Art Party

Pearl turned 7 this year.

She wanted a bike. Check.

She didn't know she wanted a fish. Check.

She wanted an art party with "just a few friends... please, please, please, Mom?" Check. {At the expense of her mother's checkbook and sleep.}

But I must say, thanks to Pinterest and a late-night run to Walmart sans children, I think I threw a pretty awesome art party. We had some awesome, art-themed decorations. I wrapped old paint cans in brightly colored construction paper, used every Mason jar I could find to hold paint brushes and colored pencils, and took advantage of our chalkboard to add to the art studio feel.

I found these super cheap stained-glass thingys that the kids could paint {why can't I remember the name of these things!?}. It was so much fun! And the kids did such a good job painting.

Up next. Making candy necklaces. I didn't think the kids would find these as fun as they did, so note to self, buy more candy for the next art party.

Then we made rice krispie treat paintbrushes. Super easy. Super delicious. Super artsy. Just stick a craft stick in the end of a rice krispie treat {pre-packaged of course} and dip in colored chocolates. Or as we discovered, melted Reese's peanut butter chips. I may have made a few of these for myself. Yum.

Then it was snacks. In rainbow colors of course. Presents.  And Texas cake and ice cream. Pearl loves Texas cake, which helps me out because you can write anything on a Texas cake to match your party's theme. Or in this case, make a pathetic attempt at using M&Ms to outline an artist's paint pallet.

I had a lot of fun planning Pearl's party, even if I was totally exhausted after all the late night baking, shopping trips, decorating prep, etc. Oh and the after party-party with cousin Ruby at the splash pad.

I loved the art and rainbow theme and it was so easy to find stuff to make and do. I sure hope she looks back on this when she's 17 and tells me I'm the meanest mom ever and that I never let her do anything fun! Because I have proof I'm the COOLEST mom ever!

{Left to right: JJ, Sammy, Audrey, Pearl, Gabby, Ruby, Kali, Lucy, and Sally}

Family pictures

A dear friend from my childhood gave me a call and said she was coming down to Salt Lake and that she was going to take family pictures of us. No "no's" about it. I guess she was tired of knowing my children might not realize they had a mother if I suddenly killed over. I reminded her that my family doesn't exactly enjoy having pictures taken.

So with only a day or two to shop for something respectable for us to wear {this is a nightmare} and find a location {our own city's Main Street}, here's the results! I was surprised Jamie didn't capture the "enthusiasm" for Mom's idea to have family pictures {did I mention this was my Mother's Day gift to myself?} in these, especially after Pearl learned Uncle Bob wouldn't be taking our pictures this time.

Thank you Jamie Findlay Photography!

Safety Night at the Bee's Game

My colleagues at the Utah Safety Council had a Safety Night at the Bee's game. So I drug my family along to support my fellow safety nuts {or as Jeff calls us, kill joys} and enjoy America's favorite past time. {Oh, and that super cool 1,738 display is made out of seat belts.}

Oh.... and spend all of my money on some horrible sno-cones. And not watch the game because the kids were too buys begging us to let them ride the train.