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Sunday Parkways + Handmade Gifts

May 16, 2012 by dailygnome 3 Comments

Bellies full from a breakfast of granola pancakes topped with a fresh citrus sauce {thanks Jason}, we cycled over to Sunday Parkways and spent the afternoon biking the car-free streets, hitting food carts and picnicking in the parks this Mother’s Day. With clear skies and temps in the 80s it felt like one big block party.

Mama Felt the Love
Carson presented this colorful bracelet made out of safety pins. It took weeks! he confessed. I love it – it matches everything.
And an uber sweet letter from Miss Hadley, transcribed by her teacher and 80% true… 
“I love making pictures with my Mama. We play Legos. We use crayons and draw people. We go to the park and play on the swings and slide. Her name is Amy. I call her Mama. She has short brown hair and blue eyes. Her job is doing work at home. She made me a purple hat*. She cooks eggs and mac and cheese. She is really good at cleaning. I help her. Her hugs make her special. She calls me sweetie pie. When I’m hurt she give me an ice pack. At night she gives me Bunny after reading me a book. She sings Rock A Bye Baby. We both laugh and do somersaults. I love her has big as my arms can reach.”
*How I wish I could knit. Credit goes to Nana.

I hope everyone had a very special Mother’s Day!

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Cousin Bonding and Southern Charm

March 12, 2012 by dailygnome 2 Comments

“A cousin is a ready-made friend for life.” – Anonymous 

Growing up I didn’t have an opportunity to be close with my cousins {most were much older and lived on the other side of the country}, so it’s such a treat to watch my kids’ relationships with my nieces and nephews unfold.  Although it’s tough having a sister {once sharing a room} raising kids and living far away.

A peak into a few of the sweet moments of their bonding weekend:

Breaking out the shades {temps in upper 60s!}. Biking and scootin’:

Hamming it up with cousin Luke:

Happy Birthday sis! Thanks to Ya Ya for baking a yummy cake.

Southern Charm
One of the things I love about visiting my sis is roaming her idyllic neighborhood, the old brick houses and tree lined streets. And all those Southern accents! A few blocks away are some charming shops and restaurants. 

Among my discoveries this year:
Urban Gypsy, a sweet boutique where I met a Portland transplant
Viva la Cupcake {butterscotch drop, please}
Rockfish Food + Wine {order the catfish, they know how to do it right in the south}
So hard to say goodbye. Until summertime, where they’ll pick up where they left off…

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Hadley’s Lollipop Birthday Party

July 20, 2011 by dailygnome 4 Comments

For her third birthday Hadley requested a “Lollipop Party.” I pictured lots of stripes and polka dots in the decor and turned to the talented TomKat Studio and their custom printables for invitations:

From cupcake toppers to favor tags TomKat made it easy to just click and print. I modified a few of the files for additional signage including this door hanger:



LOLLIPOP PARTY DETAILS:
Decor:
Lollipop bouquets: Mason jars filled with epson salt, swirl pops and other lollipops
Assorted solid and polka dot balloons
Colorful globe lights
Paper globes attached to white sticks (stuck into the ground to look like lollipops)


Food:
Since the party took place late morning, we kept the menu fairly easy and light with all finger food
Fruit lollipops (grapes, strawberries & melon skewered on lollipop sticks)
Sandwiches (cream cheese/cucumber; turkey/cheese; PB&J) quartered
Pirate’s Booty
Hummus & veggies
Assorted cheeses & crackers
Cupcakes (chocolate & vanilla topped with Jason’s cream cheese frosting made from fresh-squeezed orange juice)

Lollipop Birthday Party Playlist:
Mixed in with the B-day girl’s  favs…
Lollipop | The Chordettes
On the Good Ship Lollipop | Rosemary Clooney
Sugar, Honey, Honey | The Archies
Wonka’s Welcome Song | Danny Elfman
I Want Candy | Bow Wow Wow
The Candy Man Can | Aubrey Woods 

Lollipop Party Games:
Similar to a cake walk, all the kids walked around in a circle as Lollipop by The Chordettes played on the iPod. When the music paused, I drew a number and the child standing on that number won a prize (a candy-themed temporary tattoo). After three times, the game ended and all participants received a Dum-Dum Pop.

Scavenger Hunt:

I love planning birthday scavenger hunts. Thanks to all the parents for being good sports in their assigned roles. Download the clues here.


Five, six, pick up (Pixie) Stix…

Digging up (gummy) worms from the garden…

Dave the Ice Cream Man, complete with soundtrack.

We lucked out with a sunny morning allowing the party to spill out into the backyard:

Happy 3rd Birthday Sweet Girl!

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Happy Birthday Hadley

July 13, 2011 by dailygnome 2 Comments

You turned a year sweeter last weekend. We celebrated with a lollipop party at your request.

I’m not sure which is my favorite part – you scolding Mason, Bailey plugging her ears, or the fact that none of your friends sing happy birthday at the same pace:

Party details and photos to come.

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