Baby Shower "Thank You" Notes
I read Whitney the "Thank You" scroll that I had for my baby shower when I was expecting Katie. She seemed to really like it. So, the big question was how can we share it with our guests. I came up with theses. I feel in love with the zoofari paper shown. It will fit perfectly with our "King of the Jungle" theme.   I cut out the scrapbook paper the size 4 x 6".  I used Martha Stewart's corner punch to dress it up, plus it gives you the hole that I need to put the ribbon through.  We will tie these cute little notes to a goodie bag filled with chocolate dipped stick pretzels.  Us girls are going to try to get together real soon to put the notes and pretzel bags together. 
Here's the Thank You Poem just for you to use at your next baby shower.


Kids Story
I have to tell you this minute story. I was getting Colton's movie started when out of the blue, he told me "my room a mess!" He even made this terrible face like he is just so disgusted. Not sure if I heard him correctly, I repeated back to him what I thought he said. He responded, "uh, huh. Katie did it!" LOL! I just thought that was funny. Of course, Katie was sitting in the bean bag right beside him and she chimed in "no I didn't." LOL! Can't you just feel the love between brother and sister?

Today, dad and mom celebrated their 56th wedding anniversary. Us girls decided it would be easier to go out to eat this time. We met at a local steakhouse restaurant, A.J.'s Steakhouse, for dinner tonight. I think mom and dad really enjoyed themselves. I believe about 19 of us were able to show up plus mom and dad. Our family has gotten so big that it's harder and harder each year for all of us to come together. You should see us at the table. You might have 4 different conversations going all at once. This is because when we do have a get together like this, we have to hurry up and catch up from the last time we saw each other. It's funny. A couple of times, Susan and Maryann were talking to me and all I could say was "I can't hear you."

Mom and dad are doing well for their age.  Dad's as hard headed as always.  I've been concerned as I'm sure my other sisters, about mom's bruising.  I realize that older people's skin gets thin and somewhat easy to bruise, but mom's condition seems to be a little more than that.  She's not on blood thinners, but if she just taps her arms or leg on something, she has a huge bruise.  I believe she goes to the doctor tomorrow.  I thought Maryann told me that the doctor put her on iron, but it was mass chaos as I was asking mom about it.  Mom told me that she wasn't on iron, but I just have to call her tomorrow and find out again. Maryann told me yesterday that mom was concerned about her ankles swelling up again.  They will get as big a softballs at times.  She said that the doctor gave mom some water pills in hopes that it will help the swelling.  Dad has his garden again this year.  Such a HOT year to have a garden, but it keeps him going.  He doesn't do as much as he use to, but he still goes to the gym and piddles around there.  They've gotten at the age where they don't like to go any where but home.  I was surprised that Maryann got them to go out to eat tonight.  The only places they do go is their doctors, church and every now and then, their children's houses to visit.  LOL! 





We were happy to see Nicholas back home from Springhill. He came up from Mobile, picked up his mom and went straight to the restaurant. LOL! I don't see how he does it sometimes. Actually, he spent most of his Summer vacation, working/shadowing down in Louisiana at Tulane University in New Orleans. Right now, his minor will be in Chemistry. He was offered this past Spring to stay at Tulane during the Summer and do chemical research. I can't go into what exactly he did while he was there, 'cause it is way over my head. He was offered a job while he was there. His boss wants him to come back after he graduates next Spring and work in research and get a full ride to Tulane University. His dream job is to be an ER doctor because he likes the action, but who would pass up a paid tuition and job at an upscale university. Plus, he has told me over and over how much he wants to live in Baton Rouge and raise his family there. I think what scares him a little is that he wants to become an MD so bad and he can become that in Louisiana at Tulane, but it will take a little longer than what he had planned.  He has a lot on his plate that's not what he planned and he has to seriously look back and find out what he wants. Personally, I think he should take the deal, but he's got a lot to think and pray about. Please remember him in your prayers.

