Webbling Snow Day

Last week, we had our first (and probably only) sprinkling of snow. Layla, of course, insisted on going out to play as soon as she looked out the window. I was hesitant, as it literally was a sprinkling... and I knew it would mostly mean rolling around in the cold mud and tracking it all back into the apartment after about 20 minutes. However, I couldn't resist the look in her eyes (she's really good at that puppy eyes thing) and I highly doubt she'll get another opportunity to play in the snow this winter. I bundled the girls and myself up, and out we went!

Tesla wasn't quite sure what to make of the stuff- so she mostly ended up just eating it. 

I didn't have any snow attire in Tesla's size... so I had to just put her in one of Layla's old snowsuits and jackets. She was just like Ralphie's little brother in A Christmas Story! As soon as I sat her down she just kinda plopped over and couldn't do much about it. 

Snow Angels! 

She looks like a fat pink caterpillar. 

She kept just sticking her tongue out and feeling the cool air, I couldn't stop laughing at her! 

Layla thought the icicles hanging off the cars were so neat- she even insisted on keeping this one "for Daddy." It's still in our freezer!  

Mommy and the snow bunnies! 

Layla saw Tesla eating the snow and figured she should try it too, just in case it was really tasty.

I'm glad I gave in and took them out... even though it was short-lived, they had so much fun and coming inside to hot cocoa and a warm bath just made it even better. Sometimes it's difficult for me to get over my anxieties and just GET OUT of the house, but I'm usually glad when I do. This was definitely one of those times! 

A Princess Par-tea

My little Layla turned 3 recently, and I couldn't be more pleased with how her birthday went. About a month before her birthday, I asked her what kind of party she wanted. Without pause, she answered "a princess tea party." I immediately referred to Pinterest, and started building my tea party board of ideas. I was determined to throw a fantastic, royal affair. This was the first birthday Layla would have that she was no longer really a "baby," and I wanted it to be memorable for her. 

Handmade invitations, by yours truly. 

I literally spent two whole days JUST preparing food. It was all so delish!

On the menu we had:

fruit with Nutella fruit dip

mini pink lemonade cupcakes

veggies with ranch

Snickers salad

cucumber and chicken salad sandwiches

mini pb&j 

caprese bites

pink lemonade punch

lavender chamomile iced tea

 

My amazing Mom made Layla's adorable little cake, and I made the doily crown cake topper.

The little princesses decorated princess door hangers to take home. This kept them busy for longer than I expected!

Believe it or not, this is my baby sister! Her name is Evie, and she's a little younger than Layla! Isn't she a doll?

Layla received so many lovely gifts from her friends. I was very proud of how gracious she was after opening each one!

My parents brought Layla's bouncy for the girls to play in. Seeing their little faces light up as it was inflating was just wonderful! They all played so nicely together. 

Even sleepy little Princess Tesla enjoyed the festivities, as she munched happily on a stick of celery.

A giant thank you to my fantastic friend, Carrie, for taking such lovely pictures! The day went fairly smoothly, and was enjoyed by all. Afterward, I let out a huge sigh of relief, exhaustion, and contentment. I guess I should start planning a birthday party for a one-year-old now? ...Maybe next week.  

A Very Happy Halloween

I'm only 9 days behind schedule! The Webblings had a pretty fantastic Halloween. I had come up with all kinds of cute, matching family costume ideas... but Layla insisted early on that she just HAD to be a butterfly. She's at that age where she's forming her own ideas and opinions and really sticking to them!

In my search for butterfly costume ideas, I stumbled upon Stacy Hart's adorable little ladies, who just happened to be right around the same age as my Webblings when they dressed up as a butterfly and caterpillar. I just knew it would be perfect!

Stacy's girls- aren't they precious?! (via Hart & Sew)

For Layla's butterfly costume, I decided to reuse the vintage bodysuit from last year's Little Bo Peep costume, picked up some cheapy wings from Target, and fancied them up myself. Throw in some pom pom and pipe cleaner antennae, and she's ready to go! For Tesla's caterpillar, I attached some pipe cleaner and pom pom legs to a vintage sleeper and made her some antennae as well. I pulled the whole thing together over a couple of days for basically $0, because I already had everything I needed! I decided last minute to throw on a petal headband and a green 70's prom dress and be a "flower." I couldn't just not dress up!

I hope everyone had a Halloween as jolly as ours. Have a great weekend!

A room fit for two princesses!

We live in a teeny, tiny apartment. I remember a time when it felt almost spacious, but that was before the Webblings came into the picture. It is truly absurd how much STUFF two little girls can acquire in such a short time. The sweet little nursery that once housed just my little Bun is now home to two little ones and it is packed to the brim. It doesn't even really look like a little girl bedroom at this point, it looks more like something from an episode of Hoarders. It's so bad that I can't even bring myself to post a picture (yet).

Anywho, now that Layla's 3rd birthday has come and gone and the stuff has increased by quite a bit, I've decided that my next big project is cleaning out, reorganizing, and decorating their room. I want them to have a lovely little space they can actually play in and enjoy. I've been busily perusing Pinterest for inspiration, making notes, doing a bit of Goodwill shopping, and packing away things that no longer fit or get played with very often. WHICH, might I add is not an easy task. Every time I go through the girls' clothes I usually end up waxing nostalgic and getting weepy over their adorable little things and wishing they would just stay small forever. Also, I obviously have to deal with the toys when Layla isn't hovering, because she insists that she needs ALL her toys, of course.

So... here's some things I've been inspired by in my quest for the perfect little girl bedroom.

Such a strange and random assortment of lovely colors!

I'm smitten with that robin's egg blue crib... and all the sweet little clothes on display!

Such a perfect little pink bed.

An adorable shared bedroom. I just adore all the kitschy little details!

I love how fun and colorful this room is. It seems like a happy place to be!

I'd really like to make a couple of these cuties.

I have a lot of work ahead of me! I'd like to think I'll be able to make progress and share it with you all as the room comes together. Wish me luck! Happy weekend everyone!

Family Photos

Boy, oh boy. Last week, we got together with some family to do family pictures. (We literally had NO pictures of all four of us together!) I spent all day preparing myself and the girls, picking outfits, attempting to get my hair under control, etc. I had saved SO many cute family photo ideas on Pinterest to utilize. Obviously, it was a bust. My sister in law managed to snap a couple of photos before Layla was 100% done, and even those were "meh." The first one is the only one I thought was half decent and Layla is stubbornly refusing to look at the camera, and Tesla is doing something vulgar (ha). Layla is just not into having her picture taken. Any other moms out there with genius ideas on how to get a toddler to cooperate for pictures?? 

Three Months!

My little Tessie Bessie actually turned four months old yesterday, but as usual, I'm behind schedule and just now getting around to posting pictures I took of her at three months!

When I was pregnant with Tesla, I genuinely worried that I wouldn't love her as much as Layla. Obviously, I do. She's such a sweet baby. I love the way she smiles and laughs when I nom on her chubby cheeks. I love the way she growls like a baby bear when she's happy. Sometimes she drives me crazy with her insistence on being held ALL the time, but I wouldn't trade her for anything in the world. I'm so glad she's mine!