Katie's Two By Two Party

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I know, I'm totally overdue on this post. I started it long ago, but got stalled editing pictures. I've been bugged to get it done, so I'm going to stop putting it off!

As my regular readers know, I'm a ridiculous planner. I started seriously pulling together things for this party in April. And then decided I would use May to focus on Mady's Fancy Nancy Party and June to focus on Katie's party.

I didn't foresee one thing.
Being pregnant in June.
Anyone who has been pregnant probably knows that what that really means is that you can't get out of bed (or at least off the couch) for about 6 weeks (or more!).

But I still needed to pull together a Noah's Ark Two-by-Two party!

I finally started actually putting things together just a few days before her party. I'm glad the plan was pretty simple! The most time consuming part was the outfits that I made the girls and those came together pretty quick. In case you're wondering here is the tutorial for the rainbow skirt and the etsy shop I bought the appliques from is The Applique Patch.

I designed the invitation on my silhouette and printed it out at Staples (I didn't want running ink and their colour laser printers stop that from happening). The Noah's Ark boat and animals were shapes in the library.

(I cheated and just took a screen shot, but this was done as a card style and this was the outside)

(and the inside, personal info blurred)

The week leading up to the party we had fabulous weather. Ridiculously hot even, so I had originally planned that we would have the party outside. But then that morning there was a 40% chance of rain. And in Calgary that basically means it's going to rain.

So we moved to an indoor plan. Which meant it didn't rain.




For decorations I made a birthday banner shaped like raindrops out of paper (again using my silhouette), hung balloons as water drops (and, yet again, if I had been allowed to stand on high ladders I would have strongly considered hanging them from the ceiling for a more watery feel. Why am I always pregnant for second birthday parties??).



I ruffled streamers on my sewing machine and made a rainbow with some tissue paper poms as the clouds. Then on the banisters around the room (we have a sunken living room) I taped up some colourful umbrellas.


For food we had snacks since it was a morning party: cheese, crackers and sausage as "boat building materials," animal crackers, a rainbow fruit platter and jello rainclouds.
 
 
The cake I made to look like an ark using some oval pans and a little loaf pan. And lots of chocolate finger cookies. Which ended up tasting better than my original fondant plan.


That plan got scrapped because one of my pregnancy aversions is looking at fondant. (I seriously haven't read party blogs in 2.5 months. Can't do it.) Mady's cake almost killed me. I knew I couldn't muster up the courage to do it again in a month. And really, I crave lots of chocolate. So this was win/win.


For activities we had the kids make rainbow necklaces out of gimp and frootloops upon arrival. Katie chose instead to just eat them straight out of the bowl.


Then I took the kids into the living room and I went over the basic Noah's ark story (which I was using to guide the activities, but we ran out of time, so technically we didn't finish the story. Good thing I know all the parents can tell it at home!). I bought a pack of little animals off of amazon (free with my swagbucks. Score!) and I hid one from each pair around the room (actually my Father in law did...Thanks Dad!). I gave the kids an animal to go and find the mate of and when they did I had them bring them back to put in the ark (we have a fisher price ark that I used for this). Then I sent them out to find another. They probably could have played this game for an hour if I had enough animals!

(no pictures of any of this because I was leading it. Someone else may have some though so when I get some I'll add them in)

We sang some Noah's ark songs and got all the parents to help us make a rainstorm with our hands (by rubbing your hands, then snapping and then slapping your legs).


Next, I pulled out the playdough and the animal shaped cutters and let them go to town. We had our Noah's ark toys and books out for the non participators and colouring sheets for those who preferred that art outlet.


After that we had snacks and cake and opened presents.

(I wish blogger didn't hate my camera's videos because we have one of her singing along and then pre-blowing the candles before we were done singing)

(Katie enjoying her new bike)

We ran out of time to blow bubbles so I sent them home with the kids.



For the favours each kid got to pick an umbrella to take home (The tag said "Here's an umbrella to keep the rain off you and to help you remember the day I turned two!"), I gave them some of the animals from the game, and (my stroke of genius) a Dove chocolate bar. Because you can't have the ark without a dove, right??? I had wanted dove eggs but forgot to get them at Easter. Whoops.

So that was the party. Katie seemed to like it (as much as two year olds can tell you these things).

We are so blessed to have such lovely friends and family to share these special times with. Thanks everyone for coming! I totally forgot to get a group shot of the kids (someone please start reminding me to do this at parties!)


We Love You Katie Mae! Happy Birthday!

Sneak Peek at Katie's Party and a Feature!

