An Easter Table

You know me, I love an excuse to decorate. Easter is no exception. One of my favorite things about Easter decorating are the bird nests. I am not really sure why I have always been so drawn to nests, but I love them. Maybe it has something to do with the twigs, or maybe its the robin colored eggs. Whats not to love?

I am trying to decide how we should decorate the table for Easter dinner and I love these ideas. I like that they are small and could be used as place settings. Don't you think the kids would love having candy before dinner, waiting at their seat? I would!

Check out the Sources for directions: brown bag baskets chocolate nests papier-mache baskets  egg shell place setting

Easter Banner

I have a new banner in the shop. YAY! This banner has lots of fun layers! It is finished and ready to ship in time for Easter.

You can find it in my shop, A Lovely Party.

Thanks for looking!!

Best Weekend Ever

My Mom and Step Dad, and Amberly and her family and dont forget Becca Boo, all came out this weekend to celebrate Ethan's birthday. It was so nice of them to come out even though they were only able to stay for a short time. I loved having them here and was plotting ways of making them stay longer. Slashing tires, locking the doors, kicking and screaming? But summer is right around the corner and we will be making a trip out there soon. It was fun packed weekend, as always. Ethan had a flag football game, there was a fun shopping trip to target, lots of eating, late night conversations and laughing, lots of jumping on the tramp, a walk to the park. And the highlight of the trip (next to Ethan getting the preisthood, who can compete with that?) was going to the movies. Ethan, Shawn and I (and even becca on one car trip) read the Hunger Games together. We have been waiting for over a year for the movie, ever since we found out the movie rights had been sold. And we were not disapointed. It was so good! And to make it even more of a perfect night we ate at Chipotle, Yummy!

 For Ethan's Birthday I wanted to make a banner that was more boyish and less fussy then my normal. So for this banner I used washi tape, a SMASH pad of paper, and just used clothes pins to attach to a ribbon. It was the easiest banner ever. Using more washi tape I put up several pictures of Ethan over this last year.

 My adoreable nephew Radley, ating yummy banana chocolate chip pancakes...made by Amberly. Yum!

 I put these two ladies to work cooking and baking! We had lots of hungry tummies to feed!

 Amberly made Libby the cutest birthday box. Inside the box is a list of questions that we will ansewr every year on her birthday to see how much she changes and grows over the year. I love the idea. She also gave her the cutest little pair of yellow shoes. I want some in my size!

The girls made a trip out to Target. My happy place! Yes Libby is entertaining herself with soda and popcorn. What? Dont judge me! JK!

Taryn and family we missed you...Next time you have to make the trek out here!!

Twelve Years Old

Can you believe my Ethan is TWELVE? I can't, how the heck did this happen? But he is definitely a tweener. He is all about hanging out with his friends, texting, gaming, (being obnoxious!). I absolutely adore him, and couldn't be more proud of the young man he is becoming.

On his big day Ethan requested the Bagel Shop for lunch, and laser tag with his friends. We piled 9 boys in the car and drove down to Laser Quest for pizza and a few games. It was a blast, Ethan was beaming the whole night. I am usually all about the homemade parties, but this was so easy, all we had to do was show up!! We would definitely do it again.

Happy Birthday Ethan! I love you!

Libby's Fort

 Look who I caught snuggling up with Libby! Sneaky kitty isn't even supposed to be inside!

Libby's 2nd birthday is on Monday. I can not believe my baby is two already! Shawn's Mom brought her present over a little early the other day, and I am so excited about it! Libby loves to play outside but she won't go out there by herself, so I am really hoping this will encourage her to go out and play. Even Hayden was caught having fun playing on the fort with her yesterday!

Thanks Grandmaand Papa, we love Libby's present!

Painting

Libby found the boys paint! This entertained her for maybe 30 minutes. Almost worth the mess! Do you do that? Do a cost analysis for the length of entertainment verses the mess they are creating. For example allowing her to unroll a roll of toilet paper could potentially entertain her for 15 minutes, which will give me enough time to do the dishes that are piled up in the sink, or perhaps (and more likely!) read the last few pages in my book! Anyway back to painting....She was so happy. How can I deny her this simple joy! I loved her paintings. Quite the budding artist.