A Response.....

Recently an article was published in the Huffington Post titled "Can We Bring The Holidays Down A  Notch." In case you have not yet read it, follow this link http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kristen-howerton/can-we-bring-the-holidays_b_2903040.html.  

I know I might be in the minority on this one, but I have to say, I disagree, and almost felt personally attacked (in a generic way, I know it wasn't directed at anyone), as I am "that mom" who goes all out for most, if not all of the holidays!

I was fortunate enough to have a super creative mom, whom did the same thing for me when I was child.  Well before there was an Elf on the Shelf, my mom created her own magical memories for my brother and I.  Around Christmas time, Santa would always sneak in and take one my baby dolls who needed a make over, and or one of my brothers stuffed animals and he would leave a little note or hint that Santa or an elf had snuck in, and that our friends were going to visit the north pole, and would return on Christmas morning. On Christmas morning, our friends returned with a new outfit, freshly combed hair, and sometimes in a new cradle or dump truck etc.  In addition, Santa always left a special gift by our bed, one that we could open as soon as we woke up. Like most kids on Christmas morning, my brother and I would get up at the crack of dawn, this was my momma's genius idea to score a few more minutes of sleep, and keep us entertained until it was atleast 5am. At Easter, we would get the usual stuff in our Easter baskets, but along the way as we grew older, instead of trinkets that kids like, I would get a cute new shirt, or fun jewelry.  To this day, my mom still gets me prizes for Easter, and Christmas, and Valentines Day etc, it's what we do.

Growing up, we never missed a holiday.  We decorated for ALL of them.  I have the best memories of my mom always getting out our decor for EVERY. SINGLE. HOLIDAY! We always had multiple christmas trees.  During the Christmas season we hosted gingerbread parties and had cookie exchanges.   At Easter, we always had an egg tree in out front yard, and soon after many people in our small town followed suit and had them too. We celebrated May Day, and made and delivered May Day baskets every year.  I remember even doing them for my friends in high school, with my own hard earned money.  Once, I became too old for Easter Egg hunts, I began hosting them for my little neighbor hood kids, or kids I babysat for. You see, I grew up this way.  My mom made everything a celebration.  In high school, my mom hosted a Pre-Prom party for my friends and I.  She made darling invitations, had favors for all of my friends and I, had some girls from the local hair school come to do updos, a make-up lady to do our make up, and a photographer to take pictures of us all.  It was such a fun time with my friends!  And, this was all "PRE-Pinterest!"  I was blessed to have parents who made it their mission to create awesome memories for my brother and I as children.

And so, here I am a mother of two little ones, and I am "that mom" referred to in this article.
-We have an Elf on the Shelf,  who likes to do mischevious things. Some years, he is better than others.
-We decorate every inch of our home with 7 christmas trees, and put them up at the beginning of November.
-We make a Leprechaun trap, and he leaves prizes for our kids, we are part Irish, and so talk about the  reason for celebrating the Holiday.
-We put an Easter Egg Tree in our yard, and the kids get more than just candy in their baskets.
-We celebrate May Day, and spend time designing our baskets together, collecting up trinkets to put inside of them, and then spend an hour giggling and feeling the adrenaline rush of leaving a May Day basket on someones door,  (most of whom don't even realize it is May Day) running away, and hoping not to get "caught"
-We have over the top birthday parties that I will spend months planning, and researching for ideas. Now, that my daughter is older, she is super involved in the planning, and I cherish our time planning and prepping for the party together.
-We celebrate Dr. Suess's Birthday, by having Green eggs & ham, and reading his books
-We have Back to School decorations, and have a special party to celebrate the start of a new school year
-We have an End of School party and prizes to celebrate!
-We make invitations for the family holiday functions that we host, have favors, and a color theme for any holiday we decide to host.
-We have an annual pumpkin carving party with friends and neighbors.
-And, I am ADDICTED to Pinterest.  I absolutely love gathering ideas, copying other peoples creativity, and adding some of my own.

And you know what, I will not feel guilty about doing any of it.  I am not doing it to show off, or brag in anyway.  I am not doing it to keep up with the Joneses, I am doing it because it is what I know!  I know my kids will not be at this magical age forever.  I know that I am creating traditions, that I hope my kids will carry on with their own kids some day.  I know that I am teaching my kids to appreciate the special things that my husband and I do for them, but also teaching them about how much fun it is to do things for others and not expect anything in return (such as May Day, when no one else really celebrates this anymore).   I know that I LOVE the sheer joy I see in my children's eyes, when my kids wake up on any holiday and soak in the magic that I have created.  On top of it all, I made it my profession. I started my business from the passion I have in creating events, I just get to do it as a job, so this just magnifies my ability to host parties and events for my children, as I get to do it as an every day job!

And so my friends, if this is not your thing, no problem! I don't judge you because you don't do all of the things that I do.  I don't claim to be wonder woman! I stink at cooking, I know many of my friends who are amazing cooks and have awesome weekly menus.  I have friends whom grow fabulous organic gardens with their kids and make everything from scratch, while I can't keep flowers alive more than a few weeks if I am lucky, and on and on.  My point is, everyone has their passions.  This just happens to be mine, and I challenge you to make the holidays your own. If you don't want to celebrate St.Patricks Day by making a Leprechaun trap, and you just wear green on that holiday, awesome!  I think the most important thing is to decide how your own family will celebrate the holidays, and go with it.  If it means going all out, awesome.  If you are lucky to remember to put your kid in a green shirt that day, then so be it.  I just won't feel guilty, or "tone it down a notch" for what I choose to do with my kids, as thanks to my momma, this is all I know!

May Day!

Happy May Day!  Do you celebrate May Day?  If you answered no, you are not alone! Though in my family it is one of our favorite "holiday traditions" to celebrate!  I was curious as to the history of May Day and found this tid bit of info...

 "Remember the childhood rhyme April showers bring May flowers? Flowers are a big part of May Day celebrations. May Day brings the image of maypoles, collecting flowers, and the delight in finding a surprise basket of flowers on your doorstep. Throughout its history, May Day has traditionally been a joyous celebration of spring, femininity, fertility, and the coming summer.
The first day of May is celebrated in many parts of the world. It is believed it evolved from ancient agricultural and fertility rites of spring. There are signs of the first celebrations in Egypt. However, the majority of the current traditions stem from the Roman Festival, Floralia. This was a five day festival to honor the Goddess Flora with offerings of flowers, dancing, ringing bells, May Queens and erecting a Maypole. Other traditions developed from the ancient celebrations of the Celtic Beltane and the Germanic Walpurgis Night."

While I can appreciate the history behind May Day, it holds a different meaning for us!  As a child I remember making May Day cones, snipping off some flowers from a neighbors blooming bush, and leaving on the doorstep of unsuspecting friends and family members!  I loved preparing them, delivering them, and running away before I was caught!  We never put our names on them, as it was supposed to be a surprise.  As, I grew a bit older, my May day baskets became more elaborate and I designed many different versions of my May Day basket, but also with the help of my mom filled them with fun trinkets and treasures and delivered them to my friends!   I even remember still doing these in highschool, but the trinkets and treasures turned to nail polish, and make up etc.  It always brought me joy to do this small act without any anticipation of anything in return.  The first few years I received very few if any in return, as pretty soon, over the years I started to receive some from friends who caught on to the May Day fever.

Now, as a momma of two little ones, I have passed on this tradition.  From the time Maddie was big enough to walk, we started doing May Day baskets together.  We took them to neighbor kids, friends etc.  Now, as Maddie has started school, she has a list going well before May Day with whom she wants to share her May Day basket.  Maddie views May Day as a holiday just like Valentines Day, 4th of July or any other.  In fact, she asked me today, why we didn't have any "May Day" decorations to put up!

So, last night we spent an hour or so together creating her May Day baskets.  We shared time talking about how sneaky we were going to be, about how one of her friends Paige's house is SO hard to deliver and sneak away as it is a cul-de-sac and it is hard to get away quickly.  We giggled and shared so much joy together. 

Today, as I was driving the "get away" car, we had a conversation about random acts of kindness.  We talked about our love for making the May Day baskets, delivery of them, and imagining the smiles of her friends and family who came to the door to find a small basket of candies and treasures.  I used this long lost holiday to turn it into a day that is more about a "random act of kindness" and how we are doing it to do something nice for others, not because we "expect" to get any May Day baskets in return.  I could see my daughters wheels spinning in her mind, and she sat quietly in the back seat as we drove to to our next house.  Pretty soon, she piped up and said "Momma, maybe next year we should make some and deliver them to some houses with kids that don't have very many things. I bet that would REALLY make them smile!"

I love that Maddie has a kind, generous heart!  I love that we can share special days like this together, and I love that you can easily do this too! Talk to your kids about random acts of kindness! Throw together some quick baskets...and deliver them to some unsuspecting friends or family members!  You will be suprised at how much fun you will have, and how much joy it will bring you to do a random act of kindness for others!

A Fabulous Firetruck Birthday!

We had such fun developing this fun and festive 4th birthday celebration.  Mr. Teagan loves firetrucks, so naturally that is what his momma wanted his birthday theme to be!  However, instead the traditional red and yellow, we decided to infuse a little turquoise too!  In addition, to keep this set of printables trendy, we added a chevron pattern to the background of many of the items! 

This party started at one of the local fire-stations, where the local firemen gave the kids a great tour, let them "drive" the firetruck, and even shoot water from the fire hose! The kids were in heaven!  We then walked over to a nearby park for cake and presents! 

Thanks for letting us celebrate with you Teagan!

CUSTOM BANNER

Fabulous Find

So, I am always searching the internet for great finds for events. I came across www.cupcaketree.com

Cupcakes have become very trendy, and I never like the stand that are available. These are very plain, but have some many opportunities for cuteness! I can't decide which one I want to order first!

In the mean time, while I was looking at ways to decorate your cupcake tree, it lead me to this blog http://wearethenewblack.blogspot.com. Jennifer Black created a darling 1st birthday party for her son! I love all of the details! Look at the cake topper! Precious!

This usually how I end up spending half my morning, I start on one blog, which leads me to another and so on and so forth! I love seeing everyone's creative work! Keeps me inspired! Who is your inspiration?

More Blog Love...

Our halloween party was featured on Catch My Party! I can "research" for hours on that site and oooo & ahhh over all of the fun parties! So, thrilled to be showcased! If you haven't yet, go there...and do some "research" of your own!

www.catchmyparty.com

Pumpkin Carving Party!

We ended our busy busy weekend, with our first ever pumpkin carving party! What fun we had! We enjoyed chili, mac & cheese, and of course lots of treats!

Sneak Peek! Pumpkin Carving Party!

Such a busy fun weekend ahead! I have been working on a pumpkin carving party for the last month- and it is finally on Sunday! Rebecca @ www.freshchickdesigns.com created the perfect design set for my party! I love purple, so this set fit my vision perfectly! She was awesome to work with...and worked in all my last minute additions with ease! These are a few of the invitation pics....I can't wait to share the party pics! Stay tuned!