Fawn Over Baby

Homeschooling in Comfort

2026-05-04T19:47:00.004-04:00

Homeschooling can be intimidating for a lot of parents. However, with more and more amazing resources at our fingertips, it can be a simple process and pleasant - depending on how open you and your kiddos are to schooling from home.

While my husband was still active duty military, we were moving to another state for a short period of time and I didn’t want to enroll my kiddos in a school for only a few months, so i decided to homeschool. I was nervous and scared and doubtful it would be a pleasant experience. We were moving into base housing with hardly any space to even set up a homeschool station. I took to Pinterest to come up with ideas on ways to use the space we had and make it a great place to learn! I decided to use a corner of our kitchen to create a space to house all of our homeschooling accouterment.

I love how it turned out and my kiddos loved having their own little space to work and keep all their supplies. We did have plenty of days that they decided to mix things up and do their work in other rooms of the house but it was nice to have a home base to keep all things homeschool instead of scattered all over the house.

Tween Animal Theme Room - RV Mid-Bunk Makeover

2022-06-21T17:20:00.003-04:00

If you have been following along, you know that we are currently living in a Keystone Montana 3855BR RV. We are temporarily living here while my husband transitions from Military to Civilian Life. So far it has not been so bad and I actually recommend anyone willing to give it a try. It really does show you how little you can actually live on, comfortably. We do miss having more space to spread out to, however, creating little nooks and crannies where you can in an RV, helps and gets the job done.

Today, I am sharing my daughter's room. Originally this pace was a dark little office cave located off of our kitchen. With her growing into her tween years, we knew she would appreciate her own room and space away from little brother from time to time - is it became her room. After we moved in, we got to work thinking of things she likes and would like to incorporate into her room decor. She LOVES anything animal related, so when I came across the adorable giraffe pattern wall stickers at the Target Dollar section, I knew we had a direction to go with.

Here is the before of what the room looked like. I used the manufacturers image, however, it is pretty spot on.

Here is our after: Links to Sources are below at the bottom of this post.

Sources:

Bedding: Beddy's Bed

Bistro Curtains: Amazon

Wall Stickers: Target Dollar Spot

Wall Paint: Lowes

Wall Clock: Amazon

Wall Hooks: Amazon

Woven Baskets: Target Dollar Spot

Wooden Animal Wall Art: Amazon

Floor Cushion: Amazon

Book Holder: Amazon

Cube Storage and Baskets: Ikea

Desk Wall Organizer: Ikea

Cabinet Pulls: Amazon

Keystone Montana 3855BR RV MidBunk Makeover - Tween Theme

2022-06-21T16:19:00.000-04:00

2022 was a an even crazier year for us vs the years prior if you can believe that. With so much going on in the world and within the military specifically, my husband made the tough decision to retire earlier than we originally planned to. As we began to make plans to separate from the military, my husband was accepted as a skill-bridge candidate to intern for an aerospace company in Colorado Springs area. It was a great way for military members to transition to the civilian workforce. It would be a 6 month commitment and an unknown as far as a full time hire, so my husband came up with the idea to buy and live in an RV while he finishes up his internship and secures a permanent career. With a lot of discussion and weighing the pros and cons, we decided to go for it. The one thing I was excited about was being able to get in there an attempt to make it feel more like home. We started with Haines's loft area and are slowly moving on to each room as we are able to. I hope you enjoy before and afters because we will have a lot coming your way.

Here is Haines's space. Its teeny tiny, so it more for sleeping and/or quiet time with a book or his tablet when there needs to be some sibling separation.

This is what we were working with before. It is a nice space and would be great for traveling and/or using for a short amount of time, however, I really wanted this space to feel more like his real bedroom so I painted and and added a few things to help that vision along.

Sources:

Bedding: Beddy's Bed

Night Stand: Ikea Plant Stand

Wallpaper: Amazon

Small Wooden Crate: Ikea Wooden Crate

Wooden Clock: Target Dollar Spot

Night Stand Light: Big Lots

Wall Name: Name Etsy

Bistro Curtains: Amazon

Swoon Worthy Rainbow Themed Nursery for Sweet Tori Grace

2021-04-17T16:55:00.012-04:00

When it comes to creating a special place to bring your newborn baby home to, it can be overwhelming for most moms. There are so many amazing trends, themes and color combos, its hard to choose. There is one trend that stands out most to me that I usually always fall back on and its "neutral". There is just something about soft neutral colors that bring comfy, cozy vibes and isn't that exactly what all parents want for their sweet babies. A little haven that is full of inspiration and beauty without being too overwhelming.

Well my wonderful friend, fellow military spouse and expecting mom to sweet baby girl, Tori Grace did just that. She pieced together her little girl's nursery using soft subtle pink, white and a grey hues creating a rainbow theme that adds whimsy with a touch of sophistication making it easy to transition as she grows older. I'm so in love with the different textures and accents Mandi added to each corner of the room creating a soft and soothing space fit for any newborn.

Join with me as we fawn over sweet Tori Grace's nursery and her mama's timeless eye for design.

I can’t wait to share her gorgeous maternity photos tomorrow. Their sweet family is as beautiful on the inside as they are on the outside.

McKenzie’s 8th "Party Animal" Theme Birthday Party

2020-10-29T00:16:00.011-04:00

Our sweet little animal loving girl turned 8 this month and I can help but feel all the feels about it. On one hand I'm so proud and blessed to be able to watch her grow into such a wonderful and kind person, yet on the other hand its hard on this mama's hear to except that she's no longer our little baby girl. I wouldn't have it any other way though, I think it is ok for mamas to have a little cry over their babies growing up. It just means that they love them that much more!

This year McKenzie wanted to have a wild animal party. Thank goodness for Etsy because I honestly didn't know where to start. I found this adorable "animal party" themed birthday set with all the bright colors that she is loving these days and I was sold! The invites, backdrop, game posters, thank you notes - all had coordinating images that pulled the entire party together. It made for an easy set-up for sure. All I had to do was add balloons and a few other accessories to take it over the top (I tend to do that a lot ;/).

The table cover is actually just fabric I picked up here at hobby lobby. The cake toppers are animal figurines I found at our local dollar tree. I just spray painted them coordinating bright colors to match the rest of the details.

I went simple on the cake and purchased this one from our local Walmart. They always do a great job and they are delicious!

I was surprised to find the Cheetos brand Cheetah Paws at Walmart, so I of course grabbed those up.

The Zebra tails were my favorite. I found that idea off of Pinterest and had to incorporate. Some little guests were a fan and some weren't but they made for a cute addition to the table ;o)

Each place setting had a goodie bag filled with animal themed toys and a cup full of what was supposed to be frosted animal crackers, however they melted in the car on the way over ;'(

This is where I get into trouble. I saw this idea on Pinterest and had to add it in! I mean how cute are those little safari animals in their carrying cases. Over the top I know but I couldn't help myself and kiddos couldn't wait to pick theirs out. So it was a win-win!

