New curtains

Eric and I decided that our living and dining rooms needed curtains. I looked online for curtains and had a hard time finding the length I need in a style and color I liked. I didn't want to make them. So I compromised. While at Target alone one day (it was supposed to be a quick trip, Eric and the girls were in the car), I stopped to look at the curtains and found 4 panels in a color I liked that were on clearance! They were the only 4 left in their longest length, while they were only 30% off, I didn't want to risk waiting for 50%.

The longest length available at Target is too short for our windows. Enter the compromise.

I bought some special order fabric and after lots of seam ripping, measuring, cutting, ironing, and sewing... we have curtains!

dining room

another view of the dining room (do you see the snow?!)

living room

the best shot I could get of both rooms with the new curtains

I'm really happy with how they turned out. I think they tie the two rooms together nicely and warm the rooms up a bit.

I'm surprised this hasn't happened before

Kaylin's party with her grandparents

One last birthday post.

My parents and both sets of grandparents came down for a party. We didn't see them at Christmas, so Lauren got presents too. And Kaylin got Christmas and birthday presents. It was a great day for Kaylin.

Here is Lauren with one of her presents from my grandparents.

Lauren was obsessed with trying to pick up this box.

Inside the box were princess dress-ups. Below Kaylin is dressed as Belle. Lauren wanted in on the action too.

More Little Mermaid cupcakes.

We were so happy to have my parents and grandparents down. Kaylin had a great 2 weeks of birthday celebrations. She is already asking how long it is until she turns 5. She's not happy that EVERYONE else has to have a birthday before she gets her next one.

Casserole Carrier

After struggling to take a hot casserole dish to the monthly church potluck numerous times, I finally made myself a casserole carrier. I tried to ask for one for Christmas, but I think they're hard to find and I guess no one wanted to make me one. I even emailed my mom the tutorial :-).

I used the tutorial from 2 Little Hooligans using the tips from Homemade By Jill. It has insulbrite inside, so it's just like a hot pad. It should keep hot dishes hot, cold dishes cold, and make my life easier when taking a hot 9x13 straight from the oven to my car. It also has a spoon holder on top.

Super cute and practical. Now I just need to wait for the next pot luck so I can try it out.

Little Mermaid Birthday Party

Kaylin requested a Little Mermaid party theme for her birthday. This was her first friend party. I decided to let her have a drop-off party, so I kept the time short.

As guests arrived, I had Little Mermaid coloring sheets to keep them occupied.

Once everyone was there, we played "stick the crown on Ariel". I didn't spin them around, but I did blindfold them. They all did pretty well. Although two of the kids didn't want to play.

Next up was the pinata. I found that Winco sells pull-string pinatas fairly cheap, so even though it didn't go with the theme, that's what I got. I highly recommend the pull-string pinata.

See how easy? I could hold it while the kids just pulled on the ribbons. (Thank you Laura for taking the pictures!)

the loot

After presents, it was time for cake!

My sister designed the cupcake picks for me. Thank you, Kelsey! They were a hit. The kids loved choosing which cupcake they wanted.

These kids crack me up.

One of the favors in the gift bags was a set of seashell crayons. Kaylin and I made the crayons. Kaylin sorted a box of 64 crayons by color, then we peeled the crayons, melted them, and poured the melted crayons into a chocolate mold. Each kid got 8 or 9 crayons, I think. I love how they turned out! Kaylin loved making them for her friends.

We hung blue streamers from the ceiling to make it feel like we were under water, at least that's what I told the kids. I also played songs from The Little Mermaid during the party.

Kaylin loved her party and I think the other kids had a good time too.