Pretty in Pink and Orange

Lyla's birthday this year was at her favorite location, Northwest Aerials. My hubby requested a party away from home this year as we have a lot going on at our house. So I agreed with hesitation. Why you may ask? I don't like time frames and deadlines. I knew this would be a quick party.... but that wouldn't stop me from creating a THEME and a fun atmosphere!

Pretty in PINK and ORANGE Gymnastics Party for Lovely Lyla!

Invitations created by myself and my nifty Silhouette SD 

Lyla's party shirt created by myself and again, my Silhouette (that thing does it all!)

Hairbows/Headbands purchased via The Bitsy Beau, you absolutely have to style the whole outfit!

Favors included recycled crayons in pink/orange via Ivy Lane Designs with lots of other goodies (stickers, play dough, balls, bubbles, and of course stylish glasses), put together in a bundle by little ol' me.

Sweet Treats were so fun to put together! Candy Warehouse

Sneaking some sweet treats!

I made a few extra crafty things for the party such as Lyla's inital "L" with modge podge and some accessories as well as a home-made frame in the party colors of course!

 

I used my Silhouette to create the letting for her signs and banner. The banner showed a picture of Lyla each month of the last year. It was my second year creating a yearly banner and I hope to do this until she starts putting up a fight. Even then, I may continue!

After all the prep and planning, I felt super organized! We had the BEST TIME EVER!

All the adults ran/played/jumped and had so much fun! We were dredged in sweat by the time the party was over. Ready for some food!

Pefect timing for favors and cake.
We sat down to enjoy the fabulous cake created by my father/Pa for little Lyla.

I feel so blessed that I have the time to be my crafty self and pamper my beautiful girl.
She absolutely loved being with everyone that she adores on this special day.
The whole way home she sang with glee...

Thanks to all that made it, I couldn't ask for better family and friends!

Lots of love!
p.s. I did stick with the theme and have a mimosa when I got home, also chilled some nice Rose. 
The pink/orange crew
Angela, Jason and Lyla

Love him.

I can only imagine my life one way.

The way it is now.
I wouldn't change a thing.
God has blessed us.
Life is how it should be.

Jason loves me unconditionally.
In all my ups and downs.
The frizzy hair, food stuck on my bum, oily face and headbands.
We have been through rough times.
We were on our honeymoon in Mexico with a penny to our name.
We made it through with bread and peanut butter and had the best time of our lives.
He watched me deliver our blessing, Lyla.
He stood with open arms and was a proud Daddy.
He laughs with me, and at me.
He brings me up, he makes me stronger, he encourages my dreams.
He tells me I'm beautiful daily, usually multiple times.
He loves to get me flowers almost weekly.
He is so lighthearded and always upbeat.
You won't hear him gossip, be negative or malicious.
He honestly has the largest heart out of anyone I know.
He loves God and our family.

Am I lucky or what?

Shhhh Shhhh Shhhhh

I love to read books to Lyla at night. She enjoys it as well. One of our staples is the "Wheels on the Bus". Her favorite part is when the people on the bus go "sshhhh shhhh shhhhh". She likes to make the (shhhh) sign and say it simultaneously. The other night after I left her bedroom I watched her on the monitor, she flipped the pages of the book on her own and said/signed "shhhh shhhhh shhhh". It was so sweet. Heart melting sweet. What a big girl. 

Here she is caught in the moment saying "shhhhh" as we browse the aisles at Flower World. 

Have a nice night! 

Flower World

100th post!

I couldn't help it, I just posted and saw that I was at my 99th post... I had to make it to 100! Wow, I can't believe I have actually written in this blog/journal for one hundred entries! That pleases me.

My goal in starting this blog was to keep an online journal of my life. It may be sporadic, but at least I have some proof of my thoughts and doings on a regular basis. I love love love to read other people's blogs. I could sit for hours and read crafty decorating blogs all day long. I can't do that because I'm a mommy and a PA. Don't get me wrong, I'm at home right now and it's 8:47pm and I just got done reading the Tom Kat Studio blog to get inspired for Lyla's Birthday!

If you know me, I love themes.
I wish I had more time to create parties, events, and celebrations and I guess I would need endless money to do this.
Anyhow, the theme is.... (drumroll please)

ORANGE & PINK!

Invites made by myself with the help of my crafty Silhouette SD

Her party will be held at her favorite gymnastics location and we will have orange and pink decor. Lyla loves her gymnastics class, she loves her family and friends and loves loves loves cake and ice-cream! I think it will be a blast!

I hope to make some cookie pops via the tutorial I just read at Sweetopia and also package up my favors for the little munchkins soon. Time to stop reading and start CRAFTING!

Can't wait to run around with my little on!
There is always reason to celebrate!
Cheers!

Girls Night!

What does girls night mean to you?

To Lyla and I it means...

pedicures

singing loud

running in circles with Mr. Bear

merry go round

dancing the hokey pokey

bathtime/showers

swimming together

gymnastics

movies

popsicles

running around the house and hiding

coloring

reading books

cuddling

making dinner together

chocolate milk

tea

pj's

more snuggles

No boys allowed!

Everyone Poops!

I have been taking Lyla to swim lessons on Mondays. I try to be the "ideal" mom and do all of the FUN things with Lyla. Before I had Lyla I used to daydream about having a daughter and being best friends with her, hanging out, and baking cookies. In my dreams I was "Martha Stewart" and she was a cute blond with curls (I got her right on).

For example, swimming, gymnastics, parks, walks, educational activities, play dough, bubbles, playing house, reading books, running, screaming, dancing, eating Popsicles, making cookies, getting dirty, and painting our nails. Lately one of her favorite books is EVERYONE POOPS. She's obsessed with it.

Sometimes these play times are as I imagined, and sometimes they go the opposite. Here's a great example:
SWIM: Our class is in Bellevue with moms that pull up in Mercedes mini-vans and snooty looks on their faces. On the other hand, I come rushing in with sweats on, my hair pulled back and oily/frizzy from not washing it that day, no makeup and possibly food stains and/or oatmeal in my hair and Lyla's hair. (Don't judge)
We rush to get undressed, put on the appropriate swim diaper, swim caps and head to class. You see, the instructors are very strict with wearing proper poop protecting clothing. Their biggest fear is that a child will poop in the pool and shut down water babies for a day, this would be the end of the world! They are also strict on swim caps, they do not want dreadlocks of hair swishing around in the heated Bellevue pool. This too would end the world.
We proceed to sit listen and wait and then enter the pool. Lyla holds on to me for dear life. She loves the water but she loves me more...therefore she would rather kiss and rub her mom than float on her back with her ears in the water.
A couple of Mondays ago we were singing and swimming in a circles as instructed.

Lyla joyfully announced "POOP" at the top of her lungs. 

I'm not joking, I think every mom turned to give me the look of death.
What? Your baby doesn't poop?

Okay, Okay... I took her out of the water while she continued to say "Momma... POOP...mom, POOP...pooppoopooppooooop".

As I gracefully took her out of the pool I felt warmth down my leg. I checked her diaper and it was clear. Ohhh... it was PEE! Lyla had to pee.
She thinks the words are interchangeable.
I peeked in her diaper and it was clear.
We re-entered the pool and the teacher quickly said "Did you get everything taken care of?" I happily replied yes and explained that she did not need to POOP.
Lyla chirped in and said
"No mom, POOP! poopooop!" She then patted her butt.

I smiled. Reassured the teacher, and returned to class as the poop outcast.
She then ripped off her swim cap and threw it in the water. What a rebel!

It makes me smile. 

She is a crack-up!
EVERYONE Poops!