I have a 7 year old...

It's hard to believe that my oldest just turned 7 a few weeks ago! Where has the time gone?...and most importantly, I'm way too young to have a 7 year old...hahaha!

When we asked Logan what he wanted to do for his big day he initially said a sleepover with his buddies. Well, with having a baby that's not sleeping through the night and just having planned Emily's baptism and Mary Kate's 2nd birthday...I couldn't muster up the enthusiasm for a sleepover. So, we went with his second choice...a party at Chucke E. Cheese.

I have two words to describe that party at Chucke E. Cheese...ORGANIZED CHAOS!

There were 5 other parties taking place at the same time as Logan's however all the services and excitement that we were promised were delivered. All of Logan's guests enjoyed playing games, eating pizza, cake, and ice cream. Logan danced with Chucke, received a coin crown, a birthday medal, and spent 30 seconds in the "Ticket Blaster" booth. The kids had so much fun that we that we ran out of time to open presents. (I have to admit...it was really nice to actually get to watch Logan open each of his presents at home and see what he received vs. trying to do it at the already chaotic party.)

When all was said and done we were all exhausted but we got to leave the mess and fun behind and return to our clean and quiet home to relax...I would definitely do it again!

The following Monday was Logan's actually birthday and I was excited to finally do something that I had been dreaming about doing since the day I became a mother...making Logan's birthday treats for his class! Silly I know...but it is something that I remember my mom doing when I was little and how excited I would be to pass out MY treats. I just hope that I gave Logan that same excitement on his special day.

I had this grand plan to make these cookie suckers that I would decorate with the name of each student in the class. As the wee hours of the night went by my swearing became a little louder and vulgar...however the smile that came across Logan's face when he saw all of the cookies was priceless! I completely forget about the cramp in my hand that I had from squeezing the icing bag. I vowed to never do that again...but when the next child asks for cookie suckers I know I will say yes without hesitation.

So, another birthday that has come and gone which only reminds me that this getting older thing (for them and me) can't be stopped. Sure I get a little sad thinking about the time that has gone by wishing I could savor every moment...but then that turns into happiness as I get to see my wonderful children grow up into great little people.

Well, that's all for now...

PS - Sorry about all of the large gaps in between paragraphs...I've tried to fix it several times without any luck. I wish I were tech-savy.

Quick share...

I just wanted to share some cards that I have been working on these past few days.

These first note cards I made are intended to be the thank you notes that I will send out for Emily's baptism. I just got THIS (that little link there is a first for me...so basic, yet so fun to learn something new) adorable stamp set from Papertrey. As with all of their stamps that I have purchased I love them! How can you not like something that has the word "tiny" in it?



My camera (not me) clearly has issues with taking pictures close up. Sorry...I just wanted to show off that tiny little strawberry better and how instead of using any of the sayings that came with the stamp set, I added Emily's name and then stamped around it.

These next two cards are samples I made for my friend Melissa whose daughter, Megan, is receiving her First Communion. She asked if I would make the invitations for the event...I wanted to give her a couple of new options to choose from.





Last year I had made these two cards for another client.




Megan will have the last say...I'll keep you posted of what she decides.

Well, that's all for now...

Bald is beautiful...

This past weekend Jeff shaved his head bald for a wonderful cause! Recently he learned about a foundation called St. Baldericks. This foundation raises money for pediatric cancer research. It is the largest money raising organization for kid's cancer research. Jeff's goal was to raise $2,000 but ended up raising $3,385! The support from friends and family was amazing! Thank you to everyone who donated!

Friday we headed to Indianapolis for the event. A reception was held at a K of C where there was food, music, and drinks for all the people participating. As soon as we entered the room we encountered one bald head after another...men, teenagers, little kids, and even women! The shaving of the heads was took place on a stage where there were several barbers lined up ready to expose your scalp. At 7:00 p.m. when Jeff's name was called he went up without hesitation...in fact I think he was looking forward to seeing himself bald.

Well...here was the end result...


Not too bad! No weird lumps or bumps were exposed...thank goodness:) In fact...the next day Jeff took a razor to his head to make it all nice and shiny. As of now he plans to keep it shaved for awhile and I must say I don't mind.

I am often amazed at what Jeff commits himself to. With his already busy life or running a company, traveling, raising 5 kids, training for marathons, involvement in several organizations...things like donating time, money, and even shaving his head are still on his mind. I absolutely love this about him!...and he inspires me to do more and be better. Now, does that mean I'll shave my head next year...probably not...but I am so proud of Jeff and to be his wife!

Well, that's all for now...

The complete party...

Awhile back I had made these invitations for my friend Julie who was hosting a baby shower for her friend Lani.

Well, Julie took the onesie theme and (with the help of our friend Kate) ran with it! I had to share all that they created for this shower...too cute!

The two (red and brown) chocolate suckers were made from a onesie sucker mold she found on ebay. The onesie on top of the cupcake was self made. Julie used the onesie stamp I used on the invitation and stamped it onto a piece of paper. She then placed the stamped image on a cookie sheet beneath some wax paper. Next she carefully drizzled melted chocolate on the wax paper using the onesie under the paper as a stencil. And the end result were these adorable onesies that topped her cupcakes.

Center pieces made from a brown lunch bag

Party favors for the guests...but I'm drawing a blank on what was put inside???

Another center piece...it's hard to see, but what looks like sand in the bucket is actually brown sugar. What a sweet touch!...hahaha

When I make an invitation I always try to create a thank you note to match. Here is what I came up with. It's a style that I've used before but changed it up a little with the papers, buttons, and wording.

The type might be hard to read but it says, "From the crib of the littlest Amann..."

Here is how I packaged them up.

It's really fun to see how one idea can generate another! Well, that's all for now...

A Birthday and a Baptism...

Last weekend was a busy couple of days at the Rieder house...

We kicked off Friday with Mary Kate's 2nd Birthday! Although Jeff didn't make it home because of a cancelled flight and Logan had Cub Scouts...the remaining Rieders managed to make MK feel special. While she was napping Frank and I made her cupcakes and wrapped her presents. After dinner we sang Happy Birthday, ate our cupcakes, and opened presents. Mary Kate seemed to be thrilled with it all! I know she is only 2 and most likely won't remember her 2nd birthday, but I still felt the need to make her actual birthday as special for her as I could.

Frank helping me make Mary Kate's cupcakes...he was truly a huge help!

The birthday girl thrilled with her cupcake tower!

This is her special birthday outfit that she wore the day of the baptism. Since everyone was coming over I piggy backed her birthday to the baptism...we had a cake and sang Happy Birthday! (The never ending "Mommy Guilt" of trying to make everything special:)

On Saturday morning I had to run 10 miles as a part of my marathon training. It's not the most I've had to run so far...but nonetheless it had to get done during this busy weekend.

Then on Sunday at the 10 o'clock mass Emily was baptized. Most of my family and all of Jeff's family were able to make it. Emily did great! She slept for most of the mass and when it came time for the water to be poured over her head she didn't even flinch. The entire event at the church was emotional...the baptism itself (my daughter being welcomed into this wonderful community) and the fact that this will most likely be my last child to be baptized. I held it together pretty well, but there was a moment or two where I was trying hard not to cry:)

Our big family...I love it!

Chris (Ken's wife and God mother), me and Emily, Fr. Bill, Jeff, and Ken (Jeff's brother and God father)

After church everyone came back to our house for lunch. It was a great weekend!