Jessica's 3rd Birthday

Part of the reason I have been so busy the last couple weeks is because as soon as we got back from Christmas, I had to start getting ready for Jessica's birthday party. I had it all planned out, but several things didn't go according to plan.....our cat died (more on that later).....the cake didn't turn out right and I had to start all over again....I found out after I got the food that most of the people we invited were sick....It was just one of those weeks!! Amazingly enough the party was just right! This year we did a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles theme!

I created these cute invitations on the computer and then had them printed out as photos! They turned out really nice looking and cost me a couple dollars!

The decorations were simple enough. I'd had the crepe paper for years, and I bought the balloons for about $1 (ok $2....I lost the first package....which I found.....AFTER the party)!

I made the cake from scratch. It turned out great (the second time)! I made red marshmallow fondant for the face mask (which was amazingly easy), googly eyes for the eyes, and melted semi sweet chocolate chips for the mouth and nose. I had no cake decorating supplies so I did end up purchasing icing coloring and a round tip/bag.

This is another shot of the cake. I also ended up ordering pizza and purchasing paper goods to match the crepe paper. I was going to make homemade pizzas with crazy toppings and use regular plates, but when the cat died, I just couldn't take anymore.

I made felt face masks for party favors! I got the fabric for $1.44 and only used half of it. They wouldn't cut it any smaller.

Borrowing an idea from Shannon, I also made cookies for party favors! I dyed the cookie dough with food coloring and shaped them by hand. Then I put googly eyes on with melted semi sweet chocolate chips and drew a mouth!

For entertainment we set up the old sewer and figures I had as a child along with the turtle van and some of the figures David had as a child!

Jessica opening presents....while her friends are distracted by the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles video we had playing. We bought those last year for me and Jessica to watch as I lay on the couch trying to keep from getting dehydrated and running to the ER while pregnant with John! That might explain why she likes Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles so much! :-)

Jessica blowing out her candles! It took 3 tries, but she finally got it!!

The entire party except for David and one of the kids. It ended up being the perfect size! We were all able to have fun and relax!!

Jessica thought the cake was awesome!!!!! In fact, she ate so much of it that it took about a week for her poop to stop turning green....gross, I know!

I debated for at least a month on whether or not to get foam swords for the party.....I wasn't sure how the girls would react. I decided to get some at the last minute (so of course I ended up paying more).....I shouldn't have worried! The kids LOVED them!!!!

A picture of all the kids playing in Jessica's room. This was the best picture I got.....seriously......taking pictures of kids is like herding cats!!!!!

So...now you have the story of how my $10 party turned out to be much more expensive, but we all had a great time and enjoyed celebrating Jessica, so I guess that is all that really matters!

A picture of Jessica out in the garage with her daddy for the first time. She hammered, glued, clamped, screwed, measured, marked, sanded, and used a saw! She had a great time!!! This particular picture makes me think of my father-in-law.

The last 3 years have been a fun and crazy ride, and I am sure that what is left to come will be even more exciting!!! Jessica, you are a very sweet and fun child to travel the journey of life with. May you never loose your sweet, compassionate spirit or your exuberance for life. They are gifts that will only bring joy to those blessed to share the journey with you! We love you!

Car Seat Swaddle Blanket Tutorial

When Jessica was a baby, all problems could be solved by feeding her. Baby John on the other hand, screams anytime he is tired, instead of just going to sleep. Typically, all you have to do is swaddle him, and he will calm down and eventually go to sleep. Unfortunately, that has proven difficult in the car....until now! Introducing: The Car Seat Swaddle Blanket Tutorial!


First you are going to need a piece of material (preferably knit or flannel) approximately 45"x45" is ideal, but I only had 45"x 36" left of my cute helicopter print so I made it work. ;-) Usually when swaddling the kids, I fold the top corner down, but in this case I cut it off.


Next, I lined the corner I cut off up under the shoulder straps.


