Sisterly Love {Happy Bday Chels!}

Soooo glad my sister moved back in time for us to celebrate her birthday! She's been following a new 'less processed' and 'paleo' road, that has evolved tremendously over the past year...I'm so proud of her for finding something that she is passionate about and is taking the steps to further her knowledge on nutrition. With that said, we typically do birthday dinners at Fidel's Mexican restaurant...however this year, I thought we should go somewhere that is more in line with her desire to eat healthier.

A friend had told me about this place down in Mission Valley, where she had an amazing casserole dish of spaghetti squash (for her first time!), so I looked it up:  True Food Kitchen 

This place was perfect!!! We loved how the dining space & kitchen area is very open...with simple, clean design & decor. Per True Food Kitchen "celebrates the simple, pure flavors of quality local and regional ingredients with a menu that tastes great while nourishing your mind, body and spirit."

The food was so great and our server was awesome...definitely going there again soon! 

For her gift, I decided to put together a fun gift basket with all sorts of goodies I knew she either liked or wanted or needed :-)  She absolutely loved it...so glad I took the time to actually take note of things she's mentioned in the past and did some research on a few things.

1. Adorbs chicken wire style basket
2. Bacon from Pete's Paelo  (recommended to me by Tonja at Flame to Fork!)
3. Chameleon Cold Brew Coffee
4. Beaming Gift Card
5. Paleo-friendly Chocolate Cashew Brittle (from Beaming)
6. "C" initial notebook
7. PackIt insulated lunch bag
8. Pair of mini spatulas from Sur La Table
9. A mini wisk from Sur La Table
10. Phillips TeaZe brush (my fav!) 

Happy Birthday sister!!!

Sugar Rush ~ Bday Fun!

Whewwww...whirlwind of a day. It began early for a 9:30am bday breakfast for Miss Maddie.

She is the bittiest little one year old I've ever seen, it's too cute! Her mamma, Nic & I made the adorrrrable "ONE" letters, complete with round wooden 'ears' & a bow to resemble Minnie Mouse (the party theme).

And per mommy's request I made her a big fluffy, 2-toned pink tutu...and was going to make the headband - but then I found one with matching 'shoe' socks at Ross for basically cheaper than I could make it - so that was perfect!

Happy Birthday Madeline Grace!!

Unfortunately, Kapri had started sneezing yesterday....which got me worried...and for good reason. By 11ish, she had used up what little energy she had and her body gave in to this oncoming cold...I'm sure all the sugar from the doughnut holes, fruit, juice & a cupcake surely did not help. It was time for a nap.

After her nap...she felt 'okay' - so we decided with our original plan & headed to another friends house for to celebrate Arden's 6th birthday. Kapri has known Arden her entire life, starting with weekly beach walks when she was a baby, to being cared for once a week for a few hours at their home at 4 months old... and play-dates in-between, and seeing each other dressed up on at our annual Halloween party at work.

how cute are they?!

Upon arrival K definitely did not seem 100%...so we gave it an hour, snapped this really cute pic somehow, then had to go...her little lungs get so irratated with an oncoming cold...and lucky us, we didn't have her inhaler. When she started complaining that her chest hurt, I panicked and I drove as fast as I could home. Thank goodness for the nebulizer & albuterol meds....though I hate how much we depend on it during sickness...it really is a life-savor.

Happy Birthday Arden Rose!!

Later, we were all supposed to go to a THIRD party - for James' dad's retirement party...

CONGRATS ANDY!!!

But with K's condition not improving, I knew she wouldn't be able to make it through. We thought about having my sis watch her while James & I went...but she got worse, so I stayed home while he went. We were definitely sad to have missed it, especially since her cousins who she loves tremendously, had made the trip out from AZ to be there as well....and since I had made him the above photo collage.  But the most important thing was to get K rested & feeling better ASAP.

Oh the ups & downs of parenting...

DIY Race Bib/Medal Display

I am in love with my recent DIY craft....which I happily stumbled upon the idea randomly on Pinterest. I wasn't even looking for this craft, but when I saw it...I knew immediately I just had to recreate one for both myself, and my friend Nic for her birthday (HAPPY BIRTHDAY friend!!!).

Here are 3 ideas I used to help get my wheels turning: 

• Pavement Runner
• Simply Healthy Mama
• My Three Peas

So my search began for a large frame, wide enough to fit the bibs and to hang the medals. I kept striking out store after store....when finally, buried in a back clearance aisle at Michael's, I found these 2 grey frames that were PERFECT!

For the letters, I used my Cricut Mini to cut "R U N" from grey scrapbook paper, to coordinate with the frame color:

I was going to spray paint the back, but decided on scrapbook paper inside the frame instead....though you can kind of see the line where I had to join the 2 pieces together, but I still think it came out great!

To hang the race bibs, I used 2 metal/magnetic-back hanging clips...and for the medals, I used 1 silver hook - all are directly on the glass with little adhesive squares, that hold up to 5lbs each....so I think they are pretty secure.

Can't wait to add more to this growing collection!!

Mine

Nic's

Happy Birthday to ME {hello 31!}

The day of my actual bday...and lucky me, I woke up with a scratchy throat & very little energy - oh boy, sickness is coming. I knew I had to power through for dinner tonight, the last of 3 wonderful bday activities over the last week.

Of course I picked one of our traditional bday dinner spots - Fidel's in Solana Beach - and had some great people there with me to celebrate:

Thanks to everyone for E.V.E.R.Y.T.H.I.N.G. and making my 31st birthday as awesome as it was!! Love you all dearly :-)

Sister Spa Day {My Birthday Continues!}

Okay - I think I honestly hit the JACK POT, when my brother-in-law met, dated, and later married my now sister-in-law, Amanda.

She's kiiiiiind of AWESOME.

Like, we literally are sisters from another mister in a past life or something. We have very similar style & tastes (obvs, we picked brothers!!), we love the same shows, we worked at the same company for awhile, we can craft diaper cakes together like no one's biz, and we even have the same brain - swear. Constantly saying the same things (either in person, or over IM/texts) at the same times...so weird. But I love it!

We just CLICKED so well right from the beginning...things like that just don't happen every day. Let alone to someone you didn't pick to be friends with right away...but rather through family, who became family - and I'm so very grateful for our relationship and how far it's come today.

She is so giving of herself in soooo many ways....and is just the most generous, sincere, loving people I have EVER met in my life.

Sadly, she couldn't make it to my early bday paint/wine night since it was on a Sunday evening & they now live up in LA... but she wanted to celebrate my birthday when they were down for the Thanksgiving weekend. So she reserved Friday afternoon with just me...and planned a surprise SPA DAY - just for us.

It was the. best. day!

Upon arrival at the famous La Costa Resort & Spa (which I live down the street from and have NEVER been!) - we got a tour of the gorgeous spa, pool area & surrounding grounds... then put on our bathing suits & robes...so cozy. It was a bit chilly, but perfect jacuzzi weather...but not before we sat down for some delish lunch...the chicken lettuce wraps were spectacular!

After sipping some champ & chit-chatting in the jacuzzi for a bit, we got ready for our massages - which was one of the best massages I'd ever gotten...wowza - I felt like jello afterwards, in a good way, haha!

Thank you Manda for SUCH a fabulous, pampered birthday.... you are a GEM and I'm so incredibly grateful to have you in my life! xoxoxoxo

Early Bday Fun: Dry Bar & Paint Nite

Wow - what a FUN early birthday...I'm a lucky girl, thanks to some other wonderful ladies in my life!

It started with Nic treating me to a fab hairstyling at a place called "Dry Bar" - which was SO adorable and the girls there were so nice! It was a really fun place to hang out & get treated to a wash and style - all while you sip away on some bubbly!!

I think our before & afters are pretty FAB! LOVE YOU NIC, thanks!!!

Then we headed downtown to a place called "Vin de Syrah" which was hosting a "Paint Nite" event, which my friends and I all bought a Groupon for...

I had wanted to find a night to paint that was on my actual bday (Sat. the 30th)...but with Thanksgiving being so late this year, they didn't have any scheduled (normally it's a week before my bday, but this time was only 2 days before!)

But the night I selected online (they have an AWESOME calendar, where you can view what you'll be painting and the location)...had a really pretty painting that I knew we could all tackle pretty easily, named "Red Fall Hill" - I thought it was so beautiful. Most of us are NOT painters...however the instructor was so great, and made it SO easy to follow!! Check out more pics on their FB page HERE.

Thank you to ALL my wonderful friends who could make it out on a Sunday night...to paint & sip wine in celebration of my 31st birthday - I seriously cannot wait to do this again VERY soon!!! xoxo

Happy Birthday Laylie!

This morning I stayed home from work so that I could be with Kapri at our neighbor, Laylie's birthday party picnic... which lucky for us, was just outside our front door in our shared green belt! Every party of hers is so beautifully decorated - this time was no different.

4 is definitely the age of "the princess obsession" I have come to find. This Princess party even had a 'Fashion Show' tent with lots of fun dresses to try on & 'model'. And no party is complete without a Princess JUMPY!! That's always the most fun for the kids.

Such a fun morning with such adorable little girls, thanks for inviting us White family and Happiest of Birthdays to you Miss Laylie!!

June Birthdays RoundUp

May & June have become increasingly busy for us...mostly FILLED to the brim with birthdays for some wonderful people! We just love celebrating with each one of them each year, making more memories and deeper friendships that I truly cherish.

Kim's Bday (BFF since high school!) - went downtown with my sis, at this place I'd never been to, called Cafe 21, which blew us away with some incredible (organic/locally grown) food and some BOMB Strawberry Basil Sangria!

KayLee's Bday (youngest sister) - our family fav...Fidel's. You just can't go wrong! Can't believe my littlest sis is TWENTY!!!

Mary's Bday (mother-in-law) - her fav...Buca di Beppo!

Amanda's Bday (sis-in-law) - no official party, as she's living in LA now...but we combined her bday & Father's day...though she still get's my shout out on my blog!

Christina's Bday (friend) - another new place to me: Ignite Bistro.... they have THE most AMAZING side app, called "Man Candy"....which is basically this tin can full of 'sweet & spicy' bacon...seriously?! yummm

Megan's Bday (friend) - celebrated with all the fams/kids just outside her home on the best green belt in the area...can't go wrong with a mini jumpy, pinata, and a slip 'n slide!!

Officially FOUR

Although we had a great big birthday party the weekend before K's birthday...I knew we should send her to school the day of her actual bday with a special cake to celebrate with her school friends:

The evening, we also decided to have a simple dinner out - just us 3.

Happy Birthday Munchkin...we love you more than words can thoroughly explain. 

Over these past 4 years, your incredible light has brightened up our existence and taught us SO many things...

About appreciating life. 

About finding patience. 

About sheer exhaustion.

About never-ending fears. 

About immense joys.

About quality time. 

About astonishing strength. 

About unwavering, unconditional, pure love.

Kapri's little hand at 2 months old

Happy 4th Birthday Princess Kapri

Finally...our countdown on the kitchen chalkboard has come to an end - and literally ALL. MORNING. LONG. she was asking about every 2-5 seconds if it was time for the party... her very own "Princess & Pirates" themed birthday party:

As if I didn't have enough things to check off on my self-imposed 'to-do' list...I had to cope with a seriously anxious little girl...oye.

My helpers & I got there 2 hrs early to set up...though there is NEVER enough time...I felt insanely rushed....and sweaty. I ran home 15 minutes before the party was supposed to start, changed Kapri into her tulle dress...and she decided at that very moment to tell me how itchy it was...o...m...g.

{{CLICK HERE to see the post about making her tulle tutu dress, picture overload!}}

It was now the time the party was to start...and we were there yet...whooops!! So I slipped on a pink tank underneath, changed into my dress...and off we went. Little princess was about 20 minutes late to her own party...ah well - she looked beautiful!

coral ladies - seriously not planned!

Pirate James & Princess Steve

Food & Treats table: princess & pirate cupcakes, "royal PB&J's" (were supposed to be in a crown shape, but the cookie cutter I had wasn't really workin with this bread...I think I should've refridgerated the bread overnight so they didn't just break when I went to use the cutter), "sword kabobs" (salami, cheddar cheese & gouda cheese), and "fish-n-chips" (literally! haha):

More food:  blue & pink swirled lollipops from Oriental Trading (HUGE hit with the kids), "pirate jello sails" (idea HERE), "wish upon a star" cookies (vanilla yogurt cookies from Trader Joes), and "pirates booty" cups:

Saw these Fruit Wands on Pinterest (HERE) - and knew they'd be perfect!! I love how they turned out!

I found these 'lace' style plastic table covers at Walmart for less than $2 each... they were actually really pretty! The drink containers were filled with "Pirate Sea Water" and "Princess Punch"...scored those from Kirklands Home store (I added a chalkboard sticker in front to name them).

I can't seem to find a picture of it...but next to the gifts I had an 11x14 framed image of this...I made it using PicMonkey:

all 11 Disney Princesses - so stoked I found this image!!

The goodie bag station... love the little tissue paper tassel garland my sisters & I made to hang on the table (tutorial HERE)... took a little time & finesse, but turned out great I think!

The goodie bags were filled with fun toys I bought from Oriental Trading... stickers, necklaces, rings, chocolate coins, & stamps... I made ones for both girls and boys:

Kid activity tables... make your own foam pirate hat and/or princess crown (with sticker embellishments), treasure hunt list & easy-to-assemble paper treasure boxes to store their loot in, a tattoo station, and a coloring/bubble station:

The girls were obsessed with the 'poster' princesses - they got to pose with them & take pics... too cute. I didn't buy this... my sis did during a last minute Party City run...it was maybe $6 and came with 2 pieces that you tape up together...and a separate "Happy Birthday" sign...pictured above...between 2 pink balloons on the outside/doorframe of the rec room.

A few pics of our fam & friends enjoying the day...loved seeing all the kiddos dressed up as either a princess or pirate...what kid doesn't like to dress up?!!

Outside play time... Tinkerbell boucy, treasure hunt in the sand, slides & swings...oh what fun!

She LOVED her special Cinderella cupcake (scored for $7 at Ralphs of all places the day before!!):

Here's a vid of everyone singing to her (she was shy, but it was adorable!):



One quick family shot (only one pretty much), as we finished cleaning up the rec room & headed home after a long day of fun!

Oh...and here's a photo collage of her last year... I make one for every birthday...love looking back at these:

Cannot believe we have a FOUR year old!!

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