under the sea party

The Divine Miss O celebrated her birthday in true mermaid style. We invited her friends over for a swimming good time under the sea. The day of her actual birthday, she took treats to school and then we whisked her off to the most upscale of restaurants, Red Robin. Ahem. Her choice. She very much wanted the RR cast and crew to sing her Happy Birthday. Which they did while she acted embarrassed.

The big shin dig was the day after her birthday. We got the house ready with decorations which consisted of lots of paper mobiles and green tulle. Blue table covers and fish netting. Plus lots of seashells to complete the look.

Oyster cupcakes for dessert anyone?

Of course no sea party would be complete without blue ocean water to drink. (blue Gatorade) I had tried to get the girls believing if they drank enough, their teeth and tongue would turn blue and when they went to sleep, the metamorphosis would start to take place of their turning into mermaids. But they never fell for my trickery. It was fun trying.

Here is something I've seen at many fancy party blogs. Custom labels for the water bottles. I did this the night before the party. It was super easy. I just cut paper into 2 inch strips and used double sided tape after wrapping around the bottles. This is my new favorite trick for parties.

After all the girls arrived, we had ourselves a mermaid feast. It was a fancy affair as you can see all the girlies are wearing their mermaid crowns.

After we ate, we played: going on a swim under the sea seeking out treasures from sunken shipwrecks.

I haven't opened gifts with the party guest for a long time. When the kids were younger, the process was pure chaos and I always felt like it was cruel to set all the little kids in front of someone opening presents all the while telling them they can't get involved. So we've always skipped the torture and trying to give all the party goers a good time instead. However, this year, Miss O really wanted to open her gifts with her friends. And since everyone is older now, I obliged making sure I took pictures of each of the girls with their gifts. If they wanted to, we also gave them a little time to explain why they like this gift and that made them feel special. Then I added their photos into their thank you cards. Even Grandma got her picture taken.

Then we sent all the wee mermaids home with their tails and this little favor bucket filled with their very own mermaid soap.

Fin.

seven

It's hard to believe our sweet-face Divine Miss O (with legs from here to China) is turning the ripe ole age of seven tomorrow. I now lump her into the group of "big kids" with her almost nine year old brother. How strange that is to wrap my brain around having big kids. Even odder to say we share our domain with big kids plus a preschooler. Gone are the baby daze; the days of strollers and diapers and pacifiers are a distant memory. Now we have big kids. Actual, honest to goodness, big kids. Wow!!

souffles

I've developed a wee crush on these super fantastic souffle cups. I baked cupcakes in them tonight and I've never had a cupcake turn out better. Not only that, the cupcakes look down-right adorable! Why have I not known about these little wonders before now?! Swoon!

seashells by the seashore

We've swung into full party mode around these parts. Yesterday, we made seashell chocolates although I haven't decided if we want to pass them out as favors or have them out to eat at the party. Either way, they were super easy to make. I borrowed these cute candy molds from a friend and I used those melt and pour chocolate disks from Michael's. Easy peasy!

it's been lovely

Well folks! My eight foot tall kindergartner is wrapping up her school year. To celebrate, all the kinder classes performed an adorable music program with their sweet teacher they all affectionately called "the boss lady". Miss Divine had a little solo with a few classmates while the rest of the classes performed back up. And, I must admit, the song's genre was quite fitting for my little barn gal.

under the sea mobiles

A couple months ago I spied on Project Wedding these adorable paper mobiles. I decided right there and then, I would make some in blue hues for Miss Divine's Under the Sea (mermaid) party. I've had the vellum for a long time but with the party this Saturday, I finally got my rear in gear to get this project finished. So last night I cut the paper into 1 inch strips. Sewed them together with transparent thread. I used a cute little seahorse my friend brought me to weigh down the mobiles because if you don't the vellum will curl up. I also hung some cute little jelly fish on the chandelier. Voila...cute huh?!? I'm on the fence about making more. They are easy and I have enough paper but I'm not sure I want to over do it. Some are cute....but a lot gives it that 'WOW' factor. We will see. I also want to put some white balloons in the corner to represent bubbles but I wonder if my efforts will be lost on the girls. More to come...

we are family

Miss Divine tap dancing to We Are Family!

hippo in my tub

Petite Artiste starring in There's a Hippo in my Tub!

my side

Can you guess which side of the bed is mine?

