Beauty and the Beast Party- Elle Chic Designs

 

My daughter is IN LOVE WITH Belle. - so my party planning company, Elle Chic Designs, put a Belle Party together for her. The planning, organization and shopping for the event turned out to be fun and exciting...the only downfall was the sad and dreary April Showers we had for the BIG outdoor party. Luckily, for the party goers, the rain was very sporadic and lasted for only minutes, but boy oh boy...did the wind really do something for my decorations! Nonetheless, here are the photos from my now 4 year olds- birthday party... any of the items and decorations you see can be customized and purchased at http://www.ellechicdesigns.com and now I present...The Royal Princess' Beauty and the Beast Party...

The Invitations: Tri-fold "BE OUR GUEST" Custom invites for both the boy (Beast) and girl (Belle) guest

The Entertainment

This was the first year I did a jumper, normally my parties and filled with activities, games, arts and crafts
yet... this was a special request from the birthday girl and how could I say no to a 3D 5in1 jumper? I couldn't. Which all worked out in the end and it gave me a chance to throw all my energy into the dessert table.

The Princess' Attire custom made from Designs By Claudia (love her store!)

The Dessert Table and Decorations

See how the wind is just blowing my gorgeous background, streamers and 36' Balloons?
I was not a happy camper ;-( but what could I do but go with the flow?

 The photos aren't the greatest for our backdrop but just out this DIY idea for streamers using plastic table cloths found at Cupcakes and Cutlery

Lumiere got his chance to shine at the party also. I will put together a tutorial on how to make him yourself very soon. It's easy as pie

Tablesettings... we placed some photos of the birthday girl, flowers with lemons in the vase (sorry, not the best shot) and some edible Chip Centerpieces that we filled with candy and jelly beans at the guest tables.

Desserts

Everyone was pleased with the Mrs. Potts Cake Pops - they came out beautifully!

The Miette Inspired Birthday Cake... Check out the original inspiration here.

Belle Cake Pops

~Tutorial Coming Soon~

Chocolate Covered Rose Oreos

Brownie Chocolate Strawberry 

Push Up Pop Cakes

I love these push pop cake containers & find myself using them so much that my company now sales them.
Want some for your next party? Get them here

A Little Bit of Everything

If you could take one thing away from this party...its in the details. Label EVERYTHING to match your decor as it adds such strong element to any function

Straws straws and more straws! I love straws. There was a game I had originally set up with the oversized straws- but thanks to the weather, that did not happen. Nonetheless, the straws were still one of my favorite highlights of the party and everyone else got a kick from the oversized and paper straws. 

                             

Party Favors from Susan Browning...  they are so darling!

In spite of the rain and wind, the party was an overall success and I am well pleased. The guest were happy, feed and full of sugar - so everyone had smiles. The kiddos of course, had an awesome time in the jumper and that was all I could ask for...

I failed to mention...our special pinata... Princess Belle. Although she was around for the party, my daughter decided that she loved Belle too much to allow anyone to hit her for candy. And so...Belle is still around my house today. The poor girl is carried around everywhere, she's starting to shed but I don't have the heart to throw her out quite yet so for right now... we have a new addition to the family.

Thanks again for reading our blog and don't forget to check us out for more party themes and decor for your events at Elle Chic Designs.

Valentine's Day!

Tomorrow is Valentine's day and I am so thrilled! I've been busy making crafts and valentine's day crafts. And thanks to my friends at Crazy for First Grade and Julie Locke, I've been able to work in Valentine's day into our homeschool lessons plans for both the preschooler and 2nd/3rd grader. 

For the rest of the month, we will turn our attention onto Black History Month and President's day, and then make our way to the celebration of Dr. Seuss and the Spring Season. So stay tune for those uploads and some free printables for both your party and educational needs.


Also, as most of you know, I am not as active here on the blog site but you can always catch my updates, crafts, deals and steals on our Facebook Page here.

Here's a sample of some of the crafts we worked on for Valentine's Day. Enjoy!

Cupcake Liners Topiary

Conversation Hearts Topiary

3D Buttercup Valentine Card

3D SUCKER Valentine Card

It's New Year's EVE!!!

Where or where did the time go? So after the Christmas holiday, apparently I have been in a whirlwind not realizing just how close we were to the end of the year. Well, as you know... we are here! We are at the end of the 2011 road and I couldn't be happier.  


I love new beginnings, well almost - I love the New Year... a chance to get it right and do things new for the next year. I am excited about the possibilities of what 2012 will bring for my family and myself. Life is good so I can't complain - I know 2012 will just be even BETTER!

With that said - I wish you and yours a Happy and Safe New Years. Here is a printable I found at Paperandpigtailsparty.com that I know you will love. