pricing for each gift:

Straw Beach Tote (Target Value Bin Section)- $3
Beach Towel (Walmart)- $6
Water Bottle (Dollar Tree)- $1
Photo Key Chain (Michaels)- $0.60 each (with 40% coupon for a pack of 3)
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Total of $10.60 for this useful and personal gift!

Gifts Ready to Go! 

Close up of Water Bottle & Towel

 Water Bottle, Towel, and Key Chain

Close up of Gift

2nd Birthday Party: It's Done!

I had so much fun planning my daughter's second birthday, but I am glad it is finally over! I ordered and made a lot of things to make this day extra special and wanted to take the time to highlight a few items...

No Minnie Party is complete without Minnie Ears and cake!:-)  Credit for this beautiful cake and cupcakes goes to "My Two Sweetie Pies"

After searching for creative ideas on pinterest, I had to create a Minnie Coupe for my daughter .  There are tons of sites with tutorials and different methods.  My favorties were Megan Kunkel's and The Hunted Interior.

The main thing I wanted to do differently from most sites was the ears.  I didn't want to use the wooden version (although I have seen some extremely cute versions).   I re-purposed an old toy that my daughter no longer played with to make my lightweight, plastic Minnie Ears (Playskool Elephant Ball Popper).  I also used pink polka dot fabric (I found in Joann's fabric) and made a stuffed bow to place on top.  The ball popper ears have a small hole on the left but it was easily covered from the front with my big bow.  I sewed my bow to the ears using the small holes that were already in the ears, so there was no need to use any glue for attachment.

As mentioned in previous posts, I made topiaries, invitations, tutus, centerpieces, party chairs, banners...you name it and I probably made it!  LOL!

Party Invitations

I made ears with bows for my daughter and her two older cousins

Tutu for Birthday Photo Session

I love these topiaries!

Favors: Personalized Minnie/Mickey Pail with Shirt and Ears Inside

Banner #1

Banner #2

Close Up of My Minnie ;-)

Another idea I found on The hunted Interior site was the idea for my party menu.  We had hotdogs, baked beans, pasta salad, cheese puffs (my daughter's favorite) and pink lemonade.

Now off to plan the next birthday party! Actually I am planning a few mini parties in between.  Since I love hosting I thought it would be great to host a few play dates throughout the year.  I'm collecting items for a Music Mania Play Date now ;-)

Also check out pictures from my parties on "Catch My Party"!

Party #1

My daughter has some amazing teachers.  They informed me on Thursday, they wanted to throw a birthday party for Gabby.  Her teachers made banners and birthday crowns, purchased cupcakes and cheese puffs for snack, and just made my baby girl feel special all around.  I do not take the acts of kindness from others lightly and thank God for such caring people being placed in my daughter's life.  I made her classmates little party favors.  Each gift cost a total of $1.45.  I purchased small $1 buckets and bulk bubbles.  I then used craft supplies I already had to make the gifts extra special.

Personalized Pails

 Birthday Banner From Her Class

 Class Banner #2