Florida Sneak Peak

Trying some Butterbeer at the Three Broomsticks

Can words even describe how much my boy is to me??? Nope!

Sooo excited to have experienced Harry Potter!!

Some Sweet Things

Rocky Road and Peanut Butter Cup Cupcakes

Crayons=  Chocolate covered Pretzels for Back to School

Spice Cupcakes

Mint, Orange, Oreo, & Chocolate Truffles

White Chocolate covered Twinkies

BLaH! Blah! blAh!

Perspective... I know that is what it is all about. Faith... a MUST! I do not see how any sane, conscious, being could survive without it. Faith no matter where you pull from is essential. Myself... God first, knowing all is possible through Him. He is the beholder and has a plan. This I know, despite being confused sometimes as to what that plan entails. Faith for the strength to forgive, faith that everything "truly will be ok," faith that the baby thing whether it happens or not, faith in doctors for a upcoming surgery, faith in direction and organization in work life, faith for family, faith in being the best person I can be.

I genuinely am blessed, this I know... with family, friends, work, well-being, and so much more. Just sometimes, why do I feel like being such an emotional girl? Really? The cry on a pin drop kind-of thing. Crazy!!! Yet, the faith becomes evident when I see one of my blessings that brings that quiet smirk and smile to my face. The infectious laugh of my dear boy (or just anything about him really :)); my handsome hubby's touch, call, text; a "at-a-girl," a look around at what I do have, pictures (which I admit I may take to many of; even an occasional browse at blogs I love and friends that mean the world whether they truly know or not. :) Smile on face!

Parker's 2nd Birthday- Handy Manny

So, here I am again... I am going backwards, this I know. However, in order to not only celebrate my boy I also want to share any ideas that may help anyone plan for their child's birthday. Last year, Handy Manny was the theme. Here are some ideas and pics... please enjoy.

I made character decorations from a projector and colored them in with Crayola markers. Due to the fact that there were no Handy Manny decorations at this time. :) Kids entered only to stop by Kelly's Hardware Store to receive their hard hats (Oriental Trading) with his/her name, for example "Handy Parker." They then went to decorate and "fix" their own backpack (purchased at Michaels for $1.00 each- what a bargain!:))different stations:

Kids stopped by to make a sandy necklace

Decorated sugar cookies- what fun!

For other decor, I had balloons coming out of red construction cones, the Handy Manny banner purchased at a party supply store, and of course balloons everywhere- including punch balloons for every child. Party bags included a set of play tools, bubbles, and some fruit snacks. :)

DISNEYLAND!!!

We are official Disneyland lovers and take every chance we can to go. Going yesterday, I will for sure go to "Family Fun Weekends" again! I wish I had gone to the previous ones. This weekend was celebrating the Lunar New Year... character were dressed for the occasion and though I wasn't all impressed with the "demonstration" martial arts "show" it was definitely worth seeing the special things they had going on and if nothing else CHARACTERS!

Parker actually was tall enough to go on his very first roller coaster at Toon Town too! So exciting- he laughed and laughed, but when he got off he told Grandma he was scared. We went to Bug's Life across the way after we enjoyed fireworks at Disneyland. Wow- what a perfect time to go. We just walked right up to all of the rides that he was able to go on all of them now! So great! 

Parker's Toy Story Party

 So, I think I can confidently say it was a successful party. I was so proud of myself with the decorations. We were surrounded by family and friends and had a fun-filled day of Toy Story... Here are some of the decorations... I made the alien treat bags using the Cricut, I made various cupcakes with just the Toy Story picks and the alien cupcake idea from Family Fun (http://family.go.com/disney/pkg-disney-recipes/recipe-857832-green-alien-cupcakes-t/)

 I made some monkeys hanging from various spots of the house for "Monkeys in a Barrel"

I was so excited with my homemade Etch A Sketch!!! We added posters found at Wal-Mart and the Toy Story Room decals found at Target.

 I have always bought the reusable totes (some could say I have a problem with that- hehehe) and then with the mass amount of toys that Parker has gotten through time we placed those all around too. Not to mention good ol' streamers and balloons. I made the Toy Story sign and the "posters" were "stick the badge on Buzz or Woody" game found at Party City. Mom just came up with the idea to put one on cardboard to make it stand for something on top of the shelving.

The kitchen was Pizza Planet :)

Toy blocks  and Cricut army men

Pinata- Buzz Lightyear's space ship of course. Again, from Party City filled with waaaay too much candy.

We decided to get a HUGE bounce house for the day! Bounce house with two slides- the kids loved it- I would totally do it again. Not to mention the colors scheme went great with the party.

 

The adult take home favor- homemade sugar cookies to look like Woody badges.

 All -n all we were blessed and such a great day! We thank everyone! Hmmm... what shall come next year????

Giving it a Try

So... I keep having every best intention of writing a blog. Probably not for the benefit of others, but more for a memory of happenings in our family.

With that in mind... here we are preparing for Parker's 3rd birthday party. Crazy- three years old! Theme, you ask? HA! Toy Story. Toy Story after (for those who have not heard) wanting Mario Brothers. Yes, I was so excited, had everything planned from hats for the kids, to games, to decor and food, and yes "3=UP" green mushrooms as invites using my Cricut (which can be an obsession) with yellow envelopes like the boxes on the game itself. Then Parker says, "that's it Mommy, Buzz and Woody! I want a Toy Story 3 party." YEAH! Of course, anything for my boy, I start planning! I actually have most likely put more effort into decorations and getting prepared than what most people would even notice. We will see. Pictures are sure to follow. With the help of my handsome husband and wonderful mom, we have begun to get ready. Steamers, pictures, the little touches... Bring on Saturday!