Shylos baby shower

I know a lot of ppl who have just had a baby or will be having a baby. For two of these people I was able to throw a baby shower to help them celebrate the coming of their child. This month I threw a shower for a dear friend of mine, Shylo. This is her first child and his name will be Sylus. We thought a cowboy theme would be adorable. So we quickly got to work. I wanted to throw this shower on a budget, even on a budget you can have a nice party. First off we had to make the invitations.

I found a special where I got 50 prints for $5. I ordered the amount we needed for the invitations and than the rest were other pics so I probably only spent $2 on the pics for this. I already had the cardstock. The ribbon we got on sale for $1. We got the velum for $10. We printed out the info on the velum. I glued the pic to the cardstock and chalked the edges. Than we attached the velum with the ribbon. The invitation turned out adorable and we made around 15 of them. Next were decorations. This is where my Cricut came in handy. I have some western and animal ones. First on my list the banner.

I used twill to hang it on, $5 for a ton of it. I cut the horses from the western cartridge same with the letters. I already had the paper. This banner cost next to nothing. We got the ribbon from the dollar store. I guess this banner cost me a little over $2. Counting the paper I already had just add an extra dollar.

With the cricut I also made this scene. I used the animal and western to make the horse and horseshoe. I also have one to make grass. I used poster board, bought from the dollar stre two for a $1, to make the fence. So this half of the scene a little over a $1. I already had the paper for the horse, grass and horseshoe. I also bought a three pack of glue from the dollar store.

In the midle I made barn window. I used the animal cricut for the cow heads, I have that huge roll of twill I used for the neckace and than I just cut a piece of yellow paper for the bell. The poster board is from the dollar store. So this board around $2.

The last half of this scene another fence, cow,grass, this one was around $1. The hat we already had from Gymboree for my sons cowboy pictures.

This is how I hung it in the dinning area.

My table of goodies. First off I had a lot of this stuff. The lantern, cowboy sign, horse and Woody doll are from my sons room. The table cloth I also already had, but it cost me about $4. The cage with the candle inside I already had. The baby booties I bought at Gymboree and was a gift for Shylo. I got an awesome deal on them though only paying around $2 for them after them being on sale and with a coupon.

The thank you stars I cut from the cricut with the western cartridge. I got the mason jars from fred meyer with my rebate so they only cost me a $1 for 12. I than bought some rocks from the dollar store and than added some dirt from my yard. The tea lights I also got from the dollar store. A set of 8 for $1. The little bows for a gam was the robbon we had already bought a pack of safety pins from the dollar store.

I made these cookies from a recipie I have. I had a horse head cookie cutter I used. I already had the little baggies from a previous party and I got the cookie sticks for around $2. I than tied the bags with the twill I have. These were also a party favor.

On the table I made a diaper baby. I got two packs of diapers and than a $5 gift certificate for the special I bought them with. I got the outfit on sale which was also buy one get one free. The hankerchiefs I got from the dollar store, two for $1. This was also a gift I gave to Shylo.

These flowers my husband had given me a few days earlier and they matched perfectly.

The clothes line I used the twill, already had the clothes pins on hand and the onsies I got from Gymboree on sale and with a coupon. For the onsies and boots I only paid $8.

This was the sign I hung on the front door. I used a paper bag and had the cricut cut the shape. I chalked it for an older feel. The letters were also cut from the cricut. The mirror I got at the dollar store. Glued it on with gorilla glue. I used the twill and a rod I had. This sign cost me about $2. count it less since I had so much of it all already.

After all the decorations and guest over we played some games. We used the twill to guess how big Shylos belly is. Shylos mom Lynn and Tiffany won the guessing game. These were their prizes.

Another game we played was guess the baby food by smelling it. Carole won this game.

Another game was cutting up magazines to put together a picture of what you think Shylos baby will look like. Shylo than picks who she likes best. She chose Tiffanys.

These are all of Shylos gifts. The milk bucket and the wagon wheel I borrowed from a friend. All in all the shower went great and cost very little, yet looked wonderful. I paid around $70 for this shower. I added in some food I made that isnt pictured. A friend supplied most of the food and did supply the toy story prizes. I had bought candy to use as prizes, but we only needed to use one. Its possible to have a nice party and not spend a bundle. The cricut was a money saver with the decorations. One of the best investments we have made. We all had a good time and now were looking forward to meeting Sylus.

       

May catch up

We ended March with going to an Easter event on base. I thought we were on time, but we should up a couple minutes late. There were some nice kids there who shared their eggs with us. There was an easter bunny, crafts and a lot of food. The kids had fun and so did I. We enjoyed everyones company and the wonderful weather we had that day.

Caspen found himself some dirt to play with while there. Dirt is like a magnet for him.

So ended March and we moved into April. We celebrated Easter with my family in Enumclaw. Unfortunatly Easter Dunday wasnt as nice of weather as the easter event day. We still had a good time. The kids played and dyed eggs and us adults enjoyed our family time together. Here are some pics form when we dyed egg at home and than over at my aunts.

This is the cake I made to take to my aunts. I had the cake pan and than I decorated the cake. It turned out nice. Than I made rice krispy treats shaped as eggs and half of it dipped in chocolate then some sprinkles for color.