I hardly ever get to see Ryan and he's been back from Duke for over a year.  He has been working so hard on his graduates through UAB.  Right now, he is finished with the book work and he is currently assigned to UAB hospital for his clinicals.  Maryann tells me that UAB will move the students around to different hospitals throughout the state.  The young lady Ryan is currently seeing was assigned to a different hospital than Ryan.  It's a bummer, I'm sure.  They went from seeing each other all the time at school and studying, to seeing each other every once in a while.  Hopefully, they both will be assigned to the same hospital before the year is up.  I guess they are hoping to get their degree this time next year.  I am so excited for them. 

Natalie gets to move into her apartment next week.  Hooray!  She is so excited to start UAH and basketball season, it's not funny.  Luckily, she will be moving right by our favorite pizza restaurant, MELLO MUSHROOM.  I just love their pizza.  Natalie and I already have plans to meet there for lunch when she doesn't have to study, class or playing basketball.  LOL!  This will probably be a long time.  I'm excited for her.  I think she hates the fact that she won't get to see Nathan as much as she has been, being closer to home. 

Of course, me and my nieces got to do some catching up regarding baby showers and weddings, while we were at the restaurant. I'm going to wait until after Christmas before I get serious about finding Katie's flower girl dress for Leslie and Chase's wedding. I've been wanting to get with Leslie regarding ideas on how she wants Katie to look and let her know that I expect Katie to take a growth spurt around Christmas, like last year. Thankfully, the wedding isn't until May. YAY! Leslie has been so busy with working at Helen Keller Hospital and school that she has completely left it up to me and my taste regarding Katie's dress and how her hair looks. COOL! Right now, Katie has shot up a size from a 6X to 7 in dresses. I KNOW! I'm hoping once she gets back into gymnastics and P.E., she'll shed some of the weight. So, I'm all ears when it comes to suggestions of places to shop for a nice, pretty white flower girl dress.

I got rid of some of Colton's clothes yesterday. YAY! Whitney came over after her baby shower, hosted by her mother-in-law. I showed her everything we had. She picked out a lot of sweet sweet outfits along with other necessary items that mamas do not need to live without. I think I've introduced to her a few things, she didn't know that she would need. For instance, I gave her my handy bottle warmer that works great on road trips. We had a good time, swapping stories and comparing notes. Maryann and I prepared her for what's to come. She's a nurse, so I'm sure she had some idea of what to expect. Poor Natalie heard it for the first time, apparently, in my Living Room. She finally said that she's having second thoughts about having children now. LOL! We explained that it's not that bad after it's all said and done. Shoot. If I can have two babies and survive, anyone can have them. I'm the biggest wimp there ever was. LOL!

I finally got the animal print ribbon trees finished and ready to deliver. I made Katie two paper globes to hang from her ceiling this afternoon. She loves them! She wants more to hang up, but I think it will be too much. I've got to make Colton's sports paper globes to hang from his ceiling and then I've got to start on the baby shower Thank You notes that will be attached to the chocolate rolled stick pretzels in their gift baggies. I think Natalie said that her and Leslie were going to start on those in a couple of weeks. By that time, I've got to have my 40+ cards finished and ready to tie around the pretzels. YAY! Y'all will have to stay tuned to see them. I used the exact same thank you poem for my baby shower, when I was pregnant with Katie. It is precious!

Y'all stay cool!

Summer is far from being over, so there's still time to throw the best party ever.  We've really enjoyed our parties the past couple of months and this mama is officially partied out.  HAHA!  I've found some real cute party ideas to help you beat the heat.  You've just got to check them out.

Recipe: Banana Pineapple Italian Ice

Copyright © 2009-2011 TidyMom.Net.


There are so many sweet, cool party ideas (big and small) out there.  I hope you have fun preparing for your next get together.  I would love to see what ideas you come up with before Summer is over. 

