Lets Party!

The time has come to start getting down to business with my party planning.  I have to start planning waaaay in advance because I like to do DIY decorations and I am only able to DIY after my little one is asleep.  And I can only stay up so late, since I work full time and they do not appreciate it when I take a nap at my desk (just kidding.....maybe...).  

My idea for a "camping" themed birthdays started last year when I saw the "Fort Pippa" birthday posted on 100 Layer Cakelet's blog.  And the idea continued to build as my daughter's love for animals increased.  I've thought about trying to build a tent or tee-pee for her to play in for a while.  Whether or not that actually happens is still yet to be seen, but I figured a camping birthday would be a good excuse for me when I explain to the hubby why we have a tent taking up so much space in our small apartment.

I've slowly been collecting an assortment of stuffed woodland animals to use at the party and I also started work on creating cutout animals like the ones in featured in the photos from the Fort Pippa party.  

I started creating the cutouts by finding outline drawing of animals online, printing them and then filling them in to create the look I like.  Then I used the projector in my husband's classroom to project the image on white cardboard I purchased at Hobby Lobby.  I drew my image on the cardboard.    

 The next step was cutting out the animals (which was a lot harder than it sounds).

 After the animals were cut out, I outlined them with Sharpie pens.  

I love how they turned out!  Right now I have them on the walls around my daughter's toys for decoration (since the party is not until November). Since these turned out so well, I am contemplating doing a few more animals.  Perhaps some rabbits or maybe a bear cub....

Vacation Time

Vacations are not what they used to be.  Pre-baby vacations consisted of foreign travel with all i needed packed in a duffle bag.  These days, vacations requiring extensive planning for what to do with our two dogs and one toddler.  Our luggage takes up the back of our SUV and it is mainly for the pups and child.  We planned a quick vacation to Carmel Valley, where we left Riley and the pups with their grandparents for a couple days so Chad and I could have a quick get away in Santa Cruz.

While in the valley, we visited the Monterrey Bay Aquarium with the whole family.  That is always fun and now that Riley is a little older, she has some great reactions to the sea creatures.  

Although leaving behind by three babies was a little stressful, it was nice getting to relax (and sleep in) in Santa Cruz.  We stayed at the Dream Inn, and while it is a little pricey, the view is to die for.  It is the only hotel on the beach and it is conveniently located next to the wharf and boardwalk.

(View from our balcony)

Chad and I are normally creatures of habit and like to visit the same places we've already been, especially when it comes to food.  Normally we would go to Lillian's Kitchen for their Sunday Gravy on polenta.  However, this time we changed it up a bit.  Although we went to Pizza My Heart on Pacific Ave (an old stand by for me from when I used to visit my friend at college), we ventured out and also tried a little hold in the wall cafe.

The little gem is called Cafe Brasil and I was originally drawn there to try their Acai bowls.  While their Acai bowls looked delicious, once I looked at their menu, I knew I had to try one of their Brazilian dishes.  I had the Orfeu Negro, and it was delicious.  It was stewed black beans over baguette slices, two poached eggs and melted mozzarella on top.  It made me think of a "Brazilian eggs benedict" and I loved every bite of it.  Chad ordered the Galo Pinto which was black beans and rice with two eggs, fried plantains and a special Costa Rican sauce.  His dish was also delicious, but I preferred mine.

(Cafe Brasil)

I also found this cute house around the corner from Cafe Brasil.  The house had a little matching free library out in front.  I love the sun detail in the apexes of the roof.

All in all, it was a good vacation and now it is time to start saving for the next.