These mask I found on Amazon went perfectly with the theme. Its always fun to have a photo booth or even just props to take party pics with.

These little blow up animals were a sweet little touch. I used the elephant as a centerpiece and it made the perfect statement as our little guests enter the room.

Pin the tail on the zebra was a request from the birthday girl so I can't take credit. Im so grateful for the little shop, Design My Party Studio, on etsy once again for thinking of everything when it comes to party decor! Her cute bday t-shirt is from etsy shop About A Sprout.

We so enjoyed this sweet little party and felt so much love! Thanks to all of the creatives out there that make it so much easier for us mamas to plan the perfect celebration for our little!

Haines Disney Pixar Cars Birthday

2020-10-27T14:47:00.000-04:00

Technically this is Haine's 4th birthday, however, we've used the same theme for two years in a row. So he is now 5 but I though I would share a quick and easy way to set up a bday display without breaking the bank. This particular year we didn't have a huge party but I still wanted to do something special that made a statement. Banners are the way to go to pull it off. You can purchase on amazon for around $30, sometimes even cheaper and they really to pack a punch.

I think just purchase coordinating items from Dollar Tree or Walmart to fill in.

I found orange cones at the Dollar Tree and purchased several of those to display around. The plates, pennant flags and napkins were from the party aisle at Hobby Lobby.

The cake is from Walmart. They always do a great job and their cakes are pretty delicious!This cars cake even came with a few toy cars to set atop the cake.

I found these streamers on amazon as well. I received a big pack of them pretty cheap too.

I did splurge a little on these custom cookies. I love a good customer cookie, they always add festive fun decor and they are pretty great to eat too!

THe balloons I purchased on amazon as well and had our local grocery store blow them up the day of. He absolutely loved these!

A birthday isn't complete without your own custom bday t shirt. I found this on etsy. He still loves to wear it to this day (and he's now 5 years old lol!) The car drive along came from Walmart online. We got it for a steal (in my opinion) definitely shop around.

All in all, it was a festive and fun celebration that my son absolutely loved! Who says you have to have a house full of guests to enjoy a bday party with a bang! Lol!

Unicorn Themed Birthday Party - McKenzie Turns 6!

2019-10-27T16:23:00.001-04:00

As I prepare for my daughter McKenzie's 7th birthday, I realized that I never shared her 6th birthday party from last year. I guess that's what happens when you are a mom of two plus everything you decided to commit to this year, knowing full well you don't have the time or metal space to add anything else. I don't know how but I am able to sit here and write this post without distraction! Can I get a Hallelujah?!

This party was such a wonderful whimsical celebration! McKenzie is an avid dinosaur lover and to my surprise she slowly transitioned over to unicorns. So when it came time to plan her 6th year birthday party, Unicorn Themed it was!

I searched high and low for a venue to host her party in hopes to have a pony ride for her and her little guests but came up short. Within just a few weeks of the set date, I found this adorable PonyLand Farm about 30 minutes outside of town. Not only did that have a special place on their land to host a fun party, they also offered "Unicorn" pony rides! As a mom/party planner, to say I was thrilled is putting it lightly! I literally fell to my knees with overwhelming gratitude!

As far as decor, I used the faux grass backdrop that we've had for years. We bought it for McKenzie's Peppa Pig party back when she turned 3. This backdrop was well worth the time and $$, we've used it for so many events. (more info in photo captions...)

These adorable cookies were made custom from Sweet Addictions Bakery her in town.

The cake, I purchased at publix. They always do a great job! The Unicorn eye lashes and flower
horns, I printed off at Office Max from a google image. The leaves I purchased from hobby lobby
a while ago.

The table I used a plastic gold table cloth from walmart and laid a magnolia garland down the center.
The floral plates were purchased from Amazon here & here They matched perfeclty with the unicorn backdrop!
The flower lid mason jars, I purchased from Etsy years back. They are plastic and are perfect for little girl parties

I made the girls peanut butter and jelly finger sandwiches in the shape of starts using a star cookie
cutter.

I also served buggle chips or we called them "unicorn horns"

The girls enjoyed making their own unicorn horn treats using icing and ice cream cones.

The girls received cute little unicorn headbands to wear during the party. I purchased them here
on amazon.

The horse property was kind enough to let the girls use watercolor soap paint on their ponies. The pony loved
getting loved on all morning.

Pony rides were a must and the girls loved riding their unicorn around.

I purchased McKenzie's outfit on amazon as well. Birthday Girl T-Shirt & Floral Leggings.

These goodie bags were purchased at Dollar Tree. I simply hot glued the unicorn flower horns and drew on eyelashes.

My son had a little too much fun at the dessert table.

All in all it was a wonderful morning spent playing, riding, painting and eating. These little 6 year olds had the best time celebrating our little McKenzie and for that we are so grateful!

Children's Book "BOO" by Jeanna Ganas

2019-09-26T16:51:00.000-04:00

This school year has been such a whirlwind for this mama. My oldest is now in second grade (how did that happen so quickly?) and my youngest is now in full-day Pre-K! It feels like yesterday I was feeding them bottles and rocking them to sleep in the middle of the night. They have shown me how fast time flies and to take time to relish all the small moments in their little bitty lives.

This morning at school was one of those moments that I couldn't help but be so proud and excited for them. Both of their classes attended a book reading from our town's very own Published Author, Jeanna Ganas. Her new children's book, "BOO" is a TRUE story about her pre-k class hamster named "BOO" who escaped in the middle of the night. The story takes readers on the sweetest journey on finding his way back home with a wonderful take-away message to "Never Give Up!" The kids eyes were in awe as they watched and listened to Jeanna's story telling. I don't think the teachers have ever seen an entire Pre-K group sit as still as they did. At the end of the reading Mrs. Jeanna brought a very special guest for the kiddos to pet. They were so excited to get to meet BOO (in plush form) making this book reading even more special.

When we arrived home, the kids couldn't wait to read their very own signed copy of "BOO" and it made this mama's heart smile. Boy how wonderful it is that there are so many authors with such huge hearts for children that they dedicate their time and talent to encourage, inspire and imprint beautiful messages that they are able to take and use in their own every day lives. If you are looking to add to your child's book collection, "BOO" has the most beautiful illustrations that bring the pages to life and the sweetest message for the children to take with them on the forever growing-up journey.

Spring Floral Baby Shower For Sweet a Sweet Girl

2019-03-29T13:40:00.000-04:00

Spring is in the air!! Or we like to pretend it is anyway. It’s more like Pollen and allergens in the air here in South Georgia. I love Spring Season though. There are so many beautiful colors and wonderful smells coming out of the woodworks, popping up all over triggering so much creativity in this old brain of mine. When it came time to create a speical baby shower in honor of a precious baby girl that we will be welcoming to this world soon, I couldn't help put bring the outdoors in!

