Dinosaur Party Inspiration

We've got a big birthday coming up! Oliver turns 4 at the end of the month, but with the holiday and other plans, we're celebrating this weekend. We tried to incorporate him more in the planning this year because, well, he has opinions. The lad vascillated between a dinosaur party, a truck party, and a bird party. Continually. Finally, I made the call and decided on dinosaurs.

I looked online for some inspiration and got it in spades. Holy wah! Did you know there are all-out-kids'-birthday-party-coordinators out there? Yes, there are. We don't intend to put on that caliber of event, but incorporate a couple fun ideas. Here's what we're planning:

T Rex Watermelon Server

Source: watermelon.org via Amy on Pinterest

Lava Cupcakes

Source: hostessblog.com via Amy on Pinterest


A Dino Egg Hunt

Source: blog.catchmyparty.com via Amy on Pinterest

A Dino Egg (or Head?) Pinata

Source: blog.catchmyparty.com via Amy on Pinterest

Dino Invitations and Decorations

Source: hp.com via Amy on Pinterest

Fossil Cookies

Source: marthastewart.com via Amy on Pinterest

Snack foods and Dino Veggie Spread

Source: seekatesew.blogspot.com via Amy on Pinterest

We'll see how much we actually attempt since it's coming up this weekend. But it's been fun planning and anticipating O's excitement. He keeps seeing Dino invites and decorations around the house and asking about it. Fun fun. We'll post some pictures after the event!

Down and Out

My studio, of sorts, has been occupying a wall in Etta's room. Inspiration to sew, combined with a spring cleaning bug got me to to haul it all out of there down to the corner of the basement that will be its future home.

We have yet to hang the art in her room and closet bars and shelves elude us... but otherwise, this is finally another finished room!

It's the Little Things

Being that we've lived here a year now, you'd think we be done with most rooms. At least the bulk of them. And I suppose we are; the important things are done (heating, plumbing, you know). But it's the little things that elude us. Things like towel bars, shades, toilet paper holders...

Finally finished the master bath. Thanks, Grandpa!

I've gotten pretty lax about posting photos of finished rooms and details on them, since building isn't our main focus now. But I do like to document it, so here's a new installment: 

::The Ofuro tub is the Neptune Osaka. It was the deepest soaking tub we could find with the smallest footprint and water usage. We didn't splurge for the jets or neck pillows, but we love it. The kids adore it.

::The toilet is the Toto Aquia, a dual-flush water saving toilet. We totally love it and probably should have gotten them for every toilet in the house, but we tried to save some money there.

::Our shower and bath fixtures are the Green Tea Collection by American Standard.

::Everything else is scrapped together: an off-the-shelf Menard's sink, the vanity base built to our specs by the cabinetmaker, boxes and boxes of Lowe's clearance tile (imported from Pennsylvania! Thanks Pap-pap!), a mirror from IKEA, and bamboo accessories (medicine cabinet, paper and towel holders, and shades) from your local big box store.

Whew. It feels a little overwhelming again revisiting it all now. All those decisions, all those purchases... glad to have another small part done.

Spring Getaway

We planned a family weekend way back in cold winter. We rented a Forest Service cabin to ski in to and spend a fun weekend curled up around the wood stove, reading, knitting, and eating simply.

Things didn't go according to plan. That happens (happens heaps with us). Spring came early, so with no snow we drove to the cabin. Temps were fluctuating but once we got a roaring fire going, we had to open the door to avoid roasting ourselves. And while it did not end up being particularly relaxing (the Beaner can't seem to sleep when out of routine), it was rewarding and fun.

A beautiful weekend: great times spent out of doors, a visit to a part of the Forest we hadn't tromped before, and a recharge to the system. We'll do it again.