Potpourri Mommy: September 2013

Mr. Potato Head Birthday Party

My little guy turned 1! It's amazing how a year ago he couldn't do much and now he is walking, climbing, interacting with others, constantly on the go, and the list goes on and on. We had Rylan's 1st birthday party a few weeks before he turned one so that we could celebrate with family while we were in Oregon. It was also nice having my creative mom around to help out a ton. Here is a recap of all the fun and festivities of the party.

Decorations:

Mr. Potato Head Banner: We drew, traced, cut, and glued the Mr. Potato Head banner.

Photo Banner: Picture of birthday boy each month of his first year

Potato Heads: I found some at a garage sale and borrowed some from a friend. Thanks Kelli @ fingerprintsonthefridge

First Year Smash Cake: I wanted a smash cake that was bigger than a cupcake but smaller than your typical 8 or 9 inch round cake. So we got a 4 pack of foil round pans from the Dollar Tree. They were the perfect size. I made the best homemade frosting (recipe to come soon)and decorated it simple with sprinkles. I then piped frosting around the edge of the cake. This was my first time piping. I always have dreaded the thought of making homemade frosting because whenever I would try to make it, it never turned out right. Thanks to my cousin Jen, I have a recipe for homemade frosting that I’m going to stick with.

Food:

Mr. Potato Bar:

o Baked potatoes, sour cream, green onions, chili, shredded cheese, frozen broccoli, butter

Mr. Potato Head’s spare parts (Veggie Tray)

o Tomatoes, carrots, cauliflower, celery, cucumbers

Fruit Kabobs

o Grapes, pineapple, watermelon, strawberries, cantaloupe

Drinks:

Water and Lemonade

Activities:

Mr. Potato Head: on table to put together

- Pictures of Mr. Potato Heads laid out for people to rebuild

Huge Floor Mr. Potato Head- Made out of fabric. Put Mr. Potato Head together on the floor/grass

Decorate your own Mr. Potato Head cupcake

Candies used for body parts:

o Eyes-York Peppermint Pieces with black icing

o Nose-Reese's Pieces

o Mouth- Life Saver gummies cut in half

o Ears- Licorice tidbits or Life Saver gummies cut in half

o Mustache/Eyebrows: Chocolate twizzlers

o Feet: Orange candy slices and fruit candy slices

Clown (aka my brother): Made balloon animals and juggled

Photo Booth: Get your picture taken with Mr. Potato Head

* Props: Hats, wigs, glasses, microphones, mustaches, party hats

* My mom made this Mr. Potato Head out of fabric and put it on burlap.

* Each family got their pictures taken with Mr. Potato Head. We put these pictures in with their thank you cards.

Party On!

Button earring holder

Traveling with earrings has always been a problem for me. I usually put all of my earrings together in a small bag and when it comes time to finding a pair to wear, it's a mess. The earrings are tangled together and the little earrings are always hiding. This simple trick is a great way to organize your earrings in a way that each pair of earrings stays together and are easy to access. All you do is get a button and put the earrings through the holes. It's just that simple!

10 cost effective Halloween Ideas

I love celebrating Halloween with creative costumes, fun decor, and tasty treats. Here are 10 things that I have done to get in the Halloween spirit.

Cat in the Hat Costume

Superman Costume

Halloween Frame

Mummy Cans

Halloween Chocolate Bar Covers

Candy Corn Sugar Cookies

Candy Corn Butterfingers

Candy Corn Fruit Treat

Mummified Pizzas

Bone Breadsticks

Halloween Chocolate Bar Covers

I love Halloween. When I think of Halloween I think of pumpkins, hay rides, apple cider, candy, and cute kids dressed up in costumes. I don't like the scary aspect of Halloween. There are so many fun and simple treats and crafts you can make for Halloween.
This is one craft that is so simple that you can make to give to your children, school teachers, friends, and trick-or-treaters. I made these crafts at a pinterest party, but the idea came from Women's Day.