Ava's Birthday Picnic

On Memorial Day three years ago (May 29th that year) we were bringing our sweet daughter home from the hospital. She was a beautiful healthy almost 9 pound baby (8 pounds 13 ounces). 

This weekend we celebrated her 3rd birthday with family and friends. 

Since I am 8 months pregnant, I promised myself (and my husband) I wouldn't go overboard with the party. I think I did a pretty good job keeping it simple and small. We just had it at a park and barbecued. My daughter wanted to have a "picnic" for her birthday so we went with the gingham theme. She had a wonderful time with her friends and we adults enjoyed relaxing in the sun and playing Bocce ball. Here are some pics...

Pink lemonade cupcakes and flower cookies... per the birthday girl's request...

Nana's famous potato salad...

Can't believe my baby is so big. 

She makes us laugh everyday and has such a silly personality. 

Thank you, Lord for the gift of our precious "big girl". 

Easter DIY Inspiration

I have been hard on myself lately as I've found it difficult to find time  energy to tackle all the projects I have in mind around my house. Especially as Spring and Easter approach I have so many ideas and yet I have barely taken down my valentine's day decor. Is anyone else in a slump like this? I guess being 5 months pregnant with a 2 year old at home might have something to do with my lack of energy. 

However, I am definitely not experiencing a lack of inspiration. I thought I'd highlight some other's amazing DIY projects since featuring my own is not happening any time soon. Here are some of my favorite Easter project floating around... 

Hope they'll inspire you and you'll have better follow though to make them your own! 

I am dying to try these Stamped Easter Eggs from Crafty Scrappy Happy

How perfect are these Pastel Meringue Nests @ Sweetapolita... I can't believe the little feathers on top. 

Look at this adorable Burlap Bunny Table Runner from Eclectically Vintage... I love that its whimsical and of course I love anything burlap. 

This is one project I'd still really try to get up before Easter... I am obsessed with this bird's nest specimen art from Midwestern Girl

I thought I'd share my Easter decor from last year with you for the sake of inspiration at least...

Now, if only I could get off this couch and find my glue gun! 

Our Baby Gender Reveal Party: Its a....

Yesterday we had a gender reveal party to find out if we're having a girl or a boy. It was such a special time with our close friends and family. This is our second baby and we did the same idea to find out we were having a girl the first time around. Here's how it works... the doctor at the ultrasound determined the gender and wrote it down and sealed it in an envelope for us. Then, we took the sealed envelope to the bakery and asked them to put pink on the inside if it says girl and blue if it says boy. This way, we got to find out with everyone else and it was a surprise for everyone! (For anyone who's worried, we had the doctors do a back-up envelope just in case)

The frosting is... PINK! 

Ava is beyond excited to have a little sister! 

Its a girl! And we are beyond excited!!


Sharing at these fun blogs this week....

A Creative Princess Party
Show and Share @ Southern Lovely
Whatever Goes Weds @ Someday Crafts

Ava's Vintage "Big Girl" Room

Today while I was supposed to be doing the dishes and mopping the floor... I got a little distracted. I started my 2.5 year old daughter's room when we first moved in and it has been "almost" done for 6 months now. Well, an adorable table found at goodwill provided the motivation I needed today. So, the sink is still full of dishes and the floor is still dirty... BUT my daughters room is adorable and she is smiling so I guess I count that as a productive day. The table makeover is still in progress and the paint is drying as we speak...  Here are some pictures of the room minus the table and chairs...  I'll add them tomorrow and post as a "part 2."

I found this dresser at a thrift store for $25.00. I love the pale pink, original hardware, and chipped paint... I didn't get a good picture of the brass casters on the high boy legs.... Its a gem and I love it in the room.

Ava's bed is Ikea... As much as I was dying to do a real vintage brass I had safety concerns and couldn't find one sturdy enough with safe distance between the bars etc. Plus, this one extends from a toddler size to a twin size and has an extendable mattress too. It works. 

Reading Nook... 

That quilt was my momma's and then mine... and now I smile when I walk by and see her snuggling with it. 

This toy chest was also my momma's... I painted it but left the original vintage bottom and wheels.

Normally, its full of stuffed animals but I wanted to show the adorable bottom.

I made the curtains and pennant banner from vintage fabric

 found in a cousins old farmhouse attic in Kansas. 

Avaree loves her room... 

and I love that it has family stories to tell and a legacy interwoven in every touch. 

Now, if we are having a boy... I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT I'M GOING TO DO! 

Definitely not a "gender neutral" room! 

Table makeover final touch coming soon... 

Linkin to these lovelies...

Show Me What Ya Got #105 @ Not Just A Housewife

Overflowing with Creativity 2/2 @ Its Overflowing

Link Party and Giveaway @ 36th Avenue

A Creative Princess Party

Show and Share @ Southern Lovely

Whatever Goes Weds @ Someday Crafts

"A Baby is Brewing" Tea Party Shower

I had the blessing of throwing a baby shower for my good friend AJ this past weekend. She is having a boy in November and really wanted a final "girlie" party before her life becomes trucks, race cars, and all other things "boy". I can't think of anything more girlie than a tea party... 

This little photo booth had mustache's in honor of the "little man" arriving soon... Everyone wrote a message for the new mommy, daddy, and baby on a chalkboard and took a picture. 

I'll put all the pictures in a book to give to them later... 

Measure the belly game! 

It was a special day celebrating the soon to be Mommy. We took some time to pray for her and bless her in this upcoming adventure. So blessed to have wonderful friends and fun memories of these milestones. Thanks to Bethany K. for taking all the photos!