Ryder Turns One in a Very Nautical Way

8.06.2015

Have you ever tried to get a one year old to sit still? It’s similar to trying to reign a bull in a rodeo. Or maybe trying to tag a great white shark. In other words, it’s not happening. Especially when said one year old is not on his best game. As in, he clearly hadn’t been told to prepare for this mini-photography session. Next time I’ll give him a week’s notice. I’m sure he’ll appreciate it.

Our friend’s son, Ryder, graced us with his presence the other day. At our house. For an overnight! Now, before you tell me how amazing I am for taking a one year old overnight, you must know, I also took his parents on the overnight. So really, I didn’t do much. Except a lot of soul-searching. But if you want to tell me I’m amazing anyway, I will gladly accept the compliment.

Ryder is so cute, one could get caught up in wanting a little-mini-Ryder of their own. Ryder knows how to handle this in a very mature way. He promptly cries, poops, and wakes you up at 5:45am. Just to prove to you how cute those little bundles of joy are.

In all reality, Ryder is super cute and we love him. So when we found out we couldn’t make it to his first birthday party, I definitely wanted to help his parents with the decorations. I may have been a little overwhelming (note to all the other parents who accept my help)…but they handled it well. I’m sure the texts at midnight, asking if I should add fringe to the birthday hats were much appreciated.

Centerpieces

I wanted to keep them within a really low budget. You’ll need a pool noodle, a bucket, red/white crepe paper, yarn, wooden sticks, and the blue stuffing paper. I used Google for nautical images, printed them on cardstock, and taped them to wooden sticks. To make the life preserver, you need to cut the pool noodle to size, tape it in a circle shape, and wrap the crepe paper around. I used yarn (because real rope was a lot more expensive), to twist into “rope” for the handles. Hot glue worked to keep them on the preserver.

Nautical Themed Birthday Hats

I bought birthday hats at the dollar store, and used nautical themed paper to cover them. Then I made my own fringe with the corresponding colored crepe paper. They turned out super cute, not sure if Ryder thought so:

Ribbon Birthday Banners

Just grab some ribbon from your local fabric store in various colors/patterns. Cut them in about one inch strips, and knot them onto ribbon/twine. I used my Cricut for the “ONE” banner, but you could do one by hand just as cute.

We finally got a smile out of him. Right in time for him to go home.

For more Nautical themed party ideas and free printables, check out Kaleb’s first birthday party here.

DIY

Sunflower Seeds Baseball Treat

8.04.2015

So my husband joined a men’s softball team. Yup. Every Tuesday night. While I know this is normal for a lot of men across America, I have to be a little honest. I was scared of the commitment. When he asked me if I thought he should play, I told him to do it. I just made sure he realized I wouldn’t be committing to coming every week. I’ve made just about the only sort of commitment I was ready for, which was marrying him. After that, I’m just not sure I have it in me. His team is on week four, and I haven’t made it to one game yet. Oops.

Before you go thinking about how mean I am, just know, I am clearly very busy. And by very busy, I mean: I have so many better things to do than sit on a bleacher and watch him make a fool of himself. Like watching Bachelor in Paradise, or washing my hair. Isn’t Extreme Weight Loss on tonight? Yeah. Thought so. I don’t think DVR works on those shows, so I guess I’ll have to stay home.

So in honor of missing week four, I made him a little treat to take to the park. This way, he knows how much I love him. Don’t worry, I’ll take clear-cut notes on Bachelor so he doesn’t miss anything. I mean, no one wants to miss Ashley crying. Again.

DIY

The Pregnancy Care Package

7.29.2015

Not only am I terrified of having my own screaming baby at home, but I am equally as terrified to be pregnant. This was a major factor in my decision to not have the six children I always planned on. Instead, my mom can just hope that I get over this fear one day and have one. Since I’m the only child, I am her only hope for grandchildren. I guess she didn’t like being pregnant either.

Every time I consider the possibility of attempting to procreate, I seem to find myself surrounded by those beautiful bundles of joy. Only they’re screaming. And smelly. Or bratty. Or all of the above. Like at the airport. Have you ever left the airport thinking you wanted to have children? I’m telling you, it’s not possible. Guess it’ll be a while before the urge returns, since I just got out of the airport yesterday, barely alive.

While I sit back and enjoy my ~~freedom~~ quiet nights, my friends are out procreating. And this is perfect for me, because I get the best of both worlds. I visit them a few times a year, bring gifts (and sugar), get them all riled up, and then fly home. I’m the “cool auntie” for sure.

