Thursday, May 30, 2013

DIY Gift for the Hubster

Last Friday was our five year anniversary.  FIVE.  I can't believe we got married 5 years ago and I also can't believe 2008 was 5 years ago!  I'm getting old.  I bought Nick a Garmin GPS watch/heart monitor for his running, but I also wanted to make him something.  Before I get started, let's reminisce together....


So my DIY gift I decided on was Pinterest inspired: a Date Jar!  The basic idea is that you write a bunch of date ideas on craft sticks and stick them in a jar.  When we want to go on a date (family or couple), we can just pick a stick and skip all of that planning and "What do you want to do?" "I don't know, what do YOU want to do?"  Ugh, we're so bad at that!

Date Jar

What You Need
Craft Sticks
Jar
Marker to write on sticks
Stickers or colored markers to color code your sticks (You could also try to find colored craft sticks)

How to Make
1. Make a list of date ideas.  I asked a few of my friends and even googled.  I wanted to be creative and not just write down our "usual" dates.
2. Write your date ideas on the craft sticks (one per stick).
3. If wanted, color code your sticks.  I have family dates, couple dates out, and couple dates at home.
4. Decorate your jar.
5. Put the sticks in the jar.

Seriously, it can't get much easier than that!




Here are some of the dates I included in the date jar.  Some of the dates are dates we can do with Carson.  Some are dates for home after Carson goes to bed.  Some are dates that require a babysitter for Carson.  I tried to include a variety!

  • "Rent" a movie (Netflix, Red Box, etc.)
  • Firepit date in our backyard
  • Blanket fort and movie
  • Wii game night
  • Take out + board games
  • Visit our favorite restaurant
  • Movie + Dessert
  • Cooking classes
  • Mini Golf
  • Ice Skating
  • Bowling
  • Coupon Date (go somewhere we have a coupon for)
  • Thrift Store Challenge (each person gets $5 and we have to come up with the craziest outfit)
  • Trampoline Park
  • Coffee Date
  • Dessert only Date
  • Bike Ride
  • Food Truck Date
  • "New to us" restaurant
  • Bakery
  • Restaurant Hop (one place for appetizer, one for main course, one for dessert)
  • Fro-Yo/Ice Cream
  • House Hunters (visit Open Houses for fun)
  • "Hiking" at a Metro Park
  • Family Lunch Date
  • Farmer's Market
  • Feed the Ducks
  • Park
  • Water Fun (sprinkler, pool, water table...all at home)
  • Pool Day
  • Children's Museum
  • Zoo
  • Picnic (home or at a park)
  • Find a new park


Here is the original pin:


I'm linking up today:
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Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Carson's First Birthday Party!

Before I recap Carson's FIRST birthday party, can we just talk about how much he has grown in a year?  Crazy.  He has just about tripled his birth weight and he has grown almost 10"!  I still can't believe it was over a year ago that we were meeting this angel in the hospital!


Last weekend (5/18) we had Carson's first birthday celebration!  We had a WHALEY great time.  Corny enough?  In all honesty, I didn't want the party to look too whaley so I focused on blues and greens and just added some whale stuff here and there.  Here is a look at how it turned out!



{The Decorations}

Paper Lanterns from Party City & Target Dollar Spot

Name Banner (DIY)

Happy Birthday Banner (DIY)

My husband's contribution! :P

12 month collage :)

Door Sign (DIY)

Newborn, 6 Months, 12 Months (on our mantel)

"Guest Book" with Poem (idea via Pinterest)

Birthday Board via Etsy
{The Food}


"Puffer Fish" = Sweet & Sour Meatballs

"Whale Babies" = Cheddar Whale Crackers

"Sand Dollars" = White Chocolate Covered Oreos

"Chocolate Coral" = Chocolate Covered Pretzels w/ Sprinkles

"Coral Reef" = Ranch Cheddar Cheese Ball
"Blubber Dip" = Cinnamon Fruit Dip

"Snapping Turtles" = Jalepeno Poppers & "Sea Snails" = Crescent Wrapped Lil' Smokies

"Sea Water" = Blue Raspberry Lemonade
Whales swimming in the "Sea Water" :)

Chevron Straws from HobLob!

Whale Napkins via Party City



Fancy Water (duct tape from Amazon)

{The Cakes}
Professional Cake for the Guests, delicious and adorable!
Homemade smash cake - funfetti with an ombre inside!


DIY Cake Bunting & "1" candle from Party City

Ombre smash cake (homemade)
{The SMASH...or lack there of}
Carson's cake smash outfit = shorts, tie, & birthday hat! 

I thought giving him a taste might help...

We also cut a slice so he could see the inside.

This is right after he fed me a bite :)

He shared some with Daddy, too!

Sharing with his grandmas!
{The Gifts}
Getting some help from one of his friends :)

Using a new toy as a climber!

Deep in thought!

It's getting hot in herrrre ;)

Add caption

He loves putting things in this truck and pushing it around!

He's obsessed with balls so this was a super exciting gift!

Ride-on puppy!
Practicing his bball skills with his new hoop!

New chair from Mommy & Daddy!


{Randoms}
Outfit #1: Birthday Boy Shirt + Embroidered Whale & Anchor Shorts!

4 Generations!  Carson with his Daddy, Grandpa, & Great Grandpa!


Carson's 2nd Birthday outfit: personalized whale "1" shirt from Etsy!


Playing outside after the party was over!


New basketball fun!

Hanging out with Aunt Shannon!
SUCH a happy ONE year old! 



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