A Boy and His Cars

Last weekend we celebrated my nephew Kade's 5th birthday! He had an awesome time with his buddies from school and chose a Cars theme! The location was so much fun with a room dedicated to about ten huge bouncy castles. Next, we moved to an arcade where the kids got pre-loaded cards they could use to play games or for mini bowling. We wrapped up with a cake and pizza party. I was still not feeling great so I just got a few pictures but we had such a great time celebrating our little guy! It is hard to believe he is off to kindergarten this fall!

We love you five year old boy!

He was sooooo proud of this cake!

Poor Sport. The dog wasn't prepared for a rowdy group of boys! He even lost his dog tag in the process. I am pretty sure he is calling in for reinforcements here.

This is the stuff happy birthdays are made of, great job Mommy Melissa!!

Last week I made this cute frame for Paddy's Day from another $1 wooden frame from Michael's featuring little Kade! I love this picture of him. I hope to be finished with the girl's frames this weekend so I can reveal my mantel. I am loving my burlap and green moss together this season!



I got to catch up with Krissy and Shanna at our book club night this week! It was fun seeing all the girls. This is a great group of about fifteen women...and they actually read and have great discussion around the books!I mention this because I've been in groups where we just loved talking so much that the books kinda became an afterthought. They were awesome groups too but I am excited about being a little more accountable for actually reading what we choose. I just joined them and look forward to getting to know these girls better. We just finished reading The Girl Who Fell From the Sky by Heidi W. Durrow.



Me with Shanna! We are getting ready for our 10k race later this month. She is rocking it and burning like 1K calories a day. Hello! With two kids. I am barely functiong most days and finding it hard to get excercise in. There are nine girls going on our weekend girls trip for the race, many of them from the book club. So I am not ready but really looking forward to it! I think it will be the first time I've ever been away from Isla overnight so that will be hard. I remember with Teagan who was exactly the same age at 11 months old. I traveled to this same race with another group of girlfriends. That was the first time I was away from her too and I called home about ten times a day just missing her and Brian. I know they will be in good hands with Daddy but these times make me so grateful I don't have to travel for work anymore. I do miss my STK team, to be sure. And all the cool European and Asian locations but at the end of the day this is better. So much better. I am so grateful to be a stay-at-home mom! 

Speaking of, little Isla just wants Mommy to hold her today so I am wrapping this up with one-handed typing! She's had a 101.2 temperature sand was up most of the night.

Hope all are having a great day! Tell me, what great books have you read lately?

Destination: Inspiration Linky Party #4

I hope all of you had a great weekend and are enjoying this last weekend of ...February. Seriously? This year is just going crazy fast! We had a great time celebrating Kade's 5th birthday party and I can't wait to share some of those pictures this week along with more of our St. Patrick's Day decor. In the meantime, I enjoyed all the amazing inspiration you sent in last week! Here are some of my favorites. If you were featured I'd love it if you'd grab my button below and share it on your blog!

If you love Pottery Barn and gorgeous decor then you MUST check out Kristel's The Velvet Door blog. This post focused on how to get the same amazing looks you find in Pottery Barn for less! Oh swoon!! Take a tour of her house and you are sure to be inspired making it one of my top three pics this week! Thanks Kristel! 

Have you seen the awesome duct tape hanging out at the checkout lines in Michael's and Home Depot? It is too, too cute! Silly  me. I thought I just might use it to...tape something. Oh beginner crafter. 'Twas but a small vision of the possibilities. Leave it to Itsy Bitsy Paper to employ Duck Brand's "Duck Tape" to make this crazy cute wreath!! I can't wait to make one of these wreaths and am thinking I have to start with Teagan's upcoming birthday party! This tutorial is easy to follow with tons of great pictures. While you are there you've gotta check out Lindy's site for it is truly what inspiration is all about!! She also sells amazing personalized invitations and stationary! Awesome!

Who is with me that these crocheted shamrock hats from a little bit of everything are just too, too precious??! I so love the attention to detail and the beautiful shamrocks they added. In my dreams I would have the time and talent to make one of these myself.  In addition to posts about baking, crafts, crocheting, decorating, homemaking, and knitting they also love travel. A little bit of everything has amazing photography of their adventures around the world which makes this a super fun site to check out! 

