Pinterest Post: Mom's Surprise Party!

I've been holding back on my "weekly" Pinterest posts because I was busy planning my Mom's surprise 60th birthday party.  I had a nice Springtime luncheon with our family for her.  She was very, very surprised!  I was so happy to bless her in that way.  Pinterest comes in, of course because I used many ideas from Pinterest to make her party extra special, from the menu to some of the decor.  Here are some photos of the extra special party!

I used a lot of vintage table cloths and rose china for the tables.  

The first surprise...

(Skip to 1:10 for the "Surprise!")

Sisters!

The menu was a "laid-back Easter Sunday dinner" from my recipes.com. (LINK HERE)  I found this menu on Pinterest.  Instead of making the chicken myself, I let Costco make it.  I also replaced the pasta bake the menu suggested for Juan Pollo's potato salad (which is delicious!).  This way, I was able to focus on the other sides like the roasted asparagus and Brussels sprouts and the spinach-strawberry salad.  YUM!

To include my siblings who live out of state, we set up two laptops and Skyped with them.  This was the setup for the second surprise.  About seven years ago, the diamond fell out of my mom's ring at church.  Despite several church members looking over every square inch of the floor and the pews, the diamond was not found.  She hasn't worn her ring since.  I had my brother sneak it from her jewelry box and with the help of family, we were able to get the diamond replaced, the ring repaired, and get it all shiny!  My mom was soooo surprised!  See for yourself...

I loved her reaction!

Trying on the ring.

Perfect!

The cake was from Alberston's.  I usually don't like store bought cake, but I've tried this cake several times in the past and I loved it.  I knew my mom would like the light cream, the fresh strawberries, and the light and moist cake.  It really is delicious.  Well done, Albertson's!

My mom and I!

For the bunting, I folded paper doilies over brown string. I then brushed on a little Mod Podge on to secure the middle of the doily.  Very easy, but very pretty!  (Another Pinterest idea!)

I love to use chalkboards.  This time, I used one for a menu and one for a birthday sign.

Flowers always look great in pitchers! 

And in Mason jars!

The butterflies were used at my wedding reception around the cake table.  I was glad I could bring them out again!  The wooden blocks on the wall spell out "Happy Birthday."  The were made a while ago by my father-in-law and they can spell out several different things.  Very cool!

Overall, I really liked how my mom's party decor turned out.  Most of all, though, I enjoyed being able to bless her with so many surprises in one day!  Thanks to all the family who made that possible!

My 5-Year Old!

Thankfulness Day 7: My 5-Year Old!

Five years ago today, I gave birth to my first born son.  A first time mother can never guess how much her life will change at that moment.  Now, I can't imagine my life without him!  He brightens everyday with his smile and very social personality.   Like any five-year-old, he is very much into Legos.  He still loves to sleep with his stuffed Curious George and loves me to sing "Baby Mine" to him at bedtime, so I cherish that.  He has almost grown out of naps, but will take a nap once or twice a week.  Here are a few of his favorite things:

(Translation) Favorite color: blue; Favorite book: Lego Star Wars; Favorite Song: Star Wars (Luke Skywalker's Theme);  Favorite thing to do is: Spend time with cousins.

I am so thankful for Jackson.  God has been so gracious to him.  He is healthy, smart, and, as his mother, I am just going to say that he is a handsome boy!  He is inquisitive about Christ and he says he believes in him.  That is our hope!  This is the thing I want most for him.  He can grow up to be a teacher, doctor, zoologist, construction worker, or a bus driver.  To me, all those things seem so small compared to a relationship with Christ.

Troy turns 40!

A week before Madelyn turned 3, Troy turned 40.  He had a hard time deciding what he wanted to do to celebrate the beginning of his 4th decade.  So, two weeks before the big day, he decided on a party! (Yea for Pinterest!)  We had close friends and family come to celebrate with Troy, which was hard.  If he could, Troy would have invited a lot more!  Nevertheless, he had a blast!  Here are some highlights of his party and his birthday!

The chalkboard has been one of my best purchase out of the Target dollar section.

 One request of his was bottled coke...you know...the Mexican ones with the real sugar!

 A movie themed seemed to be fitting for Troy, so behold the "backyard film theme!"

 Striped bunting and hanging mason jars.  

 Troy's mom was kind and rented a popcorn machine for the party.  We were so glad she did!  It was such a fun thing to have!

 Homemade yellow cake with chocolate frosting.

 Semi-homemade red velvet cupcakes. (I made the frosting and added some "special" ingredients to the mix!)  I made all the toppers in Adobe Illustrator.

 CAKE!

 Getting ready for the showing of Pee Wee's Big Adventure!

 My 40-year-old hubby doesn't look 40, does he?

 About to blow out his candles!

 Us.  With Cake.

 One of my favorite scenes...

 Silly boys.

 Good friends.  Just missing Scott!

 I gave Troy a year of dates for his birthday!  Looking forward to going on them!

 In N' Out!

 We ended Troy's bday weekend with a trip to the park.  The kiddos enjoyed it...

...and so did Troy!