Toy Story take over - Part 2

Here are my other two projects for Aiden's Toy Story Party.

First up is the birthday banner. I searched Pinterest for hours trying to find a banner that I liked and that I had the supplies on hand to make. But I could not find one - so I created this one. First I downloaded this font, then using Word I typed Happy Birthday- I made the letter I think around 160 pt - I made it so 2 fit on a page. I then printed them and colored them (it was great therapy). I used the lid to a reusable container to draw a circle around the letters as a guide to cut. I folded 8 1/2 x 11 cardstock in half and then cut triangles to get the pendants. Then glued the letters on. I attached the pendants to curling ribbon using tape and viola it's done! 

I don't know why it has the line through it.

Here is how I attached the ribbon  to the back.

Had a pregnancy brain moment and forgot to do Aiden's name :(

Project two was the front door wreath, I found through Pinterest here. I changed mine some since my dollar tree didn't have the hay wreath. Here is how mine turned out.

Just have fun with a glue gun & army men!

I don't recommend using labels here like I did.

I found the pinwheels at the Dollar Tree and just broke the sticks, they even blew in the wind. 

  I leave you with my favorite 3 year old!

We're still here!

Not to worry we didn't disappear or run away. After sharing the stomach virus and then Aiden gettting Strep, I just didn't have time to get on here and post. But never fear I have some posts coming this week! Including Aiden's party and our "Babymoon/6th Anniversary trip" to St. Augustine so keep an eye out for those. I might even get one in tonight!

We did it!

        We survived the first full week without Mimi! You should know that I love my mom very much. She is pretty much the glue that holds me together. I think I would literally fall apart if she wasn't in my life. She has been Aiden's main caregiver since he was 3 months old. She was gone for about a month in January and I almost died but we made it - thanks to Jesse's family. She has gone to stay a few months in Tennessee on the family dairy which is were she needs to be but it doesn't change the fact that I would like her here - she will be here for Felicity's birth! (Right, mom?)
         I have had nightmares about this week for at least a month. I figured this would be a week from your know where - I was scared to be honest. But we did it - and we weren't late to work everyday, we didn't eat out, Aiden didn't have any huge breakdowns (there may have been a few small ones - but who really loves school? oh wait, I do) I am so proud of us. The only major fail we had was that we managed to kill my mom's fancy coffeepot that makes amazing coffee :(
    I am mostly proud of us today for managing to get to school, Starbucks (free coffee even) and still get to work ahead of schedule!! Way to go Team Rudolph!

Toy Story Take Over - Part 1 - CAKE!!

      This weekend was someone's special day at my house! I can't believe it but Aiden turned 3 on Saturday (oh yea what a way to celebrate Cinco de Mayo). On Friday night Buzz and Woody started their take over at my house. We had a blast and Aiden LOVED all the Toy Story items around the house...I am currently starting at huge Buzz Lightyear balloon! All of our family came plus some really great friends and we just had a great time being our goofy selves. There were a lot of pictures taken (my father-in-law was like the paparazzi) and I haven't gotten my hands on all of them yet -hence the "part 1 - the cake"
      I love making cakes. I am not a professional by any means but I love doing it. I find it relaxing most of the time and love to see the reaction of someone when they see their cake. You should also know that I HATE fondant- I find it gross and fake looking so I always use the oh so yummy buttercream. This is the cake I found on Pinterest that I wanted to make for the party: http://media-cache8.pinterest.com/upload/244812929713622413_ZxNidZFV_f.jpg. So here is my process: Make lots cake! This cake required 2- 12 inch, 2- 9 inch, and 2 - 7 inch. I didn't realize this when we starting making cake on Friday and my mom had to make a 10:30 pm run to Wal-mart (she's the best)
Step 1: I crumb coat the cakes to help everything look a little smoother. Crumb coat is just a thin layer of frosting around everything. Then I put them in the fridge or freeze depending on how much time I have.

Layers 2 and 3 get the crumb coat and go in fridge.

Step 2: Let the decorating begin! 

Top layer is Woody's vest so just a nice coat of buttercream.

To make the cow spots for I heated tootsie rolls in the microwave for about 8 secs and then molded them. To get them nice and flat you can you the back of a metal teaspoon. I then placed them around the top of the cake. 

Woody's shirt was suppose to be done with red icing pen that I found at Joann's but it came out runny so I had to improvise with Twizzlers (this was lik3 30 mins before the party started so no pressure! ) 

Here I am piping the cloud which were really easy to do. A straight line and then 3 circles on the line. 
 I then just pipped around each layer to cover up where each layer meets to make it look pretty!

Here is my birthday boy with his finished cake. I found edible letters at Joann's (using a 50% coup). I recommend using tweezers to apply the letters and taking your time.  Right now this is the best picture I have of the cake.

So there it is. Stay tuned for more Toy Story!

Busy Little Rudolphs

    We have been working like crazy around here lately. We got the office cleaned out and packed, got Mimi all moved it and had a yard sale just in time for Felicity's crib and changer/dresser to arrive. We spent at least 3 hours getting the dresser together and about an hour doing the crib. Pictures coming soon, still need to work on getting her bedding set in there.  Aiden helped with the crib- He wanted to screw in every screw and did really well at getting them in.
    This is Aiden's birthday week and he had his first full day of school yesterday! He did good at school but was a little sad when Mimi was there to get him instead of Mommy. Today is my day to work from home so I am uploading Yearbook photos and Aiden is finding all of his long lost toys and dragging them out! We are going to spend afternoon time cleaning up around the house in preparation for the Toy Story Birthday Party to take over on Saturday. I have a lot of projects that I have been working on for this party so get ready for a cool picture post and I am really excited about the cake!!
     I had a doctors appointment yesterday with the oh so yummy glucose test - good news is I do not have gestational diabetes but I am anemic so I will have to take iron pills (gross) again with this pregnancy. Everything with Felicity looks good. I was worried about my weight gain but the doctor misunderstood what I was saying thought I was worried about the "wait" in the dr. office! But my appointments are now every 3 weeks so I am sure if my "weight" is an issue they will tell me in 3 weeks. I can't believe we are already at 3 weeks in between appointments - I am just not ready for her to be here yet. I feel like there is so much that I need to get done between setting up for her and getting prepared for maternity leave at work. These next few months are going to fly by!