Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Legend of Zelda/Link Birthday Party Recap

Last week I shared with you the M&M cookies I made for G's birthday. Today, I'm finally getting around to the rest of the birthday extravaganza recap. I'm warning you - this may be my most picture heavy post in MONTHS. Lots of months. Which is possibly part of the reason it took me so long to finally get this post up.
Legend of Zelda/ Link themed birthday party Hylian Shield Cake

You might remember from my Halloween post this past fall that my son absolutely loves Link and all the Legend of Zelda games. We're actually still working our way through earning all the upgrades, etc. in The Legend of Zelda: a Link Between Worlds (a favorite gift he got for Christmas). So it was no big surprise when he started asking for a Link themed birthday party. I was lucky when he relented on having me make a Windwaker cake (ie. a cake that looks like a giant ship with a Dragon head and a sail) and settled on this shield instead. It's a vanilla cake (which is what he always requests) with buttercream frosting, and some marshmallow fondant for the details. I've never worked with fondant before, so it got a little messy for me, but the recipe was simple enough, and I'm sure it would seem simpler if I ever do it again.

Wednesday, April 23, 2014

Birthday M&M Cookies {recipe}

My son turned 6 way back in February, so I figured a few posts may be a bit overdue. First, I wanted to share these M&M Birthday cookies I made especially for G.
birthday M&M cookies recipe {A Cloth Life}

If you ask G, he'll tell you his favorite cookie is chocolate chip. If we get a bag of plain M&M's in the house, he'll tell you his favorite cookie is M&M's. So it only seemed fitting I should put together a batch for his birthday.

Sunday, April 20, 2014

Happy Easter!

I know not everyone celebrates this holiday, but I do, so I thought I'd share a quick greeting card style post. Plus, I wanted to share the egg ornaments I painted with my kids. They got a little more of a marbled effect with their mixing of colors, but I like how it turned out. I painted our initials on some of the eggs and put the year on the back (for my increasingly poor memory).

We had a lot of fun, and plan on doing a lot more of these types of projects. N made a HUGE mess on the table... and her body, but it was worth it. And as the weather gets nicer, we might move our paint parties outdoors for everyone's sanity.

You can find the tutorial for this project HERE

What are you doing today? Easter egg hunts? Special Sunday brunch? Any fun family traditions sort of "out of the norm"? I'd love to hear about it!

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Friday, April 18, 2014

2014 DDL Flats and Handwashing Challenge

Two years ago, I participated in the Flats and Handwashing Challenge organized by Kim of Dirty Diaper Laundry. I didn't do it last year because I wasn't sure how well things would go over using flats and my camp wash bucket here at my mom and dad's house. Stupid, I know. I could have just done it. This year, I won't be able to participate because I don't have any little ones in diapers - Baby is due just a month too late for all the festivities. Maybe YOU could give it a try in my place? 

Dirty Diaper Laundry's 4th Annual Flats and Handwashing Challenge #flatschallenge

I promise, it's not nearly as daunting as it may at first seem. You can read all about my experience in these posts:


Then, go to Dirty Diaper Laundry to read about THIS year's challenge and sign up for yourself. Keep in mind this event is about education and spreading awareness, but it's also a fundraiser for an amazing organization - Giving Diapers, Giving Hope. Donations can be anything from used cloth diapers and accessories to monetary contributions.

The Flats and Handwashing Challenge was an educational and empowering experience for me, and I would love for you to have that same experience if you haven't already. Please let me know if you do sign up - I would love to hear your thoughts, and I'm happy to share any tips or suggestions along the way! 

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Wednesday, April 16, 2014

DIY Easter Ornaments

I teach a Sunday school class at church with 3 and 4 year old kids. This week, I taught the Easter lesson since we'll spend Easter Sunday busy with our church Easter program. I thought it would be fun to make the kids a little something to take home that wasn't a picture they had to color themselves.

I came across this old post from Design Mom, and decided it might be a fun activity to do with my kids too.

DIY salt dough Easter Ornaments {A Cloth Life}

Monday, April 14, 2014

Mom's Night Out - movie inspired recipe and giveaway

I will be the first to raise my hand in agreement that every mom needs a night out sometime. I'm about a couple years overdue, myself. I honestly even remember the FIRST night out I had after having G. He was probably 2-1/2 years old. Ladies, that is FAR too long to wait. As I'm writing this, I'm thinking it's probably time for me to be planning a night out...

Anyway, there's a movie coming out called Moms' Night Out. I was invited to a screening last month, but it fell on my birthday, and I honestly just wanted to spend my birthday with my family - kids included, so that's what I did. I've heard great things about the movie, though - and who doesn't love Sean Astin, right?




Sunday, April 13, 2014

Rio 2: movie review

Last weekend, our little family was invited to see an advanced screening of Rio 2.
Rio 2: movie review

This time, we left N at home. She woke up feeling crummy, and when she vomited, we decided it didn't seem like a great idea to take her to a crowded movie theater. Of course, she was fine before we even left the house, but that's another story.

Rio 2 follows up on the story of Blu and Jewel - two macaws believed to be the last of their species. The story takes place 3 years later - the birds are "married" with kids, and their people (Linda and Tulio) are also married.  It is quickly discovered that there are more blue macaws hiding somewhere in the Amazon. Blu and Jewel decide to investigate along with their human counterparts, and the story goes from there.

Wednesday, April 9, 2014

NW's Biggest Baby Shower!

To read about my experience at this event, click here.

I'm so excited! I just bought my ticket to the NW's Biggest Baby Shower. This is not a sponsored post, I totally spent my own money on this, and I'm promoting this because I AM JUST SO EXCITED! Seriously.
BabyFest NW: NW's Biggest Baby Shower #NWbabyshower

Monday, April 7, 2014

ReCollected Pieces Giveaway (closed)

Remember the review I posted recently about the custom jewelry I got from ReCollected Pieces? Well - now Tabitha has offered up a giveaway! One lucky reader will get one pendant of your choice!
Re:Collected Pieces custom jewelry - repurposed jewelry, photo or artwork pendants and ornaments: giveaway

Saturday, April 5, 2014

Amatuer iPhoneography: taking (my) mediocre photography to the next level

My photography has never been something to brag about, and my Instagram account is certainly as much a reflection of that as my blog is. Sad to say. Probably the thing working in my favor (or against me) is the fact that I do the majority of my photography (blogging) via mobile. ie. I have an iPhone 4. Not a 4S. You know they're about to come out with an iPhone 6, right? But it works. I was lucky enough to come across this article recently, and I'm hoping I've learned a little something.
amatuer iPhoneography tips