Eventhough Katie's birthday isn't until tomorrow, we celebrated it today with her little friends. After thinking and talking about it for the past few months, she really wanted some friends to spend the night. The only thing, she wanted to invite every single friend she has. Yeah, that's a lot of people and I don't know half their parents. So, we came to an agreement. She would invite four friends. I would take them to Air It Out at FunZone and they could have a slumber party.

I hate the fact that I forgot my camera when we went to Air It Out. If you're not familiar with AIO, it's a building filled with inflatables that they kids can play on in air conditioning. YAY! Thank goodness my friend, Allison, brought her camera and took a few pictures for me. THANK YOU ALLISON! Your my angel. I paid for the girls to play for an hour, so I was shocked when they were ready to go before time was up. They played so hard, I guess they were wiped out. 

I invited family members to meet us at the house for cake and ice cream. Katie was so happy to see almost everyone here, waiting on her. She was too excited to do the cake and ice cream, so we went straight to the gifts. YAY! I just had Katie sit in the floor, over to the side and the little ones sat around her. Can you say CHAOS?!? It was fun, but I have no clue as to who gave her what because she was going through everything so quick. The gifts were passed around from person to person and I never really got to check everything out. I guess that's what tomorrow is for. LOL!

The girls are absolutely loving the slumber party. We've had some role playing, dancing, singing, playing "Operation" and we are ending the night by watching "Tangled" and going through their goody bags. HAHA! We'll see how late they actually stay up. 

Y'all I've been wanting to host an Ice Cream Social for a long time. Now, I have the opportunity. It wasn't planned by no means, it just happened and I only have two days to get things together. I knew that some of Katie's ballet friends and their mama's wanted to get together sometime this Summer, before school starts back. Well, after emailing back and forth between a couple of ballet moms,


At first, I planned to just have a table full of refreshments. I've got the slip-n-slide and sprinkler included in the Summer water fun, with the Kinect and Wii on stand by in case the weather turns bad. I would hope that you know me by now. I LOVE parties! I especially LOVE to host the parties. After thinking late last night and this morning, tossing and turning. I've got to have a party with a theme. So, what better opportunity for me to have my Ice Cream Social than NOW.

I've got a few last minute plans for decorations, so I've got to get busy before the get together on Thursday. Yes, I said Thursday. THIS THURSDAY! {Screaming} I don't have much time, but I did make enough time to draft out a quick template.
Ice Cream Cone Craft Template

I'll have to show you the finished product another time.  Let me just tell you, they turned out so cute!  The possibilities are endless when it comes to this template.  I used colored cardstock paper, but you could use felt, crepe paper flowers glued on it, glitter, specialty paper, etc.  If I had enough time, I probably would have outlined them with glitter.  It would be adorable.  I'm hanging these individually from the ceiling, but I think it would make a great garland or to place on a wreath.  This template is a gift to you from me.  If you do decide to use it, I would love to see what you used it for.  Actually, I loved the Ice Cream party that Simply Modern Mom posted.  She pretty much free hand the ice cream cones, so that's why I decided to make my own template for everyone to use.  I even liked the mini ice cream cones she has laying on the table.  I made my mini cones into a garland.  Just pray, they will stay up when it's hung.  LOL!  They should because I thread it with a needle.  I am also making the ice cream bowls with the coffee filters, but I'm using ribbon instead of baker's twine.  I thought they were so cute and I had already had a bunch of these cups leftover from a previous party.  Good idea SMM! 

While I was perusing the wide world of the Web, I really liked the idea Living Locurto had posted for Cotton Candy Ice Cream Treat.  It was so cute!  In fact, this post reminded me of a project to stick cotton candy inside a cone made out of cardstock.  I've seen several party bloggers make different versions of this treat.  I like the idea of tying ribbon through the paper and hanging from the chairs.  Of course, embellishments make it adorable.  Unfortunately, I wasn't able to put together the cotton candy ice cream treats because I can't find any cotton candy. 

