The Big 3

Lily's 3rd birthday was recently and it turned out to be such a fun day! Definitely worth remembering (especially on those not so great days, like today). It was her first friend party. We had it in the morning so Lily and her other friends could still get in their afternoon naps, or at least not be grouchy for the lack of them. I totally expected Lily to crash after the party because of all the excitement, and because usually if she misses her nap window she conks out around 4:30 or 5:00...but she just kept going and was so cheerful and delightful for the entire day! I was so amazed about it that I was even able to stay awake and cheerful too :) She wanted to play with every single one of her new toys -- I think it was either the candy or the new toys that kept her awake and happy. All the adults (except me) were off in their beds taking naps and Lily set up a lemonade stand and played with it even though she complained of not having any customers to sell it to.

Uncle Alex finally came along and bought one cup. She gave him change from her new play cash register. She could even run debate cards - this is serious lemonade business!


Anyway - here's some pictures from the party. We finally settled on a candy-land theme because it could be pretty basic with bright colored balloons. I'm all about doing and spending as little as I can for the most effect.  Lily loves candy and often wants to play the game, plus I found these ideas for cute and easy decorations on Parents.com. I just fell in love with the cake and it's 3 ice-cream cones! 

Mine was not as professional as the magazine's, but it still turned out pretty cute! 

My cute 3 year old :)

Determined to try the pink ice-cream cone!

Lily was so excited to try all the things on top of the cake. It was not so easy to cut a pretty piece, but the kids didn't complain!

We had some easy craft/activities - fruit loop candy necklaces to string and chocolate gingerbread man sugar cookies to decorate...

Lily was pretty concentrated on that cookie - it was covered with mounded up frosting and mini m&m's by the time she was through!

We had one organized game - like musical chairs on colored squares, but instead of taking anything away the kid on the color that was picked when the music stopped got a prize.

Lily and Hailey playing on the game board earlier on

All the kids marching around to Lollipop Lollipop...

Everyone got prizes :) 

Mike was determined to get a bounce house and I'm glad he did, the kids had so much fun! 

Pause here to see more fun!

Birthday Smiles!

I think the bounce house made just the right amount of stuff to do to not have too many kids at one time up on the top platform of Grandma's playground set - I was a little worried about that. It's always nice when the kids just make their own fun!

Lily got a little upset in the piñata line when her cousin Isaac told her she was little! -- but it was a good thing we lined them up in order because when it was his turn - the biggest kid, Jake, hit it down with a few expert blows!

 During all this Lily's 5-year-old cousin, Evie, and I separately explained to her that there will always be some people bigger and some people smaller (my dad overheard Evie's version and got the picture). Anyway Lily cheered up pretty quick...or maybe she was just distracted by all the fun, and falling CANDY! 

Hitting the piñata:

The broken ice-cream cone piñata unexpectedly became the two cutest party hats!

 

The kids are what really made them cute! 

Though my brother Andrew pulled it off pretty well too! :)

It was such a fun party and a nice day with family, friends, and my delightful little 3-year-old!

So glad to be the mom to this darling girl! :)

Opening presents and playing the day away:

These dress-up shoes were a hit! Lily's girl cousins all tried them on too.

Aujinay strutting around like she wears high heels everyday!

It was fun to see Lily so excited about her ballet outfit and the couple of other inexpensive gifts I picked out for her. Makes me feel like I know my girl. :)

Thank you so much to everyone who sent gifts, and helped make Lily's day so super-sweet!

Happy Pioneer Day!

I can't believe July is almost over and I've only posted twice! I am often of two minds about my blog, and any other activity that means I am spending a lot of time [always so relative] on my computer. I want to preserve and share the things we are going through and doing, but not shift my whole life to the internet if you know what I mean. So since we redid our crowded little living room to free up space and I switched from a desktop to a laptop I've found myself not getting on here as frequently. That was actually a part of the remodel plan. Partly I've just been extra busy, but partly I've just been enjoying living in the real world more than trying to write about it. Sometimes I just have too many ideas going through my head to think where to begin and what to share. It can feel overwhelming. And I feel inadequate at truly expressing my thoughts, but I know I'll only get better by continuing to try. I still love to blog, and I love the little community I've connected with so don't think I'm done! :)

It is amazing how much a fresh clean organized space helps me feel freer and happier. I think it's also the artistic side of it. I was so sick of looking at our mismatched furniture and spotty carpet. With all the effort I put into cleaning - the room still didn't look good. I am so glad we changed it up. We should have done this years ago! We didn't plan to be here this long, but plans don't always work out - so as long as you're making improvements - living a little more for the now is a good idea! Especially where you spend the majority of your time. Totally worth it. Now Lily can play play-doh directly on the floor and peeing on it is not such a big disaster. So many of the little problem areas that always troubled me have been eliminated. I feel like a new person. New to do list. Spending more play time with Lily is up at the top!

Cherish the Moments

A friend shared this recently and I thought it was worth passing on. Some parts may come across as a little cheesy, as do many things that touch the heart. I think it does well at making it's point. And regardless...cheese is up there on my list of favorite things. I love this quote:

"It's not so much the major events as the small day to day decisions that map the course of our living." - Pres. Gordon B. Hinckley

All the quotes in this video are really good. I've also been loving this one lately from Pres. Thomas S. Monson:

"Never let a problem to be solved become more important than a person to be loved."

It's nice to have reminders that put our life in perspective and help us focus on what's really important - which when it comes down to it - is people! I love the wonderful family and friends in my life. I'm not always the best at showing it, but I hope you know it! I'll try not to get caught up in the stresses of life and be better at showing it :)

Busy Busy

Life has been crazy busy the last couple of weeks. Mostly good busy, but exhausting nevertheless. We've been trying to do all the things I thought we didn't have time for - whether we had the time or not! Well, almost all the things... We moved our stationery business (paperpow.com) over to Zazzle and are in the process of moving out our inventory. No more paper in the closet or shipping out orders! Anyone want to buy some of our discounted stock!? Mike and I have now been officially married for 10 years! That's right, we've hit a decade! Our "living" room has undergone a much needed transformation. That makes it sound like it magically changed itself - let me make clear: we did the labor. We are still putting on the finishing touches (I am currently typing from a step stool pulled up to my window sill - not so comfortable, so this will be brief), but it is bright and homey - and there is room to breathe! And dance! Well enough room for the 3 of us to dance - not too wildly :) Now I am planning a birthday party for my favorite almost 3 year old girl. To top it all off Mike has been working extra long hours in this oppressive heat. Why everyone all of the sudden wants their windows cleaned urgently when the weather turns scorching is beyond me, but you take the work when you can get it! Dreaming of rainy days with Mike painting in the studio. Dreaming of a few days with absolutely nothing to do! We seriously need some rest. My back hurts. Heading to bed now...