With flowers abound, I went on a wreath making spree and never looked back. I knew flowers had to take the stage, however to avoid overwhelming the special occasion, I went with a simple embroidery hoop wreath display. I added various sizes with greenery, flower blooms and a few baby friendly hyms that would be such a sweet touch and keepsake in baby's nursery.

Sources: Green Grass Backdrop (Amazon), Peach & White Blooms (Dollar Tree), Embroidery Hoops & Greenery (Hobby Lobby)

Beautiful Mom and Friend Kathryn matching perfectly with the floral theme!

Welcome Door Wreath: Embroidery Hoop (Hobby Lobby, Flowers (Dollar Tree), Peonie Bloom (TJ MAX), Welcome Sign (Wrapping Paper DIY)

Monogram Wreath: Wooden Monogram (Etsy), Hoola Hoop -Painted Gold (Dollar Tree), Florals (Dollar Tree), Greenery Garland (Hobby Lobby)

Name Banner DIY: , Craft Paper, Twine & Adhesive Letters (Hobby Lobby)

Beautiful Mom and Daughter Photo Opp

(I so enjoyed hosting this special day with these beautiful friends)

Freshly Picked Sandal Launch + Giveaway

2018-04-14T18:26:00.000-04:00

Hi friends! Spring is here (or somewhat depending on where you live) and Summer is just around the corner! I always look forward to this time of year, Sun shining, Flowers blooming and the latest spring and summer fashion trends popping up on my social media feed! My favorite one that I just so happened to receive an email about was in regards to my favorite kid's shoe brand, Freshly Picked! Since my babes were born, I always had a sweet pair of Freshly Picked Moccasins waiting on them and loved how they protected their feet in the sweetest way. Now that they are all grown up to the ripe old age of 5 and 2 (I knowI'm a little dramatic), their moccs have definitely seen better days, however thanks to the genius behind the brand, Mompreneaur Susan Peterson - Freshly Picked just launched their new line of gorgeous gender neutral leather sandals for small babes all the way up to Big Kids! These sandals are not only beautiful they come with an amazing feature that ALL moms will appreciate!! Keep Reading....It gets good!

Freshly Picked is known for the innovative construction of the modern day moccasins for baby and toddlers, so it when it came time to create their new summer style shoe they did not disappoint! These sandals are made with PREMIUM leather (what FP is known for) allowing the straps to fit comfortably around your child's little feet. They are water-risistant so that our kiddos can still be kids!! They are constructed with a soft padded premium leather insole and cushioned sole for added comfort. My favorite feature that will have every mom reading this raising their hands singing Hallelujah! is the prong-free buckles???!!! Can I Get An AMEN! Yes you read that right, see video below for demonstration and proof!

Is this not the best thing since sliced bread? When we received our Freshly Picked Sandals, I could not wait to try them on my littles, amazed at how incredibly easy and stable this buckle truly is. No worries about it coming loose or kid's who are sized in between buckle holes. You just slip through and go!! And the strap lays flat and comfortable on my kiddos ankles, so no irritation or rubbing. These are truly FANTASTIC! This past Saturday, We went to our local SnoCone Shop Snopocalypse to take advantage of the nice day we were having and it was so nice to be able to slide them on, buckle and go without the hastle!

Outfit Credit: SnoCone and Leggins: Miss Artemiss

Outfit Credit: SnoCone Tee & Leggings Miss Artemiss

Outfit Credit: SnoCone & Leggings - Miss Artemiss

Wait! There's More!! For All My Freshly Picked Fans there is a special club just for us!! It's called THE FRINGE - have you heard of it? It's a membership that is only $10/month where you will get 20% off EVERY TIME you shop their website and you will also receive FREE SHIPPING on every order - no minimum required! If you don't happen to purchase a particular month, your credit rolls over to the next month! Think of it as like a savings account for your FRESHLY PICKED obsession! Not to mention, you will receive early access to all promotions and new releases!! It's pretty awesome and something you should definitely consider if you love this brand as much as we do!!

!!!GIVEAWAY TIME!!!

And The Fun Continues!! This Week (Mon-Fri), Fawn Over Baby & Freshly Picked are partnering to GIVEAWAY a pair of Freshly Picked shoes to one lucky winner! All you have to do to enter is Register with the Rafflecoptor Link Below & Enter All Prompts For your chance to win! I will be cheering you on and announcing the winner Saturday Morning! Good Luck Everyone! a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Our Little Summer Time Toddler OOTD Inspiration Flatlay

McKenzie's Outfit: Miss Artemiss & Freshly Picked + Haine's Outfit: Top and Shorts: Old Navy & Freshly Picked

McKenzie's Bright White and Pink Big Girl Room

2018-03-22T17:09:00.001-04:00

Wow, I can't believe it has taken me this long to post McKenzie's Big Girl Room. Things have definitely become a whole lot busier around our house within the past year. With Two Kiddos to chase after and a side business that exploded out of now where, it hasn't left me much time for anything else. Today though I decided to make time. I love looking back over this blog and seeing all the life that has happened since I launched back in 2012. McKenzie's room for one. This room has gone through several transitions - from crib, too toddler bed and now to her big girl loft bed. YIKES, where has the time gone? I swear it was yesterday I posted about this room as her nursery.

Today, I'm excited to share with you what so many have inquired about as they peek in via my instagram stories or facebook photos. Now mind you, there are A LOT of flaws that I just haven't taken care of, so this post isn't "PICTURE PERFECT". Lots of crooked wall frames, marker scribble on cushions and no fresh vacuum lines. This was the best I could do for today, I hope you'll forgive me lol! #REALIFE

I was, however, able to pick up all of McKenzie's toys so that you can actually see what we started with before her exciting Dino obsession began. Just picture this room covered in Dinosaurs and everything else that comes with them and that's what it normally looks like on a daily basis. Her love for prehistoric animals was definitely not something we imagined she would fall in love with but we have embraced her enthusiasm and have fallen in love with them too! I never thought I would know so much about dinosaurs and the time period from which they came from, I'm glad I can check that off my bucket list of things to learn about.

With further ado, Here is McKenzie's Big Girl Room. You will probably notice quite a few pieces that I held on to from her nursery, but that's why i loved her nursery so much. I planned on keeping a lot of the decor hoping it would transition nicely which it has for the most part. I hope you enjoy this little tour and it inspires you to create a bright and beautiful space for your little lady!

This Loft Bed was a DIY we found off craigslist. We painted it white and made a few adjustments.

One thing about loft beds - they are tough to make up every day but totally worth it.

Pardon the wrinkled sheets - this was a last minute adjustment ;)

I LOVE throw pillows. They just bring softness to any space. The floral pillow above is from Laurel & Blush

These bookcases are from Ikea that we painted white and the picture frames are various frames from Potter Barn.

This area has become McKenzie's Favorite. Here she spends hours drawing her favorite dinosaurs and always has a story to tell about them. This Easel is from Ikea

The Curtains were a DIY back when we first moved about 4.5 years ago. I had painted the chevrons since back then, this pattern was nowhere to be found on curtains. They've held up nicely!