The decorations should be completed by tomorrow.  You know me, I'll be taking plenty of pictures.  This may  have been a very quick "throw together" party, but it has been fun.  I can't hardly contain myself.  I'll try to wait until everything is finished before posting about the party.  Please pray for my friend, Malorie.  She is one of the ballet moms that wanted to come for the party, but she came down sick.  She's on meds, but we are sooo hoping she'll be back to normal by Thursday. 

Get Well Soon Malorie!

I can't help but think of the Alice Cooper's song, "School's Out" when typing my title.  Yes, Katie is finally out of school for Summer vacation.  It seems like yesterday, she just started Kindergarten and now she's prepped and ready for the 1st grade in just a few short months.  It's hard to imagine, my baby girl going into the first grade.  I've had my tissues close at hand all day today, but not for the reason that you're thinking.  It's allergy season.  Ah ha!  You thought I was crying because my little girl is growing up.  Honestly, I don't think it's hit me yet.  I think it's because Colton has kept me so busy that I haven't had a chance to just meditate on the situation. 

You know like all other vacations, weekends and holidays, these next few weeks are going to sail by without warning.  I have a fun and educational filled Summer planned.  I've posted about my schedule, so I won't go into all that again.  As we go along in our studies, experiments and crafts, I would like to bring you along and share with you, our experiences.  I think it should be fun!  I've actually found a few 1st grade teachers that blog and they have given me such great ideas to keep the interaction going throughout the Summer.  Yay!  Have you ever heard of "Teacher Pay Teacher"?  It's a great little website that I stumbled upon where educators create study material and post them on this site.  A lot of the material is for sale, not too expensive, but there are a few pieces that are for free printables.  I printed quite a bit of themed worksheets for Katie regarding literacy and math.  It's free to create an account, which you'll have to have one if you purchase a free download printable. If you're interested, CLICK HERE . 

We're Moving On Up
As you know, Colton is two years old and is out growing his baby bed.  My niece and her husband are expecting their first child in late September or early October. The baby bed that Colton is sleeping in actually belonged to Whitney's older brother, Ryan.  My sister, Maryann and her Kevin bought this baby furniture some 28 years ago, when they were expecting their first child, Ryan.  This furniture has gone through several other babies within our family.  I had a feeling that Whitney and Zayne would want it with Maryann's blessing.  Actually, it all worked out perfectly.  Colton has almost outgrown the bed because I've seen him straddle the side bed railing.  Instead of us purchasing a new toddler bed, Millard and Peggy are giving us theirs that they bought for Katie at that age.  Katie never slept in it because she knew she could sleep with her grandma.  So the bed is brandnew.  It couldn't have worked out any better.  The next big problem is our old desktop is located in Colton's room.  I've asked Doug to just get rid of it, but it's not that simple I'm told.  Katie has agreed to move into Colton's room and he in hers.  Voila! Katie has been begging me to paint her room for the past year.  I was hoping to make it to her 6th or 7th birthday before having to remodel.  I think it's when girls are 6 or 7 when they transition to a different taste.  You see, Katie is still into the whole princess, castles and fairies thing.  I don't want to decorate her room in these themes, if she turns around and asks me to change it in the next couple of years.  I tried to explain to her the other day that I want to put something on her wall that should last for the next 5 years.  She mentioned painting the walls pink or purple, but she really wants a Rapunzel theme on the wall as well.  Ugh!  So, I put on my thinking cap.  I'd be alright if I could find a Rapunzel wall decal that I could just stick on and rip off when I want.  I haven't found it yet, but we are still looking.  I also thought of picking up a Rapunzel coloring book and just look at the background - flowers, vines, birds, animal figures in the movie.  If I could maximize the character on my copy machine, trace and cut out the figures on blank stencil plastic, I might have something to work with.  Needless to say, these are just plans.   Katie and I plan to visit a few places, get some painting ideas and come up with a plan.  Doug mentioned painting the first week of July, but we may start a little earlier than that.  I'll keep ya posted. ;) 

