Changing Table Organization

Really?

Yes.

I am posting about my changing table and how I set it up for this time around because I think it is kind of cool.  We used our entertainment center for Penelope as a changing table, and it was great because it was hidden away in the common area... I mean, let's face it, a changing table isn't exactly the most aesthetically pleasing piece of furniture, now is it?  Anyway, this time I wanted it a bit better organized, so here it is, presenting, my diaper changing station!

Uncle Nathan mounting the baskets.

Stocked and filled with diapers, wipes, spit up rags, extras and lotions.

All closed up and hidden away

All the toys and books next to the changing station.

I like it!

I can't wait to share the nursery with you too.

All the little things

Life's little blessings.

We've all heard it, "focus on the positive."  But how many of us actually do?  I know some people who must, and I know some people who, well, I guess not so much.  It makes such a difference though!

Maybe I have a tendency to see the glass as half full, the silver lining, the little gifts along the way.  Maybe I have forced it upon myself.  But either way, I am sure glad God gave me the eyes to see the world in a positive light.  Without this gift, there are times that I honestly don't know if I would have made it.  Thanks God!

What little blessings have surrounded you lately?  What are your silver linings?  What are your half full glasses?  How can you be thankful today?

Here is a small list of mine:

An energetic sick girl who was able to smile and dance between feeling miserable,
A baby in my tummy that is now quickly approaching 35 weeks-- miracle number 2.
A husband I never could have dreamed of for myself.
Hiccups.
The laughter of friends.
My daughters imagination.
The ability to sleep fairly regularly and fairly well.
Living in a temperate place.
Passion.

Three Years Old and Loving It!

It's a Minnie Mouse and friends party!  Expecting my second baby, I wanted to keep the party somewhat simple, but it had to be fun and cute too!

Here were the invites:

I used a Minnie image from somewhere out on the internet and word clipart for the balloons.  I inserted the birthday girl's name with letter art and then voila... glue them to appropriately sized scrapbook paper and I had her invitation front.

The inside was fun too... I purchased circular mailing labels and printed the info on them, creating a polka dot effect with all the pertinent info on the inside of the invite.

The decorations were super easy too!  For table cloths I used stickers on plastic table covering.  I cut out mickey mouse shapes and bows from 12x12 paper in lots of colors, and put them up all over the place.  Lastly, I used images that I blew up, printed the different parts of the pictures, and then glued them together on varying colors of poster-board.

The Minnie mouse pinata was fun too, of course!

The cake was a take on the princess cake with the cake skirt and a doll inserted, only it was Minnie mouse! I used white chocolate polka dots and sprinkles, because at three, who doesn't love some good sprinkles?  I also made some extra cupcakes in bright colors for the boys who were attending.

Minnie Mouse cake

Activities included the pinata, my homemade ball pit with enclosure, and a coloring table.  The ball pit was a total success.  We used 750 balls from the toy store, a few extra larger balls for variety, and made a pvc pipe and fabric enclosure to help keep the balls contained.  The pit itself was just a blow up swimming pool.  Other than storage, this is going to make a great activity and quite a few birthdays from now on.  I pre-stuffed the goody/pinata bags with a few heavier items like play-dough and put each guest name on the mickey sticker on the front.

We had so much fun!  I can't believe my baby girl is three.

Baby shower fun!

This weekend, I had the honor of throwing one of my best friends a baby shower.  She loves the garden and she was not going all pink.  We had fun putting together her garden themed baby shower.

Her sister and mom made this adorable clothesline for a decoration:

I made this diaper cake with different colors of ribbon and flowers:

We had fun making this sign with a cricut, wooden stakes and black foam board to welcome the guests:

The food spread included all finger foods, some of the recipes for which I have posted at everydayfoodadventures.

The dessert table was to die for!  We used painted terra cotta pots to add height to the table.

This lemon berry marscapone cake was a hit, and it is so pretty too!

These sugar cookies were decorated with pastel chocolate.

And there was a huge variety of sparkly and sprinkle dipped pretzel sticks.

I can't wait to meet this little girl!