Pretty as a Picture

My friend, Julie, took some amazing pictures of Mia and Quinn this fall.  They started out as Quinn's newborn pictures.  She only got a few of those because neither of the kids was into posing that day.  She also took the pictures for our Christmas card as well as Q's 3 month pictures.  In all of the blur of the holidays, I didn't get around to posting any of them.  Julie always takes beautiful pictures.  Now, which ones to frame?

Quinn and Mia for his newborn pictures

 He really wasn't into it

Christmas card photo shoot

Q's 3 month pictures

 

Happy Heart Day

I like to do crafty things.  There.  I said it.  Please take into consideration that I didn't say I was any good at being crafty.  I just enjoy it.  I was a little late on the trolley in exploring all of the interesting ideas that Pinterest has to offer, but oh my.  It's a buffet of craftiness.  My boards are chock full of ideas that made me think, "I could totally do that".  However, despite the many pins I've added to my boards, I realized that I had yet to actually attempt any of them.  I plan to attempt at least one pin per month this year.  (I'm hoping that if I make this declaration on the blog, that I'll stick to it.)  January's pin was for the octopus cake pops I made for Mia's birthday party.  Mine didn't look like the picture I pinned, but I was okay with that.  Despite my best efforts to channel Bakerella, I seriously struggle with cake pops.  My candy melts are always too thick to coat well.  By the time I started trying to decide the best way to construct the legs of my octopus creations, I was severely low on time to finish them.  We needed to be leaving for Mia's party, so I just quickly did the best I could with a toothpick.  I scold myself each year for running around like a crazy person the day of the party to finish everything, but alas, it always happens.  I have the best intentions to be well organized and not take on so many projects, but who am I kidding?  I know I'll do it again next year.  My wish is for Mia (and Quinn) to have memorable birthdays with the people they love.  That could certainly be accomplished without my alter ego "The Party Nazi", but I must admit that it's a title I readily accept.  Haha!  Maybe as I get older I'll be a more efficient party planner.  We'll see. ;)

I made Mia's valentines for her class based on a Pinterest idea.  I took a picture of her with her fist held out in front.  I then used a template on the Walgreens website and had them print off Valentine's Day cards.  They were (of course) on photo paper which was perfect to work with.  That evening, I used a box cutter (because my exacto knife had sprouted legs and ran away apparently) to cut a slit at the top and bottom of Mia's fist in the pictures.  Mia picked out a sucker for each of her classmates and made sure that I put the correct child's name on each valentine.  I wasn't aware that she recognized each child's name by sight, but she impressed me by pointing to her friends' names one by one and telling me which friend would like cherry, orange, etc.  Mia also wanted to help insert the lollipop stick into the valentines.  I let her because after all they were her valentines, and I love that she likes to do craft projects with me.  We had a couple that ripped when she got a little over eager and shoved the stick too hard, so I was glad I had ordered a few extra.  I was really pleased with the way they turned out!

I wanted to make valentines for Quinn's class too, but I couldn't find a template on the Walgreens site that I liked to go with the picture of him I took.  That is really too bad because oh.my.goodness.  His Valentine's picture is beyond adorable.  I might have to put a framed 8x10 of it on display at his wedding someday.  It might embarrass him as an adult, but I can pretty much guarantee that his future wife will adore it.  Haha!  I saw a similar picture on Pinterest.  Unfortunately, I can't find that picture on my boards now and can't find it on Pinterest.  I'll add the link on here later if I can find it.  Mine doesn't look nearly as polished or professional, but I just worked with what I had around the house to recreate it and borrowed the bow tie from a friend.  I can't look at that picture without smiling.  :)

Pinterest cake pops

 

My cake pops

Pinterest valentine

 

Mia's valentine

 Sweet girl

 My little valentines

 

Precious Boy

Quinn is growing and changing almost every day.  He now rolls from his back to his tummy like a pro.  He's rolled from tummy to back a couple of times, too.  He's doing really well sitting up in the Bumbo and jumperoo and loves to grab and chew on his toys.  I love to hear him laugh and will do just about any silly thing I can think of to get him to do it.  He's also growling now.  Mia is a little perplexed by it, but I told her it's one of the ways he's learning to talk.  Quinn is such a content and happy baby.  He'll play on his playmat or sit in the Bumbo just as happy as can be.  I tell him all of the time that he is a delightful child.  He just grins and slobbers.  Sometimes his cuteness is too much.  Just look at him.  Don't you just want to hug and kiss his adorable little self?

