Monday, December 30, 2013

Under the Sea Mermaid 3rd Birthday Party

Audrey turned 3 on the 28th, but we had her party the week before, on the 21st. With all the hustle and bustle of the holidays, it was just easier to have her party before Christmas.

When I asked her, Audrey said she wanted a mermaid party! I loved the idea, so I ran with a mermaid/ under the sea theme! If you saw my posts about her first and second birthdays, you know I go a little theme crazy! But I do it because I want her to have a special day that is just about her and not about Christmas.

So the first thing I did was design the invitations and get them out in the mail!

For the decorations, I tried to make it feel like we were under water.
I hung curling ribbon from the light fixtures, fans and archway, and made paper lantern jellyfish!

Next, I did the table decor.
I twisted green streamers and taped them to the wall to look like seaweed. I also had pretty blue vases leftover from my sister's first baby shower that I put sparkly branches in. They were probably meant to be winter decor, but I thought they looked like sparkly seaweed. Then I put out strings of iridescent beads and some under the sea confetti.

You can also see the favors for the kids in the above collage. Everyone got their own under the sea activity placement and some ocean stickers. The girls also got pearl mermaid necklaces that I made and the boys got either a whale or a shark toy.

And of course there were balloons!
There were balloon bunches and a fishing net filled with balloons to try to cover up some of the Christmas decorations.

For the food, I stuck tight to the theme as well.

We had Veggies and Octo-dip, Goldfish, Seaweed (spinach) Dip with Crispy Seaweed (vegetable tortilla) Chips, Seashells & Cheese, and Submarine Sandwiches (tuna, egg and chicken salad).

And then, of course, there was dessert!!
I made Sand Dollar Sugar Cookies, as well as making and decorating the cake and cupcakes.

Overall, it was a really fun afternoon! I think all the kids had fun playing together and the cupcakes disappeared in the blink of an eye!
Audrey made a wish, opened lots of presents, and was then surprised with her new bike from Mommy and Daddy!

To give credit where credit is due:
I found the clip art for the invitation just by searching for free clipart on Google.
I found the paper lantern jellyfish tutorial on Party City's website.
A lot of my inspiration for both the food and decorations came from Pinterest.
I printed out the cake decorations and attached them to string and straws, but again, the mermaid was clipart I found searching on Google.


Sunday, December 29, 2013

Audrey's 3rd Birthday Interview

So, Audrey turned three yesterday. She is growing and changing so quickly and as much as I try to record all the milestones, I feel like little things will and are slipping away. So I decided to start doing yearly birthday interviews. I write her letters, but that is my perspective. I asked Audrey 10 questions yesterday. I plan to ask her the same questions every year on her birthday and think it will be fun to look back on and compare. So without further ado, here is her interview.

Audrey Ann-Marie
3 years old
December 28, 2013

1) What is your favorite color? Purple
2) What is your favorite food? Tacos (She is referring to Mommy's turkey tacos.)
3) What do you want to be when you grow up? An artist
4) Who is your best friend? Mommy!
5) What is your favorite book? Pete the Cat
6) What is your favorite movie? Rapunzel (Tangled)
7) What are you really good at? Singing
8) What is your favorite thing to do? Yoga with Mommy
9) What is your favorite dessert? Chocolate-cake-ice cream-candy (This sounded like all one word when she said it.)
10) What makes you the happiest? Dancing, and reading, and hugging and kissing, and Mommy and Daddy and my whole family!

Saturday, December 28, 2013

Audrey - 3 years

Audrey,

You are officially three today! With you, every day is an adventure, and this past year has certainly been full of excitement!

We started off the year with potty training and you exceeded our expectations with your willingness and ability to quickly adapt.

You transitioned from a crib, to a toddler bed, and then quickly to a queen size bed and FINALLY started sleeping through the night (for the most part!)

We visited art galleries and made plenty of our own art!



And we, of course, had our share of photo shoots!



We played in the sunshine, in the sand, in the rain, in the leaves, and in the snow.





You had your first pedicure and made lots of wishes.


You started pre-school and you're having so much fun learning and making new friends.

You gave up officially napping, but often fall asleep right in the middle of your very busy life. And we're done with binkies for good!


You love tacos, carrots, lining things up, singing, dancing, your stuffed panda Tinky, nutcrackers, babies, helping Mommy sew, reading, puppets, playing dress up, and chocolate, just to name a few. You are full of fire and passion and determination. You have a strong will, know what you want and when you want it. But you love your family and Jesus and you are polite and kind to others.

I can't believe you're three, baby! You challenge me and surprise me and fill me heart with joy every single day. You are my wildest dream come true. And though you test me and frustrate me and challenge me more than ever, I continue to learn and grow in your presence.

I love you more than I could ever say in words, sweet girl!

Love Always,
Mommy

Wednesday, December 25, 2013

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas!
From our family to yours!




Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Snowman Smiles

Just wanted to share our Christmas card with all of you! Snowman smiles coming your way!