Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Back to School

It was time for


and


to go back to school!


so we had a back to school dinner.
(disclaimer: I stole all these ideas from some wonderfully awesome mother online)


It fell on FHE night which was perfect.
We talked about our family theme for this school year.
(I even found this online...loved it. It was perfect for a new year of adventures)


They chose to have spaghetti, which I hardly ever make. and we had corn grown in our very own garden!





It was TONS of fun. and we will definitely be making it a tradition.


Then the next morning it was off to school!
Cole is going into the 2nd grade. He has Mrs. Cousin. Love her already.
Doesn't he look old?


Ali waited "patiently" for her turn.
Afternoon Kindergarten takes a while to roll around when you are THIS excited.



I think she aged crazy fast in the week leading up to kinder cause I swear she wasn't this old five minutes before that.


I dropped her off and she marched right in without looking back.
just like she belonged and had done it a million times.


She has Mrs. Hale. We love her already too.


and this was her face after she rode the bus home with her brother.
It was a good day!


Mommy however looked at the clock a million times missing her kiddos.
Piper slept right through Al's entire time at school. 
I think my smile was as big as this when I had them home again.




"Shushi"

Ali got to choose the daddy daughter date festivities...

"SHUSHI!!!!!"


They had sushi and he took her to get a manicure. 


How stinkin' cute is that?

Wednesday, September 4, 2013

Fancy, Five, and Fabulous!


When throwing an afternoon garden soiree, there are certain things that are simply imperative.

Invites should be hand delivered to each of your closest friends.


The entrance to your gathering should be inviting and informative.



Your guest should be provided with accent pieces such as feather boa's so as to liven the party atmosphere.

Having your hair done by a professional is a perk that really ties it all in. 

Now, at this point pictures of our host all done up would be featured. Unfortunately even the best party planners can't account for the tragic slip of a hand that accidentally deletes all photographic memories, leaving us with only the back up photo's daddy brilliantly took with his phone.

So imagine if you will that this outfit was completed with ruby red glitter shoes and red laces that laced up the leg to just under the knee. which accented the ruby red glitter belt. ah, isn't it stunning? Just like the Fancy Nancy we all know and love. 

Now that you have that in your minds eye, let's continue, shall we?


Ah! the decor! 
Place settings can really add some flare to your event.
Tea cups, fans, goblets, individual mini containers housing purple colored chocolates 'o deliciousness, the sky is the limit really.


Then it's onto the food. 
When planning a ladies luncheon, think light finger foods. Something that can be eaten daintily.


You may have to show your guests proper edicate at such a fancy affair.
Don't worry, they will follow your lead.
(notice the proper pinky placement)


Engaging your guests in conversation is a true talent of any hostess.


One must know how to strike the perfect balance of lady like behavior and jubilant giggles.

  
See? look at those table manners, I told you they would follow the lead!




After dining begins the real fun!
Fancy Makeovers!
Cucumbers to rejuvenate the eyes.
Nail painting to spruce things up.
(nail painting not pictured due to a fore mentioned tragedy.)


(notice that bedazzled sleep mask in the picture below? A craft is also a nice touch at a get together of this magnitude)

Then it's onto dessert.
If your soiree has a particular person of honor, now would be the time to celebrate them.


 But ladies who dine daintily don't dig into cake like normal party goers.
No, no they are much too refined for that.
Parfaits make the perfect touch of sweet and civilized.



Guest should each be allowed to choose their own garnishes. This is after all a celebration!


Then to place the final fancy touch, a group photo session.


striking poses is an art.


You have to give the camera something different every time. 


It can be exhausting. 


but a true hostess never let's the exhaustion show.


It is after all her duty to show her guests how its done.


It is also her duty to thank her guests repeatedly for the bounty of gifts that she received and for their presence.


(sometimes party planners mothers have to beg for a party bundle back to photograph to replace the tragically lost previously taken photograph.)


But the real key to throwing and hosting the perfect soiree is to have wonderful friends who will get fancy and enjoy it with you.

Pipesicle turns one!


Our little Pipe-sicle turned one in June.

How fast a year has flown. 

 She rather enjoyed her cake.

and what do you ask was her themed cake this year? 
I would love to show you a picture of the darling orange Popsicle cake complete with actual stick and cute bite taken from the top left corner...however, in a tragic turn of events the pictures from the camera were deleted...yes. deleted. Totally my fault, I hit the wrong button. I cried. We have moved on.

remarkably Justin had the stroke of brilliance at both piper and ali's birthday parties to take pictures on his phone...yet another reason I love that man!




 Piper is hilarious.
She is never more than 30 seconds away from a smile.
she makes us laugh constantly.
I can't even describe her giggle, its like from her chest and classic. 
she has 8 teeth (2 of which are molars)
she has been walking along furniture and standing on her own in the middle of a room since she was 9 mo. but finally took her first steps without holding anything about 3 weeks ago (she was 14mo.)
and now she cannot be stopped!
she has incredible balance.
She talks a ton as of last week she says mom, mama, dada, baba, nana, baby, ali (aeeee), Cole (co!), num num, nigh nigh, hi!, hello, no, yeah, uh -oh, owie, I love you, and I am sure I am missing some.
my personal favorite is when she says "pound it"  (owe it) as she holds out her fist for you to pound it.
she is VERY clever.
she is strong willed.
she is always happy...unless its nap time.
at nap time she throws things and swats indicating its time for bed!
She sleeps through the night.
and also takes two, 2 hour naps a day...my only child to ever nap well.
She loves baby dolls.
she loves to be outside but hates grass.
she thinks she is as old as cole and ali.
she has her dad wrapped around her finger.
she gives the best kisses, but is VERY selective about who gets them and when.
she figured out how to tease us but pretending to give kisses, then turning our heads away with her hand and laughing. 
she hides by burrowing into someone and covering her ear with her hand.
she yells "MOM!" when she wakes up from a nap.
she plays peek a boo but often covers her mouth instead of eyes.
she loves bubble bee bumble bee out of the barn and puts her liitle index finger up to do it back to you saying "bababababababa" with inflection.
she tucks her arms under her tummy when you hold her and nuzzles up...or puts one hand around your neck as she cuddles you.
She is curious, and waits for her moment to do things.
she never forgets.
I am sure I am forgetting things.
Piper is pure joy and we are obsessed!