Minniepallooza (the Details of Reagan's Minnie Party)

Before I even begin, I have to say, I know I went over board. I know that some may say I raised the bar high for future birthdays, but I love crafting. It's how I destress, unwind. It's my creative outlet. plus there were TONS of ideas and I just couldn't narrow it done so I did all that I could. I hope you enjoy. I had fun making everything and the kids had a blast in "minnie land."

It all started with the invite. I made Minnie pouches with an invite insert. I knew I was in trouble once I made these- Minnie was going to take over my life!

When you arrived at the party, this clubhouse sign with balloons greeted you. The Minnie wreath was hanging from the front door. 

I made signs for all the play stations around the house. We had Minnie's Kitchen, Minnie Clubhouse, Minnie's Bowtique (a playhouse), Choo Choo Express, and a Minnie Bag Toss.

This was the table for presents. I used a white tablecloth and red and white polka dot wrapping paper down the middle to make it more festive. Super easy! I had fun making Minnie centerpieces- three Styrofoam circles painted black, and I found the small red tin buckets at JoAnn's. My friend has the Mickey Mouse cartridge so I borrowed it to make the banner.

The Minnie Pinata was probably my favorite thing to make! I thought it was going to be a lot harder than it was, but it came together in less than 3 hours. Since Reagan was only turning two, I taped ribbon to the bottom and made it a pull pinata instead of one that you beat with a bat- I didn't want anyone to end up at the hospital. We took down the swings before the party and used their hindges to hang it.

The Minnie Bag Toss is the one thing I can take total credit for, I came up with it on my own and I was happy it turned out.

 

For favors I made Minnie and Mickey Ears for all the kiddos and Mouse Oreo Pops. The Ears were a labor of love, they took forever and now I know why people charge so much on etsy, but they turned out fabulous. Luckily, I found a mama who had already made them and pinned her directions. You can find them here. The oreo pops were a lot easier to make than I thought and they were super cute. 

I LOVED seeing all those bows lined up!

The food table! The party was from 2-4 so I just made snacks- watermelon, grapes and berries, goldfish and chips and dips. 

 

I got the mouse bowls on clearance at Target after Christmas (apparently they were a holiday item), I cut out watermelon in the shape of mickey ears and we had cupcakes for everyone.

I made two different cupcakes- red with white polka dots and white with Minnie ears and a red bow.

 It wouldn't be a southern party without sweet tea. I took a twist on the original and make fruit tea. It was delicious! Juice boxes and water were also up for grabs!

Final details- the outfit! My friend, Julie makes headbands, so I asked her if she could try a Minnie one and she nailed it! Reagan isn't great about keeping her hair accessories in but Minnie made it the entire party. I made her shirt and my sweet cousin helped me make her skirt. I was one proud mama. She looked amazing and so old. can she really be 2?!?! The black and white polka dot shoes were just the icing on the cake!

And of course, big brother had a shirt to match the party.

I think that's all. Minnie has left the building. (until my next post about the actual party) HA!

thankful thursday- consignment edition

Last night I went to the private sale for duck duck goose. I came home with tons of great bargains, including a dollhouse bookcase for Reagan. I also snagged a Dora Backpack and Diego Rescue Pack, I knew the kids loved Diego and Dora and it was something small that I thought they might enjoy.

That is the understatement of the year. They were both so excited, Mason kept saying, "I love it, mommy. Thank you so much. This is the best day.I love it. " And in his eyes, it was. We try not to spoil the kids with too many toys but on the rare occasion I will pick something up for them without a reason and it's on those days- when I get to remember what it was like to be a child and think that something so small to us as adults, would mean the world to them. It was a magical moment for him and for me. It made me a remember that they are special years and that I don't always need to be in a hurry, or have things done a certain way. I can just enjoy my kids in this moment because a $5 consignment toy won't always make their world go round. But they will always remember that they were loved and cherished.

Reagan and her backpack.

Mason and his over the top happy smile!

Easter Egg Hunts

For Easter, we headed to my parents house in middle TN. Mason and Reagan love going to their grandparent's, there's tons of space to run, a donkey, pheasants, and on this trip Thomas and Maggie (their cousins). It was a great weekend- M&R were able to take in 2 Easter egg hunts. I forgot to take pictures Easter morning-but I did snap some during the hunts.

The young Austin cousin.

can they really be growing up THAT fast?!?!

Reagan coloring the banner for church

Part of the second hunt (they were both Saturday)

My sunflower cake from Pinterest.
I was super proud of how it turned out.

make new friends but keep the old...

A long, long time ago, I was a girl scout.
And whenever I think of this family I remember that song.

Make new friends, but keep the old. One is silver, the other is gold.
September 2008

A circle is round, it has no end. That's how long, I will be your friend.
March 2009

A fire burns bright, it warms the heart. We've been friends, from the very start.
June 2010

You have one hand, I have the other. Put them together, we have each other.
May 2011

Across the land, across the sea, friends forever we will always be.
April 2012

We were BLESSED to get a call from some great friends that they would be coming through Knoxville for a few days and we were happy to have them over for dinner, laughter, and A LOT of playtime! Mason and Will have been friends since they were about 3 weeks old and when it came time to leave Seattle, leaving these dear friends was a struggle. Luckily, they have southern roots so this will not be the end of our boys and now girls to strengthen their friendship.

Will 2012

Lydia 2012

We love and miss you Huffaker's. Can't wait till next time!

Where did March go?

I just noticed I didn't blog AT ALL in March. Oopps. How did that happen?! We have been B.U.S.Y.
We had Spring Break, birthday parties, crazy weather and much more.
So here was our month in a nutshell.

we went to the zoo. It was great weather- not too hot, not too cold so the animals were all out enjoying the sun. this is the closest I have ever seen the giraffes.

Mason with his friends watching the elephants.

March also brought a lot of bumps and bruises for this guy. He flipped riding down the driveway on a ride on truck (it sounds worse than it is) and scrapped his chin and then he was not watching where he was walking and ran into a door knob and got his eye. Oh brother. What will we do with you?

Reagan has discovered she LOVES sunglasses and after having numerous of my sunglasses stolen and broken from this little sweetie. We got her some new styling shades of her own. She loves them.

I love getting pictures of the two of them side by side. I know one day their height difference won't be so noticeable.

We have spent almost EVERY afternoon outside, in our backyard, riding bikes, playing water table and just enjoying these beautiful days!

I promise to do better in April.