If you haven't been to an IKEA - GO! We found so many pieces that fit Mckenzie's growing interests and room! This desk is adjustable so it will grow with her which is so nice.

Mr. Alfred The Deer Head has been around forever. He is from White Faux Taxidermy.

The Billy Bookcases are from Ikea also. The bench in the middle is from Lowes. I painted the numbers on them as a part of McKenzie's nursery decor. They have held up pretty well!

Pardon the spill stain and marker scribble on the cushion. This pillow and teddy bear set have been with us since before McKenzie was born - I love that they are still around :)

These blocks were a DIY while I was pregnant with our girl. I ended up posting a tutorial a after we had her here.

I love this print from Cheeky Albi Designs. The vintage map of Alaska is such a sweet touch since thats where McKenzie was born.

One of McKenzie's Many Dinos Peeking Over!

I had to share this little set-up. I removed it to take photos but thought it was too sweet not to share. This is a jar full of glow in the dark dinos that helps Kenzie fall asleep each night along with The Jesus Storybook Bible

I hope you enjoyed our Girl's Room Tour! Feel free to share a link to yours in the comments below! I'm a big fan of deisgn inso!

A Girl-Themed Dinosaur Party to Celebrate McKenzie Turning 5

2017-11-06T23:25:00.001-05:00

It's hard to believe that I am writing this blog post in regards to our little baby girl turning 5. It feels like yesterday that I wrote A Love Letter to her when she turned ONE. My how time flies when you're having fun! Parenting is hard work but I have to admit - It's so much fun! I mean after all the late night feedings during the newborn stage and the tantrums that begin around 2, there are those moments that you see their face light up in awe at you that makes all of the not-so- fun times seem not that terrible. Especially when they hit the age of 5. Their ideas, their dreams and thoughts become much clearer and a lot more loud and clear so when you as a parent can bring those ideas, dreams and thoughts to life - well, It's Just Fun!

As many of you know, McKenzie didn't quite grow up to be the doll lovin', playing house kind of little girl that most of us were expecting. In fact, her interest are quite the opposite. Her newly found passion are those of the Pre-Historic Time Period - Dinosaurs! When I say "Passion", what I really mean by that is "OBESSION"! I'm talking full blown obsession - to the point that Ryan and I are learning more from her than she is from us. We literally feel like we are talking to a full grown adult dinosaur specialist, thanks to shows like Dino Dan, Dino Dana & Dinosaur Train!

So of course this year we went all out for her celebratory class snack birthday party. Because I tend to "over do it" with our kid's birthday celebrations, I compromised with my husband and agreed that we would plan big birthday parties every other year and smaller scale "just family" celebrations for the years in between. Well you can imagine the predicament we were in when she came to us saying how excited she was to have "A DINO BIRTHDAY PARTY" this year. Since this birthday fell on a "small scale" year (see our Peppa Pig Party last year here), I decided to use her class birthday snack as a way to kill two birds with one stone.

Of course I do what I always do best and go to Pinterest for ideas. Since she's not really an All Pink Everything kind of little girl, I went with the more realistic Jurassic look for the decor and threw in a pop of Pink in the cookies and paper plates. I then created a backdrop using a thick poster board covered with Moss from Michaels. I used Palm Leaves to frame it and other artificial plants I had sitting around the house. I purchased wooden letters that spelled out "Roar" from Hobby Lobby and hung them using twine to set the stage for the rest of the cake table.

I purchased our cake from our local grocery store Publix. They always do such a great job and are reasonably priced. I simply added a number 5 candle and dinosaurs that we had plenty of in every square inch of McKenzie's room.

Since this was just snack time. I offered the kiddos a bucket of Buggles as "Triceratops Claws" , Grapes as "Dinosaur Eggs" & Green Hawaiian Punch as "Prehistoric Punch" as well as mini bottled waters.

The adorable party printables are from Etsy Shop, "Sweet Papermint". Shop owner, Marsha has the cutest printables in every theme imaginable. She is wonderful to work with and her files are crisp and clear and are so easy to download and print from your home computer.

These sweet Dinosaur sugar cookies are from a local baker here in town called Sweet Addiction's Bakery. They create the most adorable themed cookies for every occasion. See more examples here at our son's 2nd birthday party.

I set up a long table for the kids to sit at and I simply topped it with kraft wrapping paper along with bright pink paper plates and dinosaur themed cake plates and party blowers. For the centerpiece, I used dino figurines, a large plush dino from home and framed a cute welcome sign from Etsy Shop, Sweet Papermint!

She was amazed when she walked in with her class and could not stop talking about it the rest of the week! It's moments like these that make me step back for a minute and appreciate how much fun mom'ing can be! Happy Birthday To Our Precious Girl!

Tween Girl Fashion Spotlight: Miss Artemiss Apparel + Promo Code

2017-10-04T21:08:00.002-04:00

So it's safe to say that McKenzie is no longer our little baby girl! I can't believe she is turning 5 years old this month! Where has the time gone? It feels like yesterday that we were bringing her home with snow falling around us in Anchorage, Alaska.

Today, we are celebrating her getting closer to the big milestone of 5 with the sun shining bright with extra heat to spare here in South Georgia! As much as I like to think of her as my little baby, it's hard not to notice how tall she has grown within this past year alone. Going from "toddler" sizes to true "girl" size has really shaken me out of my denial. I'm so proud of the sweet young girl she has become but I have to say it's a little sad as I go through her closet setting aside all of her 5T outfits for donation :'(. I know, I know...I'm a little too sappy for my own good, lol!

My mixed emotions did start to look up as I came across the cutest little girl fashion line that a friend of mine sent my way this week called, Miss Artemiss. It's a New Orleans based, high-end apparel line for young girls that is inspired by the magical surroundings of the city and it's unique ties to the cultures of the world.

The concept behind this line offer three whimsical themes: Mystic Story, Fleur De Lis Story & Swamp Story. Each print is hand-painted with beautiful illustrations that celebrate the untamed nature and the charm New Orleans exudes.

I couldn't help but indulge in a little bit of fine apparel for our little girl stepping over that 5 year milestone and decided to add the Bee Tee and Bee Print Tote to her big girl wardrobe. I can't wait to add a little bit more each month from this collection throughout the fall season!

The Packaging is beautifully done and had my daughter jumping up and down excited to see what was inside.

Our Package came with a sweet note from the designer herself and another wonderful gift that my daughter put on right away!

This sweet bee tattoo was such a sweet touch and an unexpected surprise in our box. Needless to say, she did not want to wash it off.

Even More Exciting! Miss Artemiss is offering 15% off promo code for all new Instagram followers and website subscribers for purchases over $35! So be sure to follow along on IG at @MissArtemiss!

Cactus Theme Birthday Party: Haines Turns Two!

2017-10-01T13:30:00.001-04:00

So I am a tad late on posting this sweet little cactus party we put together last minute for our lil man, Haines. Our precious baby boy turned two on September 11th. This particular week was a little hectic to say the least. My hometown of Houston, Tx just had a hurricane push through causing much devastation to the homes of friends and family members of mine. Fast forward to this week, we received news that a Cat 5 Hurricane was headed in our direction and would reach our house here in south Georgia as a Cat 3 on Haines's Birthday. Needless to say my nerves were a little on edge, however I still made it our mission to celebrate our little man.

Thankfully I ordered these letter balloons ahead of time not sure exactly what our planes would be but I'm so glad I did. A few days prior I began looking around the house to find a way to make what we had laying around work as decoration because plans of a big shindig were out of the question at this point. I came up with the idea of a little Cactus/fiesta theme using the mini succulent plants I had more that I remember scattered around. So I made a quick call to our local cookie master with my fingers crossed, that she would be able to throw together a dozen cactus theme cookies. To my surprise she did and they were ready right on time. I purchase a pre-made vanilla cake from our Publix bakery, hung up Haines's name in balloons and set up a little table using succulents that I put inside a few cactus glasses from the Dollar Store, a birthday cake and cookies for display. Viola, our Pre-Hurricane Birthday Party went off without a hitch! You would have never known that we had a pretty scary storm scheduled to touch down the next day.

It was the perfect distraction for this mama though since I couldn't keep my eyes, worry and fears off of the weather channel! Luckily by the time the storm hit us, it was reduced to a tropical storm and we kept our power the entire time.

As I look back on these photos, it brings such a sweet memory of us spending time as a family together celebrating Haines and the precious little people that GOD has blessed Ryan and I with. Even in the middle of fear, worry and chaos that was going on during this time, I just know that GOD was here to calm our nerves (well mine mostly) and provide us with a beautiful way to slow down and spend time together as a family while we celebrated the gift He gave us just two years ago.

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Source Credits:
Haines's Cactus "TWO" Tank: Our5Loves
Haines's Balloon Letters: MagnoliaBloomBoutique
Cactus Theme Sugar Cookies: Sweet Addiction's Bakery
Cactus Stem Glasses: Dollar Tree

Baby Violetta's Floral Bohemian Nursery

2017-06-08T14:35:00.000-04:00

Hi friends! Today, I am thrilled to share this amazing nursery that has definitely broken the mold as far as typical baby girl nursery trends go these days. Designed by Amy Otis, an interior and wedding designer at EntertainingCreativity.com, her creativity shined as she created the perfect space for friend and fellow health & wellness enthusiast, Laura Stevens to bring her sweet baby girl home to.

This nursery is filled to the rim with eclectic femininity at it's best. From the bold yet softly stated black floral wallpaper to the blush, mint and gold accent pieces sprinkled throughout - there is not a corner in this room that does not make you want to stand back and marvel. This space provides a wonderful blend of calm&soothing and bold&vibrant making it the perfect place for baby Violette to explore and grow into with ease.

Get ready to develop a nursery crush after viewing this fantastic baby oasis! Every square inch is as lovely as they come - #nurserygoals!

Design Details:

Designer: Amy Otis from Entertaining Creativity
Wallpaper: Ellie Cashman Design
Crib: Land of Nod
Custom Crib sheet: Carousel Designs
Glider: Babies R Us Best Chairs Kersey
Macrame swing: Amazon
Wall art: Etsy and Target and Hobby Lobby
Floor pouf: Joss and Main

Ella's Eclectic Boho Chic Big Girl Room by Darlings & Daydreams

2017-05-24T18:05:00.002-04:00

Hi Friends!

I am so excited to showcase our very first Big Girl Room! I love sharing all things baby, including nursery inspiration, however, their room design does not have to stop there! As your babe begins to grow their space also begins to transform and that can be just as exciting!

Today, I am sharing a sweet Big Girl's Room that is not at all predictable! Full of whimsy and eclectic accents, this charming space is rich with color and fun! Styled by talented mom Kara via her services at Darlings & Daydreams, she did not miss a beat with her incredible eye for pairing classic and modern with home-made! The silk banner, window treatments & weaves were all hand-made with love by Kara herself from her Needle & Knot Collection! Kara is truly talented in more ways than one!

Design & Styling By: Darlings & Daydreams

Details & Links:

*doll on chair is by jess brown www.jessbrowndesign.com

*decals are by shanna murray www.shannamurray.com

*odette swan head is by sew heart felt www.sewheartfelt.co.uk and was purchased at minou kids www.minoukids.com

*sari silk banners and window treatments as well as weaves are www.needleandknot.com

*artwork by crib is by mrs mighetto www.mrsmighetto.com
*Wooden Toy Camera is by Fawn Over Baby

*artwork near wooden camera is by kelli murray www.kellimurray.com

*sparkly bolero hanging nearby is tutu du monde www.tutudumonde.com

*artwork under the "be kind" decal is curious pip www.curiouspip.com

*fuzzy lamb stool is by pottery barn kids www.potterybarnkids.com

*crib and changing table/bureau is by restoration hardware baby and child www.rhbabyandchild.com

*green book shelves is by land of nod www.landofnod.com

DIY Paper Flowers

2017-04-29T21:37:00.001-04:00

Hi friends! I have been meaning to share this quick and easy DIY for some time now. I recently had a request from one of our church family members to create paper flowers for her granddaughter's 1st birthday! I decided there is no better time than the present to document every step and share it with you! :)

These are so easy to create and assemble, after making your first one, you will be able to create the rest blindfolded. They are such a sweet way to add a feminen touch to any special occasion without breaking the bank. Each Bloom is made out of cardstock paper! Follow the steps below for the easy How-To and please feel free to message me, if you have any questions or need further assistance!

What you need for One Bloom:

*9 Sheets of 8X10 Cardstock Paper (regular 60lb is fine)

*Petal Template

*Pencil

*Scissors

*Hot Glue Gun

Step 1:
*Fold your 8X10 paper in half. Trace your petal and cut out. This will give you two petals. Repeat this step two more times. This will give you 6 Large Petals Total
---->side note: If you would like a JUMBO flower, simply create a petal template using the full 8X10 sheet!

Step 2:
*You will also use this method to trace and cut your medium size petal template. This will give you 6 medium size petals

Step 3:
*For your small petal template. Cut your 8X10 in half. Then fold 5X7 piece in half. Trace your small petal template and cut. Repeat this step 2 more times, this will yeild 6 small petals.

Step 4:

*Once all of your petals are cut, cut a 1/2 inch slit from the bottom base of the petal.

Step 5:
*Use a pencil to roll the tips of your petal away from your body.

Step 6:
*Over lap your flap so that the tip of your petal is curled away from your body.

Step 7:
* Use your last sheet of paper to create the center of your flower. Simply fold your 8X10 paper lengthwise. Cut fringe along the folded side.

* Then use your pencil to roll the fringed paper into a tube shape.