   

OK so off we go to week four! Show me what you've got! Past and present projects are welcome. Anything family friendly and homemade goes, including Etsy shops as I love to support home based business! I know there are tons of linky parties to chose from and that posting takes time. I so appreciate your inspiration and stopping by!

  &<SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=<SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=goog-spellcheck-word>goog</SPAN>-spellcheck-word><SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=goog-spellcheck-word>lt</SPAN></SPAN>;center>&<SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=<SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=goog-spellcheck-word>goog</SPAN>-spellcheck-word><SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=goog-spellcheck-word>lt</SPAN></SPAN>;a <SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=<SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=goog-spellcheck-word>goog</SPAN>-spellcheck-word><SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=goog-spellcheck-word>href</SPAN></SPAN>="http://<SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=<SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=goog-spellcheck-word>goog</SPAN>-spellcheck-word><SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=goog-spellcheck-word>teaganstravels</SPAN></SPAN>.<SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=<SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=goog-spellcheck-word>goog</SPAN>-spellcheck-word><SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=goog-spellcheck-word>blogspot</SPAN></SPAN>.com/">&<SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=<SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=goog-spellcheck-word>goog</SPAN>-spellcheck-word><SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=goog-spellcheck-word>lt</SPAN></SPAN>;<SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=<SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=goog-spellcheck-word>goog</SPAN>-spellcheck-word><SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=goog-spellcheck-word>img</SPAN></SPAN> <SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=<SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=goog-spellcheck-word>goog</SPAN>-spellcheck-word><SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=goog-spellcheck-word>src</SPAN></SPAN>="http://i1195.<SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=<SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=goog-spellcheck-word>goog</SPAN>-spellcheck-word><SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=goog-spellcheck-word>photobucket</SPAN></SPAN>.com/albums/aa394/<SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=<SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=goog-spellcheck-word>goog</SPAN>-spellcheck-word><SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=goog-spellcheck-word>sticksandmouse</SPAN></SPAN>/<SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=<SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=goog-spellcheck-word>goog</SPAN>-spellcheck-word><SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=goog-spellcheck-word>th</SPAN></SPAN>_<SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=<SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=goog-spellcheck-word>goog</SPAN>-spellcheck-word><SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=goog-spellcheck-word>basebutton</SPAN></SPAN>.<SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=<SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=goog-spellcheck-word>goog</SPAN>-spellcheck-word><SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=goog-spellcheck-word>jpg</SPAN></SPAN>" border="0" alt="<SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=<SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=goog-spellcheck-word>goog</SPAN>-spellcheck-word><SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=goog-spellcheck-word>Teagan's</SPAN></SPAN> Travels Button, 2012 February"/>&<SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=<SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=goog-spellcheck-word>goog</SPAN>-spellcheck-word><SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=goog-spellcheck-word>lt</SPAN></SPAN>;/a> &<SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=<SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=goog-spellcheck-word>goog</SPAN>-spellcheck-word><SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=goog-spellcheck-word>lt</SPAN></SPAN>;center>&<SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=<SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=goog-spellcheck-word>goog</SPAN>-spellcheck-word><SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=goog-spellcheck-word>lt</SPAN></SPAN>;/center>&<SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=<SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=goog-spellcheck-word>goog</SPAN>-spellcheck-word><SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=goog-spellcheck-word>lt</SPAN></SPAN>;/center>   &<SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=<SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=goog-spellcheck-word>goog</SPAN>-spellcheck-word><SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=goog-spellcheck-word>lt</SPAN></SPAN>;center>&<SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=<SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=goog-spellcheck-word>goog</SPAN>-spellcheck-word><SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=goog-spellcheck-word>lt</SPAN></SPAN>;a <SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=<SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=goog-spellcheck-word>goog</SPAN>-spellcheck-word><SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=goog-spellcheck-word>href</SPAN></SPAN>="http://<SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=<SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=goog-spellcheck-word>goog</SPAN>-spellcheck-word><SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=goog-spellcheck-word>teaganstravels</SPAN></SPAN>.<SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=<SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=goog-spellcheck-word>goog</SPAN>-spellcheck-word><SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=goog-spellcheck-word>blogspot</SPAN></SPAN>.com/">&<SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=<SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=goog-spellcheck-word>goog</SPAN>-spellcheck-word><SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=goog-spellcheck-word>lt</SPAN></SPAN>;<SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=<SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=goog-spellcheck-word>goog</SPAN>-spellcheck-word><SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=goog-spellcheck-word>img</SPAN></SPAN> <SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=<SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=goog-spellcheck-word>goog</SPAN>-spellcheck-word><SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=goog-spellcheck-word>src</SPAN></SPAN>="http://i1195.<SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=<SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=goog-spellcheck-word>goog</SPAN>-spellcheck-word><SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=goog-spellcheck-word>photobucket</SPAN></SPAN>.com/albums/aa394/<SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=<SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=goog-spellcheck-word>goog</SPAN>-spellcheck-word><SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=goog-spellcheck-word>sticksandmouse</SPAN></SPAN>/<SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=<SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=goog-spellcheck-word>goog</SPAN>-spellcheck-word><SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=goog-spellcheck-word>IWasFeatured</SPAN></SPAN>.<SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=<SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=goog-spellcheck-word>goog</SPAN>-spellcheck-word><SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=goog-spellcheck-word>jpg</SPAN></SPAN>" border="0" alt="I Was Featured, 2012 February" />&<SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=<SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=goog-spellcheck-word>goog</SPAN>-spellcheck-word><SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=goog-spellcheck-word>lt</SPAN></SPAN>;/a>&<SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=<SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=goog-spellcheck-word>goog</SPAN>-spellcheck-word><SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=goog-spellcheck-word>lt</SPAN></SPAN>;center>&<SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=<SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=goog-spellcheck-word>goog</SPAN>-spellcheck-word><SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=goog-spellcheck-word>lt</SPAN></SPAN>;/center>&<SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=<SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=goog-spellcheck-word>goog</SPAN>-spellcheck-word><SPAN style="BACKGROUND: yellow" class=goog-spellcheck-word>lt</SPAN></SPAN>;/center>

