G.I. Joe PartyTime!

Its birthday season around here.  I have three boys whose birthdays come in January, February, and then March. 

A very boyish Birthday cake

 I love to host birthday parties but would soon go crazy if I did three in a row every year.  Thus I began the every other year party rule.  My seven year old hit the magic mark this year and ask for a G.I. Joe party.  Being the girly, non violent gal that I am, I tried a bit to redirect him.  I was thinking more along the lines of rainbows and robots.  But, he had made up his mind and convinced me.  Not surprisingly that smarty pants was right on.  The party was a huge hit with all his little friends.  I had several parents tell me afterwards that their son came home more excited about the party than they ever have been before.

Unfortunately, this is not the year for G.I. Joe party paraphernalia   The only trademarked item I could find was the little birthday centerpiece you can see in the middle of the table.  It was being clearanced out at Oriental trading company, so at least I got it for dirt cheap.   

 So, this party turned into more of an army themed party.  Which turned out to be a great move.  There are tons of ideas on Pinterest for army themed parties and camouflage party goods are abundant. 

When the boys arrived, they each were given a Rambo style headband.  The camo head bands came from Oriental trading (along with most of the other party goods)

Then the party kids were directed to a table to make their own marshmallow shooters!

I found tons of tutorials to make these online.  Basically, they are made with 1/2 " pvc pipe and connectors.  We own a miter saw.  So, I was able to quickly slice and dice the pvc pipe into 4" and 7" sections.  We also needed T joints, L joints, and end caps.  I made a little diagram for the boys to follow.

Each piece was assigned a letter and could be found in the labeled bins.  However, most of the boys ended up freestyling their designs.  Amazingly, all of their concoctions worked just fine.  I wish I had bought a few more of the different connectors, though because the boys who came in late had limited options. 

 It was super duper fun to see what they came up with.

Here are a couple of dads who directed the marshmallow shooter mania. 

 I made sure there was a sharpie for the boys to label their own gun, along with some camouflage duck tape for decorating.

Throughout the party, the boys had a blast running around pelting each other with our marshmallow ammunition.

The chocolate bombs (whoppers) and rescue ropes (Twizzlers)  received rave reviews as well.  In fact, I was surprised at their cute reactions to the labels.  Apparently candy bars aren't just for the girls!

Following the marshmallow shooter construction, The boys went on a search and rescue mission to recover some lost soldiers.  We had pre-hidden some army dudes in the front yard that they had to go find. 

 It was even better than an Easter egg hunt because they blended in with the grass.  Our lawn mower will probably find a couple this spring.

Yep, those kids are running around in shorts and T-shirts in January.  Just one of the advantages of southern living.

Once those army dudes were recovered, each boy was awarded with official dog tags.  Actually, I just used a sharpie to write in their names.  But, they thought it was pretty cool anyway.  I even saw a kids wearing his dog tags to church the next day.

Then came the paratroopers.

We have a scary cool opening upstairs in our loft that makes the perfect parachute launching platform.

 These were closely following by flying airplanes.  Here they are in their packages.  The boys got to build their own.

I don't have any great, non-blurry pictures of the airplane flying.  But this is what our stairs looked like.  They sure got their work-out in with all their running up and down.

One of the little airplanes is resting on the table, if you look closely.

Those crazy boys needed a couple of water breaks.  Fortunately, we had lots of water bottles.

Then they munched on army guy cupcakes.

I tried to make camouflage frosting.  It sorta worked.

I made the boys eat on our driveway since our table was preoccupied with being cute and full of party goods.

 The cupcakes were well received.

 Birthday boy with his buddies.

I asked him to pose for Grandma and this is what I got.

Sorry Grandma.

After some present opening and a lot more marshmallow shooting, the boys left with a sack of treasures.

I gave them each a bag of extra ammunition (marshmallows), some army guys and airplanes.  I have since been blamed for marshmallow all over my friend's houses.  Sorry bout that.

Originally, I had planned an obstacle course too.  But three days of rain made for a very muddy backyard and it was easier to just skip it.

We had a blast all the same.

linking up to Tater Tots and Jello

January Organization

Every January, I get the bug to do a little organizing around the house.  Just a couple of little projects to breath some fresh air into an otherwise boring house.  After months of fall and Christmas decorations, the house seems a little bleak.

I thought I'd share a few of the solutions I've found recently that have made my life a little nicer.

Introducing...the mason jar.

It's found its way into lots of crafts lately, but I've discovered, that its the perfect desktop organizer.

Especially, when it comes to bakers twine.  There's a lot of twine in my life lately.  I use it daily to package my Piccadilly products for sell.  But, I can't seem to stop there.  Now that its a regular part of my desk top, I seem to be tying up everything with twine.  Watch out little boys.  You might find yourself tied up with bakers twine if I get really desperate!  These half pint sized jars keep it handy, and prevent it from rolling  away when I snip off a few feet.  

Next up...the Cracker Jar.

