Cleanup Ideas

I've been trying to figure out a way to work smarter and not harder.  When you're cleaning up, do you ever feel like you make a bigger mess and are constantly running things from one room to every other room in your house? 

So I came up with this bright idea to get a few baskets but I had some criteria...

• be somewhat compact
• stack
• have some kind of label

I started with these at Michael's.  I didn't love them b/c they didn't stack, 

but was having a hard time finding anything I liked.

 Then I found these at World Market.  

They were better, but kind of bulky.

 

Then....(insert hallelujah chorus here), I found THESE at Walmart.

They meet all three criteria and I'm diggin the chalkboard labels!

and check out how great they stack!

 

It took me a few weeks, lots of brainstorming and some returns to get it all settled, 

but I'm really happy with the final outcome.

I've been using this little system for the last couple months and LOVE it.

Parker's #1 Birthday Party Part 2

We kept it to a small group of family and friends.  Who knew his party would turn out to be so great with a beautiful day with perfect weather!

The festivities looked a little something like this...

It was a "ball themed party" b/c if you have met my kid...you know why.  He can entertain himself with a ball for entirely too long...for a one year old.  Thank you Edgar's for such a yummy cake.

Our party favors were LIGHT-UP, 

bouncy balls

I used Parker's hospital wreath in our decorations

I don't even know what this drink was...
some blue koolaid type stuff with sprite
I just made it up, turned out pretty good.

Pics from his first year

sidenote: that high chair is the one my sis, 

bro and myself used when we were babies.

My sweet friend Holli came up with this...

I found these cute sports themed cards at Hobby Lobby on clearance.  

I think I paid $1.50 for the whole pack.  Wrote our thank you notes on them and included pics of friends and family.

A simple way to personalize it.

now it's time to dig in...

parker's great grandparents made the trip down from Huntsville

justin's family

part of the parker family.  

my parents weren't able to make it, 

which is why we did an early bday celebration with them

we never could get us all together during the festivities but finally got a group shot of the Parker crew before bed.

requested specifically from ra-ra and poppa

too much cuteness!

Parker's Bday part 1

We had a few different celebrations for Parker's first birthday.  The first one was with my parents because they were in town and we weren't sure they would get to come for his actual party.  We decided to get real redneck and have a party in Burger King.  I'm actually cringing as I actually type this.  Just wait for the pics..

yeah buddy...smear it in there good! 

this is right about the time the staff started to notice 

what we were actually doing with our big huge camera 

and three other iphones for backup

That was practice run #1!  I would say he passed with flying colors. 

Then it was time for his actual birthday.  Justin was working out of town, so we had to get creative.  Just for the record, this was the day of the Alabama blizzard.  I got both my kids out in the beginning of it b/c we HAD to get a cupcake for my baby's bday!  Two words...PRIORITIES PEOPLE. We might have driven home at 40mph on the interstate and slid into our driveway, but we got our cupcake dang it!

There is daddy on the ipad so he could see all the action.  

Thank goodness for technology!

Practice run #2 was a success again.  

If I didn't know better...I would say Parker is loving all this practice!

And I can't leave out my other baby.  He isn't complaining about getting to chow down on extra cupcakes either.  (Sidenote: that red streak on his face...is from the marker he got in a fight with earlier).

Don't worry..there is more birthday fun to come!

Happy Birthday Parker

Parker turned one today!  We are so in love with this little guy.  He truly has been the best, sweetest and most fun addition to our family.  Although he took his time getting here and gave mommy lots of bedrest, he has been on the go ever since.  Parker's smile and sweet demeanor is contagious.  Everyone asks if he is always "that happy"...and he definitely is.

Here is a recap of such a fun year with our Parker-man...

Fall Fun

It has been a fun last couple of months and we wanted to share some pics of what we have been doing.

I'm the room mom for Briggs' class and pulled out some creativity for the Halloween and Thanksgiving parties that was pinterest inspired.

Halloween party:

 pumpkin and owl cupcakes

bananas (friendly ghosts)  and cutie oranges (pumpkins)

 the spread complete with cheese slices in the shape of pumpkins 

& pigs in a blanket

 

...it's tricky to get a pic of these two little wiggle worms 

Briggs: football player

Parker: the football

(daddy not pictured b/c he was the photographer)

Thanksgiving Party:

turkey pretzels

edible apple turkey with caramel dip

 

and then my two little handsome guys wearing their turkeys.

 

group shot from Thanksgiving day

Things are going good with our family and we have so many things to be thankful for.  Hope everyone is having a good holiday season.