Gone Glamping

While we are on the topic of parties, we might as well just get all the way caught up. The last one in our strand of birthdays is Rhiannon. By time her birthday came and went I was so happy that Little Man's birthday is separated by a little bit of time. Though we did go simple on this one...in terms of work and effort.



When discussing the theme, I will give you one guess on what my 6 year old girl came up with. If you guessed Frozen...well obvs! When I pointed out to her that the last 5 parties we had gone to were the same. exact. thing. She was willing to change it up a bit. Oh how I appreciate my daughters willingness to change it up a bit.

After lots of thought, the girly girl came to me with the idea of Glamping "you know, like glamour camping mom...it's camping but for girls like me". Up until this point, I was under the illusion she was turning 6 but apparently some time in the past year she jumped to 16. The girl growing up makes me so sad but the theme, yeah, I was thrilled.

Since things had have been non-stop and this was the third birthday in 4 months, I was uber thankful for Target's awesome decor. I made a few garlands and pom balls but for the most part, I was able to get the look we wanted and still have it mostly store bought. Thank you Target!!!

Food was basic, with pigs in a blanket and lots of sweets. And cake of course. The girl decided that I needed to make her cake with a Nutella butter cream. It was actually pretty yummy. I may have to do that again.

Since we had so much time to kill with it being a sleepover, we had more activities than I usually do. First, I decided an anxiety attack was in order so we did a craft...with paint and glitter. I deserve an award or to be admitted, not sure which.

Next up were a couple minute to win it games.

Then s'mores. On a vintage couch because Hello! It's glamping!

We laid out a bunch of tumbling mats, covered them with sheets and called it a giant bed. Boom! Glamping party done!

Talon Turns Four- Super Hero Style

Only one month after Corbin's birthday, it's time for Talon's. When it came to his party, this boy had so much input. Especially when it came to the food haha.




The party itself was a Super hero theme. We went extremely simple on decor and focused on the favors (capes) and the game. 

Our one game we played was a hit. Super hero training and challenge. We put together a mini obstacle course for the kids. Speed test, laser beam challenge, spidey senses web spray, and a hulk smash. The kids insisted on more and more turns. It was a blast.

Last up was the cake. After Corbin's big cake, Talon was set on three tiers with his favorite characters. Since he also wanted cupcakes, I was able to sell him on 2 with a big topper. First tier was the skyline with bat symbol and the next was a wolverine layer with his claws slashing the cake. On top we had a fondant hulk fist popping out. The boy was thrilled.

Now that it is over, Talon cannot stop talking about his next birthday. Let's not rush it baby boy!

MakeUp Monday - Younique

Hey y'all! It's Make-up Monday. I know, I know, I have been MIA lately and there has been little to no talk about Make-Up Monday lately.

Things have been crazy around here. In fact I have lots of updates for you about our Journey with Foster Care and Adoption, as well as Little Man's Specials Needs diagnosis. God has been so good to us and we have been busy enjoying it and fighting through challenges.

It has been that wonderful chaos that led me to step back from the handmade biz for a little while. It was a good decision but a sad one to make.

What does any of that have to do with make-up though? Well...a lot actually. Since stepping back from that business, I knew I needed something for me. Vessel has always been about more than a source of income. It gave me a place to be me. To communicate with people over 6 years old. I miss that. I needed to find something else I loved that didn't take as much time as sewing.

Although I was semi-looking, I feel like this adventure just fell into my lap. I recently started using a new make-up line that I fell in love with. A few of my good friends were selling it and my bestie pitched the idea of selling to me. Umm...yes. How could I turn it down? Have you noticed that I love make-up almost as much as sewing? This is the outlet I have been needing.

So here it is, my new biz. Younique. I'm hosting a launch party right now. The goal is to pay off my kit within the first month and then finish raising funds for our adoption attorney (not a fundraiser, we need a very small amount to complete of funds).

I would love it if you would take a look around. Shop. I can add you to the party group on FB too.

I will be creating a FB page, Instagram account and email once I come up with a name for my Independent Presenter business. Any ideas? Feel free to comment, I'd love the input.

Time Flies when You're Turning One!

One of the last times I posted here Corbin had just turned one. The year had passed in the blink of an eye and it seems these following months have moved even faster. Our lives have become such chaos. Sometimes good and sometimes bad but it seems the weeks are just flashing by.

