Planning ElmoPalooza 2011

I have started planning Riley's 2nd birthday party this month. It is, of course, an Elmo themed party. Elmo is his favorite, right behind The Wiggles. (We are not having a Wiggle Party because party items for them are not as readily available as Sesame Street items)

I hand made his invitations:  (I'LL REPOST A PIC LATER-I REALIZED THEY HAD MY PHONE NUMBER AND ADDRESS IN THE PIC!)

I found the tableware at the Dollar Store (woohoo!)

I have Elmo cupcake liners. I plan on doing cupcakes for his party and for his class at school. I also found candy heads that I'll use for chocolate covered pretzel sticks. The cupcake tier I found at Walmart for $5! It's a Valentine's Day tier, but it's red so that's all that matters!

Here are some ideas I plan on doing for his party:

I'll post more ideas as I come up with them!

Scrapbook Craftiness

Several of my friends, noting my passion for scrapbooking, have asked me to post pictures of some of my pages. Here is what I sacrifice a clean house and hours of Riley's naptimes for:

Trampoline

Who do I look like?

Welcome Riley

1 month old-I did a page for each month, put a picture and monthly height and weight stats. There is a page for each month up to his first birthday.

The many faces of Riley

Clipping coupons

Christmas in Carey 2009

Folding laundry

My middle name is trouble

Choosing a name...

So, I've decided to start a blog again. I had one once before but after 2 posts I never got much further. I'd like to use this one to tell stories about my family, share crafts ideas (I've got some good ones coming up!), share recipes and who knows what else! I'm just looking to share my voice!

The reason I named the blog what I did is in part a funny story concerning my son. Riley is 21 months old now and is talking up a storm. Not only is he more verbal, he's more vocal in his opinions. I'm considering banning the words "No" and "Mine" in our house. Now, I know he's a normal toddler when it comes to those specific words and attitudes, but it doesn't make me any less embarrassed when I have to pick him up off the floor in a store as he's screaming "NNNNOOOOOO" at the top of his lungs (which happen to be very healthy). I'm always worried someone is going to think I'm actually kidnapping him and not just trying to leave a store in peace.

Yesterday we took Riley to an indoor bounce house so he could have a chance to rid himself of his toddler attitudiness (yes, I believe that's a real word). As we were leaving the place, we walk out and I say "Let's find Momma's car." Riley simply states "No, Riley's Car." as if there's no argument about it. I jokingly reply, "No silly, it's Momma's car." Again, he states "No, Riley's Car." Fine, no more arguing...

When we arrive home, we ask him where Daddy's car is. He promptly points to Daddy's car and states "Dada's car." He looks at my car and shouts "Riley's Car!!"

It looks like Riley thinks he's getting a car for his second birthday.