Hibernation and a Happy Birthday...

I've been hibernating. School is great, but it's a lot. The workload is immense this semester and in all honesty, it's kicking my rear. I'm learning a ton and enjoying it but it's safe to say that there are days that it feels like my house is falling apart and my family is lucky to have a hot meal and clean underwear (and sometimes, they don't). For better or worse, blogging has had to take a big back seat.

Today though, I've emerged, kind of like that groundhog but for good reason: to wish my husband a happy birthday. If anyone deserves it, it's him. In the midst of his own busy job and the stress that comes along with it, he is able to see past the mess and piles of laundry to support me and let me pursue my goal.

He is my perspective when I can't see beyond my own nose,

and solid ground where the sidewalk is dodgy.

He makes me laugh when I don't want to, which is always when I need it most.

He loves me despite the mayhem and possible meltdowns along the way.

He is a true partner on this crazy ride.

Happy Birthday to you, Todd. 

Here's to making 41 the best yet, with all my love,

Erin

Nesting

Six years ago today, I was nesting in a big way. Neve was scheduled to arrive via c-section early the next morning and I was insistent upon scrubbing and polishing my hardwood floors. I do believe that may have been the last time those floors have seen such attention. In my very pregnant mind, it made total sense and one event could not happen without the other.

Needless to say, the moment she arrived into this world heinie first, our lives and hearts grew and changed immeasurably. In six short years she has taught us so much.

Happy almost Birthday to our sweet, sensitive, generous, silly, smart, determined and 

beautiful Neve girl. You have blessed our lives more than you will ever know.

 

We love you more than anything.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Erin

40...

My husband turns 40 today.

A big deal.

I wanted to write this post a week ago.

I wanted it to be well-planned and thoughtful and poignant.

Somehow, once again, life got in the way of my plans.

Actually my refrigerator did, but that's a story for another post.

Sometimes the simplest and most subtle messages convey what I want to say even better though.

Happy 40th Birthday 

to my friend and partner:

 the one who makes me laugh like nobody else can,

 the man who makes me think more critically about things that matter, 

or should matter, 

my safety net and touchstone on this adventure,

and one of the strongest, most loyal people I know.

Happy Birthday to an amazing father whose strength and love

guide our two kiddos in innumerable ways. 

The sun rises and sets with him each day.

Happy Birthday to a man who is talented and passionate,

determined, 

 and knows how to live life to fullest with everything that he's got.

Happy 40th Birthday to the man I look forward to celebrating the next 40 and beyond with.

Happy Birthday Todd, 

with all my love,

 Erin

Trying to keep it simple...

As a follow-up to my last post, I thought I'd share some pictures of Eamon's birthday party.  In the past I would spend way too much time planning, obsessing and crafting the kids' parties.  As I've gotten older/busier/more tired, I find myself paring back a bit, keeping it as simple, yet fun and affordable as I can. This is much easier said than done for me.

Last year (below), Eamon was all about Jake and the Neverland Pirates. This year it was 101 Dalmatians. Since neither of these were on the party store's radar, I had to get creative for both and found more inspiration at the craft store than at Party City.

 I did luck out and find this mammoth Pirate balloon last year.

 a homemade banner made with scrapbook paper and twine

The makings of a pirate party: a treasure chest hunt  to fill the goody bags and a pirate hat making station.The centerpiece was one of Eamon's birthday presents.

This year:

Having a party at home sounds like an affordable alternative to having one out at a kid-friendly place, but it can so easily snowball into an expensive and slippery slope when you start adding up all the little things and food.  This year, I really tried to be conscious of not overdoing it. Here are the kiddos coloring in Patch the dalmatian for their "Pin the tail on the Dalmatian" game. I literally drew the stuffed animal you see hovering in the background onto a sheet of oak tag about an hour before our guests arrived. An artist I am not. Can you say (dripping with sarcasm of course) Mother of the Year?

Some simple favor boxes for Eamon and his cousins to be filled with goodies from the pinata.
I made the paper chain out of scrapbook paper about an hour and a half before everyone arrived, because the console needed more red. There really is something wrong with me. It's like a nervous tic.

 A rather creepy looking, yet passable Patch cake. I used a Wilton pan that I already had and some pre-colored fondant that I picked up at Michael's. 

 The tablecloth is just from a roll of white butcher block paper, taped down with black and white packing tape that was in the clearance bin at Michael's.  The spots are from a roll of chalkboard sticker paper that I cut out with my Martha Stewart circle cutter.

 this year's scrapbook paper birthday banner

Eamon's birthday wreath. 

I made this for the first time last year.  It's just printed photos of Eamon on his birthday each year which I glued to more scrapbook paper and tied to a grapevine wreath I already had.  I love this little trip down memory lane each time I open the door.

I got all of the supplies for the party's decor at Michael's or our local 99 cents store. The pinata was the only thing I purchased from Party City.

Last year I was a bit of a nut with planning the details.  This year there was a lot less of that. 

What did I learn?

• Lots of balloons go a long way: Eamon was thrilled at the sight of them.  
• Kids don't care where their cake comes from, a box, the store or from scratch: if it's cake and it's for them, they are usually just fine.
• A less is more approach makes it so much easier to enjoy the party: We always let the kids pick what food they want served at their party. Eamon picked pizza. I made a phone call and tossed a salad. Easy peasy. Once I let go of the notion of a more involved or refined menu, I realized how liberating it was!
• Follow the kids' lead: We opened presents when Eamon wanted to, had spontaneous games of freeze dance and "hot dalmatian", and let the kids just play. Everyone had a blast  without me as a cruise director.
• Most of the decorations end up in the trash at the end of the night:  It's a good perspective check. It can still be fun and tied together without breaking the bank or buying every character item in stock (I still have Thomas birthday plates from three years ago).  I have some leftover supplies from this party, but since they're generic craft supplies (i.e. scrapbook paper, balloons, tissue paper, etc.) I know they won't go to waste.
• It's not about me: It can be really easy for me to get wrapped up and then overwhelmed by the details, which in the end, is more about my vision, than the kids'.  They will only be little once and right now, they are still incredibly easy to please and entertain. Soon enough they will want their parties out and they will have bigger guest lists.  This year, keeping it simple helped me to keep the focus on Eamon and what made him happy. 

Lesson learned. 

Although the idea of recreating  Melody's smoothie shop from the Freshbeat Band 

did float through my mind for Neve's birthday in May, 

I will try to remember that less is more.

How and what things do you try to keep simple?

Have a great day.


Erin 

Linking to:

Little man

Four years ago today it was raining like hell. We spent the day running errands with Neve, going out to lunch and hitting Babies R' Us one last time before my scheduled c-section the next morning. Ironically we thought we had everything in order. When Todd and I decided to sneak out alone for a drive later that evening, we soon realized that the nausea and back pain I'd had since St. Patrick's Day was labor.   Three short (or not so short) hours later, true to form, Eamon arrived, on his own terms.

He's been surprising us,

charming us,

and keeping us entertained ever since.

Happy 4th Birthday to our sweet,

lovable,

caring,

sensitive,

happy,

funny, 

and handsome little man.

I am grateful every day for the love and light you bring to our lives.

Have a great day!

Erin