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  • Tea Party Birthday

    Tea Party Birthday

    Princess R turned 5 last week. She’s such a doll! Her only request was that she get watermelon. I thought it would be fun to throw her a little tea party with a few friends, and of course, some Watermelon.  

     

    We started by using these adorable tea party invitations Mark drew with charcoal. The kids are pretty lucky to have such an artistic Dad. Knowing they were hand drawn, to me, adds a perfect touch of class to the invitations.
     
    DOWNLOAD Tea Party Invites
     
    When the girls arrived, we put on our favorite matching Lemon Flirty Aprons (affiliate link). The girls loved matching while keeping their fancy clothes clean. 
     
     

    For tea time, Princess R requested Watermelon, peanut butter sandwiches, and Princess brownie bites we found in the When Life Gives You Kids cookbook. We’re totally loving the recipes in here this spring! Little Prince has requested the mud cookies because there is a worm and a dump truck in the photo….but I digress!

    Tea Parties, especially the birthday sort, should always be a bit more fancy don’t you think? So although the Princess wanted watermelon, I felt they should be fancy watermelons. Turns out, cutting shapes in watermelon is easier than I imagined, and perfect to get the kids involved with.

    Tea Party Watermelon shapes

    Cut your Watermelon in 1/4-1/2″ slices. Then grab your cookie cutters, and make some cute shapes. The bunnies were a favorite, especially with the thicker slices, since then they could stand up. We, of course, did this pre-tea party so fancy dresses would not become sticky. The fun shapes were then easily and cleanly devoured by 3 small Princesses and a little Prince.

    You may be wondering about the tea in the party here – well we don’t actually drink tea here. So Princess R chose green Koolaid and our fancy Disney glass cups – the ones I only allow for special occasions. It worked for us, and our guests.

    After the food, I let the girls play whatever suited their fancy. I find at this age, having a specific party plan and activities are kind of moot – they’re happier when they can do their own thing. We pulled out dolls, books, and coloring. The coloring won out over everything, and everyone went home with their own picture.

    Planning a Tea Party soon?

    Check out Mumfections Mothers Day Tea Party
    or 
  • Little Prince’s 3rd Birthday

    Little Prince’s 3rd Birthday

    April is our big birthday month. We started the month with Prince L turning 3. Such a big boy, he has really started to show more personality, and become independent.  We thought about inviting some friends and heading out to a park, but decided on a quiet evening at home instead.

    We forgot to sing our traditional Heavy Heavy Hangover song, but little Prince didn’t forget so he bonked himself on the head. 

    Presents are so exciting aren’t they? 
    His very own Hot Wheel tracks from Nana and Opah were probably the highlight of his day. The next 2 or so hours were spent racing cars with sisters. 
    The new bike was second favorite. He’s still not sure about it after the initial joy – his legs are a tad short still, and well it’s just easier to keep up with sisters on his push bike. We may have to hide the push bike to encourage this one more.
    He ended his perfect day in his new sleeping bag. As you can see we don’t always need to go all out. Simple parties, with just family can end with just as big, and sometimes bigger smiles, then when we go all out. 
    Since turning 3, little Prince has been potty training with mighty success. Night time training was a breeze – in fact he did that all on his own. It feels so weird to be potty training a child without another baby in my arms, but it’s also quite freeing. He’s such a happy kid, I’m enjoying every day with him. 
  • A Birthday Letter to Princess C

    A Birthday Letter to Princess C

    Dear Princess C,

    Today you turn 7 years old. Time flies by when you’re having fun – and you have always had fun! You know how to make fun in whatever situation you’re in. It’s been a long year that included moving, making new friends, and beginning 1st grade – which meant all day school for you! Through it all, you’ve looked on the bright side, and made life fun. Our home wouldn’t be the same without you in it.

    I was worried going to school full days would wear you out too much, but instead you have just thrived. There are some days I can tell you are still tired, but you push through. I love that about you! Always trying your hardest. Just remember, don’t be too hard on yourself. Allow yourself some grace, and learn from mistakes so you can be better the next time.

    You played Gretl in The Sound of Music this last fall, and despite some pretty late nights, and little time for anything else, you did amazing! I was so proud of the not so little girl I saw on that stage. It wasn’t just about the acting, you really shined your personality for everyone to see. You made many friends, because you were you.

    What do I mean by that? Well let me tell you about the little girl I see everyday.

    You love freely. Hugs are a must with you, and it’s how you show so many people your love. Who doesn’t love a hug? I hope you keep giving out those hugs, because I sure love them!

    You compliment others. You may not realize the importance of telling someone you like their hair, or their shoes, or their shirt, but I can see the joy it brings people. Your words act like an extension of your hugs. Never forget that. I hope you always use those words for good and kind purposes.

    You’re not afraid to speak your mind, and share your feelings. When something bothers you, you let those around you know. This is important. It’s also important to learn the best way to express your feelings. From love to frustration and sadness, emotions are healthy when expressed. I never have to question how you are feeling, because you let me know.

    You my dear girl, are growing up so fast. You love learning, reading, and pretending. Though I may not tell you, I love when you sneak a light to bed to read. I secretly hate taking that flashlight away.

    As you begin this new year at 7 years old – I want to tell you 1 thing. Continue to grow. Keep seeking out new ways to learn, and become more You! I want to work with you this year in finding your passion. Something that truly speaks to you and your talent of loving others and exploring the world.

    All My Love,
    Mom

  • Goodbye Summer, Hello Fall {A birthday letter}

    Goodbye Summer, Hello Fall {A birthday letter}

    Today is the last official day of Summer. Tomorrow it will be Fall, or Autumn. Today is also Princess V’s 8th Birthday.

    In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, this is a significant age as they can now choose to be baptized. My baby, my first born, the one who turned me into a mom, has decided to make this choice and Saturday will be baptized. My heart couldn’t be more full this week, and today as I think back over her 8 years of life.

    Dear Princess V, 

    I’m sitting here at home, thinking of your 8 years of life.  As we move from Summer to Fall, I can’t help but compare it to this specific time in your life.  

    When I think of summer, I think vacation! It’s the time of year we do more as a family. The weather is warm, and more time is spent being carefree. Schedules are rare, and we figure it out as we go. It’s also a time when I like to fit in our doctors and dentist appointments. I also sneak in learning lessons to make sure you haven’t forgotten anything from the previous school year. 

    As summer changes to fall, we leave those carefree days behind. School begins again, and life is more structured. We must schedule our time better, and follow more rules. As we spend more time around others we also must learn social cues, how to be kind, and to control our emotions. Although life may seem to get more complicated in the fall, it is also a beautiful season – and my favorite.  

    Summer is like your first 8 years of life. You are on a bit of vacation per se. Life is warm and sunny, and we are carefree. Of course I have done my best to sneak in life lessons with our daily activities. I began reading to you at birth, and we went almost straight from the hospital to church. These were things I wanted you to learn the importance of, but without stress. 

    Now as you turn 8, it is as if fall has come in your life. As you’ve chosen to be baptized, you are choosing to take on more responsibility. You are telling Heavenly Father this week that you are ready to take on more responsibility. No longer carefree, your decisions and actions have consequences. Just as fall is a more complicated season, your life will slowly become more complicated. You are now old enough, as we say, to be “accountable” for your choices. 

    So my dear child, I ask you –

    choose goodness 
    choose kind words
    choose love over anger
    choose to be an example to your little sisters and brother 
    choose God
    choose to find the good

    And finally remember this, life may get tough, and the weather may turn cold, but it’s still beautiful just like the changing of the leaves. Now is a time for you to start fresh and really choose who you want to be. 

    All my love and more,
    Mom 

  • Birthday letter to Prince L

    Birthday letter to Prince L

    Heavy Heavy Hangover
    Thy Poor Head
    What I wish for You
    Is a BUMP on the Head

    Dear Prince L, 

    Two years ago today I was holding you in my arms, a small little bundle of wonder. Our baby and our first boy. Over the past two years you have brought so much joy into our home. Lots of people said you looked like an old man as a baby, but you’ve definitely grown out of that stage. From your cheesy grins every time I grab the camera to your look of wonder and awe everytime we watch the trains pass our apartment – I am reminded that this is a time for joy, laughter, love, and wonder. I hope I can continue to bring those aspects into your life, and that you will hold on to them forever.

    A few tidbits I want to remember from this stage in your life

    • You love sleeping in Mom and Dad’s bed. Sometimes when you wake in the night, and I go in to hold you all you have to say is “Da – ankie”, and I know you want to lay by dad with your blankie. You always go right back to sleep as I lay you down between us. 
    • You love Keys. We had to hang them up high just to keep them out of your reach…but sometimes I give in and let you run around with the mail key..like today. 
    • And tools. You are crazy about Dad’s tools. It doesn’t matter we bought you a kid sized tool bench with toy tools, you just want Dad’s. You’ve even managed to bypass the locking system on some of his plastic bins. Smart boy!
    • And Food. I’m seriously considering a padlock for the fridge, and chairs bolted to the floor (ok maybe not the chairs). I have a hard time keeping up with your growling stomach, despite trying to keep the fridge stocked with easy snacks. 
    • You love your sisters, but sometimes, you just want your space. Usually first thing in the morning, and after naps. You’re happier once you’ve eaten. 
    • You don’t like loud noises – including your sisters. If you think something is going to be loud, you will cover your ears and just repeat “Loud” to anyone who will listen to you. 
    • Our bedtime routine is very important we sing “sky” which is your name for Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, then we sing Jesus Wants me for a Sunbeam so you can get in some last minute giggles before bed, and then you curl your head into my shoulder with your little hands folded as we say a prayer together. I wouldn’t have it any other way. 

    Buddy boy, I love you so much. I wish these days never ended, and we could spend them all at the park going down the “lide” and watching “panes” fly over head. So I’m taking this time to commit to you more days outside, more hugs, and lots and lots of fun!

    With all my Love, 
    Mom 
    Click to play this Smilebox slideshow
    Video will open in a new window. Made by SmileBox. (Affiliate link)
  • Hello Kitty Birthday Party

    Hello Kitty Birthday Party

    *I received party supplies from Birthday in a Box for my honest review. All thoughts and photos are my own*
    I am still having a hard time believing Princess C is 6 years old!  When I started thinking about throwing her a party, I immediate thought of Hello Kitty. We had found a Hello Kitty backpack at a yard sale last fall and she just had to have it. Grandma has sent us numerous Hello Kitty items from Japan as well, so it’s a well known character in our home. 
    I was thrilled to see that Birthday in a Box carried Hello Kitty’s sweet, little kitten line of products.That made my planning so much easier!  Especially since I was throwing a Jungle Book party the day before her party, I really needed it to be easy to put together. 

    I got the tablecloth from Hobby Lobby and then scattered the table decorations around, leaving room for the awesome cake! Mark’s cousin’s wife made this beautiful creation for us, and we couldn’t have been more pleased. It was a sponge type cake with strawberry filling that was divine and a delicious frosting.

    Once I had all the decorations up I quickly put together the treat bags for her friends. I found these cute takeout boxes from Walmart. Hello Kitty seems to be very popular in some Asian countries so these just reminded me of that. While at Walmart I also saw the cookie cutter for the cookies, the glasses and the rings. It just came together nicely. 
    FYI, have you ever noticed just how much Hello Kitty products are in Walmart? There seemed to be something branded with the cute kitten in just about every aisle. 
    Birthday in a Box also has some fun treat bags that I’m sure your guests would love!
    Hanging the Birthday Banner was a bit difficult by myself because it is HUGE, but it really made a great background for the party. I loved that we got to customize it with the right number for her birthday, and we can change it up if we ever decide to do Hello Kitty again. 
    I don’t like to plan too many specific activities for the kids, I think they usually have more fun when they can just use their imagination. I did however grab a large coloring book and pulled the pictures out to hang on the wall. The kids loved being able to sit by the wall and color different Hello Kitty pictures. 
    Later I took Princess C out for a little photo shoot. Something I like to do for each of the kids on their birthday. This one just kills me. She’s such a fun loving girl!
  • Guess whose Birthday it is…