Today I am madly getting ready for Katie's birthday party.

Want a sneak peek?

Here are the outfits I've been making the girls this week. I'm so excited for them to wear them! Can you guess the theme??

And up close of the applique because he's so stinkin' cute!

In the meantime, if you truly can't get enough of my babble, you can head over to Leanne's blog where she is featuring me today. How sweet, right?


 

Happy Birthday Katie Mae!

Here you are 2 years old!

I know every mother thinks the years go by for their child way too fast, but 2 years! Wow!

You truly are my sunshine kid. You bring so much happy into my life! Oh and the faces you pull out! You are such a performer.

Things I'm enjoying about you right now:

• I love how much you love jam. I think it's your favourite food. When you wake up in the morning that's the first thing you ask for. And if I ask you what you want for lunch, that's your answer.
• I love when you run in circles in the living room and giggle. You have the best laugh.
• I love your obsession with a "pen"(cil) and paper. If I had to guess, I'd think you're going to be an artist (my walls can attest). Or maybe a writer. You always want us to write letters (mostly B), even though I don't think you actually know any of them by sight.
• I love how much you love pink. No one taught you that. In fact, I pushed purple on you. But pink won. It was the first colour you could say and you love it.
• I'm glad you still like to cuddle. Even if it's something you could literally do all day long if I let you and that doesn't work for my schedule.
• I think it's funny that you like to sing along to Lea Michelle singing Firework (I hate Katy Perry so I refused to use that version). My choir sang it as part of our radio hits concert so I made a CD of all the songs to practice in the car. You get so excited whenever it comes on because you like to sing the "ah, ah, ah" parts.
• Your obsession with Toopy and Binoo cracks me up. You totally got it from your sister. But the way you sing that theme song.... Ha!
• I like how you like to have your hair done every day. Well at least in theory. You like the after result. :) 
• You hate pasta. I've tried to get you to like it. But there's no getting around it. It's just not your favourite. Well, except for spaghetti. Obviously we will have to teach you that in our family, we pretend we're Italian. Good thing you like bread.
• You are very observant. You are well aware when we pass anywhere in the car that has treats for kids. Like when we pass the grocery store you point and shout "Cookie!"
• I love how excited you get when you get to do something just like your sister. "Too!" is one of the phrases you utter often. 
• You love anything fun and never want it to have to end. Bedtime is such torture for you. So are naps. You wish you could play all day.
• You are very independent. Recently you've started wanting to fill your own cups with water from the bathroom tap (the only one you can reach). But then you end up with warm cups of water because you can't reach the cold tap.

We love you so much, Katie! Hope you have a birthday so full of fun!
Love Mommy, Daddy and Madelyn


 

Poor Neglected Blog

I know, I know, I've been a terrible blogger.  After Mady's Fancy Nancy party I lost all steam. I have spent the entire month basically just sitting on my couch.
Really.
I pulled out my sewing machine today for the first time in 6 weeks. And that was only because I HAD to get some stuff done for Katie's upcoming party. Something about being fair between siblings.

Reasons? Well mostly this:

I hear it's quite the trend.


 

Pin-ed it, Made it Features

Last week we announced that we’d be retiring the link party for now and hopefully revamping and bringing it back in the fall!

But we can’t say good bye for now until we do the last set of features!

Top Viewed:

From Blah-b to Fab: DIY Thrifty Gift from City Girl Gone Country!

Jennifer’s Pick:

I’m in love with this lamp! Lotus Lamp Reveal from Sawgrass Home
Melanna’s Pick:

A molten chocolate chip cookie?? Yes please! From Artsy-Fartsy Mama.

Meig & Brandi’s Pick:

This holiday craft is super cute and easy, to boot! Thanks for sharing, Artsy Fartsy Mama! We hope you had a really great 4th of July!

A big thanks once again to everyone thats linked up over the past 6 month! We'll miss ya, but home to be back in september!

Pin-ed It Made it Party 29/06

Summer time is here! People are on vacation and the weather is HOT!
We’re going to be taking a break from the linky party for July and August and will reevaluate come fall. There hasn’t quite been the growth in the number of links that we were hoping for and it takes quite a bit of time to put the party together each week. So, we’re going to take a little summer break, revamp things and start back up at a later date!

Your hosts are Brandi & Meig from Crafty Girl Squared, Melanna from Rhapsody of Cacophony & Jennifer from Finding My Way in Texas

Top Viewed:

Canned Cinnamon Roll Waffles from Little Sprinkles of Fun!

