Ava's School Christmas Party

Ava's party at school is this week and I am the "chairperson" in charge of planning it.  I spent the entire day in the kitchen today getting some things prepared.  The first thing I worked on were the goody bags for the kids.  I didn't want to just buy some stuff at the store and throw it in a bag so I searched for some ideas on Pinterest.  And just like always, good ol' Pinterest came through for me.  

I mixed up some oats with red and green sugar crystals and put 1/2 cup into snack size baggies.  I found a printable here:  http://www.theidearoom.net/2009/12/magic-reindeer-food.html which I just stapled onto the baggies.

Next, I mixed up a couple of batches of homemade play dough (you can find the recipe here:  http://artfulparent.typepad.com/artfulparent/2010/12/candy-cane-playdough.html).  I kneaded in glitter and peppermint oil for a nice Christmas-y smell.  I also added red food coloring to one batch, divided the dough into sections, rolled it out, and twisted the red and white together to kind of resemble a candy cane.

Then, I placed the twists in pint sized canning jars which my mom just happened to have on hand (thanks again, mom!)  The jars can also be purchased at Kroger and last time I checked were priced at about $11 for a dozen.  I printed and punched out these simple labels (http://www.theidearoom.net/?s=peppermint+play+dough) for the jar lids.

Finally, I whipped up these reindeer pops (http://www.betweenuandme.com/2011/11/marshmallow-reindeer-pops-tutorial.html).  They were super easy.  I placed them in cellophane treat bags and tied them with ribbon.  Isn't he cute?!  Kind of dopey looking.  Dopey, the 10th reindeer.

I gathered the reindeer food, the candy cane play dough, and the reindeer pops and placed one of each into these treat sacks that I got at my beloved Hobby Lobby.  I just hole punched the tops of the bags and tied with ribbon.

I hope the kids like their treats!  I made sure to do all of this when Ava wasn't here so that she will be surprised when she opens her bag just like the other kids.

I also made some treats for the kids to eat during their party:  http://onecharmingparty.com/2010/12/01/gingerbread-house-decorating-party-dessert/

Finally, Ava helped me make a gift for each of her teachers.  I got the inspiration here:  http://thecreativemama.com/diy-gift-card-snow-globe/ and then just ran with it.  We picked up gift cards from my also beloved Target and some floral pics from Michael's that were 60% off.  We cut up the floral pics, added some hot glue, glitter, water, and voila!!!  I cut out some snowflake shapes on my Cricut to use as a gift tag and let Ava fill them out.  Totally jazzes up the practical, yet boring, gift  card.

Ava is so excited to go to school and take her teachers their gifts and have her first school Christmas party!  

Our Little Flower Girl

My cousin, Brent, got married last night to our new cousin, Jessica.  Ava had the honor of being their flower girl.  She and Jess became fast friends as soon as they met--especially after finding out they share a birthday!  This picture is from last Christmas.

Ava and Jess both looked absolutely beautiful yesterday.  Ava did such an amazing job and we were all so proud of her.  She took her flower girl duties very seriously and she took her time down the aisle making sure she used all of the flower petals and that the petals were perfectly spaced.  I didn't get the opportunity to take many pictures throughout the evening but I wanted to share the ones that I did get.  

Ava was super excited for the wedding to start.

The back of her dress...

Kevin and Ava hanging out before the ceremony.

Ava, Jess, Brent, and Lawson (the ring bearer) after Brent and Jess became Mr. and Mrs. Weirich.

Time for the reception.  Ava changed out of her fancy dress so she could really party. :)  She spent most of the night out on the dance floor with Kevin or with a group of girls she met.

My grandparents boogied down on the dance floor too.

Hanging out with my cousin Brittany

Time to cut the cake

Ava scored a cupcake

and even went after the bouquet.  I'm not sure how Kevin would have reacted if she had actually caught it!  

We all had a great time and the wedding was beautiful!  Congratulations to the happy couple!

He's Baaaaacck!

Guess who showed up at our house this morning?

Ferrell, our Elf!  We were so excited to see him!  And he brought us breakfast all the way from the North Pole!  Ava says she knows the donuts are from Santa because there is a Santa stamp on the top of the jar.

The jar that the snow covered donuts were in was even still cold from the Arctic weather!  Ferrell also brought a note for Ava.  He really needs to work on his use of capital letters.

He even made our breakfast festive by decorating the table for us.  Christmas prints everywhere!!  

Our sweet elf even brought Ava some treats.  She got a Christmas coloring book, Christmas pencils, Christmas stamps, and a Christmas craft kit.

And yes, he also brought her some warm, cozy Christmas socks to keep her feet nice and warm.

Ava really enjoyed the snow covered donuts.  She said they were really delicious.

Then, it was time to read the book Ferrell brought with him again this year.

Such a Daddy's girl.  Daddy's pretty smitten with his baby girl too.

We are almost all ready for Christmas around here!  The tree is up...

the stocking are hung (even though I can't seem to get them to hang straight)...

and I have Ava's Christmas pajamas all wrapped up and ready for her to open on Christmas Eve.

I also have our Advent activity ready to go.  I took all the Christmas books that I had as a child and then checked out quite a few good ones from the library.  I wrapped them all up in fun character holiday wrapping paper from the Dollar Tree.  We always read a book to Ava at bedtime each night so now she will get to choose a book from the stack, open it up, and that will be the book we will read that night.  She can count how many books are left to know how many more days there are until Christmas.

