Easter Cans

I have to admit...this wasn't an original idea, but I put my own little spin on it.

The boys are at a new MDO (Mother's Day Out) and they have an Easter Egg hunt.  I got all crafty and made both of their classes, egg baskets/cans.  Just like any other project I have, Justin (and a friend...thanks Colby) got enlisted to help...but we got it done.

Step 1:  Have a MIL who works in a cafeteria 

and can give you the hookup with 25 cans...FREE!

Step 2: Scrape the glue off with a knife cutter.  

Justin walked away for this step b/c he cringes every time 

I have something sharp in my hand.  Still got all 10 fingers!

Step 3: Lay them all out and get to painting.  

The blue can with a "B" on it was used as my inspiration.

 Step 4: Get it done!  Just fyi..it did take two coats.

Step 5: Have your handy husband and friend use 

some kind of clampy contraption thingy, and go to town with their drills.  

Translation..way above my skill level!

Step 6: String rope through the holes for the handles.  

Yes it took a little sweet talkin...but look how happy 

he is to be helping me (cough cough)

Step 7: Throw some letters on there with a paint brush

 (I used the first initial of the kiddos) and Briggs helped

Last step:  Put some polka dots on the cans.  

I forgot to get a good pic with my big camera...so a little blurry.

It turned out super cute.  Can't wait to update with pics from the actual Easter egg hunt!

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...