Elmo & Cookie Monster Birthday Invitations

I wanted to wait until all of the guests had a chance to receive their invitations before I posted a picture of them on here... the party is a week away now! My sister helped me make these invitations using construction paper/cardstock, glue dots, and a bunch of various circle cutters and punches. They were lots of fun and pretty easy! The original idea is from a blog post by Couture Parties.

I plan to visit Canuck Amusements and a few dollar stores this week to pick up the decor and goodie bag stuff.

My mom helped me bake letter B and number 2 cookies today {this Sesame Street birthday party is brought to you by...}. My oh so helpful sister has offered to make the Elmo cake for me since I likely won't have the time {and don't have the skill either}. The rest of the menu will likely consist of platters from the grocery store since I want to enjoy the party rather than spend it in the kitchen!

Calgary's Next Top Event Planner

This will be a short post again today... my beautiful sister and I just discovered yesterday that there is a contest going on in Calgary called Calgary's Next Top Event Planner, so we are going to be focusing on a submission this weekend since the deadline is Monday!

Wish us luck!

Oh, and there are only 4 weeks left until Christmas today... just in case you wanted to add a little stress to your weekend as well! ;)

Thanks!

I know that Canadian Thanksgiving is long past now, but in honor of American Thanksgiving tomorrow {my dad was born in California, and I have family all over the US} I am going to list a few things I am thankful for today:

I am thankful that my family is healthy and safe.

I am thankful that I have good friends.

I am thankful that tonight is my last night of class for this semester, and I get seven weeks off before the next classes start. {Wish me luck with the verbal presentation I have to give tonight, I am not one to get up and speak in front of others often.}

And I am thankful that you have taken the time to read my blog, whether this is your first visit or you check in regularly!

I Love You Too, Mommy!

I don't think there is anything more rewarding for a parent then when your little one expresses their love to you! This weekend Baby B's favourite thing to say was "I love you too!" So, of course, hubby and I capitalized on this by telling him that we loved him a million times a day just so we could hear his sweet little reply! C'mon, it won't be that far down the road before he will pull out the "I don't love you!" in response to us telling him that he can't have or do something that he wants {just like the little princess seated at the table next to us at the Keg last night yelled at her mommy}.

Of course, he also said "I love this song!" while we were driving in the car listening to the Black Eyed Peas, so I suppose he doesn't completely understand the meaning of the words he is saying yet. But, still, it is exciting to watch him comprehend the world around him, and his own emotions. In the last few weeks Baby B has also said, "I so happy," "Don't be sad, mommy," and the best one yet, "Calm down, mommy." {Guess I need to work on my road rage...} We have not only noticed that he is learning the words to express how he feels or thinks someone else is feeling, but he has also become increasingly sensitive and moody as well. The great big quivering lip has been showing up a lot more often, and the angry face has made a few appearances as well. Terrible Twos and Threes here we come!

Guess I need to work on toughening up a bit! My goodness it's hard to stay upset when they are putting on those too gosh darn cute faces, and throwing out their Kid's Say the Darndest Things worthy quips! I often melt into a fit of giggles while disciplining him....

Spotted at Hostess with the Mostess

It's no secret that I love planning parties, but truly Jenn Sbranti, founder of Hostess with the Mostess, is in a league of her own. I will forever aspire to catch up with her amazing ideas and trendy designs.

I love that Jenn writes about everything to do with entertaining, from menu planning to decorations. And she is uber talented ~ if you read her bio she has a graphic design background, which is probably why her site looks so fabulous!

Some of my favourite categories on the HWTM Blog are:

Real Parties {where Jenn highlights a real party that a real person like you and me planned}
Free Printables {where Jenn shares her incredible graphic design talents with her readers}***Check out the Free New Moon Printables {for the Twilight obsessed}
DIY {where Jenn gives tips and tutorials for the do-it-yourself fan}

Of course, you can't miss the Party Themes section of the wesbite either, where you will find some of the most creative, fun ideas I have ever seen. The Bedtime Story Baby Shower is adorable, and the Santa Baby Christmas party almost makes me wish it was my turn to host Christmas this year! I could get lost on this site for hours {if I had the time}!

Warning: You may become as addicted as I am to Hostess with the Mostess - don't say I didn't warn you! ;)

Because Girls Enjoy Shopping!

I don't know if things in your home are the same as mine, but in my family I am put in charge of most of the gift buying for holidays and birthdays throughout the year. I am under the impression that most often the wife {or female partner} is asked to perform this task!


Just because there is a stereotype that women enjoy shopping doesn't mean that this task comes easy to all women though. In fact, it can be a huge burden for some! So, I thought I would share a few Canadian online shopping websites, and gift guides to help those who, like me, struggle to find something for every person on their Christmas list! Of course, if you have something to add, please feel free to email me or comment below!


Online Shopping
For Baby/Toddler/Expectant Mother - Dear Born Baby or Mom & Baby Works
For Eco-Concious Friend/Wife/Mother - Lavish & Lime
For Grandma/Wife/Mother - Charming Mommy
For Grandpa/Dad/Husband - Canadian Tire
For Anyone - Sears or Etsy or Chapters/Indigo


I also just discovered {a little late} that you can shop at many stores through http://www.airmilesshops.ca/ and collect Air Miles on your purchases! {Thanks Morgan!}


Gift Guides
Gifting Outside the Box
Parents Canada
Squidoo

Wishing you a stress-free shopping experience this year!

Big Boy Bed

This weekend we ordered a big boy bed for Baby B from Costco. To all you people that are waiting on a Baby #2 announcement, please note that I am NOT making such an announcement through the previous sentence. We are just eager to get started on planning Baby B's big boy bedroom, and, of course, the bedroom set is currently on sale, so we are taking advantage. I can't believe that he is going to be old enough to move out of his crib soon! Craziness! Time is passing too quickly... I am collecting images of decor and ideas for his toddler room inspiration board, and I will be sure to share it with you soon!

Another example of time passing much too fast: Yesterday afternoon, while doing my weekly grocery shopping trip, I ran into a friend of the family whom I hadn't seen in a while... a lovely lady named Bev. I asked her how her granddaughters ~ sweet twin girls that I used to babysit ~ were doing, to which she replied: "Good, they are turning 16 in December." AHHHH! How old does that make me? Anyone else starting to feel a real contradiction between their calendar age, and how old they feel inside?