101 cupcakes

I've learned my lesson. Well, I should say, I've learned a lesson. Each daughter starts discussing her birthday cake whenever I make a cake and I used to go with that idea and start planning...until she changes her mind and gives me the newer, more wonderful idea. My younger girl even goes so far as to draw me a picture of what she wants which is different each time she designs it. Her birthday is in the fall and she's currently decided on Smurfs. I'll be shocked if I actually blog a smurf cake in a few months. After 50 ideas and "I've decided on what I really really want" statements, I was thrilled when my older daughter decided on a 101 Dalmatians birthday party. A month before her birthday she made her decision and I figured by then it was safe to start planning the party.

It was a movie night slumber party with only a few girls and she had to have the cartoon version to watch projected on the wall with theater popcorn, candy and other theater fare. What made me the most thrilled was that I knew it would be an easy cake (and pretty easy party too). A small cake, a dog on top, a few spots.  Only when it came down to it, I couldn't just make it easy, could I? No, of course not. No, no, no, I just had to go and add cupcakes, didn't I? And what's 101 Dalmatians without Cruella? She's my favorite.

Did I mention that she's my favorite?

Happy Birthday, Sweetness! It's been an incredible 8 years!

40 doesn't really suck THAT much

Since he was a mere 25 years old, my husband has been saying with a groan, "I'm getting old."
I used to laugh at and contradict him. Now I get to finally say, "Yes. Yes, you are."

This past May he turned 40. I think he's learning how young 25 really was. In another 15 years, he'll figure out how young 40 was. And then in another...well, you get the idea.

He didn't want a big party because, well, he's kind of an introvert, but did I let his little old opinion stop me? Of course not! Because I am most definitely not an introvert and this party was all about me anyway.

Feeling not-so-creative, I went for the "40 sucks" theme and it was pretty darn fun to do. Enough of me rambling about how lucky I am to have the best husband in the world (oh, did I not mention that before?), here's what it looked like!

First, the invitations: "you're invited to help make Mark's 40th birthday not so sucky..." blah blah blah.

For dinner, I did a taco bar which turned out to be quite amazing with the help of my sister-in-law’s guacamole and fresh pico de gallo and my mom making sure the serving dishes were replenished. Yes, there were lots of little things to do and cut up and serve, but it was all done ahead of time, so I could just enjoy the party and not make the birthday boy get stuck at the grill all night. I even had my meltdown a few days earlier, so I got that part of hosting out of the way before the party started too. I will not post pictures of food, especially Mexican food, because pictures of food always look like pictures of partially digested food.

The decorations were suckers. Oh so clever, right? I stole the idea from my friend and, well, hundreds of other party throwers who posted the same idea online.

The challenge of cooking for a big group was nothing compared to the stress I caused myself over the cake.  I wanted to make something amazing for him because he always gets the “oh, crap! I need to make a cake, don’t  I?” cake. I wanted something that looked like it sucked, but that didn’t actually suck, so I chose a sucky day at the golf course. Little did I know that I needed an engineering degree just to build the stand for the leaning tower of cake. Please, be impressed.

                                                                               Oh yes, I did.          

It was a fun party with lots of friends and family. I'm happy to be married to a much, MUCH older man.

Isn't he pretty hot for an old guy?

oh, and this happened... 

thankfully not until cake was being served.

for Macy

I do love the beauty of new life that's created by motherhood whether it be a biological birth or an adoption. Babies are beautiful and they change our lives forever. I have lots of friends that are starting families for the first time and it brings back memories of my first baby. I had to have the best of most things and if it wasn't the best, it had to look like it was. Decorating the nurseries for each of my 3 children was the joy of each pregnancy. I need not remind you that I hated being pregnant. Don't get me wrong. I am beyond grateful for it, but I still hated it.

