2014 Summer Photo Session

Since I was pregnant with Rian, my wonderful friend, Ashley has captured several precious moments with us and the kids. As her framed photographs started to pop up around the house, Randy and I realized that we let many photo ops slip by the last few years with Rory. So we decided that we were going to have photos of the kids taken to mark their birthdays. So every six months or so, Ashley and I have a standing appointment to photograph the kids. It just works out that we get summer photos with Rian's birthday in June and fall/winter photos with Rory's birthday at the end of November.

The idea behind these photos came to me on Christmas when Rory received the VW bus tent and play barbuque set from my mother-in-law. I immediately had an image of a vintage, 1960's-like backyard setting. Something like the W Magazine cover story of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie in a similar setting when they were promoting Mr. & Mrs. Smith.

I even found an In Touch version of the Jolie-Pitt photos

So here are the photos to mark Rian's first birthday.

{All photo credits: Desert Lace Photography}

Thank you Ashley for the beautiful photos!!! I can't wait to do our next session. 

xoxo

-aMie

Rory's First Day of School

I can't believe that this is Rory's last year of pre-k. Could this really be his third first day of school?!? He was less than thrilled to be going to school today. Getting ready this morning, it seemed as if nothing about going to school could make him happy...not even a new Ninja Turtle shirt. And to add insult to his morning that I clearly ruined by making him get up... He saw his best friend drive by on the way to school. This did not go over well as Rory watched Landon drive in the opposite direction. I did however bring a glimmer of happiness to the sad little boy in the backseat when I said that Landon was not going to the park to play, he was too going to school. Rory sprouted from his seat, "Landon's going to school, too?!?" "Well yes, but he goes to a different school." POP! There went Rory's happy little bubble and he sank back into his seat. As I looked in my rear view mirror I could tell I was back on Rory's bad list. The fake tears and endless "I don't feel good" began as soon as I pulled into the parking lot and continued until I opened the door to his new classroom. And then his whole world changed. His new teacher, Ms. Jackie, bent down and introduced herself to him and she began to tell him the different activities he could partake in. Before she could finish he was off in the direction of the other kids. After I chatted with his teacher for a moment, I signed him in and I heard a loud "Bye Mommy! I love you!", and that was that! A new school year has began!!!

Let's take a quick look back at Rory's past first days of school:

2012-2013

Preschool 2-3 year olds

Ms. Dereese

2013-2014

Pre-K 3-4 year olds

Ms. Jonelle

And now...

2014-2015

Pre-K 4-5 year olds

Ms. Jackie

Ms. Kathy

Likes:

The color green, baseball, pizza, french fries, apples, strawberries, chocolate milk, Legos, cranes and trucks

Dislikes:

The dark, spiders and ghosts

xoxo

-aMie

Rian's Very First Birthday Party!!!

Before I get to the details of Rian's party, I'd like to first thank everyone that graciously gave a gift to Rian. It really isn't my style to not to send out thank you cards, but time just got away from me. Rory actually drew a picture for the front of the cards, but unfortunately I never got them printed. Shame on me! 

In Harrington fashion, Rian's birthday party was held on her actual birthday, June 9th! We had great group of kids, friends and family here to help us celebrate her special day. Living a few hours from "home", we know that most of our family won't be able to make parties and events. But I was grateful that my parents were able to come out and they brought my nephew with them. Oh yeah... my cousin Danielle and her husband decided to surprise us, since their trip to Vegas coincided with the party! I love, I mean LOVE when people surprise me. 

So a huge thank you to everyone who help make Rian's birthday so special! Here are the details of her garden party. Enjoy!

I created her invitations on the phone app A Beautiful Mess (yes, on a phone app!) Then I had them printed at a local Walgreens. 

I then folded the invitation in a strip of flower pattern paper, and tied with twine. All of the flower pattern paper and the twine was purchased at Michael's,

I made both her smash cake (for her birthday photos) and her birthday cake using an empty Nesquik can. I found a similar idea on Pinterest using a formula tin.