Monday starts Katie kindergym.  She is so excited!  I think we are only going to try out the month of June for the Summer.  If she still loves it, then when August gets here, her daddy, herself and I will have to sit down and talk about dance and gymnastics.  You see, Katie still loves dance.  She was real interested in taking jazz.  I recently found out that if she takes jazz, she'll still be required to take ballet as well.  That's two different classes at two different times, two different outfits and two different recitals.  Ugh!  Plus, if she wants to stay with gymnastics.  Wait a minute, I'm feeling a little quizzy.  I don't want to wreck her dream, but that's a lot of dough that this mama doesn't have in my back pocket.  Before dance starts again this fall, I'll call and confirm what I've heard just to make sure that it's so.  Oh, let's not forget, if Katie is still interested in trying out for the Swim Team next Spring.  I have a feeling that my life is going to get very interesting in the next few months.  This stay-at-home momma may have to get herself a JOB. 

Katie's first spend the night party with her new friend, S. Soon after school ended today, S was knocking on our door wanting to know if Katie could come out to play. Next thing I know, S and Katie are wanting to play in the water. It was very hot again today, I guess in the mid 90s. I packed all of Katie's fairly new water toys in the shop, so I had to go see what we had available. I should open a water park for all the stuff we had. LOL! Katie received a water sprinkler type toy last year for her birthday. We have 2 different types of Slip and Slides. Let's not forget, Colton received a water sprinkler type. It looks like a beach ball with water spraying out of it. We chose to try the Ariel Slip 'n Slide and the crazy spraying sprinkler. The kids were having a good time outside. Poor Colton, I had to take him inside because he was so cool that his teeth began to chatter. He didn't like me drying him off and taking him in the house. Oh my goodness! He threw such a fit. It was getting late, so I decided that it would be best to get the big kids in the house as well.

It didn't take the girls long at all before they came to me and asked if S could stay the night. S's mom was alright with the idea, so the girls gathered up S's things that she needed to stay with us. I'm surprised that she hasn't been nervous about staying in a strange house with us yet. The night's not over, so we'll see how it goes.

I planned to take the girls to DQ tonight for some late night ice cream, but Doug thought it would be a good idea to go ahead and hook up the gaming systems, since we got our system fixed from the April 27th storm. Guess who needed to help him? I was glad to help because I figured the girls might want to play tomorrow. By the time we finished, it was close to 8:30PM. I made hot dogs and pasta salad for supper, something cool and nothing to keep the kitchen hot. Yuck! So, it ended up that S didn't have supper yet. Luckily, she likes hot dogs. She was alright with a hot dog instead of ice cream. I fixed the girls a nice big pallet on the floor to sleep on. S brought her sleeping bag and Katie has hers in the closet. Since Katie has a twin bed, I thought it would be best to have both girls in the floor together. It worked out great! I've got them all tucked in with a sheet and light blanket.

Whell, I posted about the big birthday party yesterday, but noticed that the pictures were not showing. Apparently Blogger had some trouble, so we shall try this again. I just won't repost all the details.
A full view of the party decorations





I made a template as to how big I wanted the banner out of regular printer paper and began cutting scrapbook paper, using the template.  I glued two triangle shaped scrapbook paper together.  Designed circles with Colton's letters and printed them.  I cut them out and glued them onto the triangles.  Lastly, punch holes to fish the ribbon through the holes. 


Using the 2" scalloped punch.  On the computer, I created several different labels (2, Choo-Choo, picture of a train, Colton's 2, etc.).  Print the labels, cut and glued them onto the scalloped circles.  I took 2 circles and glued them together with a toothpick in between. 


Train Instructions - CLICK HERE

A better view of the dot garland.  I used a 2" scallop and 1" circle punches that I purchased from Hobby Lobby for less than $10 each.  I glued two scalloped dots between a 8 lb fishing line.  Spacing the dots about 2" between each other, I alternated between the 1" circle and 2" scalloped, as shown.  You can make you garland as long as you want. 