Easter morning.

Dying eggs again. I dont know why they wanted to be outside, it was so cold.

April went by pretty fast. It wasnt the easiest month for me. I came to realize and understand a lot about myself and others. I had friends I didnt really knew I had. In the end things turned out for the best. Ending on that note we move into May. No it hasnt eded yet, but we have done some things and Im planning on doing more. The friends I didnt know I had have been there for me to no end. I couldnt thank them enough. I have been enjoying myself and have been able to be myself. There seems to always be something to do. One of those friends just turned 21 so I decided to throw her a surprise birthday. She is pregnant right now so no alcohol, but she loves mexican food so I thought lets have a fiesta. So we did.

Right before this party though, Jack was fixed. It was not the best day of his life. He also had his dew claws removed due to they were hanging on by skin alone and it was not safe.

Okay, it might be hard to see, but if you look at Tiffanys face, the one holding the stick, her face is priceless. Shylo didnt even hit it that hard, but she was so nervous. Everyone loved the pinata.

The kids so much so, this was the only time they sat and were quiet.

The birthday girl who was very surprised we got this party together for her.

This month we also had Mothers Day. I had payed to go to a mothers day brunch on base. Shylo, Tiffany, Tonya and I with all the kids walked to the park than to the brunch. We had a really good time. The food was really good too.

All the kids. As you can see it was a beautiful day.

I want to end this blog with showing what my husband does for me while out on patrol. Every couple weeks I will get flowers and a note from him. I love it. The new flowers come right when the others are ready to go. Before he leaves I make him a book with letters to open on certain days, pictures and what ever else I can put in. I find doing little things like this it helps to keep our moral up.

These were my first for this patrol. I love sunflowers.

These were for mothers day and will be the last flowers I recieve for this patrol. Now im being busy helping to plan my friends baby shower. Were doing a cowboy theme. The invitations have turned out adorable. After the shower I will post all pictures. I really enjoy planning these parties. Now lets enjoy the rest of May and we have some beautiful weather coming our way.

Happy April

So ends the month of March. When it started it seemed to be going along at a nice speed, than it slowed down. I have to say it was a roller coaster month. Full of emotions. I have tried to keep in touch with people and make new friends. I can only do so much. Im changing things around in my life, investing in people who invest back, giving up on things that arent so important, making time to take care of myself so I can be healthy for my family, not worrying so much about what others think,etc. My husband came home for a couple days and it was wonderful. We spent the days together as a family. We took the kids to two movies Alice and diary of a whimpy kid. We ate out and did some shopping. Most of all we just enjoyed each others company. The kids loved having their Dad home. Caspen would go to bed at night, but kept getting up knowing his Dad would leave again, but not wanting to miss saying bye. We always tell our kids bye, but he didnt want him to go. Caspen is new to this patrol thing, Willow is a veteran. After he left everything was fine. You write those first few emails with excitement letting them know everything going on. When you dont hear back your moral goes down. Suddenly you dont want to do as much. With kids though you have to keep going. Willow had her first school dance this year. It was a family thing so Caspen and I went. Caspen is so shy he wouldnt do anything. I did manage to get a pic of them together with the bribe of getting him a submarine.

This year I want to start a garden. After having the septic replaced, my backyard is a clean slate. So I have started some seeds inside and will build a garden box outside to put them in once they are more mature. Since we have had some wonderful weather this year we had a sunny day to go outside and get the seeds started. We have started off with tomatos and carrots.

This month Jack got his first shots. He was not happy. Such a happy little puppy was traumitized by shots. He is getting fixed this april and getting his second set than. We are enjoying Jack. I feel he is more the kids dog. After losing Sampson last year I have had a hard time attaching to any other dog. I have my Jasmine and I have to say her and Sampson hold a special place in my heart. Jack though is a different dog. He brings us joy and in his puppy stage stress. With those big blue eyes though you see a sweet dog. He trys his best to be a good boy and he loves to play. I think hes going to be a wonderful dog for our family.

The reptile man came to Willows school. It was wonderful. We had so much fun. We got there, bought our tickets and found some nice seats. My kids went to the front row. Willow had seen him earlier in the day and was so excited to see him again and show Caspen the animals. Willows favorite is Lucy the alligator. Thats all Willow could talk about was how Lucy could do a trick, she falls alseep when told too. Deal is if you put pressure on an alligators eyes their blood pressure falls, putting them to sleep.

He showed us many reptiles. He was telling us about the mamba and how if you poke it with s stick, were talking in kid terms, it will warn you to leave it alone. If you dont leave it alone it will eventually just run past you. So quick it looks like a blur. You wont think much of it until you see red on your leg and than you feel sick. The mamba has bitten you and your going to die. Its the most lethal snake. So than he tells the kids to stay behind the line and please be quiet. He dosent want any distractions. He has to have full control of this snake. He goes to the box to get the snake and suddenly this black long thing jumps out of the box into the audience. I gasped and the kids screamed. It was one of those things you put in a can and when you take off the lid they fly out. It was funny. I had to give him credit. All in all it was a great show. Once Stephen gets home I plan on taking the kids out to the reptile zoo in Monroe. Its a bit of a drive, but I would love to see his other reptiles and my kids enjoyed him so much. They even got to pet the animals and my kids chose to have their pic taken with Lucy. Caspen wouldnt hold her, but Willow was all for it.

