baby shower time!

when you have two best friends who are both teachers, you may have an extremely early baby shower.  because, even though her due date isn't until the beginning of november, we know that as soon as we go back to school [we are back at it!!!!] it is pretty much all downhill from there, at least when it comes to planning large social gatherings.





I knew immediately that jess was going to have some type of book themed baby shower, because, duh, a book hoarder having a baby, makes perfect sense to me.

thankfully, being a teacher and a mom of a five year old, I've got books galore!  

now, from the beginning of her time, everly has had a special love for jess.  one of my favorite little recent moments was when we were talking about her big recital day, she asked me who was coming.  I responded by stating all of our family.  her first name out of her mouth, jess.  one day she might actually get that she's not really related to jess, even though we have explained it, she doesn't seem to care.  she picks who her family is, and I'm alright with that!



getting a shower together in three weeks meant some real dedication and focus.  but I like a deadline, if not, I'd still be off crafting up something else, and really, there needs to be a craft line, I just never seem to find it.





somehow, I didn't take more photos of the finished onesies.  but if my five year old did this one with no assistance whatsoever, you can imagine how cute the rest were!  I've never block printed before, but now I'm kind of addicted.  making these stamps were so much fun, quite therapeutic.  I'm hoping to have time to make some more soon!

little succulent favors, because, honestly, that's what I would always want as a shower gift.

this kid ate a lot of watermelon.  being the only child at the shower meant the menu was pretty sophisticated for the likes of a five year old.  but thankfully she's a kid that doesn't eat much from time to time, so we made due for the afternoon.

even though it wasn't a harry potter themed shower, it did get a tad close there at times!  

we just can't help it.

and of course, the guest book was a copy of the tales of beedle the bard.  

when co-hosting a shower, may I always suggest you co-host with a restaurant owner.  because that is what I did, and now only did it take away major amounts of stress from me, it also turned out like this.  not even in a million years could I have figured out a menu of this magnitude.  thank you rosie - I am so thankful for your mad skills. 

the appetizers:

lunch:

dessert:

this is however the face of a kid when you give her a vegan, sugar free cupcake.  

she may be used to our boxed cakes!

her position the entire shower - 

'oh, you want me to look and every card and help you with every baby gift, yes please.'

-everly

and if you are confused, yes the mama to be did have an outfit change mid shower, because it was july, and we were melting!

saying we are excited for the little guy on the way is a major understatement.  I finally get to play auntie, which seems like a pretty good gig.  

want some amazingly yummy food while in northern california - visit the drawing board [petaluma]

many decorations were from the hearth & hand collection from target

block printing supplies from blick

Everly's Fourth Birthday Party [dia de los muertos]

I've always loved to plan parties.  I cannot even recall all the silly reasons we had to get together and eat cupcakes in our 20's.  I specifically remember a spring is here party.  yeah, I used to have time for ridiculousness.  nowadays, there is one party. everly's birthday.  and because I love to plan and decorate parties down to the tiniest detail, I like to start early with these shindigs.  like summer break early, because, working mom.  and my baby is born in november.  this year, we started late august, which is a little behind for me [don't worry, I haven't also finished my christmas shopping.  I haven't started, so there, not that crazy].  while wandering the aisles of michael's, as we are sometimes known to do, we stumbled upon some very early displays of dia de los muertos decorations.  after finding the rainbow flower crown with the cutest little candy skull tucked inside, with flowing ribbons, it wasn't a hard sell for my almost four year old to get on board with.


and so, my first ever dia de los muertos birthday party was born.


in the past, trying to work on party details and wrangle a baby or toddler has been challenging.  many times, it resulted in me getting a lot of help with everly.  but this wasn't the case this year.  instead, something magical happened.  everly helped me do everything.  tissue paper flowers, silk flower arrangements, baking cupcakes, hanging lights and banners, check, check, and check.

getting to party plan together was amazing - sometimes it took a tad extra patience from me, but for the most part, my three year old rocked the decoration scene like a pro.  and because we had an absolute blast planning this crazy party - yes, we will continue to do so, each and every year until she tells me she's had enough.

and now, way too many photos...

thank you to everyone who made this day so special!