Seriously, best party ever.

Gideon's 5th birthday party was such a hit! I may have slightly underestimated how challenging it would be to host a party while feeding a newborn every 2 hours, but my dear friends picked up my camera and captured those special moments so nothing was missed! So grateful.

The boys spent the entire time on the pier fishing catching actual fish! I actually teared up when Gideon caught his very first fish, such a moment. It truly was one of my favorite days with my favorite people!

Rebecca designed custom invitations, thank you cards as well as cupcake toppers, a banner, and the owl pinata. She's such a rockstar! Be sure to check out her etsy shop where she features this party package! 

Smores on a stick and mediterrean salad

Our photobooth!

 I love this one even though its not a perfect picture, it really captures his personality!

I made fabric fish and attached magnets to the end for "dry dock fishing!"
The adults got a kick out of the game!

This was the fish Gideon caught with the help of Keith (Thank God for him!) Love how he's got his eye on it!

Leopard love

Its safe to say I'm already ahead of the curve on Fall's leopard trend! Animal prints are becoming the new classics!!

Leopard skirt from target, a whooping $12!

Note the leopard throw on the couch!

A leopard throw rug in the nursery, naturally!

Favorites Friday: Brave as a lion {1 month}

Bo's onesie reads "Brave as a lion" but should say "Strong as a lion" with his attempts to hold his head up and stand on our laps....craziness! 

Happy to greet the weekend with G's fishing party on Saturday and our couples Bible study on Sunday!

{1 month}

Lots of link love this week:

I might make fried pickles this weekend

Maxi skirts for the winter

Such a lovely guest room

What a pinata!

My husband calls this God's phone number

Can't wait to share Gideon's fishing party and our back to school photo session next week! Have a happy one!

Milk madness plus a recipe

We've made vast improvements in our milk troubles with honeybee because I've cut out all dairy, coffee, and chocolate (ok, not all chocolate!) Then I wasn't sure what was left to eat, until I remembered my trusty easy Paella recipe, a spanish dish I love! Please feel free to pass on any other recipes without dairy, I'm all ears!

More than I can imagine

One of the main reasons I blog is to record the way God moves and answers prayer in my life. The amazing factor is I got to bring all of you along with me on this last prayer in my life. Ready for this....Remember the scare about Boaz's "short femurs" upon ultrasound, well they measured him last week and his length is the 75% percentile! God doesn't just answer he gives more than we can ask or imagine (Eph 3:20) I'm speechless yet again at his goodness. Thank you for all your prayers, especially to those I've never met and yet you prayed.

p.s His weight was the 50% and head 95%, looks like Gideon is gonna have a little big brother!

The birth announcement{s}

So I couldn't decide on a single picture to use for the birth announcement so I went with three!! One of my best friends, Rebecca of Pedaling Designs is a graphic designer and happily obliged! She knows my taste so well, I barely give her an idea of what I want and within minutes she's done a masterpiece. Check out the proofs:

She also made the "Love is kind" sign for my house, hand drew our Christmas card, made our kiki & mimi photography logo, and designed Gideon's birth announcement too! Thanks Rebecca, your the best, be sure to check out her etsy shop!

P.S If you'd like to see more honeybee goodness, head over here!

Favorites Friday: Shout outs

My biggest accomplishment was manning the grocery store this week with both kiddos...it was no easy task but I survived! You mommas with 3 and more are my heros, seriously.

 I have to say the brightest spots in my week were the special notes, emails, and shout outs I received from all of you. How can I thank you enough? You made a tough week, full of sunshine!

Here are my shout outs right back at ya!

Fran from Green Street rocked her roman shades in greek key trim, I'm speechless and amazed; they look killer, Fran! Head over to her amazing blog to say hello and find out her big news!

Spearmint baby is a fantastic blog with all things momma baby featuring diys, birth stories, and wonderful photography! Thanks for the lovely feature on Bo's room!

Check out Jena from livingcolor, isn't her dining room amazing! Her site features homes and their paint colors, taking the guess work out of choosing colors, so smart! Thanks Jena for having me!

Some more link love:

Amber is using this amazing fabric for her roman shades

This is the epitome of summer, along with her hair!

I've always wanted to do a fish tail braid

Flamingo baby shower

Just me and the boys this weekend, wish me luck!

So incredibly thankful for my newest blessing, I'm in awe and wonder! Thank you Lord!

Have a lovely weekend, friends.