Phase one of the master bedroom revamp project is complete. Sort of. I need to work out the pillow situation. I took three of my most favorite face shots of the kids and had them printed out as 8x10s at Costco. I used frames I already owned. Total cost: $3.75. The purchase of the headboard (found on Craigslist) was actually $20. Total cost: $60. including material and supplies. Although I could have done with a little less material but as this was the first time I've reupholstered anything, I didn't want to come up short mid-project. Edward approves.

our time together has gone too fast

This morning was Petite Artiste's last day of preschool before summer vacation. The event was more bittersweet for some than others as these ten months went by in a blink. We have another year at this little school so although we are one year closer to closing the book on this chapter of our lives, I wasn't sad about "never" going to see this little school where "play is the greatest research" again.

Miss P started off doing a little exploration with water and mixing colors.

Then she sampled the sensory of feet painting.Then a little bubble blowing. The tubes were her favorite.
After she rode the hay bails western style with her bestest buddy.
The sun peeked out just in time for some lunch...
...and smores making at the fire pit.
The pond was the next draw.
Petite Artiste searched for her tadpoles.
But only came up with mud.
And then,
just like that,
it was over.

*blink*

Three cheers for a happy summer!

dancing girls :: take two

Petite Artiste and Miss Divine had their summer recital pictures taken today with their classes. Their dance teacher owns all the costumes for the winter recital which I love because we get the experience of the recital without the budget of buying costumes. For the summer recital, however, we fork over the dough. But it's not bad. The costumes are adorable and they play dress-up with them afterwards.

Petite Artiste dressed for "There's a Hippo in my Tub"

Miss Divine and her friend ready for "We are Family"

headboard reupholster project

We bought this upholstered headboard as a craigslist find for around ten bucks. Because it was on the cheap and we had plans to reupholster it, the guy took his buttons before we took this gem home. Funny! My project laid dormant in storage for roughly a year and half. Then we moved and my nesting bug came out full force.

I lugged this thing out last month and uncovered it's bones. Everything was in great shape as I suspected. I just needed to get the passe denim material off.

About a week ago I spent at least a good hour in the fabric store going over plans in my head and picking out swatches. I decided I wanted a black headboard to match my beloved bedspread and I would add pops of color with throw pillows.

Yesterday, I finally put my plans into action by buying material (on sale I might add) and supplies. Then I got down to business by ripping off the old and putting on the new. I'm quite surprised at just how easy it was. I left the foam that was sprayed glued on because it was in really good shape. The holes for tufting were already drilled. I used the old material as my pattern by laying it down on top of my new material, and then cutting around it. I used a staple gun to attach the suede and some upholstery thread to tie in the buttons. Voila! I am pleased as punch.

Headboard Before.

New black faux suede.

Deciding between buttons with a pattern or flat. Mr. Hawthorne voted for the flat. Headboard After.

Now I just have to lug it upstairs and put it in place. I have some master bedroom revamping ideas so stay tuned on this headboard's adventures.

antique treasures

Treasures from the "famous" antique adventure have been put to use. All the big pieces I found are for Miss Divine's room. And since her seventh birthday is looming around the corner, the desk is her gift. She is over the moon!! I can't wait to get that wallpaper ripped off the wall and put a splash of color up. Everything in due time.

This tri-fold vanity mirror was tucked in the corner of a wee shop. It was on sale even. I have a very heavy mirror in the garage I had been planning to attach to this little dresser, but this vanity mirror is more fitting. Bonus: I didn't even have to change the color. Love!

My biggest and most exciting find of the day was this desk. It's actually a vanity missing the mirror. It had a jumble of stuff on top and in the store it looked off white. It was tagged at $60. but because of the holiday, it was on sale for 15% off. I snapped it up after I got a yes vote from my gals. I'm so happy about this. After I got it home, it looks more gray than white. But the color of furniture is relative when you live with Mr. Hawthorne. I love it's charm and it was exactly what I had in mind for this spot in Miss Divine's room. How could I go wrong?!

This chair I found first before spying the desk. It was also on the cheap plus on sale. I love, love, love the turquoise color. It matches the blues in Miss Divine's bedspread perfectly. I think I have her talked into light blues for her walls with pink and silver accents. As long as we have her horse pictures on the wall, she is cool with it.