"Ahoy, It's a Boy!" Baby Shower

My sister is about to become a first-time grandmother.  She has 3 step-grandchildren, whom she adores, but it's a totally different experience when your daughter is about to become a mom. We hosted a baby shower for my niece and her soon-to-be born son, Connor.  The baby nursery has been decorated in a nautical theme so we decided to do the same thing for the shower. We chose the traditional nautical colors of red, white and blue and got to planning.  We spent a few hours one Sunday afternoon browsing through Pinterest and found lots of inspiration.  We spent another few hours one Sunday working on a diaper wreath (in the shape of a lifesaver ring) and decorating beverage mason jars.  My sister shopped for this 'n that and raided the baby's nursery for props, as well as making the centerpieces.  I spent time in my craft room making a paper banner for the mantle and a cloth banner with the baby's name.  My Hubbers (bless his heart, he puts up with all my crazy ideas!) spent 3 nights helping me convert our dining room table into a sailboat.  It shouldn't have taken that long but it kept falling down from the ceiling! Lots of packing tape later, we got it to stay! Of course, I had to make sugar cookies, this time little sailor-boy onesies.  I ordered the cake from my favorite local decorator, she is amazing and the cake was, too! We hosted 24 at the shower and my niece is beyond blessed with all the gifts and diapers she received.  Now to wait for baby's due date to arrive so we can shower him with kisses instead of gifts!

This post is extra-heavy with pictures, there are so many cute elements to share. Besides the joy of throwing this shower for my niece, it was nice to spend the planning time with my sister.  We both lead busy lives, don't see each other like we used to.  It was wonderful to share this special time with her.  She is beyond excited about the upcoming arrival of baby Connor!

My granddaughter colored the wrapping paper and made the tag.  Inside were 3 flannel burp cloths that she helped me sew!

The cake was amazing!

Gift from my daughter.  The wagon converts to a walker, too.  It was filled with all sorts of goodies!

Quite the haul on the Connor sailboat!



My sister and I are both avid 49ers fans.  Her grandson must have a 49ers sleeper! I love these little swings, my grandchildren enjoyed theirs so much!

My go-to baby shower gift is a bathtub that I fill with diapers and all kinds of needed supplies.

A little display of the parents-to-be baby pictures!

We made the boat out of plastic tablecloths and painters' tape.  The Connor banner was made with fabric.  My niece will use it in the nursery.

A Mickey Mouse First Birthday Party!

My daughter-in-love is a big Disney fan.  When she was pregnant she was given a Mickey Mouse-themed baby shower by her friends.  I made a Mickey rag quilt and Mickey labels that were used to chronicle each month of our grandson's first year. It was only natural that his first birthday party have a Mickey Mouse theme, too!

I saw a cake stand, similar to this, online over a year ago.  I looked everywhere for the source and couldn't find one.  My daughter-in-love's father is a great woodworker so I enlisted him to make this for me.  I suspect we will use it for many future gatherings and loan it out.  It is so cute and was the perfect centerpiece for the birthday cake!

I made the sugar cookies.  As I had eye surgery on the day I was doing cookies I knew I couldn't do the normal royal icing decorated ones, so sugar crystals had to do!

The party was in our home but our daughter-in-love did everything else; the cupcakes, Rice Kripies treats, candy coated pretzel sticks, popcorn, putting together the banners, table centerpieces, etc. She did a great job!

My favorite part was this display of our grandson's first year, wearing a white onesie and his month labels, sitting on his Mickey quilt.  Seeing the transition from a newborn to a one-year old just melts your heart!

The birthday boy got his first taste of sugar, he was very tentative about it, but enjoyed it. Happy first birthday, sweet Jakey!

"Let It Snow" Tea Party!

The females on my Dad's side of the family have been gathering for a tea party for nine years now.  Normally, we get together the Saturday after Thanksgiving weekend.  This year we had so many conflicts (granddaughters performing in the Nutcracker, grandson due to be born, work commitments), that we postponed our party to January. Details from last year's party is here: 2013.

I usually plan my theme pretty far in advance, it allows me to organize and craft things at a leisurely pace or buy things on sale. After last year's event I decided on a "Let It Snow" theme.  I bought Christmas ornaments and was going to decorate a snowflake tree in the dining room.  With the date change I had to switch things up a bit but the theme easily works in January, too!

This year we had 16 in attendance.  The oldest in attendance were in their late 70's, my 8-month old great-nephew was the youngest. I provide the setting, do the set-up and decorating, make the scones, lemon curd, jam, and provide the tea.  Everyone else brings a sweet or savory to share, some often bring one of each. We always have more food than we can eat.

My cousin, Robin, crocheted these mittens. After the tea, each guest got to take theirs home.  They have a little loop on them so can be hung on a Christmas tree as a remembrance of our day. They are just adorable!

I took a little twist with the kids' table and went with "Let It Go"! to honor the popular movie, Frozen. I told everyone ahead of time so the girls knew to wear their Anna & Elsa outfits. Olaf, was present on the cake!

I love hosting this event. We all have busy lives and this provides an opportunity to gather and enjoy each other's company.  It is my fervent wish that the following generations will carry on the tradition we are building. I would love to be in attendance at a family tea someday hosted by a granddaughter! Even if they don't carry on with this I hope that the memories made during our teas will bring fond memories of all the wonderful women in our family.

I am linking up at A Stroll Thru Life "Inspire Me Tuesday" 

Drag Racing Baby Shower!

I grew up going to the drag races with my Dad. I went to the races pregnant with my son. Drag racing is in his blood. Last year I retired from the driving seat and turned my race car over to him. When we found out he is having a son I knew the baby shower I hosted would have a drag racing theme! I kept it colorful, incorporating all the colors of a drag racing Christmas tree (yellow, green and red), as well as traditional boy blue.  I added some feminine touches with flowers so that it wasn't all car-related. I hung race banners on the fences, giving the party a somewhat racetrack-like feel.

A highlight, for me, was a display of my son's old cars and toys.  My Hubbers and I have saved many of our children's special toys and memorabilia. I did a presentation where I gave my son his baby book, first Christmas outfit, quilt, stitched birth sampler and his toys. It got pretty emotional!

A local woman made the cake, incorporating car tools and the drag racing Christmas tree into it. It was awesome!  My Hubby made the cake stand out of a tire jack stand.

The table centerpieces were small floral arrangements that I placed in Wix oil filter boxes. I sprinkled the table with tools and spark plugs.  At each place setting was a baby buggy sugar cookie and a "wishes for Jacob" card to fill out. I made various banners in the shape of trophies.

We had a wonderful day with family and friends.  The parents-to-be got many needed baby items.

Two more months and we get to meet our little Jakey!