Step 8:
* Combine your large petals to create your outer bloom by adhering them together creating a circle.
* Repeat with your medium and small size petals. Giving you Three layers of petal blooms.

Step 9:
* Glue your medium petal layer inside of your larger petal bloom
* Repeat with your smaller petal bloom, glueing it inside of your medium petal bloom
* Glue your Fringe "tube" as the center of your flower. I decided to add different colors (as pictured)

I hope this tutorial helped to spark your creative side and inspire you to add a little fun touch to your next special occasion! I would love to see your creations! Feel free to leave a link to your post or message me your attempts! :D

The sweet Birthday Girl!

Eclectic Elegance: Nursery For Baby Rook - Design By Rylin Crane

2017-04-25T14:17:00.003-04:00

Hi Friends! Today is a special Nursery Feature that I have been on pins and needles, excited to share! This nursery belongs to a sweet baby girl that we all are looking forward to meeting next month! Her beautiful and talented mommy is my good friend Rylin Crane. Rylin is a master artist and has an eye for incredible design! She also helps run her parent's gorgeous downtown furniture, accessories & original art store called Art & Soul! Rylin was one of the first mom's I met after moving here 3 years ago. She is our church family pastor's wife and a wonderful mom to two adorable boys! With two boys under her belt, you can imagine her excitement when she found out they were expecting a baby girl. She was finally able to exercise the "pink" side of her creativity when it came time to design her baby girl's nursery!

I love Rylin's style. I like to call her interior design style "Eclectic Elegance". She is not afraid to blend high-end designer items with vintage refurbished pieces creating a warm yet refined space that is inviting and filled with charm! It is no surprise that Rylin effortlessly created the perfect sanctuary for baby Rook providing a calm, cozy and peaceful place for her to call her own! I am so in love with the sweet simplicity of this space and the timeless fresh look that it exudes. It will not be long until we get to see those precious baby photos of Rook enjoying her little oasis at home and I can't wait!

*Love what you see? Find all detail credits and links in photo captions below.

Photo Credit: Kalyn Wilson Photography. Wood Beaded & Metal Chandelier, Pink Throw with Poms in stock at Art & Soul!

Photo Credit: Kalyn Wilson Photography. Metal/Wood Side Table in stock at Art & Soul

Metal pink basket, lamp, and weaved wall hanging (currently in stock) from Art and Soul. Dresser was painted with Annie Sloan old white chalk paint, clear wax and gold guilders paste accented on the handles

Photo Credit: Kalyn Wilson Photography

Original Custom Mixed Media Artwork by Rylin Crane with the hymn "'Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus" lyrics.

All Accent Pieces Available at Art & Soul

Crib: Venetian Iron Crib - Pottery Barn, Rug: World Market, Wingback Chair: Baxton Studio

Photo Credit: Kalyn Wilson Photography

A Rustic Winter Welcome Home Baby Shower By Event Stylist - Time2Partay

2017-02-18T16:22:00.002-05:00

Hi Friends! Well as you know we are well into the month of February, however, the chill seems to still linger in the air. With spring right around the corner, I thought I would share one last adorable winter rustic "Welcome Baby Shower" submitted by the amazing Sana, owner and founder of Time 2 Partay! Sana described this warm festive family gathering as "bringing the winter season (minus the cold) indoors by decorating a hot cocoa bar, photo booth and guest table by using cozy rustic details, faux snow, ornament, throw pillows and SNow much more!" This Welcome Home Baby Shower is everything you could dream of as you warmly welcome your precious bundle of joy to the world. With friends and family a plenty, baby Shaheen was wrapped in love and a cozy hooded bunting as the celebration poured over him from those who love him most! Get ready to get cozy as we take a tour of this incredible rustic winter soiree!

Vendors:

*Event Styling & Decor: Time2Partay

*Printed INvitations, Personalized Mugs & Throw Pillows: Tiny Prints

Classroom Valentine's from MINTED

2017-02-03T14:46:00.001-05:00

Hi Friends!

So a few weeks ago I shared with you my roundup of my favorite Classroom Valentine Collection from MINTED! Have you checked them out yet? If not, you should! They have the sweetest collection of so many styles, designs and color options to choose from - not to mention every design can be customized to better fit your little's style and personalized with his/her name!

It didn't take long for me to narrow down our choice! I planned on choosing two gender focused designs, but instead decided to go with my absolute favorite and the one my daughter picked out - The My Deer Design by Laura Hankin

We received them not too long ago and they are as cute in person as they are on the computer screen! They are the perfect size for little hands to pass out. The adorable backing option of tic-tac-toe is so genius and is a sweet little extra treat for all of our little recipients!

The cards came with the perfect size envelope to fit each of the heart shaped valentines making it super convenient for assembling!

After being inspired by this fun and fanciful design, I decided to keep going with the theme and add a little cookie treat! While browsing Pinterest, I found wonderful blog Home Stories A to Z, and spotted the most adorable antler cookies that I just had to include! After following blogger Beth's easy and delicious recipe, I used an antler cookie cutter from here and they turned out amazing! Which NEVER happens when I'm in the kitchen baking! I'm the worst, so if I can pull this off so can you! lol!

They fit perfectly in cellophane bags that I had left over from Christmas and the ever-so-adorable coordinating stickers from MINTED made the perfect closure for this sweet treat!

I went back and forth on whether or not to use the convenient envelopes but in the end decided to just clip the valentine cards onto the wrapped cookie. They are just too cute to hide behind an envelope. I came across these sweet mini binder clips at Target and they coordinated perfectly!

If you are still in need of Classroom Valentine Cards, I would highly suggest you check out MINTED CLASSROOM VALENTINE COLLECTION! You will be so glad you did and your little will have a fun and uniquely personalized valentine gift that their fellow classmates will LOVE!

Hurry Now and take advantage of MINTED awesome promotion! Get 15 Cards for only $14, with FREE upgrade to any card shape!!

No-Hassle Classroom Valentine Cards For Kids:MINTED Round Up

2017-01-17T20:16:00.000-05:00

It's getting close to that time of year where we get to celebrate LOVE on it's own special day - Valentine's Day! I remember when I was younger, Valentine's Day was such a treat! I couldn't wait to decorate my shoe box (usually left over from Christmas) and express my inner artists with cut-out hearts galore and rhinestones that would make you go blind! The best part was opening it up after school and reading all the sweet and loving words from my classmates and the candy...oh the candy! I mean what is there not to love about "LOVE" day?

As a mom with two kiddos now, outings with them can sometimes be a little rough. So if at all possible, we try to do most of our shopping online. With that said, you have no idea how thrilled I was to find out that my all time favorite stationary site, MINTED offers CLASSROOM VALENTINE CARDS!!

They offer an array of unique designs by Independent Artists making them truly unique and like no other valentine card you will find anywhere else. They cost less than $1 each and can be personalized and customized to better suit your kiddos style! The best part about it, you don't have to leave the house! They arrive at your doorstep with envelopes included so they can easily be assembled and ready to be passed out! Today I'm sharing a few of my favorite designs, although I could include every one as they are all so adorable!