Tis the season to be jolly!  We're so excited!  Let the countdown begin!

Our Thankful Tree

This Thanksgiving, we started a quick, easy, and meaningful new tradition (thank you, Pinterest!).  Kevin and I grabbed a few sticks from the yard and I stuck them into a mason jar that I had on hand (mason jars are awesome for so many reasons!).  I took some Fall/Thanksgiving scrapbook paper that I also had on hand and used my Cricut to cut out some leaves.  I punched a hole in each leaf and tied loops of jute through the holes to hang them.  Kevin, Ava, and I sat down at the table and took turns discussing things that we are so thankful to have in our lives.  Kevin wrote each one down on a leaf and then we hung them from our "tree" and placed it in the center of our table.  

Sorry for the poor picture quality--I took these pics after it got dark and had no natural light.  Next year, I will spray paint the sticks a fun glittery gold and will also decorate the jar (I'm thinking a nice burlap bow).  I will also place all of these leaves in a baggie to keep for next year and then we can just add any new blessings to new leaves.  Here are some of the things we are thankful for this Thanksgiving:

-a happy, healthy marriage 

-our amazing parents

These two things really go hand in hand.  Kevin's parents have been married for 43 years and mine have been married for 36 years.  We are both so fortunate to have them as such strong, positive role models for us in a world where unfortunately broken homes are more and more prevalent.  They have taught us to always respect one another and that marriage is sometimes work but it is always worth it when you love each other.  Not to mention, all they do for us on a regular basis.  

-our beautiful daughter, who is the best of both of us and the light of our lives

-our relationship with God and a church home that is passionate about changing lives and spreading the Word

-our grandparents (we are so blessed to still have 7 of our 8 grandparents!!), siblings, and extended families 

-our country where we are free and the soldiers who fight and are willing to give their lives to keep us that way

-our home where we are kept warm and dry and make wonderful memories

-our awesome friends (many whom we have known for over half of our lives)

-our jobs (especially Kevin's for allowing me to stay home the majority of the time)

-our puppies (or furry children) who are so sweet and loyal  

-our health

-our kitchen being filled with plenty of food to eat

Ava was thankful for many of the above plus her mommy and daddy, her cousins, her toys, her teachers, and her school.

It was amazing to see our tree so full of leaves as we are truly blessed!!!  I hope all of you have a wealth of blessings as well. 

 Happy Thanksgiving!

-

Going to the Chapel...

and they're gonna get married!  My cousin, Brent and his fiance, Jessica, are getting married in 2 weeks.  Today, my cousin, Brittany, and I (with some help from my aunt, uncle, mom, and aunt's sister) gave Brent and Jess a wedding shower.  We decided early on that we wanted to go with a Tiffany blue and platinum theme since those are the colors that will be incorporated in the reception.  Brittany and I spent the last couple of weeks shopping and planning.  We held the shower at my aunt and uncle's house.  Here are some pictures of the food and decorations:

We hung Tiffany blue paper lanterns and white tissue poms from the iron lantern in the entry hall.

I contacted the super talented Ashley of Ashley Elle Designs (find her on FB--http://www.facebook.com/ashleyelledesigns or Etsy--http://www.etsy.com/shop/AshleyElleDesigns?ref=ss_profile!) and told her the colors we were using for the shower and had her create this amazing monogram wreath.  She has made several wreaths for me in the past and I was so glad that she was able to squeeze us in during this busy time of year!  The wreath served it's purpose as a great decoration and also a gift for Jess to take home.  We originally intended to use the wreath on the entry doors but the weather was a little rainy today so we hung it from the cabinets of the butler's pantry instead.  

Close up of the wreath--I think this was my favorite area of the shower.

On the table with the food, we used a white tablecloth accented with some Tiffany blue satin.  My mom made some labels for the food and mounted them on platinum card stock.  We got some mason jars and spray painted them with silver spray paint to use as our vases.

This bunny lives in my aunt and uncle's kitchen and my uncle always writes a message to go along with the occasion.  Today it sat in the middle of the gift table with a very special message.

We made pretzel favors using white candy melts and blue pearlized and metallic sprinkles.  Brittany made monogrammed labels for them and we placed them in trifle bowls.

We used the sprinkles on the Oreo Balls that we made as well and they looked very festive.

Brittany's mother-in-law made these yummy petit fours for us.

Brittany, Jess, Ava and myself

Jess and Ava--Ava is going to be the flower girl!  She just loves Jess and she's super excited--fingers crossed that she will do well!

Ava and her cousin, Addison, hanging out.  I couldn't get Addison to smile for me but this cute ballerina pose is almost as good as a grin.

The guests of honor!

It looks like Brent is trying not to break any ribbons!

They got some really nice stuff!

Brent said he couldn't wait until their wedding day to give Jess her wedding gift so he gave it to her after the shower.  She got some beautiful earrings to wear with her dress that match her engagement ring.

Everyone seemed to have a nice time and there was a great turnout.  We are all getting very excited for the big day! 

I also have to include this picture of my uncle being silly while taking down the decorations.  He lives to tease me so...Ha Ha--today I have the last laugh!!