Than the blue crew threw an easter event for us. Mind you it was a little dissapointing in the egg hungting catagory. We showed up three minutes late and all the eggs were gone when we thought they would be starting after two and splitting the kids up by age. Their were some nice kids though who shared their eggs with us late ppl. They had an easter bunny, crafts and food. It was held at the park so the kids enjoyed playing. It was a beautiful day too. We had so much fun being outside and spending the day with friends.

The next day my cousin and her husband came out after visiting Forks and we went to dinner at the Japanese steak house. We had an earlier reservation, but sometimes things dont go as planned. So we went a little later and let me tell you it worked out perfect. We had a nice show, visit and dinner. My kids tried the shrimp this time and their meal is to only come with the soup, adults get the soup and salad. Being the end of the night the kids got salad too. The food was great and we all enjoyed out time with Mindy and Rob and hearing about their visit to Forks. Another thing I want to do when Stephen gets home. My mom is coming up to get Willow and I think we might leave her with the kids for the day while Stephen and I go to Forks. Than we have to plan a trip to Oregon where I was informed most of Twilight was filmed. Cannon Beach I believe it was instead of La Push. Monday rolled around and so did Willows spring break. My mood unchanged from not being the happiest, but trying my best. I have been feeling the urge for a change. Wanting to get away. not doing the normal things. I really would like to move. One thing  about being in the military is you do get to move more, well were ready. Since were not moving right now I have wanted to venture so I found this childrens musem in Olympia and asked if Lindsay would like to join us. It was so last minute I had it planned in less than an hour. So we loaded the kids and went to the Museum. It took us over an hour, but it was so worth it. The kids loved this place. We got in for military price. I plan on going back.

After the Museum we went to dinner and the Tacoma mall. We decided to take the kids to Build a Bear. They each chose a Bear, put a heart in it, fluffed it, chose an outfit and adopted it. Willow got a bunny with hello Kitty pjs she named Fluffly, Caspen got a blue bear with a Batman outfit he named Batman and Alexis got a pink bear with a sailor outfit she named Heart. They had so much fun making their animals,bathing and dressing them. if it wasnt so expensive I would do it more often, but next time they just get an outfit.

While leaving the mall to go get some krispy kreme donughts we had to make a bathroom break. Lindsay took Alexis and Willow and I waited with the stuff and stroller with Caspen for our turn in a little nursing, seating area. I was standing there watching Caspen play in this little house when I hear a little commotion coming my way. I turned to see this lady pratically carrying her mom right towards me. Suddenly her mother falls pretty much in my lap. Since I was standing I catched her so she wouldnt hit her head. She did hit the stroller which helped to stop her fall as well. I looked at her and asked if she was okay, she just looked at me. I repeated myself and she smiled and said my legs are tired. Her daughter who was still holding onto her hands kept saying shes just tired. So I helped her up and to get her into a nearby chair. It wasnt the fact this woman was heavy it was the fact she had no leg strength what so ever. I asked the daughter if I should go get help and she told me no this just happend where she couldnt walk a few mins ago. She was fine until now. Im thinking this lady could possibly have had a stroke. While this is going on Lindsay comes out looking shocked at me carrying this woman to a chair. I left the daughter with her mom and took Caspen potty. Before leaving I asked the daughter again, are you sure she will be okay? She replied, yes she just needs to rest. I have to say there were many ppl in that bathroom no one stepped up to plate with this woman sitting on the floor and her daughter and I struggling to get her up. No one ran out to get security. Im not a saint nor am I the helper of the year, but really? I left with uncertainty as to if I did the right thing. I do know that she would have to get help if she couldnt get her mom from that chair. I did tell her mom to have a good night and she just smiled at me. I would have been running my mother to the hospital. Thats my uncommon story for the month. The next day I took my kids out to my cousin Mindys and her husband Robs house. Mindy and I took the kids to the zoo. We were looking at the fish and they have a boat in the huge tank now. Mindy proceeds to tell my kids how they tried to feed the fish while in the boat, but it had a hole and it sunk. I dont think she knew this story would have to be retold and have a million questions to it through out the day and night. We all had a great day. It was also another beautiful weather day. After the zoo we went home for some yummy dinner. I felt so spoiled by them. My kids love them and you can tell Caspen is craving male attention. He wouldnt leave Rob alone. Im so fortunate to have them be so patient and willing to give the attention to my kids. We came home with full tummys. The kids went to bed and I had some flowers waiting for me from my husband. So even though im not hearing from him right now this was a little something. Instead of wanting more Im working on being grateful for what I have. So my mood might be leaning a little more towards the negative for many reasons, but the past couple days have been nice. Im hoping April improves my mood and I keep going for the positive. Not worry about others who dont worry about me and enjoy what I have. I am very fortunate and being stingy in wanting more dosent do anyone any good.