Then I cut a slit large enough for the buckle to easily slip through.


Then about halfway between the corners on each side, I cut a slit going all the way to the lower part of the shoulder harness. This way the top piece could slip through the shoulder harness.


Finally, serge or hem all edges. And "Ta-Da!" A pretty cranky baby becomes much calmer almost instantly!


I will probably leave this blanket in the car seat at all times. To keep the blanket in place, put the infant head support over the blanket. I think we are really going to enjoy this Car Seat Swaddle Blanket when we take the kids on a 9 hour car trip to visit family in a few weeks!!

Envibum Giveaway

My friend, Lisa was sent these diapers to review for a giveaway, but she ended up sending them to us because she had trouble with her son's chunky thighs. I have to say I am super impressed with this company! It is run by a team of Work-at-Home Moms, Dads, and Grandparents! Rachel, who started Envibum, is a mother of 3 (with a fourth due next month)! She has been sewing for 20 years and felt God calling her to create Envibum to not only help other parents cloth diaper their little ones but also to compassionately give to those in need.


In fact, $2 of every diaper sold through their company goes to organizations like: Food for the Hungry, Living Water International, Crisis Pregnancy Center, or Salvation Army. For every diaper cover sold, one is given to a mom in need. In fact, their diaper cover is designed with moms in third world countries in mind!


Obviously washing cloth diapers can be a problem if you are in an area with a very limited water supply. That is actually why the velcro used is brown. If you rinse it in muddy river water, it will not leave the diaper looking filthy! Their company is also built on a strong foundation of integrity. They are definitely a company I feel comfortable supporting with my business, and they offer high quality products using natural fibers, suitable for the most sensitive of tushies! Check out our giveaway at mommyandmegiveaways.com!

Easter Dress

Today at Preschool we celebrated Easter with egg dying, Easter coloring sheets, and an Easter egg hunt! Jessica and River wore the matching dresses I made for them. Aren't they sweet?The dresses are a little bit big, but I am sure they will fill them out by the end of the summer! I made the dresses in a size 5 and altered them to fit now. I took up the back at the zipper and the hem of the dress. I also placed the ribbons I used for straps where they would fit them now, not where the pattern said to put them! All three of those things are easy to go back in and fix later! Here are some pictures of the girls and our Preschool egg hunt!

Money Saving Monday: Homemade Popcorn

Making popcorn on the stove is a family tradition. (One that my husband highly values!) I learned how to make it watching my dad. When I was little, Friday nights were family night which usually entailed pizza, coke (the only time we ever had it when I was little), Star Trek, and popcorn made on the stove! Popcorn made on the stove is not only cheaper but it also tastes better and can be healthy!

First you will need a little grease. I keep an old jar of grease leftover from making french fries. My dad says it tastes better that way!

That is usually about how much I use. It actually looks like more than there really was.

I use Orville Redenbacher's popcorn kernels, and I keep them in the freezer so they will remain fresh longer!

I use three popcorn kernels to start with so that once they have popped I will know the grease is at the right temperature.

Waiting for the popcorn kernels to pop.

Once all three (unless you think one is an old maid) popcorn kernels pop add more. That is the point at which the grease is the right temperature.

I usually pour in enough to almost cover the bottom of the pan.

It is very important to keep a circular motion going so that you do not burn the popcorn!

Sometimes it will start to come right out of the pan!

Always make sure you have a bowl handy!

Yummm.....tasty stove top popcorn goodness!!!

I usually add salt to the popcorn right after it is popped and shake it a little to make sure it gets mixed in. I have tried butter before, but I prefer it with just salt. I have also been told that if you grind the salt to a powder that it will stick to the popcorn better. However, I have never had trouble with salt sticking as long as you do it while the popcorn is hot! Now you can enjoy fresh homemade popcorn instead of the stale stuff!

Special thanks goes to my husband for his excellent popcorn photographing skills!!