"My Deer" By Laura Hankins

"Wild Cactus" By BaumBirdy

"Bugs & Kisses" By Dawn Jasper

"Fallen For You" By Belle Studio

"Canoe Me My Valentine" By Rebecca Durflinger

Like I said this is just a small sample of what MINTED has to offer from their flawless Classroom Valentine Card Collection. With so many styles and designs to choose from, it will not take long at all for your little one to pick out their favorite(s). MINTED offers customers the chance to shape their cards with FREE die-cut options, as well as different backer options that includes a tic-tac-tow game allowing for a fun activity for your recipients. Most designs also have a matching sticker option to perfectly seal your envelope or coordinating valentine gift.

Just for fun, hop on over to MINTED and browse their designs and play around with their amazing design studio. I promise you, it will bring you back to when you were a kid on Valentine's Day when it was filled with so much fun and amazement!

Right now MINTED is offering customers FREE SHIPPING on orders $25+! Hurry now and take advantage of this awesome deal! No leaving the house & No paying for shipping - now that's my kind of deal!

MINTED. Our 2016 Family Christmas Card + Review

2016-12-03T15:33:00.001-05:00

Hi Friends! Last week I shared our Family Photo Session Adventure and to my delight I had more than one descent photo to choose from, which never happens! The Cherry on top - I already have them in hand and I have half of them mailed out already! I know, crazy fast!! Thanks to MINTED.'s Holiday Card Shop the process of uploading our photo, choosing a design and adding their convenient FREE RECIPIENT ADDRESSING to our order made it a headache free process and took no time at all!

I chose a simple, yet whimsical design from graphic artist, Carolyn Maclaren! She has a beautiful collection of award winning card designs in MINTED's AMAZING Artist Catalog.

MINTED thinks of everything when it comes to a beautiful stationary package. After you work your way through the card design process using their lovely FIND IT FAST tool, you are offered a variety of "add-ons" to fully complete your Christmas Card Suite! From Coordinating envelopes & envelope liners to their FREE RECIPIENT ADDRESSING feature that is also designed to coordinate perfectly with your card design, MINTED leaves no stone unturned as far as customer convenience.

Did I mention their quality? MINTED's thick high quality paper comes in a variety of sizes and formats that allow you to customize and create a Christmas Card unique to your taste and style! I chose to shape our card using the wave-frame silhouette. It adds a fun element to the whimsical theme we went with this year.

With MINTED, your Christmas Card doesn't just stop at photo upload! You get to accessorize your card suite with accents that make your Christmas Card not just another envelope to open, but a holiday treat to display!

Return Address is also an option that makes mailing them a breeze and another weight lifted off your shoulders!

For the past few years, we have used MINTED for all of our stationary needs and couldn't be happier with their easy-to-use website and amazing customer service!

PROMOTION!

Today MINTED is offering all customers 15% OFF of their holiday cards as well as FREE Custom Envelope DESIGN along with FREE RECIPIENT ADDRESSING! It's not too late to surprise your loved ones with a beautiful Christmas Card Treat, so head over now and allow your Holiday Spirit to express it's creative side!

Outdoor Christmas Family Photos

2016-11-30T14:52:00.000-05:00

"It's the most wonderful Tiiiiiiiiime, Of The Year!"

Are you like me and look forward to having your family photos taken, even though you know they are not going to go as planned and will most likely not match the dream image you have in your mind? I usually take our photos myself every year simply because committing to a scheduled session is not in our family's DNA. We barely remember to make it to our Dr's appointments even after they call the day before to remind us. For some reason though, I get excited about this time as I seem to think it will be an experience filled with sugar plums and rainbows with everyone in the best mood and on their best behavior! 9 times out of 10, it usually ends up with someone crying because they have to sit still for longer than a second or someone not in favor of the outfits I have picked out or someone running around like a chicken with her head cut off because she knows she only has a short amount of time before chaos starts to rain down. With that said, no matter how our family photo experience goes, I treasure these moments together and I find it amazing how every year our photos always seem to beautifully reflect this perfectly imperfect moment in time that I our family will cherish forever!

Here are a few that I was able to capture before the kiddos went wild in the woods! I'm still trying to decide on which one we want to use for our Christmas Card so Stay Tuned!!

"Snapshots render memorable moments in imperfect images" - wikipedia

Oddly This One is My Favorite!

Here are a few behind-the-scene shots that I couldn't resist sharing! #reallife #familyphotooutakes

Left: Me Setting Up in Kenzie's Winter Hat; Right: Haine's Not A Fan Of The Wagon Ride

MINTED. Christmas Card Roundup + GIVEAWAY!

2016-11-10T17:02:00.000-05:00

Is it too soon to start shopping Christmas Cards? I look forward to this time of year for many many reasons! Holidays bring out the best in all of us, in my opinion. It is a time of reflection on our life and to celebrate God's Love for us through the birth of His Son. This time of year brings an extra level of appreciation for family and those closest to us. When I look at our family photo that we take every year, it is a reminder of all that is good in my life. The love I have for my family is just a small taste of the kind of love GOD has for each and every one of us. Now that time of year has come again to take our family photo and I look forward to sending our little sample of love to all of our family and friends this Christmas.

My favorite go-to for all christmas themed stationary is MINTED. After visiting MINTED. a several years ago, I was so impressed with their unique selection and over all user-friendly site , I went from DIYing our Christmas Card to becoming a loyal MINTED. customer.

I could go on and on with my list of reasons why I am such a fan. From the impeccable quality of their paper options to the wonderful customer service, their amazing customization system and exclusive artistry gallery allow customers to purchase stationary and art that is unique to their style. You are basically the creator of your own card, without all of the extra Craft Store errand runs!

As I began to look through MINTED's 2016 Holiday Collection it was not hard to find more than several that I absolutely LOVE. I find that my creative side comes out in me at the most odd times. As I'm looking through, I browse their Collection wondering how well they will look with various home decor styles. That's how beautiful these cards are, they essentially make you feel like a home designer looking to find that perfect piece to accent your recipients' home.

The cherry on top for me though are the extra perks that MINTED. offers to it's customers after you select the perfect card design. From their FREE Recipient Addressing Service with coordinating design to BUY NOW PERSONALIZE LATER option, MINTED has got you covered when it comes to creating the perfect Christmas card in the most convenient user-friendly way possible! Also, The MINTED's Find It Fast feature is a wonderful way for you to see a sample of your own uploaded photo in any design!

