almost mastered

Addi has been working so hard on mastering her tricycle.  We are in the driveway practically every night riding in circles!

"You're doing such a great job Addi!  Way to go!!" 

"Are you kidding me mom?  I've known how to ride this thing all along...I just like Daddy to push me!" 

Time for another bubble break... 

Good work Addi-girl!  We are proud of you!

birthday details & how-to's

Crepe Paper Ruffles

This was maybe the easiest thing I did for Addi's party and it made such a huge impact! 

I hated to have the boring brick wall behind the serving table, so I thought this would be quick and inexpensive.

You literally just overlap the two colors of crepe paper and scrunch them as you go!  That's it!

I found that it was easier to put the two rolls in a basket at my feet so the rolls didn't get tangled and roll all over the place.

Just look at how cute that is up close!

To hang them, I bought some wood at Lowe's and attached eye hooks.  I measures the eye hooks and then attached cup hooks in the eves of our house.

Then I just used my staple gun to attach the ruffles to the wood. 

They weren't exactly the same length, but it didn't really matter.   

Super easy...

and super cute!!

Party Favor Bags

The party favor bags were just white paper sacks from Hobby Lobby.  I designed a little card with Addi's picture on it and taped it to the front. 

Inside, each friend got a little treat sack with colors and stickers.  I just made the toppers and stapled them on the clear sacks. 

I also found these really cute little ice cream dishes in different colors that I put in there. 

Each friend also got a bagtag!  I punched holes in the sacks and thread the ribbons of the bagtag through and tied them in a bow on the front of the sack.  Easy peasy!! 

Cake Cookies

Here is the recipe for the cookies that I made.  You would not believe how easy they are and so yummy!

Cake Cookies

Ingredients:

1 box strawberry cake mix

1/3 c. oil

2 eggs (room temperature)

Sugar

Strawberry icing

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In a large bowl, combine cake mix, oil and eggs.  Stir until moistened.  The batter should be fairly thick so it will hold its shape when scooped.  Use a small melon maller or cookie scoop to make equal size cookies.  Place 2" apart on a slightly greases cookie sheet or cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.  Dip bottom of a small juice glass in regluar sugar and flatten cookies slightly.  Bake for 6 to 8 minutes (just starting to turn brown around the edges).  Remove from oven and let cool slightly.  While cookies are still warm (but not too warm), spoon a tablespoon of icing in middle of each cookie and allow to melt slightly before spreading to edges.  Sprinkles are optional.

I have also made these using lemon cake mix and lemon icing.  The possibilities are endless!!

pumpkin patch 2010

Scott, Addi and I loaded up and headed to the pumpkin patch for our annual trip.  Well, really it's just the flower tent set up in the mall parking lot, but there's no need to get technical!

Addi loved exploring all the baskets and different types of pumpkins!  She even found some corn.  And yes, she put it in her mouth!

I know you will be shocked, but Addi actaully like the dirty pumpkins.  She liked picking the dirt off them (aka "cweening" them). 

After much delima, she finally picked one out to take home.  It's the perfect one, don't you think? 

"Hey Addi, do you want to turn your pumpkin into a spider??"

"What are you talking about Mama?  You're crazy!" 

"Addi, open up the box and let's see what's inside!  It's a pumpkin building kit from Pottery Barn Kids!"

"You did make my pumpkin a spider!!!  I love it!!" 

Inspecting my work! 

I think the pumpkin kits are in stores only, but they are darling!  There were several different ones to choose from.  I didn't really think Addi would enjoy carving a pumpkin this year, so I thought we'd opt for an easier alternative.  I thought it turned out so cute and Addi loves it!  I'd say that's a win-win!!

bakin' & sweepin'

Addi and I decided to make the chocolate chip cookies from Cooper's birthday party. 

Isn't it such a cute party favor?

Addi and I both put on our aprons and got to work!  She is such a great little helper, especially in the kitchen! 

Unfortunately, she takes after her mother.  Neither one of us could quit eating the dough!!  I know it's not good for you (blah, blah), but it's so tasty!! 

We/she made a really huge mess stirring the sugar and flour.  It was everywhere, including the floor!  Good thing my little lady loves to clean!

"Mama, I sweepin'!" 

Doesn't she look so 1950's Housewife sweeping in her apron? 

i dig it

We have a few bare spots in the front yard and Addi has found that she likes to dig in the dirt.

But even more than digging in the dirt, she likes to sweep up her mess.  Imagine that. 

She seriously scoops up the dirt, pours it on the driveway and then sweeps it back into the grass.  Is that bad the she creates messes just so she can clean them up? 

She is a very

 busy

little girl