It's the Most Wonderful Time

 I just love seeing these four so excited about Christmas. This has been such a fun year. The girls love finding Christmas decorations and yelling out "Christmas," and I may have taken them to Hobby Lobby a few times just to see them flip out. Sidenote: Half the time they call Santa Christmas, so when they yell it out it's because they saw him. We're working on that.

 These sweet boys. Be still my heart. Max begged to wear this tie all week long, and he was so excited when I said it was time. He may still wear it randomly. And mostly without a shirt on.

 Addie...love the pose. 

 

My main thrill in life is a punny gift tag, and this year I had fun with them. I saw this idea for studs on the Pinterest Told Me To blog, and then I just had to add a Studly gift tag...ha!

 Easiest gift ever...I made some little tags for coloring books. Score.

 These are slinkies. I know they technically jiggle instead of jump, but I went with it.

 An oldie but goodie.

 I kept it simple for the boys' teachers. Who doesn't like Sonic Happy Hour?

Christmas Parties! I knew Ben wasn't going to want to leave me once he saw me, so he just came to Max's class for their party. He was happy. Max was happy. Mama was happy.

These are a Few of My Favorite Things

A couple years ago my sister-in-law had a Favorite Things Party at her house, and I had so much fun that I wanted to have one too! It took me awhile, but I finally got one together. I kept the decorations simple and had everyone bring a dish...easy peasy! It was so much fun, and I can't wait to do it again. And next year maybe I'll get some pictures of the actual party.

Max's 3rd Birthday P-arrrrr-ty!

 

Max has been really into pirates lately, so when it was time for his 3rd birthday last month we just had to p-arrrrr-ty.  Pirate parties are a popular theme, so it was a cinch to find lots of cute ideas. I will always love crafting and creating for parties, but I was determined to keep it a bit more simple (read: easy) than I had in the past. I really tried to focus on the things that would make it the most fun for the kids. What could be easier and more fun than dressing up like a pirate, playing at the park, and eating donuts?? We had a great time, and I think everyone had a swashbuckling good time!

Now for the pictures. Lots of them.

 

The birthday boy! 

I found these cute shirts at Target back at the beginning of the summer. 

Ben got one, too.

 We had to dress up too, of course.

Emmie sporting a nice eye patch.

I slipped an eye patch on Addie while she was sleeping...ha!

 

Donuts!

 

The loot table...eye patches, tatoos, telescopes, gold beads, compasses, coins, jewels (ring pops), and bandanas.

 

 

The menu. Super simple, but fun.

 

My favorite part...Starbucks bar!

I just made simple pirate phrase signs on my computer and put them up.

 

Pirate pinata with Hershey nuggets and chocolate coins. 

Yes, they melted, but they were cute!

 

Since we were at the park, I filled a bucket with Wet Ones to wash little hands.

 

Max was proud of his hook.

Ben was a fan of the swing. He looks so tall!

A donut in each hand!

 

Someone had a ring pop.

 

Twin picture!

I had about 30 of these on my camera. Hilarious.