Since I can’t be there to eat sympathy ice cream and pickles, I have to send my love another way. Not that I wouldn’t mind the ice cream and pickles. As long as they’re separate. And the pickles are Claussen’s. That sounds like a party to me.

I put together this Pregnancy Care Package for my friend who lives across the country. Literally. West Coast to East Coast style. She’s expecting her second son, and when I found out, I was thrilled for her. Because although kids aren’t in my current life plans, I still get all excited when they’re in my friend’s.

Pregnancy Care Package Ideas

Pregnancy Magazine – Getting the Latest Information

Prenatal Vitamins – Staying Healthy

Tums – Stomach Aches

Tea – Heart Burn

Saltine Crackers, Lemon hard candy, Ginger hard candy – Morning Sickness

A “Things to Do” Notepad – “Pregnancy Brain”

Journal – Keeping Memories

Cocoa Butter – Stretch Marks

A pack of Thank You Cards – For all the baby gifts that come in

Picture Frame – For the Sonogram

Comfy Socks – Cold Feet

Baby Name Book – For decisions!

Chap Stick – Dry Lips

Body Lotion – Dry Skin

Sleeping Mask – Fatigue

Candle – Eliminate Foul Odors

Chocolate/Sour Candy/Favorite Candy (or gift cards to ice cream stores) – Food Cravings

You can print all the tags here, tie them with twine to each item, throw it in a box, and mail it out to your friend. You may want to include a pack of tissues, since I’m sure there will be tears. Hey, she is pregnant after all.

Lifestyle

So Your Friend Has a Blog…

7.17.2015

You might be wondering, “What does this mean to me?” Well friends, it means you fall into one of two categories.

Category One: It could mean nothing. It could mean you occasionally read one of the blog posts, or you might remember to visit the site once a month. After all, your life is pretty hectic, getting some free time is hard, amiright?

Or it could mean something different.

Category Two: It could mean that you want to support them, but you’re just not sure how to do that exactly. If you fall into this category, you came to the right place. Today I’m giving out free lessons in “How to be Supportive to Your Blogging Friend.” You can thank me later. Remember that your friend blogs for a purpose. Keeping an active blog running is not easy, so any pat on the back you can give them is well worth it.

I started my blog over a year ago, and I still have friends that don’t even know I blog. That, or they don’t read it. Ever. I mean, they literally have never even clicked on the site. Which is A-Okay with me, because after all, they probably wouldn’t even like it. Or they can’t read. One of the two.

For those other friends, the ones that ask me all the time about my blog, this is for them. And for all of you out there who have blogging friends that you want to support, or show a little love to.

So without further ado…

How You Can Support Your Friend’s Blog

1. Sign up to receive email notifications when your friend posts. Even if you start marking these messages as spam, even then, sign up. Gaining a large group of followers is most likely extremely important to your friend, and each sign-up helps. You will only get an email when they post, so what is a few emails a week (or less) going to do to you? Don’t worry, your inbox will not over-flow. Plus, this will help you with Step 2.

2. Visit the site. Often. Like every day. And if you don’t have that much time, then visit every time you see an email. All blogs track the traffic, and your simple “hit” will be counted. Even if you just open the site, to close it right back down, that hit is counted. Your friend will appreciate the traffic. Do NOT just read the email notification. This will not count as traffic on your friend’s blog. Just click on the email and let it direct you to the site, where you can read the post in its entirety.

3. Read the posts. Or try to. It will help you with Step 4.

4. Comment, Like, or Share. Seriously, just comment. It will take one minute out of your day (you can’t be that busy!). If your friend has posted something “Pinnable,” then pin it (Pinterest here folks). If it’s something “shareable,” then share it. Facebook, Twitter, anything. But if the topic is not really “your thing,” than fall back on the comment. Don’t worry, the whole social media world will not be notified that you commented on someone’s blog. If you’re worried that adding your email address to the comment will spam your inbox, don’t be. You won’t be spammed.

5. If your friend has an Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, or Pinterest page for their blog, follow them. All of them. And if you need to “hide” them on your Facebook feed (because your life is just too busy for that too), then do it. The “Like” alone will make them happy.

6. When said friend posts on said social media accounts: Like, Like, Like! And comment! Again, a few minutes in your day, and they will really appreciate it.

7. If you’re feeling REALLY frisky, share their blog on any social media platform. Or tell your friends. Or your co-workers. Or your dog. Any followers that your friend gains from you will be appreciated, and they will know how proud of them you are.

If all of these suggestions are out of your comfort zone, then I’m afraid you fall into the Category 1. Sorry, friend. It’ll be okay, just don’t expect any cupcakes from your blogging friend on your birthday. She’s busy.

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