tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6200123605370027832024-03-12T21:37:55.283-05:00polkadots & pirates {the blog}Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger262125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620012360537002783.post-32702891648125039712010-12-31T01:56:00.000-06:002010-12-31T01:56:28.729-06:00Avery's Par-TEA!Hello peeps! Did you miss me? I didn't think so. =)<br />
<br />
I thought I'd pop on over here since we hosted a successful birthday for my daughter Avery yesterday. Here's how the <i>year-in-the-making</i> party evolved...<br />
<br />
The thought of a tea party actually started when my mom and sister and I were in a little shop up north two summers ago and found little plates shaped like teapots. My mom said, "That would be a cute theme some day when Ave is a little older!" The planning for her party for last year was already well underway at that point. <br />
<br />
I loved Avery's birthday last year...the decorations were everything I love about parties. Loved the flowers, loved the colors, loved everything. So at that party my sister and I decided that she would use the same goods for my niece Finley's party. I fixed everything up right away so that Finley could use it...but that only made me like it even more.<br />
<br />
As I've said before, now that there are also 5 grandchildren on each side of our family, birthday parties seem to come so often so we've started to combine parties where we can. At that party of Avery's last year I decided that Tate and Avery should probably have a family party together in January this next year instead of each having a separate one so my family could save on driving. Long story short, I decided it would be perfect if I had a kids party for Aves right at her birthday time and then a family party later, which allowed me to REUSE her last year's decorations!! Avery and I discussed a tea party theme {which turned into a par-TEA thanks to a great idea from my friend Heidi. Thanks Heidi...love you!}.<br />
<br />
I started collecting little things right away...in fact when I pulled it all out this past weekend my husband said "Haven't you had that for like a year?" Well, yes, actually, I have.<br />
<br />
Okay...talky, talky, yada, yada...onto the party.<br />
<br />
First, the invitations...<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/?action=view&current=Picnikcollage-54-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/Picnikcollage-54-1.jpg" /></a></div><br />
We also decided somewhere along the line {probably about the time we decided to buy Ave an American Girl doll for her birthday} that we needed a twist, so we decided it would be a "dolly & me par-tea" instead, which could not have worked more perfectly. Guests were asked to bring their favorite doll and to wear a dress or skirt.<br />
<br />
The invitations were inspired by last year's flower theme and invitations so we could incorporate them, but also the biggest inspiration for the party: this Michael Miller fabric which just so happened to coordinate with the paper and fabric from last year perfectly. Sometimes the stars just align. Can you say that when you're talking about fabric? Well, I just did. So there.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/?action=view&current=AverysParty4-3.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/AverysParty4-3.jpg" /></a> </div><br />
Onto the actual party...we decided to have the party over lunch time so that we could incorporate a little lunch into the day. The guests arrived at 11:00. First the girls did a little running and playing in Avery's room. This also allowed me 5 minutes to snap a few pics of the decor that I meant to take way earlier that morning, but you know how time flies and I was lucky I was dressed when the guests arrived! I didn't even have time to put lipstick or jewelry on. =) I did manage to get Avery and her dolly Hadley into their dresses.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/?action=view&current=Picnikcollage-66-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/Picnikcollage-66-1.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Most of the decor I put in our dining room for the tea party. I also used a long table that I put on tubs on the floor so it would be the right height for the girls to sit by in our living room to do projects for the day.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="http://s353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/?action=view&current=AverysParty5.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/AverysParty5.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://s353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/?action=view&current=Picnikcollage-61-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/Picnikcollage-61-1.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<a href="http://s353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/?action=view&current=AverysParty57.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/AverysParty57.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://s353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/?action=view&current=Picnikcollage-60-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/Picnikcollage-60-1.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><br />
When all guests had arrived, I settled them down by letting each girl color their own teapot coloring sheet {which I designed and printed with each girl's name on it...except for Avery's! She said, "Mom, don't I get one?!" Oops!! A couple seconds of designing and pushing print and we were all good!"}<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/?action=view&current=Picnikcollage-55-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/Picnikcollage-55-1.jpg" /></a></div><br />
When they were all done coloring, they each had a chance to make their own necklace with my favorite beads...if you have a daughter I would seriously suggest going and buying <a href="http://www.target.com/B-Pop-Arty-Funky-Pop-Beads/dp/B002YIRKKY/ref=sr_fkmr_1_1?ie=UTF8&searchView=grid5&keywords=B.%20pop%20beads&fromGsearch=true&sr=2-1&qid=1293751170&rh=&searchRank=target104545&id=B%20Pop-Arty%20Funky%20Pop%20Beads&node=1038576%7C1287991011&searchSize=30&searchPage=1&searchNodeID=1038576%7C1287991011&searchBinNameList=subjectbin%2Cprice%2Ctarget_com_primary_color-bin%2Ctarget_com_size-bin%2Ctarget_com_brand-bin&frombrowse=0">these</a>...HOURS of fun!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/?action=view&current=AverysParty16.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/AverysParty16.jpg" /></a> </div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/?action=view&current=Picnikcollage-56-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/Picnikcollage-56-1.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">These are two of my favorite photos from the day:</div><div style="text-align: center;">Paige showing me her jewelry and Ava's reflection in the mirror as she checks herself out...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/?action=view&current=Picnikcollage-57-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/Picnikcollage-57-1.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">After all guests were well adorned with necklaces, bracelets, and rings, we decided we better use the opportunity to get a group photo before anyone ate and got dirty. So we put a hat on everyone {including their dolls!} and got a few pics.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/?action=view&current=AverysParty24.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/AverysParty24.jpg" /></a></div></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/?action=view&current=Picnikcollage-58-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/Picnikcollage-58-1.jpg" /></a><br />
<a href="http://s353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/?action=view&current=Picnikcollage-59-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/Picnikcollage-59-1.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">Since our littlest two guests wouldn't pose for a pic with Avery because they were too busy trying to retrieve the beads their moms told them they couldn't have, their little bums will have to do.<br />
<br />
Then it was time for tea! The menu consisted of deli sandwiches, fruit kabobs, macarons, and tea that strangely tasted something like apple fruit punch. =)<br />
<br />
</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/?action=view&current=Picnikcollage-62-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/Picnikcollage-62-1.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="http://s353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/?action=view&current=AverysParty38.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/AverysParty38.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/?action=view&current=Picnikcollage-63-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/Picnikcollage-63-1.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/?action=view&current=AverysParty41.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/AverysParty41.jpg" /></a> </div><br />