I just removed the wrapper and used a can opener to remove the lip of the canister. If you don't remove the lip, the cake will get caught on the lip preventing it from coming out of the canister once it's baked. I used only half the batter of boxed cake to make each cake. I used the other half of the batter to make the cupcakes.

Rian loves lemon and I thought that the lemon flavor was fitting for a garden party and the lemon frosting coordinated with her party colors. 

The glitter frame, glitter paper and wooded flowers were purchased at Michael's

Ok lets talk about food. Since half of the guests were pint size,  I decided on a pretty easy menu that little hands could manage:

Veggie stick chips (a kid favorite, at least with our group of kids)

Potato chips

Carrot and celery sticks with ranch dressing in small cups

Mixed fruit in small waffle cones and small cups 

Finger sandwiches (turkey & cheese, ham & cheese)

Chicken salad & tuna salad sandwiches

Peanut butter & jelly sandwiches (of course!)

Butterfly pasta (bowtie pasta salad)

For dessert:

Lemon cupcakes (make with applesauce instead of oil) with lemon frosting topped with blueberries

Chocolate cupcakes (make with pumpkin puree instead of water, eggs and oil) with chocolate whipped cream frosting topped with a raspberry

Dirt cups (chocolate pudding topped with crushed oreos and gummy worms) 

I made her cake topper banner with two wooden skewer sticks, twine and flower pattern paper. I simply cut out the letters o, n and e from the glitter paper, glued the letters to the paper, cut out a small triangle around each letter. I then glued the small triangles on to different patterned paper, and cut out the larger triangles. I then cut a long strip of twine about 24 inches long and taped the twine to the back of the triangles, securing them toward the middle of the twine. I wrapped the excess twine around each of the skewers and secured it with hot glue. When placing the topper in the cake, insert the skewers at an angle to create a banner effect. Sorry I don't have exact measurements for this, but I promise it was very easy to make.

The pretty birthday girl

{outfit details: Glitter 1 top / tutu / flower headband}

No joke, Rian fell asleep about 20 minutes into her party. 

Sleeping Beauty

{my headband details}

Yup, I have to shower her with kisses to wake her up. I mean I couldn't let her sleep through her whole party, there was cake!

My absolute favorite photo... Eating the cake off her arm. I guess I make a mean lemon cake!!!

We entertained the kids with a wooden garden stake painting station where they could choose from a butterfly, bumble bee, flower or a bird to paint.

Of course Rory's would be green!

And a friend of mine let us barrow her inflatable water slide. This was the best thing ever since weather was hot, Vegas hot.

Each kid took home a goodie bag filled with a flower planting kit, a plastic gardening tool and some candy.

Goodie bag design and tag idea from Pinterest

When we picked up Rian's invitations from Walgreens, there was an insert of a photo of a kid on a retro tricycle. Rory looked at it and said that he thought Rian should get a tricycle for her birthday. Once I told Randy what Rory said, he was in agreement. And so Rian got a tricycle for her first birthday!!!

Grammie sent Rian this awesome puzzle rocking chair. Why is it called a puzzle rocking chair? Because it comes in 8 pieces that you insert together to create a rocking chair. Assembly required, no tools needed! Music to my husband's ears...and my dad's for that matter.

How cute is her name?!? Did you know that Ryan means little king? So the feminine version means little queen aka princess!

My mom made Rian a doll house for her birthday. I wish I had taken a picture of the inside with all the little rooms and vintage furniture before I put it away. Rian is a little too small right now to play with it and I want her to understand just how special it is once I take it down for her. My mom put so much thought and detail into each room. Shocking I know, the interior designer in my mom was in heaven!

I can just imagine Rian's grandchildren looking at this photo and saying "That's you and your grandmother?" It just has that feel to it. I love it!

I have to say that the best thing I ever did was have a photographer at her party. I never had to worry about taking photos and I could just concentrate on hosting the party. I labeled the photos from Aly Lynn Photography, not only so Alyson can be recognized for her work, but also so you can see just how many photos she took. (and I only posted about half the photos I received back). After having a photographer at the party, I will say I will never not have one again. I think it's just a important as having food or decorations. Thanks Alyson!!!

{This is not a sponsored posted by Aly Lynn Photography}

xoxo

-aMie