These amazing jars are easily to find at Target, Walmart, etc.  They come in three sizes (maybe more).  But, my favorite part is...they're cheap.  Yep, cheap, just like me.  I paid under $6 a piece for these large jars.  Since when does anything pretty cost less than ten bucks...seriously...so awesome.   They been featured in my pantry for years.  But now, I've discovered that they make brilliant art supply storage.  

Previously, all crayons, markers and colored pencils in my house where thrown haphazardly into a desk, art supply bin, toy box, etc.  Then when I got sick and tired of finding open markers under the bed, or crayons in the couch, I'd just throw them away.  I threw a lot away!  However, since I found this lovely solution, they all have a pretty home and thus are saved from the trash bin.  Bonus... my boys are doing a lot more coloring around here!

I'm a little embarrassed to show you these pictures because its pretty messy.  But, It's been such a fab solution, that I'll go ahead and do it.  Like many of you, my scrap book paper collection has dwindled in recent years.  I've quit buying pretty paper it in favor of digital options.  My stack of paper has shrunk as I've used it up for lesson handouts and modge podge crafts.  However, I still had these nifty scrapbook paper organizers.  

I've discovered that they make fabulous places to house my boys art projects.  My middle child is especially crafty and his needs a little purging.  I'd love to make him a photo book online to replace the exploding folder.  Someday...someday.  

The over sized pocket works well for those big construction paper projects, and they are pre-equipped with a label.  Maybe when I get those photo book made, they can be stored up here too.

Well, that's it for my organizing...at least for now.  I'm sure my OCD will lead to more organization sooner than later.  I'd love to see all of your great solutions.  Anyone have a suggestion for a Master Bedroom closet that stores everything and anything I don't have another place for?  It's in desperate need of an overhaul...but then where would I put all that stuff!?

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to all my readers!  Down here at Piccadilly headquarters, we've had lots of celebrating:

My munchkin is the one with the Yoda ears.

We've been visiting lots of friends and neighbors, bringing them Piccadilly signs and whatever fresh baked treats survived our hungry mouths.

My office has been bustling getting out Christmas orders.  This picture was taken at an unusually tidy moment.

We've had great times with our out-of-town visitors.

Gobbling lots of yummy food such as these reindeer pancakes (thanks pinterest)

And this Christmas feast.

There's been some pageantry.

And lots of gift giving.

And unfortunately, a fair bit of germ swapping.  Can't wait till I'm feeling a little better because I have a couple more Christmas crafts to work on before packing up my decorations next week.  It seems a little silly to make Christmas crafts after the holiday.  But, I'd love to get them finished up while I have the time so I can enjoy them stress free next year.  Hope you all enjoy the rest of your holidays!

A few of my favorite things

 It's a Christmas Miracle!  I'm finally updating my blog.  Of course, I finished this project six months ago, so I'm still officially a blogging slacker!

C'est la vie.  

Last summer we desperately needed to replace our saggy mattress.  Being the overachiever that I am, I decided to go ahead and revamp our entire master bedroom.  It was time.  Past time really.  Why oh why, do we mom's put our own rooms very last on the list of things to do?

Our room went from miscellaneous hand-me-down ally to my favorite room in the house.

 I seriously feel the urge to enter and rejuvenate every time I pass my bedroom door now.

Isn't our new bed luscious!?  It beckons me to nap in it way too much these days.

I just want to curl up with all those pillows.  I found the bedding through Ballard design.

These metal plaques from Hobby Lobby float above the chunky dental molding.

Before this chunky bed came home, I painted the walls Lyndhurst Castle Sand from Valspar at Lowes.

Enough about my love affair with the bed!  I'm also pretty enamored by this armoire set up.  The armoire is a hand-me-down from my parents.  But, I love it's shape and updated it with fresh paint and bin pulls.

Previously, the top of our armiore was a dust collecting pile of whatever.  Put now, it displays some of my favorite things.  A cute box from my cute Sis. in law.  "S" for our last name.  A jug of love notes to my main squeeze.  And a pop of my new favorite color, yellow.

 These fun frames used to have red and white mats.  But a few coats of paint updated them to match my new room.  I think they look even better with our engagement photos than before.  We look so young in those photos!

 My parents brought me this pot from one of their many adventures.  I love the textures in this thing!  I filled it with some botanicals from Hobby Lobby.

 Next to the bed, rest a couple of end tables.  Also hand-me downs from my parents but painted in the matching black.  

 A pair of mercury glass lamps with burlap shades balance the tables
























While my son's artwork and Grandma's jewelry box grace the top.  I think of them every time I look here.

The wall opposite the amoire houses a cedar chest from my parents and some beautiful family photos.

The photo display was made possible by Rod Works.  Rod works is a Utah store with the cutest home decor.  They now sell online, yippee!

The curtains on our three windows came from World Market.  I thought seriously about making my own floaty tie top curtains.  But these were such a good price, I couldn't imagine why I'd want to do that to myself.

And finally, the wall opposite my bed.  Those french doors lead to our master bath.  A post for another day perhaps.  One where I've recently cleaned my bathroom!

I little wreath also hides in the corner of this wall.

I had so much fun creating this room for us.  I'm thrilled that my own room is finally a place that I love to be.  I hope each of you gets to have a happy place of your own!