All That Glitters Is Gold

Here's a peek at the dining room Christmas decorations this year.  

I'm loving finding new ways to dress up these basic square plates every few months.

I already had everything I needed:  Black napkins, some burlap wired ribbon and some gold ornaments. 

Done.  

Happy Thursday! 

XO, 

Starfish Kitchen Tree

Every year I try to add a few things to my Christmas decor.  Here's a small addition that was quick and easy. A small table top tree that I made shell ornaments from that I had on hand....some hot glue and ribbon turned my vase filler shells into ornaments!

The "JOY" garland was a DIY from the Target dollar aisle.  

(Metallic letters hot glued to metallic bakers twine)

The burlap skirt is remnants from my Halloween banner DIY.  

Previous Years: 

2012

2011

2009

Merry Christmas!!  

Hopefully I can get some more decorations posted soon! 

Happy Wednesday. 

XO, 

Sound The Alarm! Mr. B is 3!!

Beckett turned 3 in November and what better theme to go along with his obsession with firetrucks?  A fire-themed party, of course!!  It was a bit of a no-brainer this year.  

This year I did a great thing.  I handed off my camera to my cousin and let her snap away.  I got to enjoy the party without trying to make sure I got the perfect shots and she got a chance to practice her photog skills. Ashlyn, you're hired again next year! 

 

Click on the links below for past parties: 

Beckett's Birthday Weekend 

Beckett's Big Birthday Bash

My Aunt did his cake again this year!
I think so far, this one is my favorite.

The night before the party, my mom helped her decorate it.
And to think.....I can barely boil water and I have cooking talent in my family that can do this.
How did I not get this gene?

Since we sent out quite a few invitations this year compared to years' prior, we wanted to make sure we had plenty of cake on hand.  Here's the second cake she made! 

I always fret last minute that I haven't done enough decorating.  I don't know why, I just DO! 
I had some red, yellow and orange construction paper lying around, so the lamps got a quick update 

I was trying to come up with ways to DIY some sort of fake flames.  I kept imagining a fan, some crepe paper and a light.  Sometimes, Amazon can do it cheaper.  

The faux fire is a Halloween cauldron sitting atop a Hobby Lobby red plastic bucket (that can be recycled to hold the gazillion tiny toys he got for his birthday). 

(adhesive letters from the Hob Lob as well.) 

Foyer candy table 

Twizzlers:  'Fireman's Rope'
Tootsie Rolls:  'Stop, drop and roll"
Red and yellow sixlets and red gumballs.

"I fell into a burning ring of fire......"
Beckett's wreath from his first birthday, some yellow streamers (covering the foam base) and
yellow, red and orange tissue paper.
That song will be stuck in my head for the REST of the day.  

 

More fires to put out at the bar.  

Kids tables on the back porch.

They each got a fire hat along with a firetruck coloring page.  

Overflow seating on the downstairs porch.

Let the party begin!!
Beckett and his buddy Maggie.
How cute are they???

Daycare buddies Georgia Nell and Caroline

Caroline and Ethan making some masterpieces! 

Time for CAKE! 

He was so funny when they sat the cake in front of him.  I think he was expecting a cake with a firetruck on it, not a cake that looked like an actual firetruck.  He couldn't believe it was a cake!

Colorful flame candles.....that wouldn't light!
DOH! 

I think B likes his ice cream!

Beckett's buddy Ethan.  They were best buds at daycare last year!

Hagen came dressed for the occassion!
Love the 'Chief" shirt! 

Time for presents!

More firetrucks!!!

Now, outside for some yard fun!

 

Thanks to everyone who came out to celebrate my little fireman's big birthday!! 

He had tons of fun and got loads of great gifts. 

Again, we are so blessed to have such wonderful family and friends. 

 

Happy Tuesday!

XO,

High 5!

Christmas came a little early last Saturday with Carolina's win over Clemson for the 5th year in a ROW! Being the enormous USC fan that my brother is, he asked me to get a pic of Beckett holding up 5 fingers and send it to him.  Being the eccentric, over the top person that I am, I broke out the USC helmet, Carolina shirt and the BIG camera.  Oh no....NO iphone photography for this one.  

Here's my little good luck charm: 

Happy Thursday and GOOOOOO Cocks!! 

XO, 

Fair Fun!

I'm finally getting around to posting these pics from the fair from early October.  This year we had a fantastic time!  We met some friends at the fair this year so that Beckett could ride with his buddy Carson and they had SUCH a great time! 

Standing in line waiting for the jeeps, we ran into some daycare buds!  See that smile?  Yeah, me either. 

Much like his mommy, when he's excited or having a blast, you may never know it because he's too busy concentrating.  No wave or smile......he truly thought he was steering that jeep and he needed to keep his eyes straight ahead.  

Who can resist a pronto pup?

Carson, Jason, Chad and Beckett enjoying a merry-go-round ride

Carson the daredevil.  She wanted to ride EVERYTHING and wasn't scared of a thing! 

I was just like her when I was her age!

See what I mean?

She had a blast!  

Now, onto the motorcycles

Carson:  Obviously having a fantastic time 

Beckett:  Again, concentrating on his driving skills.

Bad to the bone Beckett. 

Happy Tuesday! 

XO, 

Do the GATOR!

We don't normally go nutzo for Beckett on his birthday,  but he had waaaaaay outgrown his little Lightnin' McQueen car (which I even mentioned HERE).  He had asked several times for a jeep, but after looking at the age range, we decided to go with the John Deere gator instead, due to the major fact that this will take longer for him to outgrow.  Chad put it together and parked it in the garage right behind the door for the unveiling!   

 He's a pro at driving!!  

It didn't take long before he had the back loaded down with leaves. 

Perfect toy for my little country boy!! 

Happy Tuesday!

XO,