The girls were so dainty and polite. I loved every second of it! While I cleaned up the table and got ready for cake my sister Kara painted the girls' faces.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/?action=view&current=Picnikcollage-64-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/Picnikcollage-64-1.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="http://s353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/?action=view&current=Picnikcollage-65-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/Picnikcollage-65-1.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">Then is was time for the singing and cake,</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/?action=view&current=AverysParty46.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/AverysParty46.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://s353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/?action=view&current=AverysParty58.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/AverysParty58.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://s353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/?action=view&current=AverysParty47.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/AverysParty47.jpg" /></a></div></div><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">After a quick round of gift opening, it was already time for the girls to go home. They each brought home the teacup and saucer they used at the party, the necklace/bracelet/ring they made, and some candy.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/?action=view&current=Picnikcollage-67-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/Picnikcollage-67-1.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I was disappointed that as the girls were leaving the mailman showed up with the box of crayons that I had ordered for the girls to color their teapots with. =( They are adorable and I am so sad to send them back. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/?action=view&current=AverysParty62.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/AverysParty62.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Overall it was such a great day. We were tired and happy people when the girls left!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Happy 5th birthday, Avery Elaine! Love you girl!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/?action=view&current=AverysParty52.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/AverysParty52.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">...................................<br />
<br />
Vendor details...<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Avery's dress: <a href="http://www.goldenshop.etsy.com/">*golden*</a><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">Doll dress: <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/dressurdolly2">Dressurdolly2</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Teacup ring: <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/MyLittleRedWagon">My Little Red Wagon</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Macarons: <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/sparkleskitchen">Sparkle's Kitchen </a><br />
<br />
Cake: My BFF Tracie</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Cake topper doll: <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/lollipopworkshop">Lollipop Workshop</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Poms: <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/PomLove">PomLove </a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Teapot plates: <a href="http://www.platesandnapkins.com/">Plates and Napkins</a><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">Grass mats: <a href="http://www.butterflycraze.com/">Heart to Heart</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Name card holders: <a href="http://www.beau-coup.com/">beaucoup </a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Polka dotted tea sets: <a href="http://www.cptoy.com/cgi-bin/pf.sh/2.0/index.html">Constructive Playthings</a><br />
<br />
Teapot crayons: <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/GaddyNipperCrayons">Gaddy Nipper Crayons </a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">All paper decorations and invitations were made my yours truly!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">If you see anything else that I am forgetting, let me know...glad to give a shout out where one is due! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620012360537002783.post-36541415867743326572010-09-27T00:01:00.000-05:002010-09-27T07:26:03.170-05:00Beckett and Jack's Monster BashToday is my son Beckett's 3rd birthday. We actually celebrated over a month ago with his cousin Jackson. Jack's birthday is at the beginning of August and Beckett's at the end of September, but since all our family comes to town we thought we'd save them an extra trip and celebrate together somewhere in the middle. It worked great that I could get the celebration done before school started, too.<br /><br />But then school started and I never got it on the blog! So in honor of his real birthday today, I figured I better get it done!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/?action=view&current=Polkadots3.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/Polkadots3.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />My sister Rach and I decided on a theme around Christmas last year when Beckett and Jack really started playing well together...and together they can be little monsters. I also love Ugly Dolls, which Beckett calls "his little monster", and one of our favorite books also features monsters, so monsters it was!<br /><br />I found the perfect paper and drew some similar images on my computer to match and created the invitations from there.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/?action=view&current=Picnikcollage-14-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/Picnikcollage-14-1.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />Of course I enlisted the help of my friend Rachel at <a href="http://goldenshop.etsy.com">*golden*</a> to make the boys some shirts, which NEVER once disappoint. Ever.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/?action=view&current=Polkadots11.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/Polkadots11.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/?action=view&current=Picnikcollage-13-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/Picnikcollage-13-1.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">We had the party at my sister and B-I-L's house. Of course guests were greeted with a door sign, but this year thanks to my sister Kara, we kicked it up a notch...now I don't know if we'll be able to go without sidewalk chalk greetings as well!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/?action=view&current=Polkadots10.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/Polkadots10.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/?action=view&current=Polkadots24.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/Polkadots24.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />We found the perfect place to set up the party goods at R & B's house as well. We just cleared off their buffet, covered the large picture that hung above it with coordinating fabric, and set our goods out on display!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/?action=view&current=Polkadots1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/Polkadots1.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Two of those inspirations I mentioned were on out on diplay...the <a href="http://uglydolls.com/">Ugly Dolls</a>, and copies of the book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Tickle-Monster-Josie-Bissett/dp/1932319670"><span style="font-style: italic;">Tickle Monster</span></a>, which also doubled as guests books.<br /><br /></div><a href="http://s353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/?action=view&current=Picnikcollage-15-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/Picnikcollage-15-1.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/?action=view&current=Polkadots23.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/Polkadots23.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">While we were waiting for people to get there, I snapped this pic of my brother in law Brad trying to keep the kids calm while Rach and I finished up the details...love it!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/?action=view&current=Polkadots7.