Owen’s Avengers Superhero Birthday Party

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I started this post about my little man, Owen's, Avengers' themed birthday party before Violet was born last fall! And as life goes…it just sat in my "drafts" waiting to be published. He will be turning five this coming September so I figured I better get this post out there before the next one rolls around. In fact we just celebrated Hazel's 6th birthday on Saturday and had a fun horse themed party. Hopefully I will get that one posted here before she turns seven!

I think he started planning his "Avengers Superhero Party" the minute his third birthday was over. I heard about every single detail of what he wanted to have at this epic party for months. I aimed to please our little super hero and make it, as he requested, "the best party ever." I started with an inexpensive scene setter and taped it up behind the main dessert table on our back patio.

Trick-or-Treat Halloween Mantel

Happy Halloween! My kids are so excited to dress up today as a pink fairy and Iron Man for their school costume parade and then head out trick-or-treating this evening. I hope I can keep up with them! I'm 38 weeks along now, just waiting on Baby Girl to make her appearance. 

A few weeks ago, I finally got the "Halloween decorating bug" and did up our dining room mantel. Hazel and Owen had fun helping me and making their own decorations too.

Mainly, I used items we already had, decorations from previous years, and some crafts we worked on together. The only new purchases were all of the pumpkins and gourds.

Here is what we put together…

Although I MUST WARN YOU!! Before we venture ahead…

Hazel’s Wolf Birthday Party

At the end of June, my sweet daughter Hazel turned five. Her favorite animal is the wolf, so for months she had been telling me she wanted to have a wolf themed birthday party. I knew it would be a tricky one planning and finding decorations for, but I was up for the challenge!

Even though this party happened months ago, I still wanted to share how we celebrated here with you. Better late than never right? (I'm pretty sure I say that about all of my kids' birthday party posts!)

Our growing family and where I have been…

I know…I know…it has been forever since I have posted on this little blog of mine! I decided at the beginning of the summer to make some transitions in life, mainly being to take a break from the computer and social media. It has been a very refreshing time and exactly what I needed.

I have been free to spend every day focused on Hazel and Owen: having fun, exploring, creating, playing, using our imaginations and building lasting memories.

DIY Monster’s Inc. Birthday Party

This post contains some affiliate links. I may receive a small commission for any sales made through them. Full disclosure.

One of the things I am notoriously bad at here on this little blog of mine, is posting my children's birthday parties relatively soon after the event. My son Owen turned three last September…and we had a fun Monster's Inc. party for him. He is obsessed with Monster's Inc. and Monster's University! I wish I had shared this sooner, but alas…better late than never, right?

I must admit, I completely missed sharing his second birthday party here, which was a super cool car party. {Insert embarrassed emoji face here} Maybe one day I still will. Till then…here is how we did it up for him turning the big three!

Miniature Fixer Upper {a dollhouse makeover ‘before’}

We are used to having a fixer upper to work on ever since buying our first home back in 2010, but when my husband brought home a handmade dollhouse that he found at a yard sale a couple of years ago, I was instantly smitten and knew we needed to show this home as much love as we have our own. Today, I am showing you the "before" pics and sharing the progress we have made thus far on our "other fixer upper."

Ever since I was a little girl, I have been enamored with dollhouses and miniatures. I would literally save up my money to go to a craft store called "Pleasures & Pastimes" that had a large aisle for dollhouse aficionados. The store eventually closed, but my love affair with dollhouses and their accessories never has.

Natural Bohemian Fall Mantel

Last week, I showed my most recent mantel vignette in the second part of my fall home tour. Today, I am showing you more details of how I decorated it for fall this year. It has some similarities to last year's…natural with vintage finds, but this time around with more bohemian style thrown in.

DIY Felt Deer Antler Headband

When my daughter Hazel turned two, she was so fascinated with deer that we threw her a whimsical, woodland themed deer party for her birthday. I made her a sweet little felt antler headband to wear that day and always intended to share how I did it here. As life goes, it didn't happen, but I am finally sharing it now. Two years later…

I receive emails from time to time from other moms who want to make a similar antler headband but don't know how. If you are one of them reading this…my apologies for the delay in this post (bad blogger!). I have tried my best to explain how I made it in reply emails, but pictures always help, don't they? It is really a very simple diy project that only requires minimal materials. I am including a free antler shape template at the end of this post to make it even easier!

Sundays at Home No. 66 Weekly Link Party & Features

Welcome to week 66 of Sundays at Home! We are so happy to have you join the party! Link up below for your chance to be featured next week.

Hazel’s Frozen 4th Birthday Party

I seriously never thought I would do character parties for my kids, but as they have gotten older and have their own interests, it would be pretty hard not to, right? So the challenge for me then? Still make it as creative and unique as possible, while keeping with the theme they love. For Hazel's fourth this year, she knew for months what kind of party she wanted. A Frozen party. And not just any Frozen party: an Elsa party.

I guess I just had to let it go about my hopes and dreams that she would choose a unicorn party (her second choice), and go with the flow of the Elsa Frozen party. 

