Minnie Mouse Extravaganza

We recently celebrated Addison's second birthday with a toned down Minnie Mouse extravaganza!  Her birthday party was originally scheduled for Sunday the 27th of January but due to unexpected funeral arrangements we postponed to February 2nd, which also happened to be Brandon's birthday.  We ended up with a smaller celebration of Addison (and her daddy's) birthday with a pink and zebra themed Minnie Mouse party.  I joked that it was a good thing Brandon didn't mind a Minne Mouse themed birthday party. 

I was glad that it worked out we were still able to celebrate because in true party planner style, I had big plans for that day and didn't want all of my ideas, hard work and Pinterest research to go to waste!  Here are some pics and details of how it went.


Minne Mouse Wreaths

 I saw a lot of cute wreaths on Pinterest but since we have double doors and need two wreaths, I had a hard time justifying the cost for wreaths that would hang on the front doors for a few hours.  I found the grapevine wreaths pretty inexpensive at Hobby Lobby, with a little floral wire and a can of black spray paint...voila!  I also found the letter A and number 2 at Hobby Lobby, covered with pink polka dot scrapbook paper.  Then added the polka dot bows which I made from ribbon also found at Hobby Lobby.  As things turned out they ended up hanging for over a week and were recycled for a friend of a friend who is having a Mickey Mouse party in March, so it was a good investment of time and money, in my opinion!

 

 

Party Favors

 I have discovered based on my own personal experience that I don't really want to send folks home with party favors they will just throw away.  As a parent, I find it wasteful to receive something that just goes in the garbage when you get home.  So I tried to think of things Addison enjoys and included them in the goodie bags...coloring sheets, bubbles and candy.  In the small bags were a small bottle of Minnie Mouse bubbles and one piece of Minnie Mouse candy (either a lollipop or a fun stick). I printed the coloring sheets from disneyjunior.com and was pleased to find several birthday themed sheets, rolled them up and tied with tulle.

Candy Bar

 I had not originally intended on doing a candy bar but when I saw the printables that came in the package from Amanda's Parties To Go, I couldn't resist.  I'm lucky that Addison's birthday is so near Valentine's Day and she's a girl because there is never a shortage of pink candy this time of the year.  I used the candy bar wrappers and kisses stickers from the printables, had pink m&ms and black sixlets.  I made the cookies myself, which is my speciality but used Wilton Sugar Sheets for the first time.  I have a hard time getting the right color black and when I saw the zebra printed sheets it was a no brainer.  I iced the 2s with royal icing as I usually do but the sugar sheets were a huge time saver for sure.  I wasn't certain they would be tasty but there wasn't one cookie left after the party so I'm guessing they weren't all that bad.  I found the zebra printed bags at Party Time and strongly encouraged each guest to fill up a bag of candy before leaving!

Center Piece

 I made the centerpieces from the printables as well, found the zebra printed tins and plates at Hobby Lobby.  Luckily, zebra and hot pink was en vogue at the moment because I found a lot of items available.  The Minnie Mouse items were printed on card stock and taped to bamboo skewers which I stuck in Styrofoam and covered with hot pink gift filler.  I used scrapbook paper to back each pick so you couldn't see the tape used to attach to the skewers.

"Minnie" Corn Dogs

I got most of the menu inspiration from Pinterest, saw one party where every single menu item was Minnie inspired...I wasn't that creative but did have a few touches of Minnie here and there.  These were purchased at Walmart and just baked in the oven.

Ham & Swiss Sliders

 No Minnie inspiration here just plain old deliciousness! I found these bad boys on Pinterest and they are my go to party sandwich now!  They can be made ahead and just thrown in the oven on party day, so delicious.  You can find the recipe here.



"Bow" Tie Pasta Salad

 The "Bow" Tie Pasta Salad was found here from Pinterest.  It's a La Madeleine copycat and is pretty spot on.  I chose it for the menu solely based on my love for La Madeleine's pasta salad and the fact that it used bow tie pasta helped with the Minnie Mouse theme.