In the time I have been away from the computer we have kept up on our usual day to day life. We have worked hard to maintain the life we were used to even though our worlds have been rocked with Little Man's autism diagnosis and all the hours of therapies that come along with it. Although life has changed for all of us, we want a normalcy to remain for all four kids. One big part of that has been their birthdays.

Despite how busy I have been, I wanted to make sure that the kids are still getting my 100% in their day to day but also in the extra areas and celebrating them.

Corbin's birthday party was one of my favorites yet. We were able to spend a little extra on decor pieces that will go into his room when we move in the not so distant future. Between those elements and just simple handmade items, I was so happy with the overall look.

We made sure to have airplanes everywhere since it was his current favorite thing. There were lots of Hobby Lobby finds, as well as just plain old fashioned Paper airplanes. 

Since I had been watching way too much Cake Boss, we attempted a fondant covered, three tiered cake. I got brave and made fondant decor too.

I still cannot believe this boy is one...actually 15 months by time I posted this. Stop time. Just stop!

Groundbreaking: Turning Runways into Greenways

Calling all local boy moms, I have an event for you! Really it's an event for any and everyone local but the second I saw it I thought of how much the boys would love it!!!

 

Seriously who doesn’t love a little demolition? FivePoint Communities and the City of Irvine invite you to join them in breaking up the runways from the decommissioned Marine Corps Air Station El Toro, to make way for the next 688 acres of the Orange County Great Park.

This exciting event is open to the public and will include a special live performance by Grammy Award winning singer/songwriter Kenny Loggins. Enjoy tasty food from some of Orange County’s top food trucks including Barcelona on the Go, The Tailgate Truck, Spudrunners, Bear Flag Fish Co., We heart Froyo and Sprinkles Cupcakes.

Bring the whole family to be a part of building the park that is at the heart of Orange County. 

My boys are going to flip out over this. We would love if some of you could join us there!

WHERE:  Orange County Great Park

Enter the ground-breaking at Trabuco Road off of Sand Canyon Avenue.

                        Follow directional signs to the event.

Let me know if we should keep an eye out for you. We will be there a little late but hope to say hello to some of our readers.

Happy First Birthday Corbin

Today my youngest turns one. How is that even possible? I swear we brought him home from the hospital last week. Yet, at the same time, it is like he has always been here. Isn't it funny how that works. Time and emotion combined makes things so complicated.

Being number 4, means his time spent with mommy is broken up between or shared with 3 siblings. I think that is why this one has rushed by. I swear, I blinked and he aged. It has been terrible. Wonderful at the same time but quite ridiculous.

Corbin is a pure joy. God knew what He was doing when He surprised us with this one. When days are crazy and painful and defeating with everything that our life has thrown at us, this boy will manage to light up the room for all of us.

Oh, and can we just talk about those eyes for a second? Seriously, this boy makes his mommy swoon. It is that reason that you all get to have a picture overload here today to celebrate Corbin. Happy Birthday baby boy!

And how cute are the one year photos we took? He slays me!

This is our Autism

A few days ago I stumbled upon  this post. I was hesitant to even read it because I was so sick of everyone telling me what autism is "supposed to look like". Our son does not fit in the box that most people see as autism.

The post was talking about just that. It made me feel so much better to know that in fact, my child is not the only one who isn't like every other autistic child. In fact, as the saying goes "if you've met one child with autism, you have met one child with autism".




What does autism look like in our house?

It is jumping when he is nervous or overstimulated or excited or scared. Something we now know is called stemming and makes him feel better. Even if it's dangerous while walking through a parking lot or jars my back for the umpteenth time.

It's taking selfies over and over because he gets excited that he can finally see what mommy means when she tells him to make a happy face or any type of emotion on his face.




It's a routine that can't be broken. A person who is only good for the job he has associated with them.

It's hours of therapies and time taken away from normalcy. Mommy guilt galore as I have to dedicate the extra hours to one child.

It's chasing him down halls or aisles or beaches or anywhere because he runs and he doesn't respond to his name.

It's letting a two year old play on an iPad and hearing the whispers of all the things people wouldn't let their kids do...when really they have no clue.

It requires holding him down or putting him in his crib or stroller so that he can't bang his head on the floor anymore. So that he can't hit anymore. So everyone is safe.

It is fearing he will fall when he climbs high just to jump down. Or when he does everything in his power to get his face under water. Or wants to put everything in his mouth.

It's celebrating when he says a new word. Clapping when he can feed himself with a spoon. Happy Dancing when he plays with his peers and they don't exclude him.

His autism looks different then the kid sitting next to him. Our journeys and battles and triumphs are so different yet so alike.