Watering Can Centerpiece: Tutorial

I made this watering can centerpiece for Gretchen's 2nd birthday party.

1. I purchased the watering can from Meijer. It's lime green plastic and was about 6.00.

2. I wrote on one side "Our Little Lady's 2" and on the other side drew a big number "2" with a Sharpie.

3. I hot glued 2 ribbon ladybugs around "Our Little Lady's 2"

4. I cut scrap lime green and pink tulle and knotted it around the handle.

5. The inside is filled with pink crinkly paper.

The table cloth is made from a plastic pink party table cloth, and is taped underneath the table. I cut black circles from construction paper and taped them on the table to look like ladybug spots.

The Day Before Her Party!

It is finally here! Gretchen's 2nd birthday party is tomorrow, and I can heave a sigh of relief, knowing that I am almost fully prepared!

My parents are here, my house is "clean". I think I've accomplished almost everything on my "to do" list, that I had posted on Monday.

I have made the ladybugs for our game.
I've finished the door "sign".
I made the marshmallow suckers- I'll post a tutorial on these next week!
I have everything for the goody bags.
The center piece for the table is finished.
The banner is complete; although some of the letters keep falling off, so I'm going to have to super glue them!
We'll pick up the balloons and cake tomorrow!

I can see it all coming together, and I've relaxed a bit about not getting my house completly clean. After all, won't guests just mess it up a bit, and I'll have to clean again???

I'm so excited for the party tomorrow, but I know that we'll have a very busy weekend!

Stay tuned next week for pictures and tutorials!

And, thanks to everyone for entering the blog giveaway!

I hope you all have a fantabulous weekend!

Frugal Friday Meals: Taco Rice

I was browsing through the blogs posted today and came across "From My Kitchen to Yours" Frugal Friday Meal Ideas. I decided that I would link up and post one of my favorite quick, delicious, and frugal meals- TACO RICE!

Taco Rice:
Ingredients:
1 pound ground beef (I use ground turkey)
1 package taco seasoning
1 can of Rotel
1 can of Water
1/2 can of Minute Rice
Shreded Mexican Cheese blend

Directions:
Brown and drain the ground beef/turkey. Add taco seasoning, rotel, and water. Stir then bring to a boil. Reduce heat and add 1/2 can of minute rice. Let sit 5 minutes. Top with shredded cheese.

I serve this with tortilla chips and cheese dip. You can also add a few tablespoons of pureed carrots to sneak in some veggies. We've used this once as an enchilada filler- spooned into tortillas and poured enchilada sauce over the top!

Valentine Giveaway Winner!

Congratulations Kelly of Ovards blogspot! You've won the Valentine clippies and bow for your adorable little girl!!!

I didn't see your email address, so I left a comment on one of your blog posts! If you can, email me your address and everything will go out on Tuesday!

*I still have some giveaway winners that I haven't shipped yet, but those will go out on Tuesday as well!

Congrats again Kelly!

Today's the Last Day!

Go HERE to register to win 2 Valentine Heart Clipies AND a Valentine Hair Bow!!!!

Today is the last day to register, so hurry!

*Don't forget you can earn an extra entry by following "Honey Pie Accessories" on Facebook, and grab my new button!

Well, it's Wednesday....

My goal for Wednesday was to come home from work, exercise, and then spend the remainder of the evening cleaning the house.

I did most of the above: got home from work, changed clothes, put a pull up on Gretchen, worked out at the Y for about 45 minutes, came home, and cooked an easy dinner of chicken nuggets! I was cleaning the kitchen when Gretchen informed me she had pooped, so we took care of that and started to run the bath water. Gretchen did not want a bath at all, so I let her put in one of her magic water changing color tablets to entice her- which, it did not! She stood in the tub crying, so I managed to get tons of water on the floor!

Afterwards, I admittedly, put on Mickey Mouse and Barney, so I could clean some more, until her bedtime.

I did get the kitchen picked up (though, I really need to do some more), and the laundry taken back to the bedroom (it's not even put away), her bathroom is clean (though not the floor), and I've vaccuumed 1/2 of the living room!

And, I'm pooped! I'm relieved that I have the day off tomorrow, but I also have 2 appointments and my parents will be here (Yeah!). I'm really hoping that my mom will help- A LOT because I haven't gotten as much done as I've needed, or wanted to!

Wish me luck that tomorrow is more successful!

Gretchens 2 Year and Family Portraits

We went on Sunday afternoon to take Gretchen's 2 year pictures and to get some family portraits. I was thrilled to find a local photographer that was reasonablly priced.

Here are just a few of my favorites. I'll have a 2nd round coming up soon! We were fortunate enough to have weather in the 50s on Sunday (which is unseasonably warm) so we went outside to take some snapshots. We are also very fortunate to have some beautiful restored architecture in our area. Although, I wish we had more!

