Sweet Summer Things

Its Summer...and its going pretty fast, so I thought I better get in another entry while I can before its over! Here are some of the sweet summer things I've captured ...

 

My mother in law's sweet mimosa tree.. the feather-like pink leaves smelled soo good.. Her yard should be in a magazine.. all sorts of perfectly manicured wonderful flowers, shrubs, fruit trees & stones.... its so tranquil and wonderful.

One on One time with My Baby Girl

Last week we found ourselves at the mall while A took a nap & Daddy was working from home that day. I headed into Williams Sonoma to check out some baking supplies, and  they were having a Christmas in July cookie decorating party... Sass was in her glory.. sprinkles.. cookies? I am so greatful for the sweet one on one time we shared together, and glad in the midst of Momma shopping she had fun too.. we may have left with a big bag of sprinkles...such a sweet summer moment

Walking to get Ice Cream.

Im so glad we live in our little village right now, where we can just walk places... like to get Ice Cream! "Cone" is one of Andrew's new words this month... He loves ice cream (one thing he'll never pass it up) Sweet Boy...

Sweet Moments at Urgent Care.

Not so sweet... but a memory I will always look back on.

Nursemaids Elbow... ever heard of it?

Well, just don't swing your 18 month old by the forearms ok?

He came bursting through the door into the house in tears and had a limp left arm.

40 minutes later, Im at Urgent Care with him...the doctor literally rotated his arm, and bent it up towards his face as you normally would.. 5 seconds later.. voila.. he was back to talking and busy trying to get into trouble.. and a sweet Popsicle helped ease his mind too...

 

Sweet Cookies

Both kids slept in this week until past 8:30 one morning..

I took FULL advantage of the sleeping in and the cool morning.. and made the Pioneer Woman's Malted Chocolate Chip Cookies.

I made some ice cream sandwiches with them too. I froze most of the cookies. I do this a lot. Theyre just as good right out of the freezer, and then Im not staring at them all week on my counter top and sampling them every time I walk by... I love having lots of goodies and meals in the freezer.. right now all there is are goodies.. got to work on the meal part..



 

Sweet Soap

I've recently tried making soap at home.

Through a few trials and tweaks, I finally think I got the hang of it.

I made a bunch of Lavender Oatmeal this week, so soft and smells sweet and wonderful. I have big plans for soap making.. theyre great as gifts too!

Sweet Buckeye...

So God has given me this sweet little boy.

He is very busy, sometimes very loud, sometimes doesn't sleep, sometimes doesn't listen, throws tantrums, falls down, doesn't eat a thing...

But he is 100% sweet just the same. And I kiss his soft face ALL DAY LONG.. no matter how crazy he makes me, or how many times I say his first and middle name when he's in trouble...I love him so darn much .. and he gets cuter every. single. day.



Sweet Rice Krispie Treats

The sweet tooth has gone AWOL this week.. insane ...

So when Sass asked if we could make krispie treats, I not only said YES right away, but added, lets make frosting and make cupcake treats instead.. She was not argumentative at all..

They are so so good.. and naturally I make frosting and reach for pink always to tint ...

Sweet Sweet Summer things..

Seems like July has gone faster than most months for some reason.

Tomorrow is August 1st .. and already the school supplies are all over the stores..

Im not ready yet!

I hope we get a little more of this sweet summer before its time for fall again.

Ready... Set... Ohio!

Andrew George.. He was all set for another road trip.

We left around 9:30 this time, thinking he'll pass out eventually.. and he did.

He did pretty good.

We arrive at Baka & Papa's house to find Grace and Julia, and Samantha was so happy.

Andrew loves all the attention, and Grace is just like a little Mama to him, so sweet.

Sass had been talking about the "blue" swing since we left the driveway, and girl got her fill while in Ohio.

We snacked on pizza, and then had some cool treats.. even Andrew our little food boycotter..ate.



 

His new word lately is "cone" ... can you guess why?

 

The three little princesses

One Blonde, One Brunette & The Red Head

 

It was a 2 nap kind of day for AG.

He fell asleep in the hammock with me for a bit.

 

The next day.. Mama hit the road.

It was girl time.. something I had not enjoyed since waaay before I started this blog.

Erica's Bachelorette Party/Overnight in Catawba Island.

 

The first thing I did when I got there was sit down.

And I kept sitting for a long time. I think my body was in shock.



After laughing, some drinks, and some snacks, we decided to hit the pool.

It was SOOO incredibly nice to sit and just have myself to worry about..

There were no children to run after, or put down for a nap, no dinner to make, or laundry to fold..

It was heaven.

After our swim we all got ready and headed to a little local winery & gave the bride her little gifts.

 

We headed in for dinner & drinks and continued to celebrate a great friend who deserves so much happiness! I am so so glad I was able to attend this weekend.

I found myself close to peeing my pants on several occasions.. so that's a good indication that much fun was had. 

 

The next morning I made my way back home, feeling tired.. yea, I know, Tired? I just had a night away? But I was happy to see my babies, and we enjoyed our last day in Ohio

 

 

Sassy needed to give Poppy a grooming...

 



 

And we even had visitors our last evening stop by.

It was a great time, and even Samantha didnt want to come home this time!

Lemonade Birthday Party {the details}

Details on the party..

I had a lot of fun with the Lemonade theme.

I started in early June brainstorming and creating.

Most of my sources came from Pinterest and Etsy.

 

The sign below is just broken wood pieces painted with acrylic paints, and nailed to the tree in our backyard.



 

The Lemonade Stand

This was one of the first projects I started.. Husband joined in to help .. and then I finished.

I found an old pallet that was out for trash.. threw it in my car, and voila..

I took almost the whole thing apart, and then Mathew added the ledge.

Then I just again painted on the letters with yellow paint, and nailed them to the two wood pieces from the pallet 

The Cupcakes

I used a Pink Lemonade Cupcake Mix made by Pillsbury.. it was sooo soo yummy.

And I made some homemade Lemon Buttercream Frosting.. which was A MAZE ing... 

I decorated them, and double lined them with pink and yellow cupcake wrappers..

I displayed them on a wood slab (found at Michaels in the wood craft section)..



 

Lunch

I made these treat cups out of paper plates. Found the tutorial on pinterest 

For lunch we served:

 

Hot Dogs

Veggies and Roasted Red Pepper Hummus Dip

Tortellini Tomato Herb Salad

Veggie Sticks

Chips



 

The tablecloths were vintage linens I had in my stash

Bamboo spoons with stamped labels for the hot dog garnishes

Straws were in mason jars all over the tables I found them on Etsy.

On to the dessert table.. 

 

Tower of Sugar Cookies & wrapped Rice Krispie Sprinkled Cones

 

The Cupcakes

Pink Lemonade Cake with Lemon Buttercream Frosting

 

I wanted it to be like a little lemonade candy store.

I had glassine and kraft bags, where everyone went shopping and got to bring goodies home with them. 

Mason Jars were used by the girls for their lemonades

The lids and straws I ordered from Etsy



 

The Party Favors:

 

Along with the candy bar I assembled...

Each guest got a personalized bucket to take home with them

Buckets were from Party City

I cut strips of vintage linens and tied them around the buckets



Im very into the personalized clothespin label lately

I used them again this past weekend for Bachelorette favor bags (post coming soon)



In the favor bags:

I wrapped Chewy Lemonheads in tissue paper and closed them with washi



 

little bracelets, more stamping and glassine bags.

 

A Lemonade Playdoh Kit

 

Bubbles...

 

Sidewalk Chalk 

And thats it for the details I think

On Instagram I may have some more pics under #sjturnsfour.

My username is jlmmomma.