With so many designs to choose from, I thought I would gather a few that caught my eye. I'm still trying to choose which design and that's not even the most fun part about it, I get to customize to my preferred color, font, shape and wording! If that isn't a fun way to spend an hour or so, I don't know what is! Keep your eye out to see which one we chose! ;)

Folk Art Ornament Card

White Poinsettia & Greens

Heaven Sings - Foil Collection

Charming Gingham

Hand Painted Branches

Water Color Winter - Foil Collection

Rejoice Ornate

Joyous Watercolor Frame

Gilded Woodgrain - Foil Collection

Winter Harvest

Go Tell It On The Mountain

Hand Lettered Merry

Merrier Than Ever

Christmas Love -Foil Collection

Family Fun

Feel free to browse MINTED's beautiful and unique 2016 HOLIDAY Collection, I would love to know your FAVS in the comments below!

To make your virtual shopping trip even more exciting, MINTED is having a Holiday Card Sale going on Now where you will receive 15% off orders of 150+ and 10% off orders of 100+!!

G I V E A W A Y T I M E!!!!

To get this Holiday Season Started Off on a Cheerful note, MINTED is GIVING AWAY $100 GIFT CARD to THREE Lucky Fawn Over Baby Readers!!! For a chance to win, all you need to do is submit your Information HERE !!!!

**This Giveaway will be open to U.S. residents only and will run through November 19th, 11:59PM PDT!**

GOOD LUCK & GOOD CHEER!

A Peppa Pig Themed Backyard Birthday Picnic - McKenzie Turns 4!!

2016-10-28T11:01:00.000-04:00

Hi Friends!! So we had another bitter/sweet milestone celebration this past weekend! My little McKenzie turned 4! I can't believe that she is already four years old. When I became pregnant with her is when I considered starting a blog. Almost immediately after she was born, Fawn Over Baby was born! It's hard to believe that was four years ago?! I tell ya, the time just sneaks up on you when you are raising little ones!

It's funny how much McKenzie's likes and dislike have changed. When she was a baby, the only station that she would sit still and watch was Baby First TV, then we moved on Disney Jr. and the second she turned three Nick Jr. was where it was at! I let her stay up late one night and she happened to catch an episode of Peppa Pig. Let's just say she was a huge fan immediately and I've had to add Peppa to our DVR line up! When her birthday roll around, it wasn't a surprise that Peppa had to be apart of her big birthday celebration!

So off to Pinterest I went and the search for Peppa Decor began! If you have seen past party designs that I've put together, you know that I haven't had much experience with "Character" themes. To be honest, they intimidate me. With so many colors & decor options out there, I start to feel overwhelmed the minute I hit "search". So for McKenzie's birthday, I sort of honed in the whimsy a little and came up with an outdoor kid-friendly theme first - then sprinkled some Peppa in the mix. Believe me when I say that Peppa can be printed on just about anything and if you're not careful you could have a "Peppa" (or any character for that matter ) Explosion!

With the beautiful cool weather rolling in, I thought a fanciful backyard picnic was in order. When I came across an amazing faux grass backdrop on a wedding website, I immediately got chill bumps and was in awe of it's simple yet grandeur statement. So I decided to incorporate something similar to McKenzie's party. You would be amazed at how real faux grass turf looks and the price is just as appealing!

I purchased a 7.5ft x 4ft sheet of faux grass from here at Home Depot. I used a staple gun to attach it to a plywood sheet. 4ft X8ft. I then created the sign using picmonkey.com which I emailed to Office Max for enlargement. I cut the sign and adhered the sign to a foam board sheet that I picked up at Hobby Lobby so that it was sturdy enough to withstand the outside elements as it was pretty windy that day. I hung it up and it really gave the backdrop a sweet whimsy feel that Peppa Pig is all about.

Of course all the food had to speak to Peppa Pig and all of her family's favorites! We had "George Pig's Dinosaur Nuggets" along with "Peppa's Pig Tails" Curly Fries. We had sweets-a-plenty! From cupcakes to birthday cake to "Mudd Puddle Pudding w/Wiggly Worms", guests had plenty of options to satisfy their sweet tooth that's for sure.

We couldn't forget about Goldie Goldfish. This fishbowl full of goldfish crackers made for the perfect snack while the kiddos played.

The refreshments included water bottles that I wrapped with a DIY printable, "Pond Water" (Blue Raspberry Punch) & "Piggy Punch" (Pink Lemonade)!

My favorite part was our make-shift picnic area for guests to enjoy their yummy snacks. With kids, you know there is not much sitting, however it brought a fun and unique space to the party that you don't see that often. I simply stacked two well-sized pallets and surrounded them with random blankets we had around the house. We lived in Alaska for 4 years, so we had plenty and them some!

I printed out these adorable Peppa Pig Signs to Mark each area that we had laid out. Since this was the "eating" area, I thought this sweet image of Peppa and her family picnicing at the park was perfect! I printed this image using Block Poster, it's a wonderful site that divides your image up into the exact number of pages you will need to create a poster. I printed the image using my printer and basically arranged each page as if it were a puzzle until the image was in place, then taped the back of the pages together, then taped the poster to an actual poster board sheet to give it a little more stability since I planned on hanging it outside.

Of course a party wouldn't be complete without a Photo Booth! I purchased these adorable Photo Booth Printables from etsy shop: Ira JoJo Bowtique. I cut them out and adhered them to wooden skewers.

Peppa's favorite hobby is Jumping Up and Down in Muddy Puddles, so we HAD TO HAVE a Muddy Puddle Jumping area. I wasn't sure if parents would love it or run for the hills before their child noticed! I purchased these baby pools at Walmart on Clearance as they were the perfect size for such an event! The back two pools were filled with muddy water, the front two were filled with water for "clean-up".

The BIG STAR of the show was this adorable Peppa Pig Balloon Walker!!! If you don't have time or $$ for a lot of birthday activities, purchase this balloon and your guests will be busy and entertained for the entire length of the party! I purchased this balloon last minute as a little surprise for McKenzie and the kiddos went wild!! From pulling her to walk behind them to chasing Peppa across the yard, this Balloon was worth every penny at only $16!

I had a little bit of extra room to set up a Cupcake Decorating Station which the kiddos appreciated. They were able to decorate their own cupcake in their favorite colors and sprinkles! Another activity that doesn't break the bank and your little guests will LOVE! I just purchased plain vanilla cupcakes with Vanilla Butter Cream Frosting from Publix, easy peasy!

At the end of the party the birthday girl and her friend Sophie couldn't help but jump right in!

I found these sweet little DIY umbrellas at Oriental Trading at a very great price! They made for perfect party favors!!

The party was a wonderful way to celebrate our little McKenzie and her favorite character as part of the fun! I wanted to have a little keepsake for McKenzie to have to look back on and found this amazing Company Pen Wizard that creates adorable personalized Peppa Pig books. I used McKenzie's book as a way for guests to sign as they walked in. It will be so special to look back at the names that helped make her party one to remember!

I hope you enjoyed our little Peppa Pig Backyard Picnic Celebrating our Baby Girl Turning 4! I would love to read how you dressed up your little one's character party! I have a feeling this will not be our last so I will definitely need inspiration for several years ahead! Leave comments below!