Brandi & Meig’s Pick:

We love these Chicken Parmesan Sliders from The Grant Life! They look so yummy! Thanks for sharing. :)

 

Melanna’s Pick:

My girls would totally think handmade beads would be a fun project. Thanks Steph for the idea!

 

Jennifer’s Pick:

These sandwiches look divine! Might actually be something my hubby would eat! Thanks so much to Eating in Neverland for sharing!

 

Please Remember to...Follow ALL 3 hosts.
Post our fabulous button on your blog so others can join the fun. (its on my sidebar)
Visit a couple of the other links and spread some love. We all love comments :)
For all projects linked to the “Pin-ed it, Made it” category, please ensure you link ONLY projects you were Pinspired to create and that the original post that inspired your project is properly sourced. We want to play nice :)
For the “Everything Else” category, please do not post giveaways, items you’re selling or other link parties.

Pin-ed it, Made it:


Everything Else:

Pin-ed It, Made it 22/06

Welcome back to another addition of Pin-ed it, Made it!

Your hosts are Brandi & Meig from Crafty Girl Squared, Melanna from Rhapsody of Cacophony & Jennifer from Finding My Way in Texas

Top Viewed:

We ALL love these faux-TOMS by Kelley from The Grant Life!


Melanna’s Pick:

A mason jar soap dispenser has been on my list forever too! Thanks Sam (From The Junk House) for showing us yours.

Meig & Brandi’s Pick:

YUM! Mojitos are one of our favorites. Thanks to The Grant Life for sharing this great drink recipe!

Jennifer’s Pick:

Love the Father's day hand-stamped washer key-chain from Julie at Crafty Imaginings. I've had a stamp set hanging around the house somewhere... time to get it out and make something clever too!

Please Remember to...Follow ALL 3 hosts.
Post our fabulous button on your blog so others can join the fun. (its on my sidebar)
Visit a couple of the other links and spread some love. We all love comments :)
For all projects linked to the “Pin-ed it, Made it” category, please ensure you link ONLY projects you were Pinspired to create and that the original post that inspired your project is properly sourced. We want to play nice :)
For the “Everything Else” category, please do not post giveaways, items you’re selling or other link parties.

Pin-ed it, Made it:
 
Everything Else:

Pin-ed it, Made it 15/06

Your hosts are Brandi & Meig from Crafty Girl Squared, Melanna from Rhapsody of Cacophony & Jennifer from Finding My Way in Texas

Hey Everyone! Melanna here (just so you know which of the three of us is talking this week...)

I'm thoroughly addicted to Pinterest. When I first started pinning I had a board called something like "projects to make." Ha! I had no idea that I was essentially creating an impossible to do list.

So I went the normal route and organized my pins by categories. Then when I'm in the mood to make something, whether it's baking, dinner, a craft or activity with the kids or a sewing project, I have inspiration right in front of me.

That doesn't mean I don't have a "list" of things I want to finish!

Here are some pins I'm dying to try:

(pinned here the ingredients to this one are actually in my kitchen waiting for me. Hopefully today!)

(pinned here We only ever have 2 hot weeks in July. But wouldn't it be wonderful to lie on a giant bag of water? Yes. Yes it would!)

(of course I have a sewing project waiting in the wings! Or 50... Pinned here. I've only made my girls skirts and dresses. I really need to venture into shirts (especially since Mady's torso is SO long). How cute is this shirt? So darling!)

But of course it's not enough to just have things on the to do list. Which is why we party here each week showing off the stuff we've actually done! Success or failure! So let's get to it, show us all that stuff that you Pinned and actually made!

Here are our top picks from last week:

Top viewed:

Soap Cloud from Moore Babies. Looks Like Fun!

Jennifer's Pick:

There is so much inspiration in this post and I am LOVING the DIY art created by Covered in Grace!

Meig and Brandi's Pick:

We love these washi tape cards from Crafting and Creativity. So simple and cute! Thanks for the great idea, Sarah!

Melanna's Pick:

I'm Canadian, so I have to show some love to my fellow citizens! Sarah at Crafting and Creativity has a whole post of ideas of fun ways to celebrate Canada Day.

Please Remember to...Follow ALL 3 hosts.
Post our fabulous button on your blog so others can join the fun. (its on my sidebar)
Visit a couple of the other links and spread some love. We all love comments :)
For all projects linked to the “Pin-ed it, Made it” category, please ensure you link ONLY projects you were Pinspired to create and that the original post that inspired your project is properly sourced. We want to play nice :)

For the “Everything Else” category, please do not post giveaways, items you’re selling or other link parties.

Pin-ed it, Made it: Everything Else: