Monster's University - 1st Birthday Party

I love hosting parties. Scratch that, I love decorating and creating all kinds of paper goodies. Is that the same? In any case, my son’s first birthday was a lot of fun for me. I had the theme picked out when he was six months old. I can’t take full credit for it. My brother had the idea to have a birthday party for my nephew that was themed around Mason going to college. I made invitations with Mason wearing a graduation cap laid over a diploma. For gifts (while not required) guests brought money to contribute to his college fund. My own son has plenty of toys and doesn’t know the difference so I decided to copy this idea. Lucky for me, Monster’s University was released this year. Tie the two together and everyone thinks I’m a genius.

For months I kept my eye on the dollar spots at all sorts of stores. There where Monster’s University stuff everywhere to promote the movie release. I scoured Pinterest for ideas. Most were related to the original Monster’s Inc. movie because the University edition was still quite new. I wish I could say I’m so creative that I thought of everything myself. Thanks to Pinterest no one has completely original ideas. We all inspire each other.

I really held back. I didn’t want to get out of control with decorating, especially since I have two older kids that have had very simple parties in the past. I’m sure they will expect more extravagance if they see it for their brother. I love how it turned out and everyone who came had a good time. 

Invitation

Card box, Monster cupcakes, Cake

Monster Photo Booth Props, Monster's Student ID Cards, Scream Canister Party Favors

Monster Booth

Monster Booth

Smash Cake. We pulled out the doors and used a candle when it was time to sing.

The $7 Costume + Tax

My costume for Scary Sherri's Halloween Bunko party was under $10 this year. If I didn't already own mod podg, an exacto knife, foam brush, and duct tape then it would bump up a little bit.

Someone sent me a photo on Facebook of a girl dressed as a"Diction-fairy". Her wings were dictionary pages pressed out of the dictionary on her book. I found several variations of this costume online after seeing that picture. Needless to say, my costume is not an original. What is anymore?

I decided to be a "Fiction-Fairy," spreading the joy of reading to others. My cousin Jel would mock me because I don't read books, I read on my kindle. I am a traitor in her eyes. LOL

Costume Materials:
* Fairy wings from Dollar Tree $1
* Book from Goodwill $6
* Mod Podg
* Foam brush
* Duct tape
* Exacto knife

Of course I used Harry Potter

The glue seeps through so have a page underneath first. Sponge on glue and add the page on top. Press flat. Do multiple layers at different angles.

I didn't take a photo of adding the book to wings. I ripped out all of the pages from the spine, then used mod podg and duct tape to secure it. I placed book pages over the inside to cover the tape.

I also didn't catch a good photo of me holding my book mark wand. Lame, I know.

Halloween Wreath DIY

I found a Halloween wreath on Pinterest that I knew I would actually take the time to create. We all pin things to our boards and promise we will follow that same genius idea, then we don't. Today I went to Michael's and spent about $20 on materials. The whole process took me about two hours but I took a couple of breaks to grab my son. You know, so he didn't reach the kitchen knives. It would have taken three times as long if I wasn't at Grandma's house. I recommend doing this when the kiddos are gone or asleep. Although, if you have a cat, you'll have to tie a piece of tulle in a knot for them. Otherwise they sit and paw at your stuff constantly.

What You Need:

12" foam ring

2 spools black tulle

Assorted flowers and decor of your preference

Scissors

Hot glue gun

To find the right length, wrap the tulle around the ring twice to fully cover the green, and leave the ends to stick out at the desired length. You can cut the pieces all the same length like the original creator mentions on this blog post. I started making them the same length but then found I liked a random mix of lengths. Wrap each piece around twice, tie in a knot, and scrunch them together. 

Wrapping the ring completely took about an hour. I liked having the ends stick straight forward toward me rather than out to the side like the original tutorial. 

Fluff it up however you'd like.

Add the pretty pieces. I got lucky at the store today. The flower is a clip and the owl and pumpkins are both picks. I was able to attach them without hot glue simply by tucking them into the tulle wraps. At the end of the season I can take them off and store them separate.

Add some ribbon and hang it on the door. Voila! Easy. I don't tie pretty bows so I didn't try it. Happy Halloween!

Holding on to the Light

Yesterday I had a very enlightening day. Lately I have been feeling slightly overwhelmed and over worked. I can relate this abundance of stress to having missed hot yoga for over a week now. I didn't truly appreciate how much that really does soothe me. However, I still managed to end the day feeling like I had been moved positively yesterday.

It started with a blog post shared by a friend on Facebook. It was a long blog and took some time and dedication to read it all through. When I say dedication, I mean it. The post was from a missionary who served in Africa and her story was so depressing and heart breaking that continuing to read it was difficult. I didn't see what she saw with my own eyes, but through her words I felt a change in me. Slight change, but it’s there nonetheless. She mentions that when she first returned to the states she broke into sobs in the bread aisle. There was an overwhelming variation of breads here whereas in Africa, it was white or brown, and often with mold. I recently discovered that I love “Dave’s Killer Bread” and want to continue buying it rather than get the 99 cent loaf. Before reading this blog I hadn't ever really seen the grocery store for what it was, a luxury that can’t fully be appreciated by us. This isn't to say that I hate myself and Americans and national chains of grocery stores. What I’m saying is, when I walked into the bread section after work yesterday, I saw it differently. I was thankful that I am fortunate and can choose to buy any fancy or cheap bread that I please. I am grateful.

After reading that post through (and thanking Elyse for sharing it with me) I continued to my feed and found a sad post from a friend I love dearly. After leaving her home town four years ago, she hasn't connected with an adult in her new town the way she has connected with all of us at home. Granted, we've known her since middle school and for some, years before that. I understood her point though; she missed us and needs a good local friend. She deserves a friend nearby that she can trust. I did my best to cheer her up with witty banter (ya right). I then realized that I had only made one new friend that I truly trust and we work together. If we didn't, I would literally only have friendships and acquaintances from school years. How do adults make lasting friendships as adults without finding them at work? If I knew the trick it might also work for adults to meet their partners without having to pay a dating website. At our age, if you don’t work with the person you’re meant to meet, how will you cross paths with them? Again, I’m feeling very grateful for my gifts in life.

Continuing through my news feed, I found another article worth reading. It was about working moms. I enjoyed and appreciated the article because it shed light on something working moms (and stay-at-home moms who in my mind’s eye are the same thing) often forget to pay attention to, ourselves. We live up to expectations that can be too high. How is it we are supposed to get all of it done? Be 100% available to our paying job and yet also more dedicated to the job that doesn't pay us in dollars but is definitely of more value? Sharing this post was well worth the quick share button on Facebook. I loved watching different moms from different walks of life share their opinions and what they took from it. Something so simple made a visible impact.

I really didn't stay on Facebook all day. I’m a fast reader and those things happened close together. I finished my work day and I played bunco with the work girls that evening. It was at bunco that a co-worker noticed the tattoo on my shoulder of my daughter’s zodiac symbol and her birthday in script below. I explained to her what it was and why I had it. It was then that my friend Brittany asked when I would get one for Grayson who had just turned ten months that day. I had been holding out because anything that remains on my body forever has to be PERFECT; exactly what I want it to be so I can wear it for as long as I live. I explained that I was leaning towards getting his foot print because my son has the cutest crooked toe. It’s something known in my family as “Garcia feet”. I was only resisting because I didn't want the very popular tattoo of a baby foot. I didn't have time to dwell on my “problem” because she then asked if I was going to get one for Isaiah, my step-son. Of course I was, and I told her so. I just didn't know of what yet. She seemed pleased with my answer. Wouldn't every loving step-mom do that? I realized that no, they wouldn't. Not a child that wasn't “their own”. The truth is I don’t like calling him my step-son. I do it out of respect for his mother but I would be lying if I don’t often refer to him as just a son. Do I love him the same as my other kids? No. But I don’t even love Halle the same as I do Grayson. The three of them are all very different. They each came into my life in different ways. As a surprise when I was 20, as a two year old who loved to share my grapes on a sunny day at the beach, and as a planned but troubled pregnancy that followed a prior loss of a child I didn't get to meet. Each of them holds equal size spaces in my heart. The type of love and memories attached to that love that flows through each of their spaces is different but equally beautiful. I hold each of their lives and happiness above my own.

