Minecraft Party!

If you know what a creeper, zombie, Steve, and the nether have in common then we're in the same boat. Minecraft! Sort of like digital building blocks Minecraft is an online game that has seemed to win the interest of LOTS of little boys around here. They went NUTS over this party so I knew I had to share it with all of our readers who share the same interests ;)

Partylicious left no detail out of this truly amazing party! I would have loved to have seen everything in person! (which reminds me that I never shared our full party from October oops!)

Back to Minecraft - check out some of my favorite details from the party

More amazing details at the Partylicious blog

Party Credits:

Styling: Mare Romo

Mini cakes: Wanda González

Paper Products: Partylicious

Photography: Partylicious

I KNOW there are other Minecraft fans out there - how amazing is this party?!

Room Inspiration

ROOM INSPIRATION

I have seen some awesome rooms lately and figured if I am loving the inspiration then you probably will too! I have to say I'm really struggling with my boys' smaller rooms so I can use all the ideas I can get.

I Am Momma - Hear Me Roar has some awesome display and LEGO organization ideas

There are so many fun ideas and details in this room by Nellie Bellie (love the lights!)

I really, really love this pipe shelf unit from House Inhabit

Handmade Charlotte created the perfect art station for under $50

I have to figure out something for them! I think first we need to work on a bed with storage like this one from Pink Toes & Power Tools

Football parties + food allergies + Rubbermaid

My 10 year old and I both cannot eat gluten. Eating at home is no big deal for us, but eating out and at friends' house can be somewhat of a challenge. Parker is our house's newest football fan. We've always loved football parties (what's not to love? food, friends, football, commercials) and have hosted several ourselves! With football party season in full swing it's inevitable that we'll be headed to more and more parties soon. As his mom I strive to make parties (especially football parties) fun for him NOT another eating burden. I had a great idea and solution!

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Organization

Can I tell you all a "secret" about myself? I am not an organized person. I LOVE organization, but I am definitely not an organized person so I can use all the help I can get!

You may have pinned a post from my friends over at Modern Parents Messy Kids POYEL series this last year (Project organize your entire life) a LOT of people did (over 400,000) and rightly so! I am so excited to delve into their new ebook/Kindle book!

Here's a bit more info on what's in the book:

• Step-by-Step action plans for conquering some of the biggest obstacles to living the simplified life you’re yearning for: decluttering, cleaning, organizing, meal planning and more.

• Customizable strategies for it all.  We’re of the belief that one size does NOT fit all. Which is why the quick start guide is full of resources for a variety of lifestyles, schedules, and personalities.

• A built-in support network.  Yeah, we know, a support system for organizing? Sounds a little over the top – but you’d be surprised how motivating a facebook group of over 3,500 fellow simplifiers can be.

• No unattainable goals, only real-life expectations.  If there’s one thing we’ve learned, it’s that simplifying and organizing is a journey, not a destination.  So we’ve set up our quick start guide accordingly.  By offering lots of different strategies for tackling a problem, we’re arming you with the tools you need to be successful when life changes on you.

I am excited to start reading/studying my copy! You can get one for only $6.99 if you need help like me ;) Other versions will be out shortly.

I think my favorite post from that series is the toddler creativity center

I'm still working (ok trying to get back to working) on organization that works well for the boys' rooms. If you're in the same boat as me here are some more posts I've found inspiring

Organize and Decorate Everything has TONS of great ideas for room organization

 I love the idea of a peg board to store lots of things! from Just Between Friends

We've talked about LEGO storage a few times here, here, and here

Who else has organization on the brain?!

Disclosure: Post has an affiliate link

DIY Superhero House

Happy 2013 everyone! Here's to a healthy, happy, active, creative, and fulfilling 2013!

I love this DIY Superhero House from That's My Letter. She build this awesome playhouse with multiple levels and ledges, doorways, escapes, a ramp, a ladder and a dungeon. She used these plans found on Ana White (my fav DIY site)

Such a great idea! Think I'll keep this in mind for gifts too!

Our Envelope Advent

A couple of weeks ago I shared the activity advent calendar we did last year. This year I made one on a bit of a smaller scale. I made up an envelope advent book. Each "page" is an envelope that has the # of days until Christmas on it and inside each envelope is a card with an activity for that day.

The post from last month has a list of activities and I can add the card in each night depending on how our schedules change for the next day. If I decided to get them a small gift instead I put a clue as to where it's hidden or one day just told them that a secret prize would show up at some point during the day and to keep their eye out.

This is my boys' favorite activity of the season. They love the intentional time spent with them.

My stick figure and quidditch player

Happy day after Halloween! I've seen so many cute ideas for trading in all that candy (so it doesn't stick around until next year) some people have a little store and the kids pay with candy, others leave it out for the tooth fairy to take haha! I think maybe I'm just mean - they have a few pieces yesterday and will have a piece for the next couple days and then I'll give it all to my husband to leave at one of his customers' office. We just don't need it sitting around here! What do you do with all your candy?

I'm sad that my boys aren't into "cute" costumes anymore but I think they did a pretty good job this year!

What were your kids this year if you celebrate? We have a cute sailor and some awesome LEGO guys posted on our Facebook page! 

I can't believe it's NOVEMBER already! I'm working hard on finishing up my gift guide should have it next week for you.

Party Time

I will soon be the mother of a 10 year old! I can't believe it! We had a little family dinner (grandparents and aunts/uncles) to celebrate. We've made this a tradition to have a family dinner for each of the boys. Sometimes it's the only time we get to see everyone together!

We are gearing up for a sleepover and trip to the arcade (wish me luck!) but thought I'd share a few pictures of our dinner since the decorations will transfer over. We went with the Vintage Car Collection from Spaceships and Laserbeams

He has really been into classic cars lately. He was SO surprised and excited when his Papa (grandpa) picked him up from school in the '55 Chevy. He said he fist pumped lol! ;)

We keep it simple around here decoration wise. Whatever is easy but looks fun!

They always get to choose their dinner and he asked for a soup bar! We had 4 different soups of his choice (beef vegetable, broccoli cheddar, chicken tortilla, and clam chowder) and his favorite Coke in bottles.