Cake and party hats

 The cake! The driving force of the party! It was already ordered, made and paid for before we originally cancelled the party and was the main reason we decided to reschedule.  I couldn't imagine this beauty going unappreciated!  It was white cake with white icing, bottom layer pink with white polka dots, middle layer zebra (of course) and top layer was a Minnie head made out of rice krispie treats.  Thanks to Jennifer with The Baked Cake for helping with instructions on how to freeze and defrost, it was just as delicious and beautiful a week later!  The party hats were thrown together from the printables and plain pink party hats I picked up at Walmart. Also, not to go unnoticed...the cake knife.  This was a very special gift from Addison's Grams and PawPaw Donnie and is probably the sweetest gift she's received.  It came with the cake knife shown here and a cake server, both engraved with her name and date of birth and the sweetest poem.  The poem indicates it should be used at every birthday celebration until she gets married and then used to cut the cake on her wedding day.  Just thinking about it brings a tear to my eye because it was the last gift she received from her Pawpaw Donnie and it will be a least 30 years until she'll need it for her wedding (so her Daddy thinks!).

Millie, the puppy sister

 It wouldn't be a party without Millie, the puppy sister, joining us.  I had to have a matching outfit for Millie, so I found this pink zebra print collar just for her to celebrate the occasion.  The collar is from Comfort Collars, local girls who hand make the collars.  I originally found them at a local craft show where I bought Millie's Christmas collar.  I like that it is handmade and local!

Birthday girl waiting for cake cutting

Birthday girl checking out the photo collage

I'm not going to lie, this was probably the most labor intensive aspect of the party.  I'd seen a picture on Pinterest which was the inspiration but it was one of those pins that was just a picture with no link or instructions.  So here's how I did it...I taped together several pieces of newspaper to make the size I wanted.  Next, I drew out a large number two on the newspaper and started arranging the pictures.  Once the pictures were all where I liked then, I cut out the shape of the number and hung it up on the wall.  All of the pictures used were from the past year and since I ordered so many pictures, we ended up with two #2 collages.  She seemed pretty impressed with it and was so funny because she pointed herself out in a number of pictures before realizing ALL of the pictures were of her.  I used masking tape to tape the newspaper, pictures and hang on the wall...simple to use and no damage to paint/wall.

 

 

Birthday girl and birthday daddy enjoying a piece of cake

 We had been practicing blowing out the candles for a while before her birthday.  At dinner, we would have her blow on her "hot" food before eating and remind her that is how she would blow out the candles on her birthday cake.  Well, when it came time for it, she got so upset!  I'm not sure but the only thing I could guess was the fire on the candles was a surprise.  As soon as I lite the candles she started crying and didn't stop until they were blown out.  It was pretty funny but all of our planning kind of backfired (no pun intended).

Abadie family party portrait

 Here we all are at the end of the party, I think she has a good time, seemed to enjoy the cake and ice cream and the presents too of course.  Thanks so much to our friends and family who were able to make it on such short notice for the rescheduled party.  I do love planning a party and think it's time to get started planning her third birthday! ;) Special thanks to my friend Michelle (mom to Gia and Gracie) for taking pictures at the party and spending time away for your two little miracles!

Our new friends

I'm super excited to share about the two newest people in my life. My dearest friend Michelle was expecting twins in the New Year and much to every one's surprise they made a very early appearance on December first.  Taking a note from my own playbook, she kept the names to herself and didn't tell folks the babies names ahead of time.  Well, with the exception of strangers...which was fun, especially when we went places together and I encourage her to tell strangers, then badger them to tell me. 

At any rate, Gia Louise and Gracie Marie made an early appearance on December 1st at 32 weeks when her water unexpectedly broke at home.  The only thing cuter than one baby girl is two and they are so tiny!  They spent a small time in the NICU but were both home by Christmas.  I'm pretty sure that's the best Christmas present ever. 


Gracie Marie

Gia Louise

 They were oh so tiny when they arrived but were otherwise very healthy.  Little tiny Gia is so small she doesn't have any cushion...but she's catching up.  I try to see them weekly because they are growing so fast and last I'd heard, Gia had almost doubled her birth weight already!

Since I didn't know their names ahead of time, I had to get something monogrammed because what respectable southern baby doesn't have lots of monogrammed outfits?!?  Here are the two outfits I came up with before hand.