I can't say that I've ever mourned my children moving out of the baby stage, and though I look back with an array of memories of joys and difficulties, I am so enjoying that my daughters are growing into respectful, kindhearted and fun girls. I love that I can take one on an errand and she thinks it's a date. I don't look back with longing. I don't for one minute wish they were babies again (though I may when they start exploring defiance and sass as teenagers). I did not have a sense of loss when we made "arrangements" to make sure we were not having more children. I am almost 100% certain I will not mourn when my son turns 2 or 3 other than remembering the good old days when he didn't pee on the toilet seat. or the floor. or the walls.

I did, however, have a twinge of disappointment that I may never get to decorate a nursery again. That is, until my friend asked me to help her decorate her new baby girl's room. I was giddy. Not only did I get to decorate a baby room, but it was for a GIRL! Girl rooms are so fun because there are endless options!

So we shopped, and explored online and came up with one of my favorite rooms ever and I'm so excited to share it with you. I'm not the sole mastermind behind this design. I mostly just helped pick out the fabrics and sewed it all together. Baby's grandma made a lot of the decorations and her mom shopped and ultimately put it all together.

I've been waiting for baby to arrive to post this and little Macy joined the world this last week, so here is her beautiful new home!

These birds were the inspiration.

This eyelet was a must-have girly trim.

This bedding makes me so happy.

Curtains... 

with tiebacks that you can't not love. 

This chair had upholstery that was so old that the foam cushion was disintegrating, so we picked a neutral fabric that could go in another nursery someday if and when that time comes. Well, smarter-than-I Mom picked it.  She was more sensible than I was when I suggested a mint and white leaf print upholstery. I like this better. My pick would have been too busy.

Opted for a curtain instead of outdated closet door. It's way more interesting than a door, don't you think?

and I just have to show you all the cutie little girly things stocking the very very organized closet. 

Book pocket to encourage reading time.

The rest of the room was not anything I created.

The credit for the rest of it's perfection goes to Macy's mom and grandmother.

Isn't this bird the cutest thing ever sitting above the closet? It just matches perfectly.

I love this little pom pom and the jar it sits in. I love the bird house. I love.

Cute little hair accessory holder made by Grandma. (I'm sure you're just as annoyed as I that the picture is crooked, but I'm too lazy to crop it right now, so deal with it)

These pictures only give you a glimpse of the room's cuteness and you'll never believe how organized it is! I remember the days when I was in control of my kids' rooms. Should I tell my friend that it will never look this neat again? Nah, we all need to live in our bubble for at least a little while.

Congratulations on the arrival of sweet and beautiful little Macy Victoria!

DSTS, a dangerous and frustrating condition

There is a widespread epidemic of a physical and mental condition that is rarely discussed more than once or twice a year in most homes. It affects everyone from infants to the elderly, but toddlers, parents, teachers and other caregivers are among the most adversely affected. Toddlers and small children are at a higher risk of developing a higher intensity of symptoms. This syndrome has a rapid onset and can be quite serious. In most cases, it is not life-threatening and the symptoms usually subside after a few days, but it can afflict a person multiple times each year.

DSTS, or Daylight Savings Time Syndrome, rears its ugly head no less than twice each year and your toddler is at high risk. Adults are also affected, but most have learned to cope with the general symptoms of overall fatigue and irritability. DSTS in children and teens comes on abruptly and the duration of the symptoms can last from 24 hours up to a full week.

Here are just 10 of the hundreds of common symptoms to watch for to see if your child has DSTS:

Crying because he wants up.

Crying because dinner is in the oven.

Crying because he can't reach.

Crying because the toy is  (insert any adjective) .

Crying because everyone went outside.

Crying because you put his shoes and jacket on to go outside.

Crying because he is outside.

Crying because he is back inside.

Crying because he took too long of a nap (or too short).

Crying for no reason whatsoever.

There only one known cure for DSTS: it means putting an end to this wicked clock changing tradition that our American culture has embraced and accepted as normal. Please, write your state government officials and let them know that only they can help end this. Let's start the discussion now and take action!