Tried and True

Max’s Busytown Birthday Bash

May 10th, 2012

My sweet little baby is one and to celebrate we threw him a Busytown Birthday Bash. And by “threw him a Busytown Birthday Bash,” I really mean “threw me” because while he thoroughly enjoyed his first taste of cake, he definitely didn’t notice that it was in the adorable shape of Huckle (more on the awesome cake later). I’m such a huge fan of Richard Scarry and I knew that my opportunity for a Busytown themed party was slowly disappearing as the years and superhero obsessions grew. Yay for nonvocal, oblivious one year olds! :D

I had a hard time coming up with these invitations but eventually went with a super simple design with Lowly Worm front and center. Who doesn’t just love that sweet little well-accessorized nematode?! We looked into getting the invites professionally printed on one page but it was easier (and cheaper) to just print them out at home. It’s just three half page sections (8.5 x 5.5) taped together with one of those scrapbooking double sided tape dispenser. We folded them where the papers were connected so you couldn’t really tell that they were just taped together.

Decorations were pretty low key and all inspired by Pinterest (Check out my Busytown Birthday board!) I tried out using vinyl tablecloths instead of streamers (via CafeMom) and it worked wonderfully. So much easier!

I also scanned, printed and taped together large images of some of the Busytown characters. I’m so glad that I worked on these the week before because finding images that looked like they were flying or hanging was actually quite time consuming. Good thing I had 8+ thrifted books to choose from. Thanks Brooklyn Bride for the round-about idea!

We did spaghetti and meatballs for lunch since it was super easy to make a large batch of noodles, sauce and animal/veggie meatballs. I had labels on most of the food that had coordinating Busytown images. The apple appetizers had heart cutouts (Cutout Apple Slices, Jewels of a Child) and were dipped in a Caramel Sauce (BHG). The punch was a June Bug recipe from Better Homes & Gardens. Quite refreshing and even tastier with a little bit of rum! :D

My absolute favorite part of the party was the amazing Huckle cake that my friend, Judith, made! I almost didn’t want to let Max dig into it, the cake was just so perfect. I wish I could tell you how she made the cake but other than the rice crispy ears, I have no idea. It’s a little crazy that one woman can be beautiful, smart, sweet and crazy talented with cakes! Thank you so much, Judith.

I was kinda worried that the super cute Huckle cake was going to be completely destroyed so I also whipped up some apple shaped green cupcakes to go with the whole Lowly Worm/Apple Car idea (just type in “Apple Cupcake” into Pinterest, tons of ideas!). It’s a good thing because the kids did, indeed, demolish the cake!

My absolute favorite part of the day was watching Max dig into his cake with his hands and then laughing as the rest of his little friends did so as well! I think some of the parents even got in on that action. :)

The favors were mini crayons and two coloring sheets squeezed into small flip-top containers I found at Michael’s.

Thank you to everyone who helped us celebrate our little busy man turning one! He and we are so lucky to have such amazing little friends.

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Posted in: Kids.
Tagged: first birthday · party

Little Man Free Printable & Giveaway

May 2nd, 2012

by bumblev.

“He has mud on his nose and stars in his eyes. A good man in a little boy’s body.”

I was watching my little boys play in their sandbox a few weeks ago and this verse just kinda popped into my head. It’s very possible that it’s originally from somewhere else and my crazy brain just thinks I made it up (Don’t you hate it when that happens!) but I’ve dedicated at least a few minutes (hey, that’s a lifetime when you have small kids) of online research and haven’t turned up anything. Let me know if you know otherwise!

So, to celebrate my little Maxwell Flynn turning one, I thought I would offer it as a free T&T Print. I, once again, left it just as an outline so that you could color it in yourself. I like to think of these as coloring pages for adults (although, now that I write that out…”Coloring Pages for Adults”…that does not sound as good as it did in my head. Brings forth all kinds of disturbing mental images.)