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/Polkadots7.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">To keep the kiddos occupied during the party, I also had two activity buckets ready to go. One was "Doodle Monsters" where kids could use monster stickers, markers, etc to draw a monster picture. The other was "Monster on a Stick" where kids made monster puppets with various art supplies. Their favorites were of course googly eyes. Who doesn't love a nice pair of those babies {or three?!}?<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/?action=view&current=Picnikcollage-16-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/Picnikcollage-16-1.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br />For afternoon snacking we had some candy and these PERFECTO cookies with fondant toppers from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/TwoSugarBabies">Two Sugar Babies</a>, who are all the rage in the party world these days. Beckett carried a set of 4 of these fondant toppers around in wax paper for days ahead of time, showing everyone who came to our house. I was glad they didn't come earlier or they would have all been a little more "looked at" than I would have liked!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/?action=view&current=Polkadots5.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/Polkadots5.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Everyone had a good time both eating AND playing with the monster cookies!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/?action=view&current=Polkadots15.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/Polkadots15.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/?action=view&current=Polkadots16.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/Polkadots16.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /></div></div></div></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">After a crazy round of gift opening {having two kids opening at the same time is WACKO! Good thing we had our two sisters taking notes for us as the paper was flying in every direction!} it was time to eat.<br /><br /></div><a href="http://s353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/?action=view&current=Polkadots19.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/Polkadots19.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">My favorite thing we did as far as dinner was concerned is that we made a "kids table" by keeping the real table legs locked on our folding table and instead using some sturdy totes as legs. It made it the perfect height for the kids to be able to sit right on the floor...I just put down some round placemats as "chairs" and voila! I will definitely do this again...saves on the amount of folding chairs you have to find!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/?action=view&current=Polkadots21.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/Polkadots21.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Then it was time for cake. I usually have my BFF make my cakes, but she had a two month old {remember that <a href="http://polkadots-pirates.blogspot.com/2010/06/delayed-thank-you.html">"tweet" baby Aubrey</a>?} and had foot surgery 10 days prior, so I thought I better give her a break. I asked a friend who has taken cake classes with Tracie to make me a cake...I almost died when I saw it! Beckett could NOT get over it!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/?action=view&current=Polkadots4.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/Polkadots4.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">We couldn't eat those monsters. They looked too real. Rach kept them on her counter for a week and half just admiring them. Nina, you're the best!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/?action=view&current=Polkadots25.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/Polkadots25.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br />Instead of regular hats I made monster hats just for fun. They were also a hit. A sister pic with hats on has become tradition as well...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/?action=view&current=Polkadots22.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/Polkadots22.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I love this one...<br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><a href="http://s353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/?action=view&current=Polkadots28.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/Polkadots28.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /></div></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">All in all, a great day. The kids were worn out by the end, so the birthday boys decided to put their new pajamas on that they received as a gift that day...<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/?action=view&current=Polkadots26.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/Polkadots26.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Don't my older kids do a great job of picking out gifts that fit the theme of the party?! Ha. My favorite part is Beckett's dirty feet!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/?action=view&current=Polkadots14.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/Polkadots14.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Happy 3rd birthday, Beckett James! Your family loves you!<br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620012360537002783.post-88334628986423230402010-09-15T09:32:00.003-05:002010-09-15T10:05:59.265-05:00A summer of running...Hello there, you patient friends and fans. I know its been a while.<br /><br />I've been...let's say...RUNNING. On so many levels.<br /><br />Last year was rough...pretty hectic. I was trying to work full time, run a side business, not to mention trying to be a good mom. I realized once I had 211 people on my waiting list that I was taking on too much and I stopped taking names. I started 2010 just taking orders for friends and family.<br /><br />By June, I was happy to just have a steady stream of projects to work on without having to stay up until 4 am to get them finished. I had finally emerged from what we call here at the Newman household as my "Etsy Coma".<br /><br />After I wrote my last post on June 21st, I decided that this summer I was going to only be the best mom I could be. I needed to give my kids back some time. Don't get me wrong...even during the Etsy Coma I still feel like my kids and I did a lot, but not as much as we could have if I had been more awake and present. So I decided to give up blogging here for the summer.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/?action=view&current=Newman-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/Newman-1.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />We "ran" somewhere pretty much every day...to the beach, to grandma's, to the pool, to the cabin, to the fountain park, to the library, etc, etc. I also started running again {literally} and am feeling so strong mentally and physically. So now that we're here, I decided I can blog again! My posts will be further in between than they were in the past, but I'll be around.<br /><br />Thanks so much for all your kind Facebook and Email inquiries as to where the heck I've been. I'm still here...just slowing it down a bit for now. Don't count me out just yet...we've still got big plans for this biz for SOMEDAY. A whole DIY store that's been sitting ready to go for well over year, but that I am too scared will turn into a monster when I do. Dreams of a real space to work in. Dreams of a book. Dreams of employees. But that will have to be saved until my kids are in school full time. For now I'm happy that <span style="font-style: italic;">they</span> are happy and healthy. It is the job I've looked forward to the most for my whole life and I don't want to look back with regrets.<br /><br />If you even still reading and want to keep up to speed with the Newmans on a personal level, you can check out <a href="http://the-friday-five.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-style: italic;">the friday five</span></a>, our family bloggity blog. Otherwise I will be back with a post or two here sometime soon...Beckett's monster party, the annual ice cream party, DIY canvasses, etc, etc, etc!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620012360537002783.post-56083406074989133852010-06-21T23:44:00.004-05:002010-06-22T00:01:16.316-05:00Cute, fun, and twenty one!I know I've talked about the fact that I have three sisters before. I've probably talked about the fact that they are my three best friends in the whole world. I probably have even mentioned that there is a bit of an age spread between me and the youngest (12 years, to be exact).