I love the pictures w/ bricks as the background, so I was thrilled to get some pictures beside a brick building.

As we were walking around downtown trying to find a place for some good pictures, Jennifer took a few snapshots. I adore the look on Gretchen's face in the above picture. It just shows that she was having a good time skipping along with us.

Jennifer took several photos of us walking, but managed to not get mine and DJ's face in them. I love that it's a bit unique!

These benches were outside of the bar (yes, bar) that we started out in. I love how this shot looks lengthened.

This is probably my most favorite picture of Gretchen. I just love her happy face and chubby cheeks

Like I said, we started out inside a bar. I loved the distressed wood floors, but was a bit disappointed that they had benches everywhere, and horrible snowflake ribbon and bows hanging on the walls. Thankfully, we were able to get a few pictures without the horrible decorations. The picture above just reminds me of Gretchen walking down a runway. Not that she ever has!

The bar did have these beautiful windows with brick detail. We sat Gretchen on the bench to get a few pictures, but she didn't stay there long!

What I Accomplished Today! Day 2

Well, today was day 2 of getting things accomplished for Gretchen's party on Saturday.

Here's what I did today:

1. I picked up the "grass" for the party favors.

2. I received her 2 year pictures and our family pictures. I posted one on this site, the rest are on my facebook page, but i'll upload some more of my favorites later.

3. I've gathered the laundry and did one load. Though, it's still sitting in the washer.

I'm not feeling too hot today. I'm tired, my tummy doesn't feel great, and I didn't workout.

It's 8:00 p.m. so I still have some time. I'm hoping to convince DJ to do some laundry, while I work on the ladybug clippies and my neice's birthday tutu.

I hope I'll get more done tomorrow!

Update: It's 9:30 p.m. and I have finished the clippies, and the centerpiece for the table! I'm going to work on my neice's tutu, and I've convinced DJ to fold the clothes!

2 Years Ago Today:

Two years ago today, our lives changed forever. After a labor of almost 48 hours, we welcomed our beautiful baby girl into the world. I'm amazed at how she's grown and brought joy into our lives and I'm humbled that God would bless us with such a wonderful gift. Our first family picture, minutes after delivery. (Please pardon the lack of make up- did you read that I was in labor for almost 48 hours!)

A little bit later; at least we were all cleaned up and in one piece for this picture.

I don't think I've ever seen him this happy. I absolutly love this picture.

DJ and I with our baby girl

I miss the moments of her snuggling on my chest.

The nurses completed the marker board for us! She was 8 lbs 1 oz, born at 4:54 p.m.

My mom holding Gretchen for the very 1st time.

Nana holding Gretchen for the first time.

My parents with Gretchen. My mom gets to deliver babies every day, but I hope that this was the most special delivery she has ever been present for.

My stepdad with Gretchen.

I love that she has made me a much better person. I love that she has brought DJ and I closer. I love that she thinks life as fun and simple. She reminds me to slow down and just enjoy.

Happy 2nd Birthday, Gretchen!

What I Accomplished Today!

Well, I had big plans to get a lot accomplished for Gretchen's birthday. I did fairly well, but not as well as I had hoped.

I left work at 3:30 to pick up Gretchen, and we arrived home by 4:00. I left our dog out, changed into my workout clothes, and carried in the ornament boxes. From 4:00-5:00 I took down the ornaments of the tree. I can now see a sad looking empty Christmas tree sitting in the corner of our living room. DJ says that he will put it in the box tomorrow.

I took Gretchen to the potty at 5:00 and spent at least 10 minutes in there with her, while she colored and didn't pee!

DJ came home and I barely made it to my strength class at the Y by 5:30. Because I was there late, I had to use 10 lb weights (I usually vary between 8 and 10) and I had to use a 15 lb. body bar (I usually slack and use 9 lbs). I got home from class at 6:30, and cleaned up Gretchen's toys, and put her to bed at 7:15. Afterwards, I ate dinner and finished taking down the decorations off the tree.

Thankfully, I have a wonderful husband who cooked dinner tonight and helped to clean up the kitchen.

So, in all I was able to:
Cut out black circles from construction paper.
Make the body of construction paper ladybugs.
Work on the door sign (that I only thought of doing this afternoon)
And take down the decorations off the tree.

I'm hoping I can still work on some clippies tonight, but my body is so sore and I'm exhausted!

Tomorrow, I'll be able to:
Pick up Gretchen's 2 year pictures that we took on Sunday.
Put away laundry
Workout and cook dinner
Finish the clippies

Oh, and tomorrow is her official 2 year birthday!!!! Wow! I can't believe how fast it's gone by!!!