Hiking in the city

I took the boys for a hike through an amazing 500 acre park near our house. They walked the entire 3 mile loop with very little whining - mama is proud! Here are some photos from our hike....

(yep..it's me..taken by big kid)

up a tree

moss

fire hydrant in the woods?

Bedtime battles

Thankfully, we rarely have bedtime battles but here's a little Love & Logic reminder list for the times we do.....

• Abolish bedtime in favor of “bedroom time.”
  
  • While it's not within our control to make our kids fall asleep in their beds, we can control whether they stay in their rooms. Say, "You may do whatever you like as long as you stay in your room and you don't cause a problem."
• If they come out of their room, shut their door.
  • Some parents decide to keep putting their children back in the room. Others decide to hold the door shut. Some decide to latch the door shut until their child is willing to stay in their room.
• Ensure supervision and safety.
  • Make the room safe and stay right outside their door until they are calm.
• Expect them to throw a huge fit.
  • This is normal.
• Don't talk to them through the door.
  • Each word we say increases the duration of their fit.
• Open the door only when they fall asleep or are willing to stay in their room.
• Be as consistent as possible.
  • When parents stick to this plan, they usually see major improvement in less than a week’s time.
• Use these tips only with children who are at least one year of age.
  • With little babies, just love them and do whatever it takes to sooth them. The first year of life is all about meeting needs and establishing trust and love.

Partying like P-Diddy

My Pilates partner is turning 40 and has planned a P-Diddy style "White Party" for her theme. The venue is a cool loft space in a trendy part of Seattle that fits the theme perfectly.

Photo courtesy Sole Repair Shop

And the official "White Party" invitation by PaperCourt Press....

My new obsession

Party blogs. I.LOVE.THEM.

Some of my faves....

The Party Dress

Party Perfect

Setting the Mood

Pepper Design

Celebrations at Home
TomKat Studios

What are your favorites? Do tell!

Bathroom inspiration

I bought this fabric today as inspiration for our basement bathroom that desperately needs to be painted. The bathroom is tiny with white and black hex tile on the floor and white subway tile in the shower. I'm thinking about light blue paint above the white bead board wainscotting. This fabric will be stretched over a wood Ikea frame. Where else could I use the fabric in the bathroom? Maybe sewed to a hand towel?

Creative folks, please chime in!

I'm no fashionista

(excuse the iphone photo)

But this number from J. Crew is questionable. It's called a romper. The catalog says, "Think poolside parties and chic beach soirees."

I thinketh not.

Guitar party

Friday's guitar cake baking extravaganza was a success. It only took about 4 hours to create the fondant covered masterpiece. Enjoy the photos....

Sources:

Invitations and cup labels by PaperCourt Press

Cake made by moi with yummy prepared fondant from Home Cake Decoration Supply Co.

Blue and red garland tutorial found on Purl Bee

Bunting made by moi with leftover Ikea fabric

Coordinating guitar shirt designed by PaperCourt Press and printed at Zazzle