Quinn at 19 weeks

Q at 20 weeks old.  This is one of my new favorite pictures of him.  He looks a little mischievous.

Quinn at 21 weeks old

Q at 22 weeks

 Quinn at 23 weeks old

They Say It's Your Birthday!

One of Mia's favorite songs is Yellow Submarine.  She "discovered" it last summer, and we went through a phase where we listened to it pretty much every day.  Then, I saw a party by Kristy of Eleven Event Stories that she had for her son's birthday.  The theme was Yellow Submarine, and it sounded like a perfect theme for Mia's 4th birthday party.  I e-mailed Kristy, and she was kind enough to send me the printables to use for Mia.  I changed the wording on some of them to reflect the food I had for the party.  The design worked great! 

It's challenging to find a location for Mia's party each year since her birthday is in January.  We can't just go to the park (or any other outside venue) since it's usually cold.  We decided on the Children's Aquarium at Fair Park.  The party guests got to walk around the aquarium and then head to the party room for birthday cake, snacks, and even an opportunity to pet a baby alligator on the tail.  Then, all of the kids got the chance to feed the sting rays.  Mia wanted to do it until she realized that the stingrays would actually take the fish from her hand.  She opted to toss it into the tank for them instead.  Our families really pitched in and were such a huge help in getting everything ready for the party.  I couldn't have done it without all of you!  Thank you!  Mia had so much fun. I'm glad our friends and family were there to celebrate her special day!

Octopus's Garden Cake Pops

 John Lennonade

 Ringo's Drumsticks

 They Say It's Your Birthday Cake

 Yellow Submarines made by my SIL Kenda

Twist And Shout Pretzels as well as All You Need Is Love Cherry Hearts

Strawberry Fields Forever

 Uncle Darvey, Nana, and Keith

 Shayna and Quinn

Kaylee digging in to the treats

 Mia was feeling brave enough to touch the alligator's tail

 Reese, Mia, and Harper getting a few instructions before feeding the stingrays

 Mia and sweet Pearson

Q and Aunt Kenda

 

Baby Girl is 4!

Today is Mia's 4th birthday.  She has been so excited about it.  Her birthday party was last weekend (pictures to come soon), and since then it's pretty much been her birthday all week!  She took cookies to her class today to celebrate turning four.  Several of her classmates came to her party, but I still think it's nice to do something on her actual birthday.  She's growing up so fast! Mia is only four years old, but at the same time she's already four years old.  Know what I mean?  She's such a sweet girl with a tender heart and a love of laughter.  Being stubborn is a challenge for her, but I hope that means she'll grow up to be a strong and independent woman.  That girl has had my heart since the day she was born.  Love is an amazing gift.  It's hard to describe, but I love her even more every day. 

Every Friday her class has show and tell.  Each week the kids bring something that starts with the letter they are learning.  This week's letter was Q.  I'll bet you can guess what Mia wanted to bring.  That's right, her little brother.  Quinn's teacher agreed to take him down to her classroom when it was time for show and tell.  Apparently, little Q was a hit.  When I asked Mia about it as I picked her up this afternoon, she said, "Quinn came down to my class today.  Ms. Shannon thought it was so funny when I called him Q-Dog!"  This made me laugh out loud.  Wes calls him that sometimes, so that's where she got it.  It's kind of his gangster name.  Haha!

Quinn and Mia on her birthday