Monday, April 29, 2013

Misc. Monday: Slowing Down







Yesterday, was our 6th "unplugged Sunday" with no TV or iPads. We have really enjoyed carving out this family time. I have been feeling led to slow down a bit and enjoy all that God has blessed me with. I've been blogging a little less, reading my Bible a little more, and spending time with the people I love. We planted squash, tomatoes, and some herbs in the garden this weekend, took family photos, read lots of books, played outside, danced, ran errands... I yelled a little less, and heard a lot more "pleases" and thank yous." Today, when I picked Lilly up from school, we went straight to the park for a picnic lunch. It was perfect. The kids ran around, I practiced taking pictures of them, and my mom showed up to surprise us.

Saturday, April 20, 2013

Sew Crafty Saturday: Earth Day Fun

Dan and I love, love SOCO and the OC Mix located by the Ikea in Costa Mesa. We first went there on a date night around Christmas and had the famous Mocha at Portola Coffee, and amazing dessert at Christopher Garren's Cake shop. We took the kiddos there a few months later, and they loved it just as much as we did. There are gorgeous zen gardens filled with succulents, and seating all over. This morning, I took the girls to the Family Fair that they host every third Saturday of the month. They got balloon animals, made a craft out of recycled materials for Earth Day, and got their faces painted. Iris made an egg carton caterpillar, while Lilly made an alien out of a shoe box. We are definitely going back on the 3td Saturday in May. Let me know if you would like to join us!



Monday, April 15, 2013

Misc. Monday: HOPE

 

Without the love, grace, and truth of Jesus, our world would be a pretty hopeless place. Praying for those in Boston today.

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Wee-Ones Wednesday: Fairy Party Part 2

Getting to run around like a bare footed sprite,

planting your own little fairy garden,

dressing your baby brother up as a gnome,

dancing around a May Pole with your friends,


hugs,

sharing yummy cupcakes,

showing off your creation,

family love,

sneaky best friends,

imaginations,

pinning the fairy on the flower,

and having the whole day be about you...

= PRICELESS!

Monday, April 8, 2013

Misc. Monday: Fairy Party (Plus Few Gnomes) Part 1

Mushrooms welcomed everyone and led them through the house to the backyard.

Our family gnome greeted guests as they entered, 

while another looked over the yummies.

Fairies topped the cupcakes, of course.

The backyard was adorned with doilie banners, honeycomb balls,

crepe paper, lace, ricrac, ribbon,
 
and pretty, little fairies.

The May Pole was so much fun.
A charming fairy door was placed on the avocado tree.
 
 
Children got to make their own mini fairy gardens to take home...

filled with succulents, marbles, rocks, fairy dust glitter, gnomes, bugs, and  little fairies.

Garden fairy coloring sheets with the girls' names on them were a real treat.

Here's a completed party favor.
 Iris' party was so pretty and so much fun to plan. Everything came together beautifully. She was beyond happy, and loved being the center of attention. I will post "Part 2" with photos of the birthday girl and her guests on Wednesday!

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Wee-Ones Wednesday: This Is What 4 Looks Like

Our little Miss turned 4 the day before Easter. She was so excited, and referred to herself as "the birthday girl" all day. It was pretty adorable. I'm a little angry with her for getting a year older. I really think she is perfect the way she is, and have no idea why these kids keep growing up on me. She's having a garden fairy (with a few gnomes) party on Sunday, and couldn't be more excited about it. Her enthusiasm is quite contagious. I'm so happy to be able to give her a little time in the spotlight. Love this girl so much... I wish I could put her in my pocket and carry her around all day!

 

Monday, April 1, 2013

Misc. Monday: Easter Weekend



 



Saturday, we had a super fun Easter egg hunt with our friends & neighbors. Then, we hightailed it over to Whittier to celebrate three birthdays (with 3 different cakes) and Easter. When the fun was over, we rushed back home so Dan could go to a Dodger game.









Sunday morning, the Easter bunny left jelly bean trails leading the kids to their baskets. We hosted a yummy breakfast with grandparents, went to church, then visited Chino for another fabulous lunch and egg hunt. Today, we are cleaning up from the wonderful madness and getting ready for Iris' 4th birthday party. The fun never end, I tell you!