<br /><br />I think that's what makes it so fun...Rach and I are the "big girls" and Kara and Kasey are the "little girls." My mom has always referred to us that way...but it doesn't quite seem right when the older of the "little girls" just turned 21! So hard to believe...<br /><br />Kara is nothing short of adorable. She is funny, dramatic, and a complete social butterfly. To surprise her at midnight on her birthday {we were all home at my parent's farm} we hung and banner and got her a cake. She was delightfully surprised...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/?action=view&current=Kara-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/Kara-1.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">We are so excited to have BOTH our "little sisters" living in Shakopee this summer. Kara is living with Rachel and Kasey with us. It is the first time since I was 19 we have all lived in the same town. One more reason to LOVE this summer!<br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620012360537002783.post-3529831128910625642010-06-17T23:00:00.000-05:002010-06-17T23:53:19.224-05:00A delayed thank you...Can we just pretend this is a month ago as planned? Okay...that's my first thank you. Thank you for pretending. =)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/?action=view&current=BirdieThankyou-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/BirdieThankyou-1.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /></div>Many thanks to everyone who helped made Tracie's shower so lovely. Most of the decor {banner, cupcake toppers, sign, you know, the usual} I made myself, but there a couple other thank yous to send as well...here is the linked list in case you want to get a hold of any of the goods for your own party!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">{bib, onesie, and blanket} <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.goldenshop.etsy.com/">*golden*</a><br />{poms} <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/PomLove">PomLove</a><br />{mini nests, tree tag holders on the food table} <span style="font-style: italic;"> </span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.beau-coup.com/">beaucoup</a><br />{custom birdie stickers} <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.stickeryou.com/">Sticker You</a><br />{paper products} <a href="http://www.platesandnapkins.com/"><span style="font-style: italic;">Plates & Napkins</span></a><br />{<span style="font-style: italic;">Are You My Mother?</span> used a guest book} <a href="http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Are-You-My-Mother/PD-Eastman/e/9780394900186/?itm=4&USRI=are+you+my+mother"><span style="font-style: italic;">Barnes & Noble</span></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I have had two emails about how to make the canvas I made that matched the decor...leave a comment if you want me to do a DIY tutorial on the blog. They can be used for any party theme or even just in your child's room. Tracie saved hers for the baby's room.<br /><br />Speaking of that baby...<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/?action=view&current=Aubrey-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/Aubrey-1.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Aubrey Grace Groshens<br />Born 5/30/10<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">They are all adjusting wonderfully and are such a cute little fam.<br />Mom is already back in her skinny clothes. Puke me.<br /></div><br />Excuse me...what I meant to say is that I am so happy for her! =)<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">And in other news, school's finally out here, which means I am free to roam about the country and blog as I wish!<br /></div></div></div><br /><br /><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620012360537002783.post-75617729711663915522010-05-10T22:09:00.007-05:002010-05-10T23:40:42.171-05:00Consider her feathered...<div style="text-align: center;">Tracie and I have been friends since Kindergarten.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I used to stay at her house and we'd use an Easy Bake oven.<br />Fast forward 25 years and she has graduated to being the cupcake QUEEN.<br />She is responsible for all my kids birthday cakes and cupcakes & all my PDP photo shoots.<br />They aren't only cute, they're delicious.<br /><br />We dream of one day quitting our jobs and opening our own store.<br />So now that she has finally decided she'd like my kiddos to have a playmate<br />I couldn't wait to start planning her baby shower to pay her back for all her delicious cake art.<br />She kind of thought I was crazy since she was only about 8 weeks pregnant at the time.<br />Sorry Trac, that's how I roll...<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/?action=view&current=TraciesBabyShower-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/TraciesBabyShower-1.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">As I said in previous posts, Tracie decided she'd like to announce the sex of the baby with the invitations and therefore loved the little birdie "feather her nest" party that I suggested. <span style="font-style: italic;">{<a href="http://polkadots-pirates.blogspot.com/2010/04/feather-her-nest.html">invitations here</a>}</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />After lots of planning with Tracie's sister Lisa, we decided to get together Friday night to decorate Tracie's house.<br /><br />We talked out the majority of where things would go & decided to finish the rest in the morning.<br />When I came back the next morning, the decorating was finished.<br /><br />Tracie, Lisa, and their mom Kathy had finished decorating themselves.<br />Normally, this would be cause for an extreme stress on my part.<br />I admit it. Sometimes I can be a party control freak.<br /><br />There, I said it. Happy now? =)<br /><br />But the girls took everything I had brought and put it in places I never would have thought of.<br />It was fabulous. They have wonderful taste, so I should have expected nothing less.<br />Tired of my jibber jabber? I thought so. So, the details...<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/?action=view&current=TraciesShower-09.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/TraciesShower-09.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/?action=view&current=TraciesShower-13.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/TraciesShower-13.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/?action=view&current=Picnikcollage-4-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/Picnikcollage-4-1.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/?action=view&current=TraciesShower-51.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/TraciesShower-51.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/?action=view&current=TraciesShower-54.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/TraciesShower-54.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/?action=view&current=TraciesShower-52.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/TraciesShower-52.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/?action=view&current=TraciesShower-15.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/TraciesShower-15.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/?action=view&current=TraciesShower-14.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/TraciesShower-14.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/?action=view&current=Tracie3-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/Tracie3-1.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/?action=view&current=TraciesShower-49.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/TraciesShower-49.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://s353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/?action=view&current=TraciesShower2-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/TraciesShower2-1.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><br />As usual, I missed a lot of pictures I wish I would have had.<br />I forgot pictures of the napkin rings, but I'm sure you can imagine.<br />I also forgot to take a picture of the guest book...one of my sisters' and my favorites from childhood {which just happens to be celebrating its 50th anniversary this year!} <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Best-Nest-Beginner-Books/dp/0394800516"><span style="font-style: italic;">The Best Nest</span></a>.<br />There were other things, too, but you'll just have to imagine them all.<br />There were 40 ladies in attendance...getting around to get pictures was not as easy, both because of space and because I talk too much!<br /><br />All the vendor details later this week...lots of thank yous to pass around!<br /><br /><a href="http://s353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/?action=view&current=TraciesShower-56.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/TraciesShower-56.