A Lady Bug Birthday Bash


Not only did we celebrate Thanksgiving, but I also got to throw my niece her First Birthday Party! 

Since we call her Sadie Bug, it was only necessary to have her First Birthday Bash be Lady Bug themed. It was so much fun and the kids had a blast. 
Here are a few photos from the party...
Total Cost: $50
Candy Station
The smash cake that I made her. 
{easy tip: use an oven safe bowl/pyrex. works like a charm}
Cupcakes and Candy
Rice Crispy Treats
Gum Balls
Red Hots
Lady Bugs for the Sadie Bug
Twizzlers
Gum Balls
Chocolate Fondue
Marshmallow Pops with sprinkles! 
This was a great alternative to Cake Pops due to time and budget. 
Must have Poms and Flowers!
Smash Cake Table with more goodies.
Even more goodies ended up on this table during the party. So fun!
Our sweet Sadie! This was just too precious not to post. 
Playing outside {with the water hose}. Silly girl!
The Birthday Girl with her mommy and daddy. It's CAKE TIME!
I'm ONE!
DIG IN! 
YUM!

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O' Christmas Tree... O' Christmas Tree

Oh how I love Christmas! There is just something about this time of year that makes the world a better place. Everyone is nicer {even though they should be all year long}, there is just something about Christmas Time that brings cheer to all. 

During the craziness of unpacking an endless amount of boxes, I somehow managed to get the Christmas Tree up this evening. 


We are heading back to Dallas tomorrow to celebrate Thanksgiving with the family. I just could not bare the thought of returning home to an "un-festive" house. 


While I will most certainly not be able to "go-all-out" this year {cause anyone that knows me, knows that I love when Santa Claus vomits throughout the house}, I had to have some sort of Christmas Decor. I figure that one tree is a good place to start. 


Can't wait to share more with you when we return from our trip. Y'all have a wonderful Turkey Day and eat more than you can possible handle. 
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Neither Here nor There

Hello there! 

You may have noticed that I have not been around much these days. We have some fun and exciting things going on around here. Just one of them being, buying a house!  We close this Thursday, and well, things have been insanely busy getting everything ready. 

In addition, I have been crazy busy with Etsy orders. Good problem to have, so I am not complaining. 

ALSO.. Because I know that you all love me and that you all love Kyah more, I wanted to reach out to you and ask that you please help us win something. It would mean so much. 

I recently uploaded some new pictures of Kyah to my Parents.com album. And gee golly, they selected one of my photos and entered it into their Cutest Kid of the Week Contest and HE IS WINNING! 

Really, Wow! It's all so crazy.  I received an email this morning letting me know that he is in the lead. We actually have a chance to win $250 if he receives the most votes this week.  So... would you please be so kind as to click HERE {everyday this week if you can} and give us a vote. There is a pop up window that you have to type a phrase into. Other than that, it's easy!
You can also click "Like on FB" too. Just gets us more likes I guess. 
This is the photo they entered into the Cutest Kid Contest. 
Not sure why this one exactly, but we'll take it!

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!

THE WINNER OF THE OOMPA GIFT CARD IS: 
Comment #3
"following you via GFC" 
Send me an email and let's get you that $25 Gift Card!
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Happy Baby = Happy Mom

I saw this article on yahoo the other day and just had to share. Great tips! Enjoy!


Here are 10 things happy moms do--so remember these tips in your day-to-day life!

1. Find time for yourself

Happy moms know they deserve a little time to themselves. When you know you're going to have a little room to breathe later on in the day, it's easier to take on everything that's in front of you. Our formula? Take 2 hours out for yourself every 3 days.

