Fishing Birthday Party

As we cleaned fifteen goldfish bowls, tidied up the house and untangled homemade fishing poles my husband and I smiled thinking about the last three years. How could our baby be turning three already? It seems like just yesterday we brought our 8lbs 3oz crabby, colicky yet oh so sweet boy home. He has always chosen the great outdoors over being stuck in, he follows his daddy everywhere and is quite the fisherman.








Trexen 8 months old










Today's fishing birthday party was perfect. The vision in my mind came to life just as I imagined, complete with a cottage, bait shop, dock/pier and honey hole. Buddy Lake was busy today with lots of little fisherman practicing their cast and catching the big ones. Hot coffee, cocoa and a little campfire helped everyone stay toasty warm.

I made colored ice cubes in the shape of fish.







The cake left me speechless and in awe of the way God gifts each person differently. Julie is a cake master making the most outstanding fishing cake and blue bobber cupcakes that tasted incredibly.




































The kiddos sat on stumps, played fishing games, snacked on treats and even got to pick out a real goldfish to take home. I heard names such as goldy, gummi bear, slinky and percy for the fish. All the parents were wonderful, pretending to be excited willingly taking these new pets home (fish food was included).
















































My little buddy loved all his gifts and hugged each friend. He hasn't stopped playing with them and keeps saying, "I love all my new toys, my friends are so nice". The morning quickly came to a close and little friends left with arms full of fabric fish, poles and their newest pet.































































We transported everything back inside chatting about the details while really wishing our dishwasher worked. Thankfully I have the most amazing mom ever who washed all the dishes leaving me with a clean kitchen.


















My baby is three, I can't believe it, but I do know he is mine because...he has already started planning next year's party. According to him next year it will be John Deere theme.

Party Details:

~Printable Invitations, Circles, etc.- Spaceships & Lazerbeams
~Cake- Julie Schoeneberg
~Fishing Decor- Hobby Lobby
~I made the "Gone Fishing Sign", painted the wooden FISH letters, painted signs and my mom made fabric fish for party favors.

Click here and here for previous posts on the fishing birthday.

First Day

Today was filled with lots of first and I am excited for the second, third, fourth, etc.

First Day to a new season in my life.

First Day since beginning of summer both mommy and daddy had to get ready for work.

First Day as a teacher in the same elementary school I grew up in.

























First Day I was Mrs. Moll to twenty first graders.
First Day I felt like my two kids maybe weren't so much trouble.

First full Day with our tempory pet fish, all survived the night.









































And last but certainly not least...First picture with my new camera!!!

Outstanding Orchard

It was an outstanding morning at the Orchard. We gathered by the goats watching them climb, scrounge for food and make noise before we ventured out on the orchard walk. The terrain was a bit rough but the apples looked delicious and the sunflower maze was a highlight. The kids raced ducks, rocked on horses and played on the swing set while mamas chatted in the sun.



















Kim was a fantastic tour guide showing us their coolers and apple sorting process. Each little one got an apple to try and us mamas received a caramel apple (I will be enjoying my entire apple in peace during nap time). All the apples are handpicked and sorted for numerous farmer's markets, school districts and for the store. The Lapacek family works so incredibly hard and has an amazing orchard. We just may go back tomorrow morning for cider donuts.





































*************************************
One week until the big fishing party and my craft room is filled with bobbers, lures, a burlap banner, lots of glassware, some fishing decor and fish bowls. ***Friendly reminder... those of you who will be in attendance, live fish will be present and available to take home.*** My party planning style has become a bit more last minute these days as I've been so busy with my kiddos, Poplin business and preparing for my new gig as a substitute teacher. Hopefully it will all come together next week and the weather will cooperate!























For hot cocoa- so cute!

Crafting, Chatting and Chickens

Our 2nd Mama's Night Out was just as I had hoped, chatting, crafting and laughing. Ten hard working mamas shared stories and savored the time away from our little ones. Gigi's Cupcakes was our first stop and a lesson was learned...either call ahead and place an order or go earlier in the day.

As we approached the super cute shop the pink tables and chairs had me at first sight, I want the hot pink bench placed at their front door so bad. You open the door to find more pink and smells of sweet sugar, our mouths were watering. Quickly the excited turned to disappointment as we discovered they were almost sold out, only a measly 7 cupcakes remained, big bummer. A few of the mamas scooped them up and raved over the delicious flavors.

Glitter Workshop had us digging through piles of vintage buttons, concentrating hard and creating button flower stems. Some went for colorful buttons others more muted, in the end the great conversation while crafting was really most important.

















Back to our starting point, Hilldale, for dinner at the Great Dane, yum. I rarely frequent this restaurant, kind of forget about it I guess, but am pleased every time. After serious deliberation over the menu I went for a picnic basket, half soup and half chicken wrap, maybe a few cheese fries too!



















Chatting continued as one big convo fluently turned into four little ones and back to one again. We even hashed out one of my biggest life dilemmas lately...to have real or fake fish at our upcoming 3 year old birthday. It is a fishing party and of course we are going all out but then there are those stickler parents who despise fish and run far away from all goldfish games at the carnival (my husband included). I took everyone's honest opinion into consideration weighing the pros and cons but in the end, it's me and everyone probably expects real fish so let's just go with it! (If you receive a cute vintage fishing party invite this week in your mailbox consider yourself warned, mentally prepare and don't be a stickler:).

























****************************************

In other news, our chicken coop is coming along. Did I tell you I finally gave in and agreed to my husband getting some chickens?






























































He is now one step closer to becoming self-sustaining (one of his life long goals) and the boys are squealing with joy. Trexen can't wait to hold them and take them for rides in his John Deere gator. I dislike most animals especially chickens but Jeff found a way to convince me...say hello to our chicken coop inspiration.

Honestly I am super excited to decorate the coop, chickens not so much, but making it look adorable oh ya. I will continue to keep you posted on the coop chaos.

Sand and Sunscreen

Finally we were able to go to the beach! Status said open, forecast was correct and schedules aligned. Tenney Beach did not disappoint today, the water was warm and pretty clear, ducks casually swimming by and sand toys being passed around. Lots of sunscreened little bodies sculpted castles and splish splashed. Three new mamas even joined us making it that much better.





























**********************************

My latest project of adding color back into our main level with a small budget continues. The fireplace mantel has been transformed, still trying to decide on just the right layout but it's a start. Bright pillows added to the couch and a few fun accessories for the shelf. A painted end table and spruced up tv stand still to come.

Before and After


********************************

Did you know...

-the early bird catches the worm.

-a spot filled with fish is called the honey hole.

-5 years old is the magic age in the Moll house for a Canada fishing trip with daddy.

This can only mean one thing, a fishing birthday is in the works. Lots more to come.