July in an Insta

#itsmonday & I lit the wrong burner - 4th of July wore her out - Monkey muffins - Chalkboard proverbs - this girl is a toddler - floats with friends - Ruby & Hayden - daddy's girl - HMB for her first time - Morning routine: baba, blankie & ponies the little variety

-xo emily

Hayden's First Birthday Party: Part 2

Back again today with some more recap & how I planned out Hayden's first birthday.

Missed the first part on how the theme was inspired, read it HERE.

Next step... Plan Menu:

I wanted to take a little inspiration from the theme of the party, so most of the food choices are apple inspired.

Waffle sticks: cinnamon apple & jalapeno cheddar, Caramel dipping sauce, Veggies + ranch, PB/Apple butter sandwiches, Pretzels, Turkey Club wraps, Peanut Butter dip, Fruit to dip, Cole slaw, Italian Pasta salad, Baked Mac & Cheese Bites, Dwarf Dogs (mini corn dogs) and Caramel Apple cupcakes

All prepped and ready

Peanut butter dip & PB/Apple butter sandwiches

Cupcake smash cake - I made white pound cake from a box ;)

Almost all the food I was able to prep the night before plus some help from my sister-in-law.

Part 3 coming later this week...


-xo emily

Hayden's First Birthday Party: Part 1

First birthdays are always the most important, even though its really a party for mommy and daddy surviving the first year. So of course I was on a mission to make Hayden's special but not crazy. I personally believe kids birthday parties should be simple and tasteful. I'm am very open (i.e. too open) with my dislike of typical themed kids parties, no generic Disney Princess or Cars theme here.  

Enter the inspiration: 

Clearance apple tablecloths from Target!

Apple tablecloth = Snow White poison appleish theme

Invites:

Adorable invite I made! First ever I've made and had printed through Overnight Prints.

Beyond those 2 items I wasn't really worried about decor since we were having it at the park. If we had hosted at home I would have done more crafty things. 

Favors:

Awesome bags found in the $1 dollar section at Target. Which I found after I had already made the invitations chevron background. Kinda freaked me out a little.. 

Contents: Caramel apple pops- normally I wouldn't give children candy but they fit with the theme too perfectly, Lip Smackers - in gender neutral sporty flavors w/ Spf 24 & food/dessert erasers from Target's kids party favor section.

...to be continued Monday!

-xo emily

Real shtuff

This girl...

Super cute, right?!

Imagine with me for a moment...

200,000 of little Hayden's sick & starving 

and not only that 

but stuck in caves - in rain, miles from refuge

but wait...

We don't have to imagine

because in the border region of Sudan right now there are babies, just like Hayden 

with other mommies, daddies, grandparents, aunts, uncles & cousins 

200,000 of them

Starving... 

when we waste & have too much every single day 

Sick...

when we fret over allergies or a simple cold

Without Shelter...

when most people have a room to themselves and a sturdy roof over our heads

I ask you to support Sudan

I know its a hard thing to give up when it seems like we don't have enough

truth is : we do

even if you have lost a job or home, most are able to find refuge or food in America

but when it takes as little as 6 cents to feed a person a meal and get them on the road to recovery from starvation. 

How can we say no? 

Unfortunately the cost of food is not the big problem 

getting the food to the people is... 

Here's a little more information better said than I can:

Read more about Sudan

www.twitter.com/hopeSM4sudan 

Besieged in Sudan's Nuba Mountains

Samaritan's Purse

Conflict in the Nuba Mountains

Please join in with us at Hope Church of San Mateo 

to support & pray for Sudan

Also be sure to spread the word

Hayden - 1 year

I haven't posted a Hayden update in 2 months and if you've been wondering why... It's because I'm in denial that she is now a 1 year old today!

Hayden,

I am in love with being your mommy and watching you grow a little bit everyday. 

You make me smile and laugh consistently, as like daddy you can be quite the silly one. 

Your grumpy face makes me giggle, sorry if you are trying to get sympathy. 

Your littleness has taught me to be a mommy, also sorry for the many things I screw up on daily. 

My little lady I am so proud of how strong you already are in many things: walking, talking, signing & a really good eater. 

Here's to hoping all other Tucker babies will be as easy as you have been!

Love, Mama

Hello big one year old!

Amen for the R,W & B

During our Palm Springs trip

Kim

 mentioned a 4th linky party with

Katy

... 

So in edition to some uber- cute pics from our 4th of July - I have included some items that truly announce your all American pride 

Perfect timing Olympic themed diapers?! 

America

nail polish is a winner

Our local candy store had a whole table that was American themed

First step: we must get fiercely clean to celebrate our country

2nd step: Two BBQ's make momma happy - Hot dogs for everyone!!

Third step: Head to our closest fireworks show

Hope your 4th was as fun as ours!

-xo emily

Link up your 4th of July festivities here: