Some B-Day Party Pics

Here are some pics of the party. If you are looking for tutorials for any of the crafty items, I added them in one blog post HERE.

We hired someone to take pictures during the party. I really just wanted to enjoy the party, and not have to worry about trying to take pics as well. It seems like I either take lots of pics, but don't really "enjoy" the party like I should. OR, I really enjoy the party, and then realize that I have just have a handful of pics. And, those pics are usually not of the "important" stuff.

He was inexpensive, and I am very happy I did it. I am not saying that they are the most beautiful pics ever, or that every single one is frame worthy - but his candid shots are a million times better than what my camera could take, and to be honest, there are quite a few of really great pics.

I just love this first one! This post is very picture heavy :)

Party Tutorials

I figured I would make one post and link to all the tutorials that I did for the birthday party. That way everything is on one spot.

Tissue Paper Pom Poms
Melted Crayons - Shaped like Butterflies
Decorated Cupcake Stand - DIY Cupcake Stand
Paint Chip Globe
Paint Chip Mobile
Buttercream Frosting
Super Sugar Cookies

I love my beautiful family

We went apple picking today - we picked about 8 apples lol. It is not far from our house, so it is not like we drove for hours. The little kids were more interested in the playground than then apples, oh well :)

Was able to get a great family pic. Not too bad since it was a perfect stranger that took it.

Birthday Party Goodies

We had the girls party today. It was supposed to be outside, but the weather reports were NOT looking good. As of 7:30 last night, we had a 70% chance of rain. So, we did plan B, and decided to have it inside. Not the best option, since my house is not really big enough for the amount of people we were having.

We decorated the house, and boy did it look so pretty and so girly!

Well, wouldn't you know if, not ONE drop of rain. Oh well. It worked out well though - some people inside, some out. I was so super excited that that weather held out, it was CROWDED for a bit in the house.

By the end of the day, most people were outside and the kids were having a blast.

The facepainter cancelled at the very last minute, but since no one even knew about that, it was not like people missed it.

Let me tell you - hiring that guy to take pics (at $25 an hour!!!!) was the BEST thing I did. I really got to enjoy the party! I have no idea what the pics look like yet though lol

So I guess my complaint letter to Mother Nature actually worked. I did take some of my own pics of all the decor,etc - so I figured I would share some of them :) I worked so hard on all my DIY crafts!

Tissue Paper Pom Pom Tutorial

I am making tissue paper pom poms for the girls party - which is this coming weekend. I quickly wrote about it a few weeks ago. But, I figured I would do a step by step tutorial as well.

Officially Extended Rear Facing

The AAP now recommends that you keep children rear facing (RF) in their carseats up until at least 2 years old. Here is their info on it. We made the choice to keep the girls RF as long as possible.

Cora turned 2 this week and we have not turned her seat forward. Her seat goes RF till 35 pounds, and she still has a few pounds before we hit that. The seat also has a high RF height max (one inch from the top of the seat) and as you can see - she is far from that.

And to answer some questions -

1. Yes, i do believe it is safest this way
2. No, it is not illegal to NOT have them RF until 2. The current law is 1 yr old AND 20 lbs to turn them. Your child MUST meet both.
3. No, her legs are not squished. She will just cross them, or put them higher on the back seat.
4. Her seat is a First Years True Fit - and I LOVE it.
5. She is not uncomfortable - she looks happy, right?

Doing another sew-along

I am going to do another sew-along. I did the kcwc (Kids Clothing Weekly Challenge) in the spring and it really motivated me with my sewing.

This one starts the second week of Oct, which is great timing for me since it is after all the birthday parties.

Plus, I have some time to think of some ideas!

We could finalize NEXT MONTH

OMG - we could finalize NEXT month!

Lil J's c/w came today to over over the final paperwork that we need for the adoption packet. Lots of stuff we had to read, understand, sign, etc.

I asked about the next steps, she advised that it get reviewed by the chain of command, everyone signs their part, and then it is sent to our attorney. And, the attorney will contact us. She said all of this takes about 3-4 weeks.

I was thinking, cool - looks like we are on target to finalize before the end of the year. I even expressed my excitement to the c/w. And then she said.....

Oh, no - in (no more than) 4 weeks you will already have your court date - so when the attorney calls you, he will be calling you to give you the date. Which she said is usually a short time away.

She also said that she did the exact same paperwork with another family on 8/25 and that family is finalizing this friday. That is only 3 weeks TOTAL.

I can't believe it, he could be legally ours NEXT MONTH!!!!! I will of course be sharing his name and picture - and I can't wait to do it!

i took Pro pics of the girls the other day - outfits made by me (Giggle Worm). I did the skirts, shirts, hats, and bows. Enjoy the pics :)

Happy Birthday Cora

I can't believe it - Cora is 2 years old today. Where did the time go? Since we are doing a big party next week - a joint party with Elsie - we are just doing cake today.

I will have to take some pics as she chows down on her cake :)

from a Singer Sewing Machine Manual, 1948:

■Prepare yourself mentally for sewing. Think about what you are going to do... never approach sewing with a sigh or lackadaisically. Good results are difficult when indifference predominates.
■Never try to sew with a sink full of dirty dishes or beds unmade.
■When there are urgent housekeeping chores, do these first so your mind is free to enjoy your sewing...
■When you sew, make yourself as attractive as possible. Put on a clean dress.
■Have your hair in order, powder and lipstick put on...
■(If) you are constantly fearful that a visitor will drop in or your husband will come home and you will not look neatly put together, you will not enjoy your sewing as you should...

YES - this is how I do ALL of my sewing. OMG - so funny!

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A Family

I have found pinterest, and I really love it. You can find all sorts of stuff there. I really love the different quotes, etc that I have found.

I recently found this one:

"Being a family means you are a part of something very wonderful. It means you will love and be loved for the rest of your life. No matter what."

It might not have anything to do with adoption, and I have no idea who even wrote it. But, I love it and I think it describes us, and my family. Sounds so silly - but I cry every time I read it.

We are getting close, I know we will be done by the end of the year. We don't have an actual date yet. But, every step is a step forward.

Oh, and if you are wondering what pinterest is - here is a response I wrote on a crafty message board.

What is Pinterest, and how does it work?
It is kinda like all of your favorite links in one picture space.

I know for me, when I like something I find online, I save it to my favorites, or bookmarks.

But, when you do that (for me) when I am looking for something again, I sometimes have to click on many links because I can't remember which link corresponds to what items.

So, pinterest allows you to do that same thing, but in PICTURE form. So, just like your bookmarks, you can have folders. Each "pin" is a picture of something you like - but, the picture is actually a LINK to the original item.

So, instead of clicking on links in your favorites, you have an entire folder of pictures. Then you can see everything in one spot, and click on the pic for more info if needed.

But, what is also great about it is the search. Think about it this way - sometimes when I am searching for something on google, I will do an image search instead (I am a visual person). But - - sometimes I don't find what I am looking for pages!

Since people are only "pinning" things that they love, it is much easier to find great things. Not page after page of google images that have nothing to do with what I searched for.

Once you sign up, you install their "pin tool" which allows you to add items that YOU love to your boards. Things that you find on blogs, your favorite websites, etc.

It IS a sharing site, so once you pin it, it will be shared with your followers and everyone else on pinterest. You can connect with your facebook friends. This way you see their pins, they will see yours, etc.

You can have several boards...clothes, recipes, crafty items, quotes, party ideas, etc, etc.

Just a warning - once you get on it, it is so addicting LOL.

RIght now, it is an invite thing - you can post your e-mail and I can send you an invite.

I love it, I have gotten so many ideas for my girls' birthday party.