Christmas Challenge

This year I hosted our family's First Annual Christmas Cookie Challenge! I found giant cookie pans from Walmart for only $9. I used Betty Crocker's Sugar Cookie mix. Each batch only took 20 minutes to mix and bake! My husband collected candy toppings and we were off to our first annual challenge.

Each team had a premade cookie and were given 20 minutes to decorate! Each team scored the others, which made up 50% of the vote and then the Master Judge's score made up the other half.
The voting categories were: Creativity, Overall Appearance, Yummy Factor, and the Name.

My son Jace and my mother-in-law (his Gran Gran) & "Santa's Helper" came in 3rd.
My husband and my daughter Joie & "Rooster Cogburn" came in 2nd.
& The winners, my sister-in-law Tyese & her son & "Rae" came in 1st!

Hopefully it is a yearly tradition that will be bring on the Holiday cheer for many years to come!

Stella's Ladybug Party

This weekend, we had a blast at Stella's Ladybug Costume Party! Having a birthday so close to Halloween myself, I am very fond of "Halloween" themed parties. Inviting all the guests in their costumes, was not only cute but super fun too! It didn't stop there... the decorations were gorgeous, Birthday girl's mom Grace & Jamaica, from Crafty Celebrations, really did an awesome job! & of course the cake from Cecille's Bella &Ava, was gorgeous! The Filipino menu was yummy, the activities were engaging and fun. The kids had fun decorating their own trick or treat canvas bags. & I think everyone loved something from the party favor's table.

I didn't plan any of this party, I just showed up, had a great time, and snapped a few pictures! To see the complete party picture album click: me! The Password is password

Olivia's Monkey Birthday Party

OOO-OOO-EEE-EEE-Little Olivia, turned 3! And we went bananas at our neighborhood park to celebrate! All the kids enjoyed this monkey themed birthday party!

From the ridiculously cute cupcakes Olivia's mommy made to the really cool monkey party favor boxes and monkey masks. It was a truly fun party! My favorite moment was seeing how tickled Olivia was when everyone was singing Happy Birthday! I've never seen a smile so big before!

The authentic Mexican food spread was delicious. "Dad" grilled chicken and tortillas for us to make our own tacos. The kids enjoyed themselves in the bounce house, when they got to play with all their goodies from their favor boxes, and even more fun when they got to fill it up with candy from the pinata.



Melissa did a terrific job planning this party! I didn't orchestrate it, we just attended, had a good time, and I snapped a few pictures (of course!) ;)
To view many of fun party shots click: me!

Emmanuel's Dedication

I attended my friends Erin & Michael's baby dedication. Baby Emmanuel was dedicated to God, his parents, his godmother, and his grandparents along with his friends and family committed to raising him up in the ways of the Lord.

Family from all over attended. After wards, we continued the celebration at their neighborhood park. Plenty of good food to eat and fun activities for the children. Erin created adorable keepsake shirts for every child that attended. She used the scripture "Fearfully and wonderfully made" Psalms 139:14. My children wear theirs regularly!

Photographed by me!

Party Like a Rockstar!

Happy Birthday Jace!



Whatta day! Today we celebrated my son's 4th birthday with a Rockstar Celebration!
He loves musical instruments so it was the perfect fit to have him rock out for his 4th birthday bash. I am happy to announce I pulled off his entire party- food and gifts included for less than $300!

It was a simple and sweet itinerary. When the guests arrived they had their Rockstar Makeover. I had party bags with sunglasses and candy for them to grab with a table set up with tattoos, bracelets, wristbands, body glitter, face paint, nail polish, and lip gloss. I had planned to have eye shadow and blue hair spray but it was left behind in a bag on the kitchen counter. (even I make mistakes... only while preggers *wink*)

Then once they were set, they picked out their guitars and went to the kids table to decorate. I set up markers, crayons, glitter, glue, rhinestones, and water paints. There are cardboard cut out guitars found on orientaltrading.com $9.99 for a dozen. Which I was willing to buy until I discovered shipping would be just as much, so instead I went to Wal-Mart and bought .39 cent poster boards and my husband drew out 2 guitars per board. Prime example of how do- it-yourself projects can save you a ton of money!
They were all different and unique so even better than the more costly option!
They also had backstage passes to put their name on that I made with badge holders I picked up from Wal-Mart. I attached the balloon string to them & they were ready!

Once the Little Rockers had their makeover and guitars ready, the show began! We played a Rock Mix CD I made along with a bubble machine, and my hubby's drum set in the background and we rocked out!
Nirvana-Smells Like Teen Spirit Linkin Park-In the End Michael Jackson- Beat It Steppenwolf- Born to Be Wild Run DMC- Walk this Way
Very fun party! I knew it was successful when I had the party at a park and all the kids were so entertained they didn't even bother going to the playground!
The menu was very simple, I chose all of my son's favorite foods and set it up buffet style.


My son was really looking forward to this birthday party and I was so happy we had such great family and friends come out to celebrate. By far, one of my favorite birthday events yet!
I even ended up with a cool keepsake, a new pair of rocker shoes! Thanks Payless Shoe Source!

Gingerbread Man

Today we had a fun Sunday afternoon making a gigantic gingerbread boy and girl. After checking out a book from the library, the Gingerbread Man retold by Eric A. Kimmel, my son was very interested in this story. So to take a step further we made our own!
I used my friend's sugar cookie mix, Holiday Cookie Mix by Betty Crocker. (Thanks Iliasha!)
We made the mix and while it baked we read the story.
Once the cookies cooled, I let the kids decorate just using random supplies in my cabinets.
Once my son finished his decoration, I took his plate and ran out the door... just like in the story! He chased me all around our apartment complex as I shouted "You can't catch me I'm the Gingerbread Man!"
He was tickled with excitement. My daughter enjoyed her sugar rush. In all, a successful project.
A really fun afternoon, a very simple and inexpensive idea I'd thought I'd share with you!

Timothy's Racing Cars Party

For Timothy's 4th Birthday Party, a theme was perfectly crafted for him. For a little boy who absolutely adores cars, a Racing Cars Party was planned. Going a step beyond just having a ton of Disney Cars Theme Decorations or other cars decor, I planned a few racing car activities.
Each child was given a "box car" to race. Setting up a decorations table is encouraged so each child can put their own special touch to it. Then let the games begin. A simple race followed by a game of red light/green light is sure to be a hit. Be prepared to play a few rounds of each!
Ready? Set. Go have some fun!!!

Dinner & A Movie Bridal Shower

Popcorn bar and candy bar pictures found on-line. I'm sorry it was so long ago I'm not quite sure where! :P The "pantie"line picture was featured from Chrissy Kim's site of a bridal shower she photographed!


After being asked to come up with a bridal shower theme for a couple, I decided to base it on their first date, which was dinner and a movie. They had dinner at TGIFriday's. So I suggested the appetizer menu be recreated for the party menu. And they watched a Tyler Perry movie.

The set-up was a long elegant dinner table with a popcorn and candy buffet set up as the centerpiece. My color scheme was hot pink, light pink, red, black, white, and a hint of green (since that was the bride to be's fave color!) The candy colors and table setting were to reflect the color scheme. The colors were chosen as a mix of sexy meets TGIF's classic colors!

The decor would be simple, a "panty" line hanging overhead, a few pom poms, flag banners, and balloons. All simple to make and very inexpensive!

In the invitation the guests will be instructed to bring a pair of unwrapped panties. At each guest's plate they will have a place setting instructing them to indulge in the movie themed snack bar of popcorn and candy.

I really loved the style of this card from Paper Ink & Smiles, with a similar bow and different designing it is the perfect elegant touch. Suggested wording: Complimentary coupon for (guest's name) to enjoy unlimited sweet treats!

Suggested Itinerary:

When the guests arrive they will give their panties submission to be hung on the clothesline.

Once everyone is seated the hosting of the games should begin.

First game is easy, the bride will pick her favorite pantie pair and they will win a TGIF gift card.

Second game, is a newlywed like game. Each person will be rewarded for answer guessed correctly. The winner will win 2 movie tickets to AMC theater. From Diva-Girl-Parties-and-Stuff.com: A Newlywed Bridal Game here. Or find questions by searching the internet or create your own!

Third game, is like Price is Right, the “honeymoon version”. Guests who get closest without going over to each item will win the item. The second item will be given to the bride-to-be.

Suggested items: for fun- toothbrush, paste, and mouthwash (for the start of the honeymoon night!) love cd, massage oils, handcuffs, edible panties (for during the honeymoon night) for fun- a pregnancy test (for post honeymoon). Limit should be 10 items!

Then it will wind down with each guests giving marital advice. Don't allow the guests to know about the "game or categories", but give the bride-to-be a voter card. Having her vote for who gave the most unique advice, funny advice, useful advice, and scary advice. When it's over have her announce the winners of each category. Award the guests with a movie basket.

Movie basket: Use a popcorn bucket butter or kettle sold at your local Blockbuster video store. Fill with 2 small sodas, and movie sized popcorn candy. Include a gift card to Blockbuster's for $5 or a Tyler Perry Movie. Place all the contents inside the popcorn bucket and cover with a cellophane gift bag found at your local craft store & tie with a pretty bow!

The bride will open her gifts.

Party favors will be given out. Cellophane bags for to-go treats.

Party concludes.

This theme can easily be transformed to any dinner location and theater movie with a few simple changes!

A Super Father's Day

I always thought my dad was Superman. & when I see my kids playing with my hubby I can tell they think he's Superman too! My husband is our family Superhero! So this Father's Day I'm making a special superhero gift for my husband!

I thought I'd pass along the idea.



The Superboy images are from aivault.com, they have a African American boy & girl image in vector and jpeg format. Also a Caucasian boy in jpeg format.
Cool images found here.
For an accommodating cool treat make "Super dad" some red velvet cake pops. What is a cake pop?
In short, their the new hot item! It's a cupcake on a lollipop. Just how cupcakes have been stealing the limelight from cake, I believe these are next up!
Instruction & images are from bakerella.com found here.

What I plan to do is first make a border for my photo collage using scrapbook paper, cardstock, and the images from Aivault. Then I'm going to take a photo shoot of my kids' in last year's Halloween costumes. If I didn't have a cape on hand, I'd revert to a towel or their blankey. Can't you just see a toddler in their diaper with their favorite blankey zipping through a grassy lawn? I'm going to arrange the photos using my favorite online photo site. I plan to insert the collage of my 3 kids inside my photo border inside a nice photo frame.

Have A Super Father's Day!

Sienna's Baby shower

To welcome Baby Sienna, I orchestrated a pink and brown ladybug baby shower. Due to large guestlist, I created teams, to ensure everyone would get a chance to mingle and have a good time participating. Throwing out the traditional baby shower games, I created them all! Putting my most creative foot forward, I hosted a unique competitive baby shower gaming experience! I made all the games at home using ordinary craft supplies and researching baby items on the internet.

The baby's aunts made the wonderful cake and party favor cookies. I was inspired for the cookie idea by The Painted Cookie's version of a ladybug.

I was proud to have created, planned, organized, and hosted this event!

Spring Garden Party

Happy Birthday Joëlle Brynn!



For my daughter's 2nd birthday party we celebrated my little flower's speical day with a Spring Garden Party. A perfect theme for her April birthday! It was a really quick party, just an hour, I served a homemade breakfast and cupcakes!

I set up a kiddie table in our living room. & decorated our place with bright balloons and pom poms. I did all the decorations the night before while she was sleeping so when she woke she would be surprised by call the color and decorations on her big day!

I served pancakes, potatoes o'brien (I add italian sausage to mine!) bacon, sausage, eggs, and orange juice. I made a watering can cake from one of my favorite books, Creative Cakes Anyone Can Make by Jill Foster (on amazon: here). I have no baking experience whatsoever! I attempted to take a cake decorating class but by the time the class started I realized I was pregnant and morning sickness+cake supplies= maybe later!

So it was a really low key party, but she had a blast! Which is all that matters. I believe for the first two birthdays its a good idea to have a small celebration in a comfortable location to avoid crankiness and uneasiness. And never go past 2 hours! It should be a joyous celebration, not a stressful one!


I made the cake stand with scrapbook paper that I also used on the fruit buffet. I added blow pop suckers and tropical Mike & Ike candy to make flower cupcakes. And I made different color combination of flower balloons. The activity planned was going to be for each child to decorate their own flower pot, but with it being an indoor party and some uncontrolled kids my hubby & I decided against it, for the sake of our apartment's carpet and walls! :O If it was outdoors, we would have let the kids paint their own pots.

Deadmond's Babyshower

I was blessed to have the best people to plan for when it came to plan my first party as an "official party planner"! Jasmine & Brian were expecting their first baby, a boy!

The theme was chosen from his nursery decor. Since it was co-ed, I planned each game to be very competitive and to get everyone involved. I made a scoreboard and seperated everyone into teams. I used the 4 Kansas City professional teams, since that is where the couple is originally from.

The 4 teams went head to head for each round of competition to finally win a cool prize of at the conclusion of the games. Jasmine prepared huge beer mugs filled with candy. I can atest that my husband uses his huge mug on a regular basis, it was perfect gift for a co-ed party!

It was great food, a lot of fun, and I felt it was successful because my goal was accomplished in having everyone meet one another and have a good time. I really try to avoid that awkward party moment when people don't know one another and small talk gets a bit boring. And after the feedback, I was pleased to hear I eliminated that!!! My biggest compliment was hearing a wife tell me her husband didn't want to go to a "baby shower" but was pleased to admit he had a really great time. If I can have Navy men enjoy a baby shower I've done my job!









All photos were taken by Chrissy Kim of Chrissy Kim Photography! Cake created by Cecille of Bella & Ava's.

St Patrick's Day!

I planned a quick and easy St. Patrick's Day play date with my mommy friends. This was my first year truly celebrating St. Paddy's Day. I researched the Holiday's history and instantly wanted to celebrate! While learning some fascinating facts about the man we celebrate on this day, I also reconfirmed the notion that I didn't learn jack in public school! LOL Oh well, thankfully, learning is a life long process!

With a few and inexpensive decorations: a few green balloons, pom poms, and a handmade rainbow sign on computer paper with glitter markers, a few stickers, and a plastic green table cloth I was able to create a mini festive look in my apartment!

I made a rainbow bar: rainbow skittles, rainbow cupcakes w/ pastry pride frosting to represent "clouds", and we made rainbow fruit kabobs.

The kids played a patio game, they had to throw a penny and depending on what square it landed, we all did a certain activity. The clover squares earned the kids a certain colored skittle. The other squares were activities such as sing ABC's, count to 10, jump, twirl, sing If your happy and you know it, do the hokey pokey, name the colors of the rainbow, and some required the activities to be done in Spanish or sign language. Once that was over, the mom's blew up balloons and we cranked up the kiddie music and they had to dance and keep their balloon from touching the ground. It was fun Wednesday morning! My best St. Paddy's day thus far.