    Guess whose Birthday it is…

    That’s right, it’s the Energizer Bunny’s 25th Birthday, and he’s celebrating at Walmart with Energizer Max batteries.  The best part – Bunny wants to give you a present!
    The sad realization is that I’m older than this bunny that just keeps going. 
    I was pretty stoked to realize that after buying 2 packs of Energizer Max batteries, I could redeem codes online for a $10 gift card back to Walmart. That almost covers the whole cost of the batteries!  
    2 battery packs = 1 $10 gift card!
    Don’t try and use the code here, I’ve already claimed it, and they can only be used once. 
    Claiming your gift card is really so simple. I’m terrible at keeping receipts, and then I get annoyed that I have to pay postage to send proof I bought a product for the company to send me the promotional item. Energizer has taken it to the next level by doing it all digitally. You just take your 2 codes and enter them online, fill out your mailing info, and click…
    Now what am I going to buy with that gift card?  Very possibly more batteries!  Though I did see a nice set of sheets in the clearance aisle while we were browsing the shelves at Walmart.  We have been going through batteries crazy fast around here. As the older Princesses have taken to playing the Wii, and the younger Prince and Princess have taken over old Birthday toys – I often forget to make sure everything has been turned off when they’re done playing. Whoops!  
    Really we only have 3 toys that I seem to constantly need batteries for (minus the Wii-motes), and it’s because over the years they have continued to bring joy to the kids, and I don’t find their sounds annoying. I seem to be replacing batteries almost weekly though – that’s just too much. 
    I kid you not, my brother and his wife are the BEST gift shoppers ever. All three of these were either Birthday or Christmas presents from them to my kids. 
    • The Learning Dog is our oldest and most loved battery operated toy, at 6 years old. He’s been through all 4 kids, and currently Prince L is attached. Just watch my Instagram Video of them. 
    • The Pirate Ship was a joint present to Princess V and C one Christmas about 5 years ago, and surprisingly has not fallen apart yet. It is the MAIN attraction to every kid that walks in this house.
    • Finally little glow bug, at only 2 years old, she is the cause of much screaming and yelling between Prince L and Princess R. With her calming glowing face, I may just need to invest in a second one this Christmas. She was a gift to Princess R after Prince L was born. 

    I remember as a kid watching commercials with the Energizer Bunny, and he just kept going and going and going. Did anyone else ever want to test out the batteries in their own little Energizer Bunny and see just how long they would go?  Energizer Max batteries will hold power for up to 10 years (or so they say). I think I’ve found my test subject. Learning Dog will be sporting his new power for many years to come.
    Don’t forget the batteries this Christmas!

  • Mario Birthday for a Girl

    Mario Birthday for a Girl

    This past weekend we celebrated Princess V’s 7th birthday. Themes for the day had constantly been changing throughout the past month, so when I realized we were in the week of her party, I needed to get a set theme. I wasn’t too surprised when she asked for a Mario Party. We recently bought Mario Party 9 for the Wii, and it’s all I can do to keep them off it during the week.

    A fun little story, when I took Princess V to pick out her very first lunchbox she was met with a hard decision. Did she pick the Disney Princess lunchbox, or the Mario lunchbox. Eventually she chose Disney Princess, but pretends that Princess Peach is just hanging out inside the castle on the background.

    Since I like to throw parties last minute and on a tight budget, these were her decorations. Mark has made it a point to collect the Mario dolls, when we first found Princess Peach in an airport in Japan. We’ve just slowly added to the collection. 
    The balloons were so simple. I used red balloons for the Piranha flowers. A large V cut out from white paper, and given teeth, then some circles to surround them. Took all of 5 minutes. If you’re really feeling ambitious, you could add some white clouds to the blue balloons. I actually tried painting some on, but it didn’t work out too well. 