Purple and Gold Fleur de Lis

Big Sister ~ Little Sister

Since the onesies came in a pack of five, I had the fifth one monogrammed with a G after their arrival and announcement of names.  First of many outfits they can/will share!  What's sweeter than one baby girl?!?  Two baby girls...congrats Kevin and Michelle, so very happy for you guys!!!

In loving memory of Pawpaw Donnie

Many of you who know me, know Brandon and if you know Brandon, you know his dad. Those two were cut from the same cloth and I'm pretty sure God broke the mold after the two of them. You don't find men as special as the two of them.

 

 

Everyone who knew and loved "Roy" (as we called him) knew he loved to fish, hunt, drink beer and smoke cigarettes but what you may not know about Roy was how much he loved his family. His love for his grandchildren could light up the room, the twinkle in his eyes at Tyler's football games, quietly listening to the twins' back and forth banter at holidays and on the floor with Addison were the moments I believed he cherished most.

I love to hear stories of when Brandon was a boy and his relationship with his dad. Roy was one of the first great story tellers in what I imagine is a long line of story tellers, a skill he certainly passed on to Brandon and his friends who love to sit around and tell stories of the good old days. My favorite was the one about frequent school assignments Brandon conveniently failed to mention until 8pm the night before they were due. Roy would pile in the car with Brandon and take him to the nearest convenience store (no 24 hour super marts in those days) scrounge together the needed supplies and stay up with Brandon as long as it took to get the job done. Ms Ann, Brandon's mother, told me at the wake that she was always the disciplinarian and Roy would always defer the "no's" to her and I believe it!

Roy had a dear companion in Barbara who was very special to all of us. She loved him like nothing else. Roy had been sick, there is no question about that, but he survived and even thrived this last year because of the deep love, compassion and nursing of his heart and body Barbara provided.

I was so moved by the many people who came to pay their last respects and give their condolences to his family. It was apparent that our Donnie/Roy/Pawpaw Donnie meant so much to so many people and for that we are all very blessed. Thank you for taking the time to read a little about a piece of our hearts that will always be missing. 

It's The Most Wonderful Time of the Year! Part Two

Brandon and I had so much fun putting out her stuff from Santa.  We just knew she was going to love, love, love her Crayola Creativity Art Station and she did.  She loves to color! While she is coloring she always sings "color, color, color" as she is coloring and it's pretty cute.  When we were putting the art station together, we were mimicking  her in anticipation of many moments she would "color, color, color".

She was outside with Brandon the other day and I was in the house.  We both heard her saying "color, color, color" but didn't really think anything of it until Brandon went to check it out and found her with a stick, "coloring" the side of my car!  Luckily it didn't make any marks, but you certainly have to keep an eye on her.  She colored the pantry door this weekend.  I quickly gave her a wipe and made her clean it up which wasn't much of a punishment because loves wiping up and sings "clean, clean, clean" as she does it!

Anyway, back to the most wonderful time of the year...she still had to open gifts from my mom, her Nana.  Here are a few pics from the rest of our celebration.

 Minnie Mouse bath toys from Nana

 Minnie Mouse booster seat from Nana and check out the huge sock monkey from Mimi in the background, oh and Millie is back there too!

 Minnie Mouse pull-ups from Nana

I got a very nice camera for Christmas which I'm really excited about and hoping will inspire me to blog more regularly, you know, when you have a fabulous camera that takes beautiful pictures, you want to share them.  Unfortunately, Addison isn't real happy about my new toy.  She gets pretty tired of my constant lens in her face.  I have to beg and plead for a cheese at times but often resort to just asking her to show me her teeth and this is what I usually get.

Showing her teeth for the camera

I guess that's all I'll bore you with for now...oh wait, one more thing.  Much to my surprise, I have to admit, I think my favorite gift was the toy pink baby grand piano from CC and Uncle Donnie.  When I first saw it I just thought good Lord, what in the world! I told Chelli she was going to have to keep it at her house.  But I will say she loves it which means I love it.  It has a microphone and for now, it's stationed right in the middle of our living room.  Occasionally she will walk over to it, turn it on and belt out the ABCs or Happy Birthday loud and proud and it's awesome! 

You can't really understand her because she essentially eats the microphone when she sings but she is singing happy birthday to baby Jesus and it's so fabulous.  I have about 15 videos just like this from different days on my cell phone but will spare you anymore.  

