Recent Projects

I have quite a few projects going on at the moment but I thought I'd share the two that I've completed.  The first was an updated project for Hallie's room.  She's had blocks with her name on them up in her room since she was born and I was ready to do something different.  So I found these cute white curly letters from Hobby Lobby and just decoupaged.  Super easy...but super cute!  Best part?  Hallie LOVES them:)

The second project was for Jack's room.  I found a very sturdy bookshelf and sanded and refinished it.  It really adds a great pop of color to his room and he really likes this addition to his room. 

These are just two projects of many so there will be more pictures for follow.

Battle Frosting

Few things in my life have irritated me as much as my inability to work with frosting and make it look great.  Frosting has always overwhelmed me.  I REALLY want to master the art of working with frosting so I decided to do something about it. 

My inspiration comes from the cutest blog that my mom introduced me to. The blog is:
http://beeinourbonnet.blogspot.com/
The thingsnthese ladies come up with boggle my mind and I must admit that makes me sick how incredibly talented they are!  But their tips have really helped me in Battle Frosting!

My first project was Hallie's birthday cake.  The key for me on this cake was using quality ingredients.  It really made all the difference.  I have always just used margarine for butter cream frosting because butter is SO expensive and I usually don't have it on hand.  Well, no more!
Besides the butter it really helped to apply several layers of frosting...refrigerating between each coat.  I need a little more work but i was pleased with how it turned out.

Next project...sugar cookies.  I love sugar cookies but hate to make them because the the frosting never turns out.  This time was COMPLETELY different.  I used a meringue frosting that I found at the blog I mentioned above.  This was a great change because the frosting actually hardens and then you can stack or package the cookies however you like.  The application of the frosting was actually the best part.  After making the frosting I put them in clear squeeze bottles with the small tips. 

These little babies made decorating a breeze because the frosting when exactly where I wanted it to go.  I was very pleased.  Now the colors weren't exactly what I was going for and I still need A LOT more practice but I've made progress and that's what I'm excited about.

I made these cookies for a Young Women's lesson and this was my presentation.
I really liked how they turned out. 

I am actually excited to keep experimenting with frosting! 

Hallie's Birthday Party

Hallie was super excited to celebrate her birthday with some of her friends.  It was RIDICULOUSLY hot but we planned for lots of water activities so it should be great, right?!  Not so much.  The kids lasted for about 35 minutes outside and then they were ready to be out of the heat and sun.  So much for that.  But it was still a great party and Hallie had a great time partying with her friends.

This was my first attempt at really trying to master the art of frosting.  I was actually pretty pleased with the results considering how much improvement I have needed.  Most importantly Hallie loved it:)

Playing in the water.  Just don't mind the ghettoness of the yard in the background.  That's what happens when you live in a developing neighborhood:)

Slip n' Slidin'

Miss Madi:)

All finished with the water

I love Coehn's face here.  Not quite sure what it's all about but he cracks me up.

The girls takin' a break.  Adorable!

PRESENTS!  The highlight of every child's birthday party:)

Hallie and Parker

Hallie and Madi

Coehn, Hallie and Brylee

Hallie and Jack

CAKE!

Make a wish;)

Marie stopped by with Grace and she entertained the girls by reading Pinkalicious.

Well, that's it for Hallie's birthday celebrations.  It was a fantastic week and we loved celebrating our little lady!

Side note: Sorry to show you our have eaten cake but I just had to show the inside of the cake since we went to all of the trouble of doing a tie-died cake.

She made it to 4!

Somehow she decided that it was alright for her to grow up.  4 came all too quickly for me!  It was a great day though.  I tried to make it really special for her and I think we all really enjoyed the day.

We started the day off with pink rollups and pink milk.
I hope Grandpa will forgive me for the modification on his signature breakfast:)

We spent the afternoon at Chuck E Cheese (thanks to some complimentary tokens).  I have to say this was so fun for me.  The kids got along SO well.  They were so excited the whole time and we just had a blast!

Riding the rocket

Enjoying Hallie's birthday

They were so funny to watch on this roller coaster.  They just laughed and laughed.

This was an intense game!

Sneaking around:)

 Once Jim got home from work we made our way to Olive Garden for Hallie's birthday dinner.  Oh man...we love that place:)

Daddy and Jack

Mommy and the birthday girl

 After dinner it was time for presents and cake!!

The loot:)

She was so excited about all the presents.

Precious birthday girl

Princess with her flowers

BALLOONS!

Fancy Nancy from Grandma and Grandpa...she is just too cute!
Thanks Grandma and Grandpa...she's perfect!

Now a place to put all the jewelry that she's collected

For some reason she has been asking and asking for an umbrella. 
She was thrilled to open a Minny Mouse umbrella!

Dress up

CD player from Grandma Robbie.  This little girl is constantly listening to music!
Thanks Grandma!!

Proud Daddy and his birthday girl

Love those kids!

The cake:)

I love this picture.  I think it sums up the day perfectly.

:)

Just a few thoughts about the day: Hallie and I seem to have really been at odds lately.  She's become very good at coping an attitude and she is the most stubborn person I have ever known.  Today was such a great day and reminded me of how sweet and wonderful she really is (of course I know it but it can be hard to remember when I'm in the midst of our daily meltdown). 
I am proud of this little lady and her independent spirit.  I know that her independence will server her well as she grows up and starts to make important decisions for herself.  I know that as she goes out in the world that her ability to be firm in what she wants and what she desires will be such a blessing to her as she is able to resist some of the dangerous things the world has to offer.  As her mommy I feel the enormous importance is to teach her what is right and then allowing her to exercise her independence as she feels she should.  Because once she decides on something she is not easily swayed and I know that if we, as her parents, can show her the joys of choosing uplifting things she will be an wonderful force for good in all that she does. 
I LOVE this girl and feel so blessed to be her mother.  I just hope that I'm up to the challenge:)

Swimming Lessons

 Both Jack and Hal had swimming lessons these past weeks and it was so fun to see them in the water.  The pictures are not the best but what can you do...have Jim buy me a new camera, that's what!  Just kidding honey:)  They both did great and made a lot of progress this year.  I'm so proud of them both.  Now if I can just keep them in the water for the rest of the summer so they don't loose the progress they've made.

Ready to start

Hallie swimming through the hoop.

Hals riding the noodle train

Jackson and Hallie were not in the same class but they had to combine
one day because Jackson's teacher couldn't be there.  Here they are
on the side of the pool with their friend Madi in the middle:)

Chillin' on the side of the pool patiently waiting for his turn

Jack swimming

Hallie getting in some back float