When I finally was home for the night my whole day replayed itself in my head while I rocked Grayson back to sleep and I quietly cried. I was so thankful for so many things, and so sorry for others. I couldn't understand why I was taking the day so seriously but that wasn't important to understand. I just realized that for whatever reason I took that day and all it held very seriously. I relaxed and kissed and smiled at Grayson and just appreciated my life so much. Not everyone can say they love their life the way I love mine.

During my quiet reflection, I finally solved the mystery of my upcoming tattoos. I know exactly what I want for Grayson and Isaiah and I know where I will put them. This may seem like no big deal but it is huge for me. It has finally clicked and I can’t wait to get started. I don’t know why I was so attuned to everything yesterday but I’m glad that I was. Call me crazy, or sensitive, or too sensitive, I don’t care. I feel enlightened. My goal now is to keep holding the light.

School Supply Drive for the Vancouver School District

I am always looking for a way to help others less fortunate than my family. We don't have a lot, but I know others struggle harder than we do. Kids in need really pull on my heart strings. My daughter will come home from school with flyers regarding the purchase of a school shirt or donations of items to school events, and it always asks if we can donate an additional item or $2 for another student who can't. Of course I do, every time.

I want to make a bigger impact than an additional $2. I asked my employer if we could run our first school supply drive. I knew the answer would be yes. We have contacted the Foundation for Vancouver Public Schools (go like them on Facebook) and have organized a drive to support first graders in need.

If you'd like to help us, please view the flyer and donate any items listed. You can also share our flyer with others to spread the word.

Thank you!!

Crushing Cancer, One Lap at a Time.

Dear cancer,

You are scum. You serve no positive purpose in the world. You hurt too many people. You end the lives of too many people. No one should have to feel the pain that you cause their bodies to endure. I truly hate you. You have affected my loved ones and I refuse to accept that.

I am only one person and I am not skilled enough to invent the cure that will demolish you. I can however raise the money that funds the research that ultimately will lead to your elimination. I will raise money that helps caregivers of cancer patients. I will raise money that provides aid to cancer patients to receive their treatments. I might not live to see your end, but while I live, I will watch the number of deaths decrease while the number of birthdays celebrated increase.

Goodbye cancer. There’s no room for you in our world.

Kristin

Team Cancer Crushers

Relay for Life of Vancouver

"Have I Drooped?"

We are well into March of 2013 and I am finally returning to my blog. After I had my son Grayson on November 19^th I just didn't have the energy to do anything extra. Once I gained some energy and some much needed sleep, all I wanted to do was focus on him. Every minute possible of my twelve week maternity leave was spent with him. The house certainly wasn't kept amazingly clean. After all, when would I have another twelve weeks to spend with my son?

Aside from new baby, I've taken on a few more tasks to fill up my time. I have almost finished my two classes for winter term, I've returned to work, and I have joined the committee for Vancouver’s Relay for Life.  I have filled my plate a bit. Recently added to my load of things to do is “be healthy”. I didn't make a new year’s resolution to lose weight and I haven’t joined a gym. What I have decided is to try harder to eat better and to implement exercise. After all, I have had two kids and each day I get a little older. Things are going to droop if I don’t keep up with my health! As Debra says on Everybody Loves Raymond (I’m paraphrasing here) “When men age they become handsome and distinguished. Women have to worry about the day they get out of bed and everything hits the floor.”

That said, happy New Year! I look forward to another year of rambling and sharing here.