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Love you, Trac! It was such a fun day. Can't wait to meet her!<br /><br /><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620012360537002783.post-60137134358336226242010-05-03T20:27:00.002-05:002010-05-03T20:34:06.424-05:00{Winner} : Sticker YouAfter a wonderful but crazy weekend of baby shower, family staying at our house, and traveling half way across the state for a confirmation, we have a winner!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">According to Random.org, our winner is comment #27!<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/?action=view&current=GiveawayWinner3-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/GiveawayWinner3-1.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br />Congrats, Katie! Email me for details!<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620012360537002783.post-14569420408547293472010-04-26T22:56:00.006-05:002010-05-03T07:32:19.312-05:00{Get the Goods Giveaway} : Sticker YouA few weeks ago Erica contacted me to see if I would be interested in doing a giveaway for her company on my blog. She works for <a href="http://www.stickeryou.com/"><span style="font-style: italic;">Sticker You</span></a>, a company that allows you to create and purchase your own stickers.<span style="font-style: italic;"> "High-quality, removable, vinyl stickers - the really good ones. Get started with our artwork, or upload your own – it’s easy. Your stickers will be printed, die-cut, and shipped to your door in about a week."</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.stickeryou.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/STICKER2.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />As I looked more into her product I was beyond interested. I told her I didn't want to promote any product I hadn't tried first, so I ordered some birdies for Tracie's shower. The process was VERY easy, even with my own custom art work. They came last week and adorable!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/?action=view&current=StickerYouGiveaway-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/StickerYouGiveaway-1.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Ready to try your own?<br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 102);">WIN</span> <span style="color: rgb(102, 255, 255);">10</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 255, 51);">FREE</span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 102);">SHEETS</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 102);">! </span></span><br /><br />Can I win my own giveaway? I can't remember. =)<br /><br />Okay, but for reals...here's how to win:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">There are several ways to enter...leave a comment for each to get multiple entries! <span style="font-style: italic;">Please leave all extra entries in the comments <span style="font-weight: bold;">here on the blog</span>, not on Facebook or Twitter so I can keep track of them!</span><br /></div><br />1) Simply leave a comment telling me that you visited the "<a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.stickeryou.com/">Sticker You</a>-niverse" (stole that from Erica) and what you think.<br /><br />2) Become a fan of <a href="http://www.facebook.com/jessinewman?ref=profile#/pages/Twin-Cities-MN/Polkadots-Pirates/60797541884?ref=sgm">Polkadots & Pirates on Facebook</a>. Already a fan? Leave a comment!<br /><br />3) Become a fan of <a href="http://www.facebook.com/stickeryou?v=wall">Sticker You on Facebook</a>. Leave a comment!<br /><br />4) Follow <a href="http://twitter.com/pdotsandpirates">pdotsandpirates on Twitter</a>.<br /><br />5) Blog, tweet, or facebook (or all three!) this giveaway!<br /><br />U P D A T E D : Deadline to enter is <span style="font-weight: bold;">Monday, May 3rd at 5:00</span>. Winner will be randomly chosen and posted on Monday night. Good luck!<span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><span style="font-style: italic;"></span><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com58tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620012360537002783.post-65913265537002252302010-04-21T22:00:00.002-05:002010-04-22T02:16:52.774-05:00Feather her nest...I am in full swing preparing for my high school BFF's baby shower next weekend. After discussions about many different themes, she ultimately decided she liked the little birdie motif the best. Tracie found out she was having a girl at her ultrasound, but wanted to keep it a secret until the invitations went out. Lord knows I LOVE being in on a secret! =) The theme worked perfectly for this..."a little birdie says Tracie's having a girl!!"<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/?action=view&current=TraciesInvitations2-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/TraciesInvitations2-1.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I have done a birdie theme for birthday parties before, but was excited to make the bird a little more adult and sophisticated for this party. I drew a new bird based on some fun paper that I found.<br /><br />As for envelopes, I've been wanting to try wrap around labels ever since my friend Bridgett of <a href="http://perideaudesigns.com/blog/">Perideau Designs</a> did it for her daughter Kendall. Remember<a href="http://polkadots-pirates.blogspot.com/2009/10/mod-for-kendall.html"> this project</a>?? I don't think I ever linked to Bridgett's pictures of<a href="http://perideaudesigns.com/blog/2009/10/04/2nd-birthday-party/"> that party</a>, either...they really are adorable...you should check them out! Anyway, thanks Bridgett for the inspiration on the labels...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/?action=view&current=TraciesInvites1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/TraciesInvites1.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />They are one long strip of label with the guest's address and your return address all in one (I added a pattern that matched my theme in between) and you just wrap the around the invitation. I found that they were actually super simple and had great design impact. Remember that the label is the first inkling to your guests about what you have up your party sleeve!<br /><br />Lots more of this party in coming weeks!<br /><br /><br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620012360537002783.post-13239254783979405862010-04-14T22:00:00.001-05:002010-04-15T00:16:50.107-05:00Seaside Sand DollarsIf you've been following this blog a long time, you may remember <a href="http://polkadots-pirates.blogspot.com/2008/10/welcome-to-bahamas.html">these welcome cards</a> I did for my sister's friend Darcy for her destination wedding to lay on everyone's bed for when they arrived. Another of my sister and Darcy's friends, Alyssa, wanted to get some for her best friend's wedding along with a banner and door sign for the bridal shower and bachelorette party.<br /><br />Here is the inspiration that Alyssa sent me. Her friend Caitlyn chose "flame" (halfway between red and hot pink) and gold as her colors and sand dollars as her theme for her ocean wedding...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/?action=view&current=Caitlyn2-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/Caitlyn2-1.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">After being worried I wouldn't be able to find any paper that would be "flame" I found the perfect match...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://s353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/?action=view&current=Caitlyn1-4-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/Caitlyn1-4-1.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a></span><br /><br />Congrats, Caitlyn!<br /></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620012360537002783.post-60138318515803388242010-04-11T22:00:00.001-05:002010-04-12T00:39:07.345-05:00{Around the Web} Birthday Blowout from Parents MagI got my newest issue of <a href="http://www.parents.com/"><span style="font-style: italic;">Parents Magazine</span></a> in the mail on Saturday...I have to admit I am more than a couple issues behind, but I couldn't put this one in the "to be read" pile. It was the "open me right now" kind of issue that I get once or twice a year when they feature all their favorite new birthday party ideas.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/?action=view&current=ParentsMag1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/ParentsMag1.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />This year, they focused on <a href="http://www.parents.com/fun/birthdays/fun-animal-birthday-party-themes/">animals</a>, <a href="http://www.parents.com/fun/birthdays/themes/game-theme-birthday-parties/">games</a>, and <a href="http://www.parents.com/fun/birthdays/themes/school-is-cool-birthday-parties/">school subjects</a> that your kids may love as their themes. I think that a Bingo themed party is somewhere in the Newman family's future. I mean <span style="font-style: italic;">seriously</span> cute!