Because Everyone Loves A Good Wedding Celebration

We just got back from Jeremy's youngest brother's wedding.  His bride had put together such a cute reception.  A little bit country, a bit vintage, and a bit glamor.  Totally fun.

This picture of the two of them walking on the tracks is adorable, but my boys had words of concern and consternation each time we walked past it.

They had a photo booth set up with chalk boards so the guests could write messages of encouragement and advice and snap a Polaroid of it to go in an album for the new couple.

Jeremy and I snuck an extra pic just for ourselves.  My real piece of advice was "Always keep dreaming" . . . or something like that. 

They were a cute couple, both wearing cowboy boots.

Classy groomsmen in suspenders and boutonnieres.

Baby girls in tutus.

Little boys in bow ties.

Tables decorated in lace and burlap.

A gorgeous cake that my little boys may or may not have gotten to a number of times before the actual cutting. . .  

A candy bar.

With cupcakes too.

Yeah, we see you over there Jeremy.  At least eat dinner first!

My sister in law snapped this pic.  It's funny because we have one almost exactly like it from about 10 years ago.

Then the party moved outside.

Sparklers for everyone.

And a classy sendoff for the happy couple. 

The Internet Makes Me Look Smart

The amazing thing about the internet is that I can say something like: "For Oktoberfest in Germany they make these giant Lebcuchen hearts and hang them on strings for you to wear around your neck.  And they have sayings on them like conversation hearts."  --Then the internet allows me to, within a matter of seconds and a simple image search, prove it.

There is the truth, written in pixels. 

So then--because I'm right-- everyone has to go along with my plan of making 7,500 Lebkuckenhertzen for our very intimate gathering of an Oktoberfest this year. 

 The boys helped decorate their own.

 And I made everyone wear them.

 Yes you, Bratwurst man.

 And me.  Prost! 

(Side note:  This year we used a different kind of root beer extract for our homemade root beer.  The flavor was excellent, but it was almost colorless!  And my newest dream is to gather roots and herbs and make my own flavor of root beer. . .)

Yes, Oktoberfest this year was a success.  It was everything I dreamed it would be, because I had the internet backing me up! 

Until next time world wide web, until next time. 

MarioKart Birthday Party

We were on vacation for Owen's birthday, so we promised him a party after we returned.  He decided he wanted a MarioKart birthday party.   (I guess we have a theme this year of video game birthdays.)

He decided on a MarioKart-themed party.  I found some race flag cups and plates at the local party store (Thanks for the store credit Anna B.) which I was really happy with since they matched the party theme but weren't "matchy."  We had the party in the morning to avoid the heat.

First the kids all made Mario and Luigi hats or Princess Peach crowns for party hats.  It was nice to have a gathering activity while we were waiting for friends to show up. 

We set up a race track obstacle course for the kids to race around, two at a time.  We used yellow streamers to mark the course.

They had to run around "steering" with a Wii steering wheel.

The course went through a tunnel.

Over a ballance beam bridge.

And don't forget to grab an item box on the way!  (These raisin boxes that I just wrapped a piece of paper around ended up as a real favorite from the party.)

After the racing was done it was time for birthday cake.

This Yoshi and Mario are what we got from Hot Topic.

Then we had a green turtle shell pinata. Owen and I just made a paper mache balloon pinata --we're pretty proud of the final product.

The pinata was filled with pouches of Mario Brothers fruit snacks.  It was really nice once they broke open the pinata to say "OK everyone get's two pouches."  No hoarding or tears involved.

Finally, we sent everyone home with a marshmallow mushroom pop.  It was a great party and lots of fun.  I love the gathering of inspiration and coming up with the ideas to fit the theme of the party.  Being outside and doing the obstacle course and pinata are perfect birthday activities for little kids.  Coloring and cake while sitting down.  An hour and a half total.  It was all perfect and not too overwhelming for the kids or anything.

I--on the other hand-- needed a nap when we were done.  (And along that same vein come back tomorrow for my "keeping it real" wrap-up where I'll share all the things about the birthday-planning that didn't go perfectly!)



I'm sharing this party at:

April Showers

 This weekend we celebrated the birth of my April baby.  Since it had rained all week we knew that an April Showers party would be just perfect. 

 I've wanted to make the Martha Stewart Pom Poms for years, so I was happy to find an excuse.  They made perfect rainclouds, and Jeremy loved the raindrop garland backdrop so much he thinks we should wallpaper our bathroom with them. 

We made a cream cheese icing-frosted carrot cake for a "cloud cake" topped with a raindrop cake pennant garland. 

We mimicked the cloud and raindrop aesthetic with floating blueberries in lemon-lime soda pop, and topped the glasses with Japanese paper umbrellas (though they would be no good in the rain!). 

With that Japanese tie-in we served sushi, with rice crackers on the side.  Jeremy made the California rolls for us.

Wyatt thought the sushi was OK, but everyone else loved it.

Wyatt was much more interested when there was fire involved.

But he didn't act fast enough to blow out his own candle--thanks Jonas.

Cake was enjoyed.

Cheesy, happy birthday grins were given.

And Wyatt ended up thoroughly partied out.  It was a great rainy April Showers celebration for a wonderful boy who is--in reality--full of only sunshine and blue skies