Passport to an Awesome Party

*I am trying to grow my little blog so please do follow me using Google Friends Connect on my sidebar!

*Grab my button and post it somewhere on your blog.

*Link to your post instead of your overall blog address.

*We all love comments so spread the love to at least one other blogger.

Happy Tuesday! I'll leave the linky up again until Monday night.

DIY: Pop of Shamrock Color Vase Fillers!

A few weeks ago I became inspired to show some love to two of my candle holders after reading about the beautiful seasonal ways Amanda from My Heart's Desire uses her hurricanes. What an amazing transformation she makes in her home using very simple materials to create a festive look! In the past I've just been bored to bits by my little hurricanes and without a clue on what to do with them. But after reading Amanda's post I gave mine a spruce up and am ready to show them off on my mantel for the upcoming St Patrick's Day!

Here's a little tutorial on how I achieved this look. First, I didn't like any of the vase fillers available at my Michael, Hobby Lobby or A.C. Moore. Instead, I took a plain (and cheap!) bag of lentils that we had and used some pretty olive green metallic paint I had for a previous project. After I added the paint Teagan had a blast shaking them with all her might in a sturdy Ziploc bag! Finally, I put them out to air dry on a piece of wax paper for about an hour though they dried super fast even without having to turn them. 

Once they were dry I added the lentils to the vases. I used a full bag for each vase but felt it needed a bit more. My husband thought this picture was funny as I have "borrowed" one of Isla's toys to give the candle more height. Thank you letter "E" from the Alpahbet Train!

Finally, I added a bit of gorgeous ribbon I got at 40% off with my trusty coupon at Hobby Lobby a few weeks ago. Here's the finished product with our Irish buddy Padraig. See him bringing the turf in? Brian's parents have the most amazing stove on their Irish farm that burns this form of fuel! I love the way it smells and it brings back happy memories.

That's it! Easy-schmeasy, inexpensive and it adds so much color! This green holiday is huge in our family especially because it is a fun way to feel connected to our family and friends in Ireland! And I can't lie. As much as I have pink-a-fied my toddler's world she insists that her favorite color is green. Soooo funny. I can actually hear my little Teagan right now. She's having breaky with Daddy and telling him in a super enthusiastic voice, "Green is my favorite...but Daddy! Greeeeeeeeeeen is my favvvvorite!!!"  I think we got it little Tea. So off I go. We are getting in the verde mood and I can't wait to reveal our Paddy's decor this week!

Have a great Sunday everyone!

Michelle