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://s353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/?action=view&current=Picnikcollage-3-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/Picnikcollage-3-1.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a></span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">You honestly could spend hours if you go on their website just looking at party ideas alone...lots of planning posts and theme ideas. A couple of other favorites are <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.parents.com/fun/birthdays/ideas/birthday-traditions/">Birthday Traditions to Start Now</a> and <a href="http://www.parents.com/fun/birthdays/cakes/easy-birthday-cakes/"><span style="font-style: italic;">Easy Birthday Cakes</span></a>. Thanks for the inspiration, <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.parents.com/">Parents Magazine</a>!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">**All photos in this post are courtesy of www.parents.com</span>**</span><br /></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620012360537002783.post-75659286534517202802010-04-06T13:40:00.003-05:002010-04-06T13:57:25.705-05:00it's a BOY!<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">If you follow me on Facebook, you may have seen these pics that my friend Rach from <a href="http://www.goldenshop.etsy.com">*golden*</a> has posted over the past few days. First she posted another pic of her daugher Kylie in the tutu that I had made her for her birthday. She paired it with the <a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=43790642">new name shirts</a> she has listed in her shop. How CUTE is she??<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/?action=view&current=Itsaboy2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/Itsaboy2.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Rachel is pregnant with her second baby. She is very creative in the ways that she announces big news, usually in some uber adorable shirt she's made for Kylie. This time she wanted something different, so we made two mini mini banners (smaller even than my banner minis!) that would fit perfectly across her belly on the day that she got her ultrasound. After her ultrasound yesterday we got to see which one she'd use...<br /></div></div></div><br /><a href="http://s353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/?action=view&current=Itsaboy-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/Itsaboy-1.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...hooray! Now...what to do with that "it's a GIRL!"?!<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620012360537002783.post-8797861843079264182010-03-29T20:42:00.000-05:002010-03-29T20:42:00.281-05:00Monkeying around again...No, I really haven't been. Its parent-teacher conference time around here, which means lots of extra nights spent getting papers and reports ready and some late nights at school talking with parents. Spring break in 4 days...whoop whoop!<div><br /></div><div>Here's just a peek at a party I did a couple months ago...the same monkey theme as you've seen me do plenty of times before, but with a new color spin.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/?action=view&current=BrooksMonkeys-1-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/BrooksMonkeys-1-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Brooks' mom Missie is a teacher, too...she's promised me some pictures after she gets done with her parent-teacher conferences. Can't wait to see them!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620012360537002783.post-30081174493798365102010-03-15T22:00:00.001-05:002010-03-16T00:43:06.595-05:00Teaching them to be thankful...Now that Tate is six, I thought it was important that he wrote his own thank yous for his parties. He needs practice writing and I want him to really be appreciative for all he has. Turns out this year that wouldn't be hard, because he honestly LOVED every gift. It kind of cracked me up actually how he kept saying he got everything he wanted and that he has such an awesome family.<br /><br />I did a little redesign before his party to my thank yous...I personalized them with his name and made them easy for him to fill in. It only took him two sittings to get them done, which was fairly painless!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/TateThankyous-1.jpg" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I made similar thank yous for T's best friend's party as well, so stay tuned for those and the rest of his dino party goods later this week!<br /><br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620012360537002783.post-70175444710826655922010-03-14T22:50:00.005-05:002010-03-14T23:10:22.365-05:00The PomLove Trade...So as you know, I was very lucky that some of the sellers I bought things from for <a href="http://polkadots-pirates.blogspot.com/2010/01/oh-how-shes-grown.html">Avery's flower party</a> were willing to do a trade. Kirsten of <a href="http://pomlove.etsy.com">PomLove</a> and I hit it off right away and she had the perfect event to enlist me to help with. She was throwing her sister's baby shower in February. When we first started talking all she knew was that her sister wanted pink and brown and that she was planning on using lots of poms. So we ended up going with polka dots highlighting the baby-to-be's name!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/PomloveBabyShower-2.jpg" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">So fun working with you, Kirsten! The first of many projects together!<br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620012360537002783.post-70404817437611731112010-03-01T21:56:00.003-06:002010-03-01T22:06:49.413-06:00Back from Breck and a winner...<div style="text-align: center;">My husband and I went to Breckenridge this past weekend with our best friends.<br /><br />It was the first time any of us had gone skiing in more than 10 years.<br /><br />And I have to say...I think I'm going to be in the Olympics in 2014. =)<br /><br /><img src="http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/IMG_2270.jpg" /><br /><br />Okay, so maybe I wasn't that good.<br /><br />But I didn't fall and it sure was fun. We laughed A LOT.<br /><br />It definitely won't be 10 years before I go again!<br /><br />And as for that winner...<br /><img src="http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/GiveawayWinner2-1.jpg" /><br /><br />A fellow party girl! Check Dawn's blog out <a href="http://dawnypoo.blogspot.com/">here</a>!<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620012360537002783.post-58261045409496153072010-02-24T22:01:00.004-06:002010-02-25T00:10:26.926-06:00{Get the Goods Giveaway} : Hey Yo YoAs I said in my post yesterday, one of my favorite things from Tate's party was the vintage striped paper straws I've had my eyes on forever, just waiting for the right time to use them. Anyone else like them? Well, today you're in luck!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/HeyYoYo"><img src="http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/HeyYoYo-1.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Enter Amanda of <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/HeyYoYo">Hey Yo Yo</a>...<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">"I spent 4 years working for Martha Stewart Television as a recipe developer (pastry) before starting to sell on Etsy. I lived out East for a number of years while going to culinary school and got the Martha gig right out of school, worked for her for 4 years and then moved back home to Wisconsin to figure out what to do next with my life. That's when I started making cupcake pincushions for my first Etsy site, Smarmy Pants, and then eventually started selling cupcake supplies on Hey Yo Yo. Now that's going so well that I don't have much time to sew anymore!"<br /><br /></span>Now Amanda has 25 of her blue striped straws as seen at Tate's birthday party up for grabs for one lucky PDP reader! Whether you're planning a party or just sipping on a Saturday afternoon...these are so fun!<span><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><img src="http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/HeyYoYo2.jpg" /></span><br /></div><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span>There are several ways to enter...leave a comment for each to get multiple entries! <span style="font-style: italic;">Please leave all extra entries in the comments <span style="font-weight: bold;">here on the blog</span>, not on Facebook or Twitter so I can keep track of them!