A Cottage Style Summer Vignette {a look back to 2009}

Since I haven't had a lot of time to decorate for summer lately (other than the small bit I did on our front porch recently), I thought I would share a vignette from our former townhouse that I set up the summer of 2009. Decorating was basically my life then. I lived for creating these vignettes. Not a whole lot of time (or space) for them these days…but it is still a passion.

Life was sure easy back then. It is very different now and a lot harder in some ways, but I wouldn't go back. I love spending my days with the little ones and even though that means less time doing the things I used to do regularly, it is worth it. I hope you enjoy this "look back" at my cottage style summer vignette…

Hazel’s Sheriff Callie Inspired Cowgirl Birthday Party

My daughter Hazel is coming up on her fourth birthday (hard to believe!) and if there is one thing I am terrible at as a blogger, it is getting my kids' birthday posts up around their actual birthday. Today, I am finally sharing Hazel's third birthday party which was a Sheriff Callie inspired cowgirl theme. Even though this post is near a year late, I hope you enjoy seeing how we celebrated and get some inspiration if you are planning a similar party soon!

When we were deciding on a theme, Hazel kept coming back to Sheriff Callie, an adorable show on Disney Junior that we would watch from time to time. She was fixated on being a cowgirl like the main character. 

Family Vacation to North Myrtle Beach

Last week, our family had the pleasure of going on vacation to North Myrtle Beach along with my mom and sister. The drive down to South Carolina from our home (outside of Rochester, NY) took us about 15 hours including stops. Even though I was a terrified of the trip down with little ones, it wasn't as bad as I had imagined it would be. We spent a relaxing week by the beach, sight seeing and making memories.

I know that generally, people find it boring to look at other people's vacation photos, but I like to do posts like these, more for myself, to have a collection of our photos of the trip to look back on and remember the times we spent together as a family. I am not a scrapbooker, and I must confess, I rarely get a photograph printed, so blogging is sort of my "memory keeping" method. I hope you aren't too bored today if you click through to read about our trip. I tried my best to make the photos pretty for you to help keep you from yawning 🙂

Sundays at Home No. 46 Weekly Link Party & Features

Welcome to week number 46 of Sundays at Home! Happy Valentine's Day! I hope you all enjoyed a romantic day with your loved ones! Looks like we will be getting another snow storm Valentine's night (even though we still have a hefty 3-4 feet our our front door), so more than likely I will be spending the evening in. I have never been one to go out much on Valentine's Day anyways, so it won't be so bad. The only disappointment will be if I don't make it to Home Depot this weekend for some new projects I want to get started on #bloggerproblems. Well, let's get this party started, shall we?

At the bottom, please link up your latest home decor, DIY and craft projects, recipes and more that you have recently shared on your own blog as well as items offered for sale in your own online shops. I am looking forward to your inspiration!

Easy Buffalo Chicken Wing Pizza with Blue Cheese {with kid friendly version}

One of our family's favorite splurges is chicken wing pizza. We love it, but it can be quite a bit pricier than regular old pepperoni, so today, I am sharing a quick and delicious "make at home" version that is easier on the budget without losing any of the flavor.

The ingredients in this recipe include cooked chicken, Ken's Steak House Chunky Blue Cheese Dressing, crumbled blue cheese, shredded mozzarella and the Original Anchor Bar Buffalo Wing Sauce.

Boho Woodland Animal Collage Art {Crafting with Your Kids No. 1}

This shop is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® Elmer’s and Wet Ones, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #CraftandCleanUp http://my-disclosur.es/OBsstV

Today, I am starting a new series called Crafting with Your Kids, which is of course, one of my favorite things to do as a mom! This series will consist of projects that parents and children can collaborate on together to make unique works of art or decor for your home.

Up first, are these "boho style" woodland animal collages that my three year old daughter, Hazel, and I made for the playroom. 

Since being a mom is busy, I don't have a lot of time to make my own art the way that I used to, but I have a deep need to be creative. Working together is a great alternative.

Gifts for Difficult to Shop for Men {and a Review}

I received the cocktail shaker featured in this post, from My 1st Years, in exchange for this review. 

All opinions are my own.*

Do you know a guy who is difficult to buy gifts for? Well, I do. That would be my husband. And not because he is picky or anything. Precisely the opposite. He is neither here nor there about gifts. Actually, he usually says he doesn't even like gifts. I can't even imagine that sort of life. I always love a present!

Well this past Father's Day, I finally got him a gift that he not only loves, but will put to good use.

Sundays at Home No. 18 Link Party & Features

Welcome to week eighteen of Sundays at Home! Last weekend, with all of the busyness from hosting my daughter, Hazel's, third birthday party, I completely lost track of time and forgot about my own link party! Whoops. 

Sundays at Home will continue next week…

I apologize for any inconvenience, but due to my daughter’s 3rd birthday party, there will be no Sundays at Home this week. I actually completely forgot! So sorry. Will be back next week with new features and can’t wait to see what you have to link up!

Till next time…

~Alice W.

4th of July Mantel and a Free Printable Banner!

Today I am sharing my 4th of July mantel and have a free printable patriotic banner for you! Can you believe it is already almost July? Time sure is flying by.