I printed mine on textured greeting paper but any thin watercolor paper would do. You’re going to want to use a really thin paintbrush since the lettering can be quite detailed in places. It takes a good amount of time to get through all the letters but I think the end result is very nice.

I have an extra print that I’ll be giving away on my Facebook page. Jump on over there if you’d like one! I’ll even paint it in any color scheme if you’d like.

Click on the image below if you’d like to print out your own “Little Man” artwork to paint. Hope you enjoy it!

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Posted in: Original Prints.
Tagged: free · printable

Happy Birthday, Max Monster!

May 2nd, 2012

by bumblev.

My little man turns one today and I was planning on writing this wonderful “Letter to My Child” kind of post full of sentimentality, mushiness and tears. Something that would touch on the absolute joy Max has brought into my life. Something that would mention his quick birth being just like his personality, eager to take on the world. Something that would put into words the difference the second trip on the Mommy Merry-Go-Round has been.

I definitely would have talked in length about how Jack (my first born) brought out places and feelings inside me I never knew existed. Max, however, showed me just how much I loved those places,feelings…how much I loved being a mother. Somehow the nervousness associated with the responsibility of raising a human being has been replaced with the peace of knowing these little human beings are actually raising me. It’s a journey and we’re all along for the ride. I wake up every single day, thankful that I have another chance to be a better mother than the day before. Sometimes I succeed and others…meh, not so much. My children may be learning shapes, colors and how to share but I’m learning patience, flexibility and how to truly love unconditionally.

Like I said, I was fully prepared to write a sweet little post about the day Max was born but then life happened and Jack had a whirlwind of a sensitive day and my inner calm was shaken just enough for that post to go out the window. So instead, you get this. One slightly frazzled mama writing about the ups and downs of motherhood. Emotionally exhausted from a trying day but still very aware that she just may be the luckiest girl in the world. So yes…Happy birthday, My Dearest Max Monster! May you always see the world with such joy and enthusiasm as you do now. You and your brother are my greatest joys.

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Posted in: Kids.
Tagged: baby · first birthday · max

Recycled May Day Baskets

May 1st, 2012

by bumblev.

Happy May Day everyone! Here’s a quick and easy May Day basket tutorial that comes together quickly, depending on the age and maturity of your child. Extra points for using up some of those old yogurt containers you keep hoarding!

As you can see from the following pictures, there’s only a few steps until you have an adorable “basket,” ready to fill with flowers and hang on a special somebody’s door!

Recycled May Day Baskets

Materials:
- old yogurt container (or any other recycled container with straight sides)
- twigs
- glue
- white paper/pen
- ribbon
- flowers

1. Gather some twigs from outside. (I think this may have been Jack’s favorite part. Gotta love outdoor adventures!) Snap twigs to the approximate size of the yogurt container and glue to side. Allow glue to mostly dry before moving on to another side. Or, if you’re making multiples, work on another “basket” while the first one dries. (Note: this is where Jack cut out and I had to finish. He had fun snapping the twigs and gluing them in place and then this three year old’s attention span (or lack there of) kicked in and he was off to playing soccer. I love this crazy age!)

2. Punch holes in two adjacent corners. This was kinda tough but just keep on squeezing, it’ll pop through eventually.

3. Cut a .5 x 4 inch piece of paper. Cut the ends and fold inward to resemble a banner.

4. After writing May Day message, glue in place over sticks.

5. You’re pretty much done! Super easy, right? All you have to do is add the ribbon to the back, add water, some flowers and hang on a friendly neighbor doorknob. What a sweet and unexpected surprise right?!

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Posted in: Kids, Tutorial.

Sick & Tired

Apr 27th, 2012

by bumblev.

We’re sick over here (again!) and even though I have a million things to finish for Max’s birthday party next weekend, my sick kiddos are requiring all my attention and then some.

Time to pull out that random roll of large labels I thrifted the other day…instant train track. Jack has fun running his trains all over the living room, Max is entertained with the trash and I can finally get to that cup of coffee my kids need me to drink. It’s a win/win!