Here's an iPhone shot of my fancy new camera...here's to more blogging with beautiful pictures from my fabulous new camera!

Canon EOS Rebel T3

I'm pretty excited about a project I'm working on at the house this week and hope to share about it here when I've finished! Also, in case you didn't notice, she's pretty much obsessed with Minnie Mouse right now so we are in the progress of planning a Minnie themed second birthday party...stay tuned!

It's The Most Wonderful Time of the Year! Part One

Christmas is my most favorite time of the year...I don't know if it's because my mom always made Christmas so special for us or if my name is Carol, as in Christmas Carol.  At any rate, I love Christmas.  I love decorating, I love gift giving, I love Christmas music, I love gift receiving (of course!).  I love that I can listen to Christmas music anytime I want with Pandora but limit myself - this year from Halloween to Christmas day, then that's it!

This Christmas was tons of fun because Addison is at the right age, still young enough that we can buy Santa presents with her, don't have to hide Santa presents from her and was she very excited to open gifts.  I even caught her one time opening up my niece's present that was under the tree!

As usual, I went a little overboard but it wasn't really my fault.  I planned ahead this year and picked up little things here and there over time, storing them in the closet in her playroom.  When it came down to it, I had a lot of stuff in there.  I intended to follow the tradition of Santa bringing three gifts like the three wise men brought gifts to baby Jesus but got tired of wrapping all of the stuff I bought so ended up being that Santa was very generous this year. 

 Goodies from Santa

Christmas was also quite nice this year because we didn't have to run all over town - we usually have the typical four Christmases.  We spent the Sunday before Christmas at Brandon's brother's home, celebrating with his family.  Addison loved spending time with her cousins and grandparents and even had a surprise visit from Santa Clause much to her dismay.

Cheese! In her Santa dress

 Cheese! With her cousins - Raegan and Rachel

  Addison digging into her gifts like a mad woman!

 Addison and her toy pink baby grand piano...yes, that's right, you heard me, toy pink baby grand piano!

 Addison visiting with Santa (aka Uncle Wallace), she wasn't too sure, daddy had to go with her

My sister went to visit our dad and his family for Christmas and was kind enough to play messenger for us and delivered our gifts from Pops and Jojo.  Addison was super excited for more presents after spending the day with Brandon's family.

 Addison posing with her gifts from Pops and Jojo

 Precious ear warmers from Jojo...I mean, have you ever seen a kid this cute?!?!

Addison and her Little People Disney Princess Song Palace

All of this and it wasn't even Christmas yet!  I had to work Christmas Eve but we spent Christmas day at home sharing our gifts with each other and a visit from Nana.  Addison was a little overwhelmed with all the gifts from Santa but still had to open her gifts from mom, dad and Nana.  I'll admit the toy organizer on the right was really a gift for me and boy has it come in handy keeping her playroom organized!  Here are a few more pics from our Christmas celebration.

 Checking out her loot from Santa

 She went straight to coloring at her Crayola Creativity Art Table

 Pushing her new Minnie in her new stroller

 Stockings with the puppy sister

Millie waiting patiently to open her stocking

It appears Blogger won't let me add anymore pictures...so stay tuned for part two!

Z is for zebra

I got this fabulous idea from pinterest to make a personal alphabet book for Addison so we headed out to the zoo last weekend to get some good pics. Unfortunately, the zebra at the zoo had other plans. Every time I would try to take a picture, he would turn around so we got a lot of pics of a zebra's bum.

Note: just realized I never published this from June! Worst! Blogger! Ever!

Hey Mike!

Addison and I went to visit Mike the Tiger at his habitat for the first time recently.  The weather was so perfectly springy a few weeks back, it was hard to come straight home after picking her up.  We made a trip to the park and to see Mike all in one week.  Here are a few pics from our visit to see Mike.

When we first arrived and found Mike in the corner shade, he spotted us right away and began licking his chops.  Seriously, if he could talk, I'm certain he would have said "Hey lady, I want to eat your baby." It was a little eerie!

Addison wasn't too interested in Mike but was just thrilled to pieces over the steps at the front of the habitat.  She kept going in circles up, down around and up again.

Sometimes, I really enjoy being a tourist in my own town, and visiting campus always reminds me that Baton Rouge is a pretty fun place to be.  Geaux Tigers!