Halloween Celebrations

We had a blast celebrating Halloween Saturday night!  Though I love all holidays and special occasions, and usually celebrate with gusto, Halloween is one of my favorites. Seeing the kids dressed up, creative party foods, and of course, Halloween crafts all make the day exciting. Here's a look at our Halloween celebration with our friends, The Bradfords and Matiks.

I set the dinning room table for the adults. I created place cards using my PSA Essentials Peel & Stick stamps - from PSA Haunted Shack and UBU Happy Halloween. I also made wine tags and food flags with my stamps.

I had fun setting the kids table, too. I rounded up all sorts of favors and treats to place on the table to keep the kids entertained. From finger tattoos to creepy sound machines... there was plenty to do besides eat.

Mike and Matt always dress up. Mark, who is new to our celebrations, didn't.... wonder if he will next year.  I sprayed my hair purple and wore a pin.... that was the extend of my costume.

(I was extra proud of my Pinterest copied ghosts and bananas!) How cute are the kids this year? Connor was a policeman, Parker was a skelleton, Molly was an angel, and Ethan was a ninja.

When we got back, the kids counted their candy and the adults checked it, then it was time for a fire in our new firepit and of course, because the Bradford's were there, we had to have fireworks!

And for the grand finale, we went to the front.. The kids are ready.... Mike lights and runs...

And we conclude the evening watching the Mets on TV.  What a great Halloween! 

Stamped Pumpkins

With school back in session full time and a very busy after-school schedule, The O'Regan's have been on the go all September! We are taking some time to slow down and enjoy the season, which for me and the kids means spending time working on seasonal projects and crafts.  Yesterday afternoon we painted, stamped (and Connor washed...) mini-pie pumpkins to kick start Fall.

I set up the kitchen table with a few colors of paint, acrylic blocks and PSA Essentials UBU Happy Halloween stamps and Inks, and let them get creative. Molly chose to paint a stripped pattern of black and white, add various UBU Happy Halloween stamps and draw a "scary face" on her pumpkin. Connor chose to mix all the colors up, paint it solid, and then wash off the paint with a sponge. Cleaning is one of his favorite things to do...  Here's a peek at our afternoon of stamping and painting pumpkins!  Looking for an after-school toddler/little kid project? This was a lot of fun!

Quite honestly, the "after" shot of the pumpkins aren't necessary. I bet you can tell how they turned out.... the important thing is the activity, not the end result - and they had a great time. So we have some really ugly painted/washed pumpkins lying around but who cares?

Happy Fall! I look forward to sharing more stamping adventures this season!

A Barbie Pool Party

My daughter, Molly's, six birthday hit me like a ton of bricks! She starts first grade tomorrow and it's hard to believe my once-so-tiny first born child is not so tiny anymore. She's far to grown up and all I want to do is turn the clock back and do the last six years all over again -- or at least freeze this age in time.  (How did I end up to be that parent spouting such cliches?!)  

I confess that as a mother, I really don't like Barbie's. They represent nothing good; they chase Ken around, wear ridiculous clothes and inappropriate shoes, their skirts are too short, and they seem to value "dream houses" and "glam campers", other possessions and superficial looks.  The movies are downright awful and my daughter sounds instantly less intelligent after watching one.  Truly, I do not think it's a great message for young girls.  But Molly is SO into them and the more I dig in my heels, the stronger her affinity for these plastic creatures becomes. I conceded that she could have a Barbie and I could put signs out with positive girl messages. "True beauty lies within," "People. Not things." She said I was embarrassing. (How am I already that parent, too?)  We also asked guests to bring donations to Feeding America, and not bring presents. The idea took some getting used to but ultimately, she really enjoyed seeing money and checks for children in need. 

I am so pleased to share that we raised at least $170.00 in donations! (Many guests contributed directly and amounts weren't specified, so in reality, it was more!)  The party was so special and turned out to be a good balance of what she wanted and what I value (and hope she does, too!)  

Of course, I used my PSA Essentials Peel & Stick and personalized stamps and worked on some party details like hats, paper straws, CD favors, candy bag favors, and "pizza flags."

Each year, I make a canvas with the number that she's turning and photos from each month of that year. This "6" canvas turned out to be my best one yet! 

Party time! Hooray for my cousin, Sarah, being there from Asheville. Love this girl! 

I had a cake disaster.  I vacillate between crying and laughing on this one and had to remind myself many times that it's just a 6th birthday party!  What was truly important was being with Molly and all of our family and friends! (The adults made lots of jokes that she had too much Chardonnay!) 

Good friends and family helped clean it up and saved me from more ridiculous tears! Grandpa picked up a new ones quickly from Kroger and Gma, Cousin Sarah and Jenni saved the cake so we've been eating it even though it's not so pretty.

Swimming time!

We had pizza from New York City Pizza in Bluffton. 

Slightly over the top but really fun and played into the theme, we had a manicurist come from my favorite Bluffton Nail Salon, The Pink Polish, and she painted the girls nails.

Cake time!

And then when it was time to sing and everyone was singing, my Barbie-girl Molly got very humble and almost embarrassed. She curled right in to me and was nervous! 

(PS. There's my third child, Parker!)

And more time to party! Most all of our favorite people were there to celebrate. 

And the best picture of all?  This one is it below. We are so incredibly lucky to have both sets of grandparents that are so instrumental in my children's lives.  They are the greatest and Molly is really blessed. 

Happy 6th Birthday, Molly! (P.S. we did get here a few presents that she was excited to open today!) Thanks so much for all the donations to Feeding America and a great party, all!