</span><br /><br />1) Simply leave a comment telling your favorite item in <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/HeyYoYo">Amanda's shop</a>.<br /><br />2) Become a fan of <a href="http://www.facebook.com/jessinewman?ref=profile#/pages/Twin-Cities-MN/Polkadots-Pirates/60797541884?ref=sgm">Polkadots & Pirates on Facebook</a>. Already a fan? Leave a comment!<br /><br />3) Follow <a href="http://twitter.com/pdotsandpirates">pdotsandpirates on Twitter</a>.<br /><br />4) Blog, tweet, or facebook (or all three!) this giveaway!<br /><br />Deadline to enter is <span style="font-weight: bold;">Monday, March 1st at 5 o'clock</span>. Winner will be randomly chosen and posted on Tuesday morning. I'll be back with a winner then. Have a great weekend!<br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br /></span></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com47tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620012360537002783.post-52022951908992960002010-02-23T23:09:00.006-06:002010-02-24T00:46:21.860-06:00A FIN-tastic birthday!I am combining two parties into one post since the decor for both parties was much the same. This may be a huge mistake because there are LOTS of pics...look at them in a few installments if you must! I am warning you...LOOOONG.<br /><br />We will start with "the family party"...<br /><br />As I showed you last week, the left pic is of the invitations...I made invitations for both parties exactly the same except for the date and times. I could kick myself for forgetting to take a picture of the labels for the envelopes before I sent them. I like to try to make an envelope <span style="font-style: italic;">really</span> fun to get since the mail is mostly bills or junk these days. The right picture is of course the door sign...used at both parties.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/Tate7-1.jpg" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">And by now I am sure you know the basic setup of my house and decorating space! Of course I have to have a banner in the middle and lots of balloons. I am not sure you can see it, but a few of the banner circles have "shark bites" taken out of them. Tate loved that part!<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/Tate1-1.jpg" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Then to dress up the serving trays, buckets, and paper goods...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/Tate2-1.jpg" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">We made a small candy bar for some early party snacking, I think I still have a sugar high from all the Swedish fish I consumed the past two weekends! (YUM!)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/Tate3-1.jpg" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">As I said in my "peek" post...I had to make 14 hats this year! So fun to have so many kids hanging around. We also had to continue in the tradition of taking a pic of my sisters and I in the party hats. I am not sure who had the idea of making it a little crazier this year...maybe it was that we did have so many hats sitting there...but what I do know is that it was a little later, we were a little sillier, and Avery had to get in on the double hat craziness!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/Tate4-1.jpg" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I will spare you the gift opening and meal pictures since this post is incredibly long, but maybe I will post those on the Newman family blog (which hasn't been updated since October...eek.) We'll skip to that ever delicious cake, made by my high school BFF, Tracie.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/Tate5-1.jpg" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">She actually made identical cakes for both weekends. I used the same shark fin and cake topper that I made for both parties and added some extra long candles in between.<br /><br />We sent all the kids at this party home with a squirting shark. I loved these because they would be fun for every kid at the party from babies to 6 year olds! Tate also brought them to school as his "birthday treat" because they can't bring food as treats to his school.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/Tate14-1.jpg" /><br /></div><br />Then on to the "friend party" held this last Saturday, which was T and I's actual birthday. This is the first party for little people only that we've ever had and I think it lived up to both of our expectations. The trend is definitely to go somewhere for a big party these days, but Tate and I both decided it would be fun to stay at our house and play shark-y games here!<br /><br />I got to decorate our dining room...we always use this room for parties, but I don't usually decorate it since people are kind of sitting all over the house and we do more of a buffet style with that many people. But with 8 kids it was perfect to set the table, personalized for each guest...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/Tate8-2.jpg" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">My favorite new thing that I've been dying to use for a party is these vintage paper straws. After an idea I talked about with another one of my friends named Tracy, I made each straw personalized with the kids names that were great for the little soda bottles the kids drank out of. (Here you go, Runchey! "Tracy straws" they are!)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/Tate8-1-1.jpg" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">You can also see in the back of the picture on the right I covered the pictures that are normally on my wall with cardstock. I knew the images that are normally there would bug me in pictures, so I decided that for a very minimal cost I could cover them with paper and make them part of the design!<br /><br />After the kids arrived we played several games and made a craft...<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/Tate9-1-1.jpg" /><br /><br /></div></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">(The sharks for the game are SO easy to make!)<br /><br /><img src="http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/Tate12893781203-1.jpg" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">The theme song from <span style="font-style: italic;">Jaws</span> is great for musical chairs! The only game we didn't get to at the party because we ran out of time was to play a "Sharky, may I?"... a version of <a href="http://www.ehow.com/how_16079_play-mother-may.html"><span style="font-style: italic;">this game</span></a> I used to play as a kid. We even had <a href="http://www.michaels.com/art/online/displayProductPage?productNum=gc1547"><span style="font-style: italic;">this shark hat</span></a> to wear! We have had a chance to play it as a family since then, though, and it is great for kids of all ages. Even Beckett loves it!<br /><br />Again, I will skip the pics of gift opening and eating...onto the cake!<br /></div><br /><img src="http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/Tate15-1.jpg" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">The boys were on their way home by noon...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/Tate16-1.jpg" /><br /></div><br />We had a great time and then I spent the rest of the day with my family (I even got a much needed nap in!).<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/Tates6thBirthday36-1.jpg" /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />Happy birthday, Tater Tot. Love you!<br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620012360537002783.post-59782762876937673532010-02-22T22:39:00.003-06:002010-02-22T22:48:53.545-06:00A few "peeks"...<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">Well, sort of. All these "peeks" are in one pic, though...just a bunch of eyes that say it all! I just spent 2 hours going through all the pics from Tate's party but now I need to organize them into a post which I have no energy to do still tonight. I did find this gem in the bunch and it makes me giggle...<br /></div><br /><img src="http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/Tates6thBirthday41-1.jpg" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">What is even more amazing to me is the fact that this year there were 14 hats to make for the kids at the party. They didn't even all fit in one pic! When T was born, he was an only lonely child. I think of this every year on his birthday...how blessed we are to have such a wonderful and growing group of little people who our kids now call friends.<br /><br />Tate and I both had a wonderful birthday weekend and we both decided we are happy to be one year older...we are both in such a different place in life than we were on our birthday last year. Makes me wonder where we'll be next year at this time. Thanks to everyone who sent us a birthday message or left a comment over the weekend. We love you!