    Later these balloons can be used for a party game. Each child pretends to be a character, while one child (or a parent) is the flower. You want to avoid being hit by the “Piranha”. Lots of fun!

    Mark headed to partyland during lunch one day to pick up some more themed supplies – Mario Plates, napkins, and a pink tablecloth. He also picked up some white gloves to send home with all the little girls, so they can dress up like Princess Peach.

    Lastly we come to my absolute favorite part – the cupcakes!

    For the cupcakes, we went simple, yet tasty. We used Pillsbury Strawberry cake mix for the batter. I swirled Pillsbury Pink Vanilla Funfetti frosting across most of the top, and then edged it with Pillsbury’s Hot Pink Vanilla Funfetti. This gave them the look of Princess Peach’s dress. Now you may be thinking the crown is made from fondant, but you know what? Fondant really isn’t all that delicious, and I hate making stuff only to toss it out later.
    So what did I do? I made them out of something much more tasty – Tootsie Fruit Rolls. I mean really, they taste better, hold up just like fondant, and have a myriad of colors and flavors to choose from.  I used the Lemon flavor for these. Each roll is cut into 4 slices. Using a knife slightly indent the center and then use your fingers to shape the points on the crown.

    Happy Birthday Princess V

  • Fun Summer Cakes

    This post is sponsored by Betty Crocker. All opinions are 100% my own.

    Summer is here! All not technically, but school is out here and consistently warm weather is on the horizon. Despite my best efforts to have fun and creative snacks during the school year, we usually stuck with a plate of veggies or cheese and crackers. With summer here I have much more time to play around in the kitchen and get creative.
    I’ve told you before how I love the ease of box mixes for a quick treat, so I was really excited when Betty Crocker shared these easy but very creative summer cakes!  Check them out and maybe make some for your summer parties this year.  
    This ice cream cone cake would make a fun activity for a birthday party. The cones make it easy for little hands to hold while decorating them with sprinkles, fruit, candy, or even a cherry on top!
    Additional ideas I may have to try this summer are Betty Crockers Watermelon Cake (I’m picturing for a BBQ) and the Flip Flops Cake (think water party)!
    What summer parties do you have planned this year?
  • Rosie Posie….Bucket of Worms?

    Rosie Posie….Bucket of Worms?

    Today my 3rd Princess…Princess R…turned 3 years old. She acts a whole lot older with her clear vocabulary, and very grown up facial expressions. She can give a stink eye like none other, and she never gives up when she wants something badly.

    Awhile ago, I must have said this to her, but I called out one day “Rosie…Posie”, and she responded in a sly little voice “Bucket of Worms…*giggle giggle*”

    The truth: she is my bucket of worms – my squishy, sometimes gross, fish catching bucket of worms.

    Dear Princess R,

    You have always loved the camera, but don’t always feel like smiling for it. These days you prefer to smile and run away from the camera in hopes I’ll chase you down with it. 

    In your first year and a half of life you were prone to enjoy odd places, and loved getting into the most trouble you could find

    That eye wound gave me a good fright, but all turned out well.

    In your second year, you were determined to become one of the big girls, and refused to let your sisters leave you behind. Although sometimes that was difficult since they are closer in age, for the most part I get to witness beautiful moments of sisterly love. 

     
    Shortly after you turned 2 you were no longer my baby, but became a big sister.  You stepped up to the plate, and showed me that you knew how to be a big sister. But you continued to be my bucket of worms as I recently watched you use brother as your horse but also made sure to share your applesauce when he was hungry.

      Happy Birthday Princess.  I can’t wait to see what the coming years will bring as you continue to shine with your very unique personality.  Come fall it will just be you, Prince L and I at home. I have adventures planned for the 3 of us!

    I love you baby girl!

    Love, Mom.

    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    Princess R’s only request for her birthday was an M&M cake. I was happy to oblige, but learned something in the process.
    Don’t mix the M&M’s into the batter. The will sink to the bottom, and stick to the pan. Of course cupcake liners would have worked just fine, I didn’t use those either. Next time I’ll try topping the batter with M&M’s just before cooking.