A picture of momma and her baby boy.


Colton did not want to have his picture taken, instead he wanted to PLAY!


I love Katie's expression in this picture. 


My parents gave him the Lightning McQueen cap and he loves his new "Meme" movie aka "Mickey Mouse" that my niece Whitney and her husband gave him. 


. . . and the finale.  His very own John Deere tractor.  It comes with a trailer, but he has to learn to drive the tractor before riding around with the trailer. 


He seems to like his tractor, but . . .


he gets more tickled while watching his sissy drive his tractor around the yard.  All of us, began giggling at Colton laughing at Katie.  Too cute.


Birthday wishes were granted.  I think Colton had a very good birthday party.  :)

Two years from today a happy spirited little boy came into our life. He has made our life and family complete. It was around 6AM this morning that God blessed us with our 8lb. 15 oz. baby Colton.

We all came together in celebration of this great event yesterday. I've been busy at work on my spare time, making most all the birthday decorations. I even tried by hand at making a 3D Choo-Choo Train. LOL! I've seen these 3D creations made from rice crispy candy on the show "Challenge" from the Food Network, but never thought I would be making one myself. It's been lots of fun creating all of these paper decorations and confections for my sweet baby.

I think Colton had a very nice birthday and received lots of nice presents. Everyone's gift was a hit with him or this momma :). Here are a few pictures from the event. Enjoy!
A full view of the party decorations


I love Katie's express in this picture - Colton was eating a donut



3 T Butter
1 package (10 oz., about 40) regular marshmallows or 4 cups miniature marshmallows
6 C Kellogg's Rice Krispies cereal

Melt butter in large saucepan over low heat. Add marshmallows and stir until completely melted. Remove from heat.

Mix in Kellogg's Rice Krispies cereal. Stir until well coated.

Spread the mixure using a buttered spatula or waxed paper evenly into a 13x9x2" pan coated with cooking spray. Cut into 2" squares when cool. Best if served the same day.

Tip on how to work with Rice Crispy Treats
* I find it best to keep your hands/fingers moist, while handling the candy. I keep a small bowl of water on my work center.
* The recipe suggest you put butter on your spatula, but I found that a little spread of Pam butter flavor cooking spray works just as well and not as messy.

Rice Crispy 3D Train
I made 2 batches of candy in order to make the train. Not having a template or instructions to go by, I did the following:

• Measure diameter of the cake stand or desired flat surface, the train will be displayed on.  I used a round cake board to transfer our train from table to table.  It was 9" in diameter.    
• You need to cut out a template from wax paper.  The body of the train will need to be the biggest piece.  Secondly, the engine piece (long part of the train).  Thirdly, the smoke stack. My train's body measured 5x5".  The engine piece measured 3x4" and smoke stack measured 1x2", making the total length of the train 9". 
• Place the templates on top of the candy and begin cutting the shapes.  Again, rice crispy candy can be rather messy, so I had a glass of water handy.  Cut 2 body (5x5") shapes, dipping the knife as you go along.  Cut 2 engine pieces (3x4") and 1 smoke stack (1x2"). 
• With icing I sandwiched the 2 body pieces together and the 2 engine pieces.  
• Stand the body up on it side onto the cake board. Note: make sure the edge of the body is right on the edge of the board or the train won't fit.  
• Meet the engine piece (up on it's side) with the body. 
• Place the smoke stack up on top of the engine. 
• It's time to for icing.  Normal Martha Stewart want-to-be's make their buttercream from scratch, but not this busy momma.  Betty Crocker helped me out in this area.  I was able to use just one container of buttercream flavor icing, with blue food coloring.  
• Now, it's time to decorate.  I used gum drops for the windows; M&Ms for the lights; wafers for the roof; graham cracker bunnies; coconut grass and candy sprinkles for flowers. 
• I created a puff of smoke with the word "Choo-Choo" on it; printed; cut and glued to a toothpick.  I thought it really added to the train.