First Commissioned Cake

The baby I watch twice a week is turning one! Gosh, that was one fast year. Her Mama had asked if I could make her a birthday cake and a smash cake. I was terrified. I have made cakes, but they have all been for me. If something doesn't work out quite like I plan I can always shrug my shoulders and say oh well. But when it is for someone else... There is SO MUCH PRESSURE. All Ashlee told me was that it was a "You are my Sunshine" theme and the colors were yellow, gold and white. She also said that she wanted buttercream vs fondant. Not having a specific picture to follow was also SUPER tricky. 

My first attempt at rosettes. Frosting consistency, is really tricky for me... I ran out of frosting and made up a second batch. The first batch piped beautifully, the second was a gong show.

The cake. I went with SIMPLE! I had visions of gold leaf and gold drizzle and more of an ombre cake... it just wasn't working. So I decided to go simple and clean. I bought some flowers at Jo-Ann and I bobby pinned them to the cake. 

I feel like it all came together with the topper Ashlee bought. I didn't want to outshine the words. Ashlee said she loved it and the cake got several compliments at the party. Which is all I can ask for. Not my most beautiful or even technical cake, but she was happy. 

I'm not sure if I see cake making in my future. My nerves were shot and I think I walked away just breaking even on supplies. It was a fun adventure but I am SO glad that it's done!

Mother's Day

I am one lucky Mama! These kiddos are my entire world and while at times I lose sight of that, I am so grateful to have them in my life. Each child is special and unique and I can't imagine my world without them. 

These three keep me on my toes, they stretch me and they make me a better person. They love unconditionally, they make me laugh and they love being together. And while our family is still young and growing, this is the life that I prayed for. This is what I wanted since I could remember. When I was growing up, people would ask what I wanted to be when I got older and I would always say "A Mom!" I want my children to be my world and while I could be better, I have no regrets about my career choice. This is where I am supposed to be. 

With these three my heart is complete and I cannot wait until November and we complete our little family. I look forward to our many adventures. I can't wait for the camping trips, the road trips, dance classes and all the music concerts and sporting events. This is my happy place. Thank you for letting me grow and rediscover the world with you. - Love Mama

Field Day

The kids really wanted me to come to the school and see them participate in field day... so I went. I planned on staying 10 minutes. In and out, quick and dirty. I saw Duke participate in two different events. He was having so much fun!!

Then I went to find E... who was separated from her group and had no idea what to do. So I stayed with her. It was a bit chaotic with the 6th Graders in charge. 10 minutes turned into 2 hours but she was thrilled that I was with her and Sprout was having the time of his life trying out all of the sports! 

On our way out the door I saw Bear sitting down for lunch, so we sat with him for a minute. He was so happy! 

We came home for naps and went back to the school to get the kids. Duke had a super cool battle would from kicking a ball??? Not sure exactly what happened. It wasn't the day that I planned but it was even better. I sure do love these tiny humans!

Build-a-Bear

For Easter one of the kids gifts was a trip to Build-a-Bear. They were so dang excited!! Duke didn't have a bear so he gotto pick one out. He was so cute stuffing him up!

Giving our bears a bath! Sprout was really into this part this time!

Then they got to pick out their outfits for their bears. E found a beautiful dress for hers. Duke chose Mario, and Sprout went with a Chief's uniform which was very fitting! They were all so happy and so darn excited! such a fun afternoon!

Dance Class

While looking around on Groupon Jakob jokingly said that I should take some pole dancing classes. He coworker was sitting beside him and said that she would do it with me and I was DOWN! So, for Christmas Jakob got me some lessons and it was SO MUCH FUN! Christie and I went to four classes and totally got our money's worth. The first time we tried pole and while I enjoyed it I was SO SORE after. That is not only a core work out, but and upper body work out!! Loved it! The next time we tried a bootie blast class that was a total joke. Our third and fourth class we took a chair class that taught you lap dances. GUYS SOOOOOOO FUN!!!!! We had the best time laughing and goofing around while attempting to get our sexy on. I am goofy, I am loud and full of energy but I do NOT do sexy. This was a judgment free zone and it was amazing! We had such a great time together! I am excited for after the baby. We want to go zip lining next! 

Fairy Garden

 There is this little section the side of our garage that in dire need of attention. It has this cute little stump and E asked if we could make it into a fairy garden. What a great idea! Well it's been two years and we finally decided that we should do it.

 It's a fairly large space so we headed off to Home Depot to get some flowers. E was so cute as she examined each and every one trying to find the perfect flowers for her little garden.

 Then we set to work! We had such a fun time mapping out her little village and figuring out where things should go.

 And here's our final product. 

I love the little pathways.

Lots of the stuff I have been collecting for the past few years when I'd find something on clearance. E made that little fairy house at a friends birthday party. It is so gosh darn cute! 

 Our big house is in desperate need of a door.... I'm not loving the roof so we may need to renovate later.

 The gazeebo may be my favorite part though! I mean look at that thing. So dang cute! It was such a fun project and E has been so good at taking care of her flowers and watering them. I can't wait to add on to it as we go.

Home Depot

 It's crunch time and Daddy needed to have the house quiet to study which meant that I took all three kids to Home Depot for the craft. I wasn't really worried about it, I figured we would just build our creations and bring them home to paint them, little did I know this craft needed to be painted before we assembled it... darn. I could hardly be mad though, Sprout was SO FREAKING excited and it was ADORABLE watching him paint his little creation. 

 The crew was very excited to paint!

 Mostly Sprout wanted to HAMMER! He'd shout "HAMMER HAMMER!!!!!! He was really good and hitting those nails. This kids hand eye coordination is on point!

Our final creations. Such a wonderful morning! So so worth it!

May the Fourth

 I had such big plans for May the Fourth this year including themed breakfast and light saber wars while we binge watched episode after episode, but none of that happened and I was super into that too! I sure do love my little nerds and I am grateful that they stand for nerdy pictures with me. Happy May the Fourth!