2. Don't make a happy baby, happier!
We all do it...you see your baby's head at what you're sure is an unnatural angle snoozing in their car seat. You just know they'll be happier if their head was straight.  So you move them. And they wake up. Then they scream. Or, you see them playing happily in the sand. You just know they'll be happier if they played on the slide. So you interrupt them and move them to the slide.  And they're angry. And they let you know they're REALLY angry.  Here's the thing, they were happy. It can be hard to do, but if your kid's not complaining, leave them be!  Happy baby = Happy Mommy.
3. Embrace the mess
So your house doesn’t look like something out of a magazine. That just means it’s cozy! Your children have hands coated in dirt from the playground and faces coated in spaghetti from dinner. It’s not gross—it’s an adorable photo op! Life is about how you look at things. Next time that pile of laundry that’s been sitting on the chair for three days starts to get you down, just remember… it’s probably feng shui.
4. Make time for your friends
Your family can survive without you while you make time to see friends. You are a woman with your own identity and its imperative that you and that identity go out for some margaritas once in awhile!
5.  Stop blowing yourself off
While you may be the one taking care of everyone, it doesn't mean you can't also get what you want. Help your family realize your needs are as important as theirs and when mom is happy, everyone is happy, but when mom is not....
6.  Get in the zone
Take 10 minutes to do absolutely nothing but rest. Take a break from your day, close your eyes, breath in slowly and deeply through your nose and exhale through your mouth.  Repeat several times. Think about a place you love that is relaxing, spend 10 minutes there in your mind.
7.  Remember your dreams and goals
 Everyday we are encouraging our children to reach their full potential. But sometimes in the midst of being a parent we forget about our own dreams and goals. The best thing you can do to encourage a child is to lead by example –happy moms hold on to their dreams and goals and don’t let go.
8.  Be lighthearted
Don't be the uptight mom. Be silly and dance with your kids to their music or tv show tunes. Be romantic and pull your partner into a waltz. Dance in slippery socks in your kitchen while making dinner.
9.  Bend the Rules
One of the best parts of making the rules is occasionally breaking them. Maybe it’s taking your child out of school for half a day on their birthday, or waking them up in the middle of the night to see a sky of shooting stars.  Happy moms know how to turn the mundane into fun.
10.  Mind your own business
Concentrate on creating your life the way you want it. Take care of you and your family. Don’t get overly concerned with what other people are doing or saying. Don’t get caught up with gossip or name calling. Stop seeking the validation of others and be confident in yourself.

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Little Squeakers

I'm not going to lie. I have the tendency to get a little too excited about things. For instance, these adorable little squeaky shoes that I bought for Kyah. 


There is this amazing mama on FACEBOOK that sells them. The name is Sweet Carolanne's
My sister in laws, mother in law {did you get that} happens to live in the same area of LA and that is how I heard of her. This is not at all a review post. Just simply something that I wanted to share with you because I am 200% impressed. 
I am impressed because they are great quality! I am impressed because the purchase process is amazing.  More importantly I am impressed by the price of only $15. This even includes shipping!
Kyah loves them so much. He runs through the house just to hear them squeak.  I love them because his feet are extremely hard to fit into shoes and these are perfect! {he wears a size 6}. It's getting cold outside and I have been so worried that he was not going to have any winter shoes. These will no doubt get us through the winter. They are so stylish and they are going to match the majority of his "wardrobe". 
Even better, they have the cutest girl shoes as well. These are a few of my favorites. 


You must go check her out and see what I am talking about. 
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On a different note, I bought the new Cannon Rebel!  I used it to snap a few pictures of Kyah's Shoes {above}.  I can't wait to share with you all the other photos I have been taking. It's amazing. 
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Nature Walk

The weather is so crisp and inviting.  I have been trying to think of fun things that Kyah and I can do outside while we still live here in the apartments. He loves being outside and it's nice to have  some fresh air before winter arrives.  That's when I decided that we would take a Nature Walk.
 On Sunday we spent about 2 hours outside on a nature walk.  We explored nature and learned about all things "outdoor". 
He was particularly crazy about the acorns, berries and rocks. Every now and then he would pick up a stick and carry it around. 
We learned all about leaves, dirt and trees. We practiced saying a few words and learned some colors.  
We loved the peace and quiet. It's a nice change from the loud and repetitive toys. It's always nice to have a change of scenery. 
We enjoyed watching the birds, squirrels and even a butterfly. 
While playing with his acorns and rocks, he stopped to pose for a picture. 
Make that a few pictures.  
His new thing is "head tilting" for photos. It's by far the cutest thing I ever did see. 
See what I mean.
We even found a new chew toy. {not}. 
Someone thought they found a snack. So not the case. 
I even got to use my new Cannon Rebel. Yes, that's right. I got a new camera!

What are some of the fun things that you do with your toddlers?
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New Holiday Decor

Christmas will be here soon! I don't know about you, but I am so excited to decorate. Why is it that I have had the urge to decorate for Christmas since September? I'm pretty sure that I am the only one that suffers with that disorder, but nonetheless... I like my "disorder". 

I have loaded my new Etsy Shop {Dub Lane Designs} with all things Christmas.  Here are a just few things that I have available. 


4 Hanging Frames - Custom

 Fur Baby Stockings
I have been making these for about 5 years now. I have yet to see anyone replicate them. 


Christmas Kissing Ball

Librarian Wreath- Perfect Gift

Personalized Glass Ornaments

18" Letter Wreath

To see more, click here and you will be directed to my Etsy Shop {Dub Lane Designs}.
While you are there visiting, I would love if you showed some love by "hearting" my new shop.  I have been on Etsy since 2007 but I wanted a new store name. {I'm goofy like that}. When I created a new store, I lost all of my "lovers".  
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