February 15, 2012

• {emma’s heart party}

  A few weeks ago Kate had a party here for some of her friends..
  that night, putting Emma to bed she asked,
  
  “mom, tan i hab a party subday?”
  
  I said yes.
  and so we began thinking…
  
  Since valentines day was coming, and, “since I’m weally dood at tutting out hearts…” she said.
  we planned a valentines party~ held this past sunday, after church, in our living room!

  I’m not really a planner. I don’t think about things far in advance..
  I wish I did. it would save me the crazy-run around like a chicken with my head cut off-last minute scramble to get it all done.
  I always tell myself I’m going to not do that. but so far…
  
  So, Saturday. we enjoyed running around like a chicken with our heads cut off..
  not really. we just ran to the dollar store. grocery store. and collected everything we could find around the house with a heart/love theme.

  here’s our little “entrance gate” to the party~ 
  
  
  
  
  
  Last year, when we had just moved up here, and still in our furnished rental..
  I spotted this round table, in a dark wood, one day at a thrift store.
  it was 10 bucks. had some scratches. but I envisioned it refinished in white.

  I wasn’t really sure where I’d use it. we didn’t have the space at the time where we were.
  and I stood and dilly dallied back and forth on whether or not to get it.
  But so glad I did. it’s been one of those, I have no idea what I’m going to do with this, turned, best purchase ever~

  so far it’s been a desk for Ben. a desk for me. a game table. a school table for Emma.
  and now, the perfect valentines party table for four little giggly girls. 

  All that to say.. if you see something you like and it’s a great deal, maybe you should get it-
  and figure out what you’ll do with it later.  
  
  I didn’t have a tablecloth to cover it, but, in a pinch, curtains can work fine too!
  
  
  
  
  I thought a canopy of some sort would be pretty over the table~
  so the rigged up tree branch and tulle I have for the little girls bedroom window was brought down.

  it’s heavy, so I wasn’t sure how to get it to stay up.
  but nothing a gazillion thumb tacks can’t hold.

  I ended up making it more of a backdrop vs. canopy..
  just in case those trusty thumb tacks came untacked in the middle of the night and crashed down on the table full of dishes!

  it’s actually still hanging. {oh, the doubters. though I won’t mention names!}
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Emma helped with every little part..
  from handing me the thumb tacks to setting the table.
  
  and her favorite.. filling the candy holders. {i think she was sneaking some bites}
  
  
  
  
  Valentines has to be the easiest thing in the world to decorate for.
  really all you need is pink and red construction paper.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  We bought little gifts at the dollar store {love the dollar store.. you can find some cuteso stuff for a buck!}
  
  and a little set of four wine glasses, in just the right size. {served with lemonade, of course}
  
  
  
  
  
  
  The food~
  
  heart shaped turkey & peanut butter and jelly sandwiches {separate, not together}
  and heart shaped cheese. {best investment – heart shaped cookie cutters}
  
  
  
  
  
  
  and the sweet stuff~
  
  Now, don’t let those cupcakes fool you.
  I had every intention of making some myself, but grabbed a box of hostess vanilla cupcakes {just in case}…
  
  I went with the {just in case} plan.
  slapping on a little canned icing and sprinkles to make them look a bit more homemade.
  it’s called, pimp my cupcake.
  
  white christmas lights make any party more magical, don’t ya think?
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  and the guests~
  
  Emma was excited.
  of all the kids, she’s had the toughest time with our move here.
  
  still being homeschooled, she hasn’t met all the friends the other two have.
  and at church, it’s a big place, and a constant revolving door of new faces..
  it’s just been harder for her to find one or two buddies to hang out with.
  
  But as I’ve gotten to know all these little girls mama’s..
  Emma’s had a chance to spend some more time with them as well.~
  
  and I loved being able to help Emma’s wish of a party happen
  but most of all, I loved {loved} hearing her talk and bond with the girls.
  to see as all the shy awkwardness fade fast as true friendships were born.
  
  Tonight when she got home from outback {like awana} she said,
  
  “welp. all my friends were dare.”
  
  and that made me smile.
  
  
  
  
  
  

  craft time~ {thanks, kate}

  modge podge picture frames.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  they all liked the balloons~
  
  
  
  
  a few of them couldn’t seem to hold on to theirs~ {maybe intentionally}
  
  
  
  
  
  
  It was a sweet day full of fun memories and getting to know new friends~
  I heard talk among them of maybe an Easter party.
  
  
  
  
  
  ****
  
  Since the living room is still set up from Sunday,
  we had our family valentines dinner in there last night.
  
  with a little heart shaped meatloafs that Emma made.
  and pink mashed potatoes I made from melting some red sprinkles in them.
  and… even some heart shaped butter!

  I was joking that we’d eaten so many heart shaped things in the past several days we might begin pooping hearts…
   
  
  
  
  
  
  *****
  
  and thanks for all the birthday wishes~ it was a good day.
  just relaxed with me and the little girls, then dinner and a movie that night with Shayne.
  
  Kate wanted to take a picture of me before we left.
  she told me to hold my skirt out.. so I did.
  
  I found this dress on the clearance rack at h&m…
  the sign said $10, but the tag wasn’t marked.
  
  When I asked one of the sales ladies if it was 10, she said, “no…”
  I was about to walk away, when she finished with,
  “it’s actually FIVE!”  
  
  I was thrilled.
  because the behind story is that I’d tried it on back in the summer and loved it…
  but it was too expensive, so I had put it back. and walked out a little bummed cause,
  I liked that dress!

  so all these months later to find it. and at that price!!
  
  sometimes when things like that happen..
  a dress you had wanted to buy but didn’t.
  hanging there, crammed back in the clearance rack, as if hiding, just waiting on you.
  and, in the exact size you need.
  yeah…  God cares about the little things.
  
  
  
  
  amber.
  

  • 11:45 pm
  • 36 Comments