<br /><br />The rest of the birthday post tomorrow night. Cross my heart. <br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620012360537002783.post-29021549007751659402010-02-16T22:00:00.000-06:002010-02-17T00:46:21.666-06:00One down, one to go...As you know, my son is in Kindergarten this year. This has been his long awaited year that he gets to have a "friend party" in addition to our regular family and friends party. The family party was last Saturday...normally I would be posting pics, but since much of the decor will be used for both parties, I think I'll save it all for next week.<br /><br />Need a sneak peek? Let's just say it is pretty shark-y over here...<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/TsInvitation.jpg" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I am almost ready for 8 boys to invade and plan to have lots to show you when its done. Give me a few extra days, though...if you remember it's not only T's birthday is this Saturday, but also mine! A relaxing Sunday may be in order after all this six year old partying!<br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620012360537002783.post-76081963769865223552010-02-10T22:00:00.002-06:002010-02-10T23:26:51.863-06:00Little Sweet PeaWhen my friend Molly contacted me to help design her friend's daughter's first birthday I couldn't say no...they wanted to do a "sweet pea" theme which I've always wanted to do AND she loved a lot of the colors and papers from Avery's party which I<span style="font-style: italic;"> love</span>.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/sophiasparty-1.jpg" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">And because I adore this picture of little Sophia I have to show the invitation a little closer up...isn't she adorable??<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/Sophia7.jpg" /><br /><br />Happy birthday, Sophia!<br /></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620012360537002783.post-49723749500978797492010-02-08T22:00:00.000-06:002010-02-08T23:27:05.018-06:00As the football season comes to a close......I thought I'd share these football party invitations and boxes with you! We weren't all that interested in the game on Sunday here at the Newman household this year...we were still bummin' that our purple team lost in over time the week before. =(<br /><br />I made these invitations last month for a friend's son who is turning 6. He, too, loves the Vikings but his mom wanted to keep it more football themed than purple and gold (woohoo Amy...you're my kind of lady!)<br /><br />So first the invitations...<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/NoahsInvites.jpg" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Amy had seen the boxes I had done for <a href="http://polkadots-pirates.blogspot.com/2009/09/becketts-farm-decor.html">Beckett's birthday</a> and thought they'd be perfect to send all the goods home from Noah's party in as well. I really do LOVE these boxes...so functional and are big so they pack some design punch!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/NoahsBoxes.jpg" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Now, bring on baseball season! We're huge Twins fans over here, too. Remember <a href="http://polkadots-pirates.blogspot.com/2008/08/batter-up.html">my nephew's 2nd birthday party</a> from a few years ago?<br /><br />I have the first of my son Tate's birthday parties this weekend...lots to do and show you in the coming few days!<br /></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620012360537002783.post-90604105131470540662010-01-28T21:38:00.003-06:002010-01-28T22:10:13.157-06:00{Happy Customers} : DonovanI've said before a hundred times that I could honestly stay busy just between my own kids, my friends' kids, my sister's kids, and my sister's friends' kids. I'm serious. I think I could have a project all the time. So here we go with one of my sister's friends' kids...cute little D. I wish I had a better pic of the cute bib from <a href="http://goldenshop.etsy.com">*golden*</a> and the tee from <a href="http://persnicketyme.etsy.com">Persnickety Me</a>...I promise they were both adorable!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://pd-ptestimonials.blogspot.com/"><img src="http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/Donovan-3.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Bigger pics along with all our PDP cuties over at <a href="http://pd-ptestimonials.blogspot.com/">{happy customers}</a>! Thanks, Gina!<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620012360537002783.post-26139700692025009422010-01-26T20:00:00.000-06:002010-01-26T20:55:53.415-06:00For Kate...Lots of grading for report cards going on over here...almost finished. Looking forward to my real job slowing down a little bit and getting back to actually TEACHING kids instead of testing them! This post has been almost finished for almost a week, but it wasn't one I was just going to throw out there with little thought.<br /><br />Maybe you've heard of her. Maybe you pray for her every night. You may have seen her on other blogs. You may have even seen her on Dr. Phil.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="font-style: italic;" src="http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/Kate13ohsoposhphotography-1.jpg" /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Photo compliments of Oh So Posh Photography via The TomKat Studio</span><br /></div><br />I'm talking about a little girl named Kate McRae. I first heard of Kate through my friend Kim of <a href="http://tomkatstudio.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-style: italic;">The TomKat Studio</span></a>. Kim became aware of her story because she lives in the same town as little Kate. Last summer Kate's mom was trying to take her kids to the pool to cool off one afternoon but decided to stop at the doctor's office because Kate's hand wouldn't stop shaking. Their lives were forever changed when they found out Kate had a massive tumor in her brain.<br /><br />Reading Kate's story was so heartbreaking to me on so many levels...its hard for a mom to not think of her own kids when hearing of a story like Kate's. She is only two months older than my Tate...I just can't even imagine it. I hope I never have to. It turned out that Kate's 6th birthday was the day after Christmas...and as you know my own little Ave's birthday is the 23rd of December. Kate's celebration this year, though, would be far different than ours. She was in the hospital receiving chemo.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">TomKat</span> Kim decided she had to reach out to this family and on her blog asked if anyone would like to help her make Kate's birthday as pleasant as possible. Of course I was in, although I wasn't exactly sure how to help because Kim and I both make party goods...so I offered Kim a tutu because I knew she already had a shirt and a hat for Kate from other donors. Kim gladly accepted and asked if I would make Kate one of my banners as well, to which of course I said yes!<br /><br />Here are a few pics of some of the items donated for Kate after Kim set up her hospital room, including the banner and tutu I sent...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/KateBirthday.jpg" /><br /><br /><img style="font-style: italic;" src="http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/KateBirthday2.jpg" /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Photos courtesy of The TomKat Studio</span><br /></div><br />I could try to recap the rest of story about how the goods were delivered, but Kim tells it much better herself. If you are one of the few people who reads my blog but has never been to Kim's, you should (for more reasons than I can mention...so stylish and fun!). <a href="http://tomkatstudio.blogspot.com/2010/01/kate-mcrae-my-visit-to-phoenix.html">Click here</a> to read her post about Kate and all the wonderful vendors who pulled together to try to make a little girl's birthday a little brighter. If you want to follow Kate's story, you can visit <a href="http://prayforkate.com/">her site</a> as well. As heartbreaking as it is, I find it equally amazing to read the faithful words of Kate's parents Holly and Aaron...they stay so positive through it all.<br /><br />Pray, people, pray. Hope for a miracle. And hug your kids a little tighter when you put them to bed tonight. I know I will.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620012360537002783.post-71723683825813510182010-01-18T23:25:00.002-06:002010-01-18T23:38:23.816-06:00The PomLove winner is...<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r386/polkadotsandpirates/GiveawayWinner-1.jpg" /><br /><br />Congrats, Jayme! Email me! <br /><br />Thanks to everyone for playing...I think I like hosting giveaways more than entering them! We'll do it again soon.<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2