Framed Handprint

Gracie and I made Daddy a special birthday gift. The hard part was convincing her to cooperate with the handprint! We used a glossy poster paint on heavy paper (cover stock) and a simple frame from the craft store.

Happy Birthday to Me!

My birthday fell on a sunny spring Saturday, so we took a drive to have some lunch and see the wildflowers.

We had yummy paninis for lunch at...

...Mobius Coffeehouse.

Then we found an open field where we could enjoy the flowers...

...and a nice day together.

Back at home, Art went out to get me some balloons. Green balloons are my good luck symbol!

Gracie likes the balloons, too.

She's very good at helping me open my gifts.

I'm wearing the pretty bracelet Art gave me, and holding up one of my new kitchen toys from Mom & Dad.

Chef Arturo made ravioli and salad.

Which we all enjoyed.

Dulce de Leche ice cream for dessert.

Gracie enjoyed it just as much as I did!

A Ladybug Party

Last week our little ladybug turned 2! We threw her a Ladybug Party on a beautiful sunny (and a little bit windy) day. I found great ideas all over the internet and adapted them to put this party together.

Gracie is modeling the ladybug top I made for her.

We held her party at a local park, and decorated with black, red and white balloons and ladybug cutouts.

Each guest received a ladybug headband. Gracie wore hers for about 5 minutes. The boys' version had circles instead of hearts.

I made beanbags from this cute cotton fabric filled with lentils. I thought the kids might like to do a beanbag toss but there were so many other things to do they just added to the decor. 

We had plastic bugs, sidewalk chalk, and bubbles to play with. The park has a big sandbox (really a volleyball court), a splash pad, and a great playground. That's why we chose it!

And of course there was food! These fruit skewers are decorated with stickers.

Cookies, of course! Sugar cookies decorated with royal icing.

And apple spice cupcakes with buttercream frosting.

Yummy!

Our guests went home with chocolate ladybug cookies.

Happy Birthday, Gracie!