Life Happens

I completely understand life happens and do my best to keep this in mind when planning events but yesterday that positive attitude thing was no where to be found. This past summer we started doing Mama's Night Outs and it was super fun. The first time it was just me and my besties, we invited others but none came so the four of us had a blast crafting, eating and discovering the best candy store ever. Mama's Night Out round two was quite different, a full table, multiple conversations and mama's I hadn't seen for a while, awesome. Round three a bit of the same, quality time chatting with mama's over delicious desserts.
















Before I get into last night's gathering let me just remind myself, yes life happens. As much of a planner as I am and even though I 99% of the time do what I say I will do I am not crazy enough to believe plans will never be broken. We all have kiddos, significant others, jobs, houses, family, etc. and sometimes those things need to take priority over a fun night out. BUT planning is only enjoyable when the plans work.


















Jenny Dickinson was kind enough to agree to a baking lesson for this month's night out. She loves cooking and baking so I thought it would be relaxing and something unique to have her show us how to make fall cookies, we could all ask questions, watch, learn, chat and enjoy fallish treats. As of Thursday there were eleven mama's committed to coming, Jenny was baking away and I was convincing my husband it wasn't a big deal to flip flop our dining room and play room. By 10pm we had moved the rooms, groceries were purchased, the table was set and I was giddy with excitement.


















Well life happened and in the end only five mama's came and to be honest I was annoyed and crabby. Of course I still had a fantastic time and love all the mama's who showed, we laughed, sipped hot cider and soaked in all of Jenny's helpful baking tips but inside I couldn't help but be annoyed. Jenny and I put a lot of work into the night, money was spent, my husband contributed time and everyone who didn't show up would have loved it. That's really where my annoyance and disappointment come from, so many missed out on a wonderful evening.

I am thankful for last night, the time away from my kiddos, the delicious cookies and the reminder that yes life happens.

Not so Smooth

PB & J Day did not go very smoothly, rather quite the opposite. For starters the weather channel got it wrong again, I looked right before I walked out the door and it said 72 degrees at 10am. Ok, jean capris and a tank would work perfect. As I lugged our lunch box, blanket, water bottle and diaper bag sweat rolled off my sticky skin. All the mamas and real little ones huddled under the slides in the one piece of shade while the older ones enjoyed the park.

Fifteen minutes into a conversation (well probably not the same conversation) one of the mamas told me Trex was having an issue. Surprisingly I am not a freak out mommy, I stay pretty calm and don't panic. So I waited for the screaming to get closer before I moved but quickly realized there was blood. That darn teeter totter, why do parks have them, they are always hazards. Trexen flung forward, hit his face on the bar and now was bleeding.

In the end we had to leave the park, he has a chipped tooth and I had an extended conversation with the pediatric dentist. He will be fine but what a bummer of a play date, no pictures were even snapped.

On the up side I finally finished a new Poplin product and will have some available next weekend at the Craft-Apple-Ar! I've planned our next Mama's Night Out, a Poplin Party at my house and found out another PB & J mama is expecting, that makes 3 new babes this winter.

Have a fantastic weekend, I will be in the north woods at Eagle River until next week.

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:).

























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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.

Mama's Night Out

Our Tuesday night Mama's Night Out was fantastic filled with laughter, stories, adventure and sweet cupcakes.










Every Tuesday the Glitter Workshop does a "Make & Take" and this week the tables were lined with moist cupcakes, piping bags stuffed with oreo frosting and a variety of pretty toppings. I have never really decorated cupcakes before but learned some easy techniques to make them look professional.

After decorating and a bit of shopping at Glitter we headed downtown for a delicious dinner and a rainy yet pleasant walk on State Street to my newest favorite place...Campus Candy. It was amazing, every kind of candy imaginable. They even have four ice cream flavors you can choose from and then get to use the entire store as a toppings bar, yes it is true!

I for see another Mama's Night Out at the candy store...

Enjoy this gloomy Thursday, stay in your pj's and get ready for a fun day at the park tomorrow.