{Cheating} shelves

This almost seems too silly to do a post on, but I had a few requests asking about my floating shelves and how they are hung! Its a magic trick really.....place L brackets on top and cover with books and trinkets! Ideally these would be built-in bookshelves, but since those cost an arm and leg, I went with cheap shelves from home depot and L brackets. It gives the wall some architectural interest without breaking the bank!

Fall picks 2011

As life gets a little more complicated and sticky with two kiddos, I"m attempting to streamline and simplify everything else including clothes. These picks all coordinate with each other so getting dressed in the morning is easy and mindless! Carmels, cognac, leopard and polka dots are all the rage! Bring on the fall.

Isn't she lovely

My mom came to stay last week and was such an incredible help and blessing to me! When I went to pick her up at the airport I saw her from behind and thought to myself, "who is that hot blonde in skinny jeans? She's truly lovely! Can't wait for our next visit, thanks Mom!

p.s She also makes me want bangs too!

My 4 year old took these pictures

I think I have a budding photographer on my hands! At chuck e cheese's this week, I caught him in chuck e's photo booth taking a picture of himself and even centering his face in the frame! Too funny!

Favorites Friday: Embracing family

Happy weekend dear friends, I'm so happy to greet it! Husband has been gone all week and now he's back, bring on the cuddles and extra help! Huge thank you to my mom and sister for making my milk-challenged baby bearable! Also to all your sweet comments and bits of advice....they are like balm to my soul; I'm so grateful for all of you.

image via

And yes this image is from High school musical, isn't it so happy?!! I'm a huge fan, what can I say I love all musicals!

For your weekend delight:

This post is pure power

Such adorable twins

A pocahontas princess nursery

Stay tuned next week for my fall picks, a special interview, and my magic shelves!

A gentle answer

Somewhere in one of my many middle of the night wake ups, the Lord gave me the verse, "A gentle answer turns away anger (Ps 15:1)." Immediately I knew it regarded Gideon and my reactions to his many testing gestures and truth be told it works, really and truly. When I feel myself getting pretty hot under the collar (putting it nicely) I say the verse in my mind and it really diffuses my response to him. Now if I could just memorize more scripture I can only imagine the power it would have in my life!

image via

I can't whistle but I can make milk

Somehow I missed the fact that my sister could whistle all these years and when she shared that enviable fact at the dinner table my husband chimed in on his whistling skills while I sat there in silence! Finally I blurted out, "well, I can make milk" and had them both stumped! 

The whole lactation process astounds and perplexes me! I have officially done it wrong twice now! My first kiddo latched incorrectly (then loved it so much wouldn't ever stop nursing!) and this time apparently I'm a milk goddess and make too much. Bo has only been getting the foremilk, full of fat and lactose giving him all kinds of GI pain, poor honeyB! Sheesh! We are pressing on modifying things and seeing improvement so I will continue to be in awe of the miraculous milk-making process!

The whole acting out thing

Our biggest challenge to the new baby has been our warrior 4 year old, Gideon. He hits baby, pulls his nose, and shakes baby's seat which is pretty horrifying. Our pediatrician told us to make everything about Gideon, giving him as much attention as possible! I'm hoping that the newness and excitement of the baby wears off for him soon because its pretty unnerving! My genius sister came up with a perfect beat-the-heat summer indoor game to divert his attention. Let me introduce you to toilet paper bowling! It was a major hit and you couldn't hear a pin drop!

Me and honeybee

Bo's breath smells just like honey, I literally sniff it all day!!! Thus the nickname honeybee, plus I have to nickname everything!

Favorites Friday: Baby bliss

image via

This week I spent many countless quiet hours staring at my precious newborn, he's a lil dreamboat I tell you! Big thanks to my husband, sister, and dear friends who've manned Gideon for me and dropped off such beautiful meals and gifts. I'm humbled and grateful.

Some fun links for your weekend:

A wallpapered kitchen

Maxi skirt turned dress

Linda's drawings plus matching outfits are darling

My mom will be here next week so posting may be sporadic and I promise to answer all those email questions this weekend, so sorry!

 Next week Ill be sharing those sweet newborn photos, have a happy weekend!

I really like these

See that basket in the corner under the window? I've loved it for a long while now, but not so much the price point! They are perfect for hiding toys, clutter, or any other rogue items in your house!

image

Now, west elm offers a very close look-a-like at a pretty good price and furbish offers a pretty yellow one as well, score.

A bug and a boy

The adventures of Gideon and the grasshopper....man does this kid love bugs and dirt! Can anyone else with boys relate?

p.s little camera tip with kiddos.....follow them around first before you ask for any posed photos, makes them a little more cooperative and truth be told I LOVE candids best everytime!