Shrek-tacular Birthday Party

Henry was invited to his first birthday party this past weekend. A girl from our babysitting swap turned two and since she loves Shrek, they did a themed party. All the decorations were brown and green. The punch was limey green goodness, the cupcakes looked like swampy wormy messes and the cake was Shrekked out.

Birthday girl Maya. Henry picked out a chunky Melissa and Doug fish puzzle for her and colored the card too.

Maya's dad drew these awesome posters from the movie.

Henry thoroughly enjoyed the cake and smeared colorful icing all over his face.

Here is Henry with his favorite little friend, Lyla. So cute!

And no party would be complete without pin the tail on donkey. Henry's ended up by his ear but that is okay. Don't you love how round his belly gets after he stuffs himself full? Also he was the only party pooper of the evening, taking a moment to literally poop. Every party has a pooper...

in defense of the computer...

"I disagree with the idea that being online is a waste of time. I'd call it a use of time. I get defensive when somebody else decides that what I enjoy doing is a waste of time. According to whom?

When I'm online I read book reviews, recipes, current events, and health tips. I am inspired, and my mind is expanded. I've learned computer skills, writing techniques, toured photo galleries, participated in therapy sessions, become familiar with different lifestyles and ideas that broaden my understanding. I don't see the difference between learning from bloggers, books, photography classes, college courses, or child psychologists. I don't think relaxing on a golf course, quilting or biking is a waste of time, but I don't think those activities are superior to unwinding in front of the computer. They're just different. To me, wasting time means doing something I intensely dislike doing when I could be doing something necessary and/or enjoyable." -Kelly McCaleb

Image of space invader street art from flickr
more from Kelly McCaleb can be found here

The Under Cut

You might think that the title of this post is a typo. The under cut? Isn't it supposed to be the upper cut? Well I got the best haircut of my most recent life on Saturday. I guess you could say we gave my frizzy no shape mess the upper cut. Pow!

I told the stylist all about myself. How I have no emotional ties to my hair, I do like to put it up but it isn't a crutch for me. I have curly hair that needs to be thinned and often gets less curly the shorter it is. I love texture and am ready for something new. I am brave. I think sometimes people limit themselves on what their hair can really do by going into the salon with preconceived notions of what it should look like. I know in the past when I have had my mind set, I haven't been as happy with the results as I am when I just explain myself and let the professional take it all into consideration. Although sometimes pictures are a huge help like when I went full in for bangs last year.

She really delivered. For you other curly haired ladies, here is what she did. Instead of layering on the top layers, she layered underneath. Taking a lot of length off but also really thinning the underside. The top layers she twisted up creating a star part and then trimmed and razor bladed the heck out of it.

Honestly I haven't worn it in a ponytail for the whole week except once because I was sick. I don't even think about it. I just put a handful of mousse in in the morning and don't have to worry for the rest of the day. That is how hair should be. I should be able to catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror at 3:00 pm and still be happy with what is on my head. I shouldn't have to run for a pony tail holder to combat the simultaneously flat and frizzy mess.

I guess what I am trying to say is I deserve good hair. We all do. Its our most important accessory.

And with that have a great weekend. Steve has the whole next week off - thanks UGA! Henry has his first birthday party invitation and Steve's parents are coming into town for the Thanksgiving break. So I will be cleaning, cleaning, cleaning. I might be scarce here next week. Enjoy the holiday.

Around here lately...

 We've been enjoying new Christmas merchandise...Henry insisted on being in multiple shots. He was adamant.

 This was at the local park at the end of a hopscotch board. Always something worth remembering, right?

 We've been hanging with these lovely ladies

 I have been quilting my butt off. Our relief society has partnered with a sister to donate 120 lap quilts to a local nursing home.

And drinking lots of water. Its water, people. Don't judge me. Henry loves drinking from straws and I do too. Lots of ice and a straw make water so much better. He looks possessed, does he not?

Burrito or Bug?

Every couple of months I make a batch of freezer burritos. One hour of work creates fifteen easy to grab lunches and on the spot dinners. Saturday I made a batch. Rice made with a can of rotel added, chicken in the crock pot and then shredded with green salsa, refried beans and flour tortillas. Yum. Wrapped in foil, I piled them into the freezer. Well Steve ate one and hours later got super sick. Then I ate one and also got super sick. I was trying to convince myself it is just a bug and not the burritos. All of the food I used was fresh. I don't get it. So yesterday I laid around the house too weak to do more than hand Henry crackers and watch Clean House on Netflix.

I look at them, all that hard work and money and I just can't throw them away. Sad, huh?

P.S. That box doesn't really have pudding in it but bagged items. Although pudding sounds kind of good right now.

Refashion: Yellow Sweater

 I think this before picture is hilarious. I am trying to show you why I don't love this cardigan anymore, the sleeve ties, but I just look like I am trying to show you my muscles-which I don't have.

 I got this sweater from Kohl's. The color, I love. The sleeves, not so much. With the ties it just feels heavy. I haven't worn it in months. Solution: fix the sleeves.

 I opened the ties and cut them off. 

 Then I sewed the seam shut.

 Done and so much better. Isn't it crazy how something so simple could make all the difference? Oh and belting the cardigan over the dress is much needed improvement as well.

$422 for $43

I have been trying to clean up my blog posts and stumbled upon this draft that I never finished. I guess I wrote it before I became a little better about taking pictures of myself. It got me excited to be in Arizona for the holidays and to visit this awesome store and see family... 

As written on January 6, 2011 "While in Arizona Steve's mom took us to Last Chance, this totally awesome discount store where they sell returned and never sold items from department stores. It was complete mayhem but totally worth the digging and other ferocious shoppers. This is my totally awesome outfit that I scored for only $43."

Black Ruffled Dress from Eliza J via Nordstrom original price $147
Metallic Slingbacks from Cole Haan original price $275
The shoes are the most comfortable heels I've ever worn, they are even equipped with Nike Air technology.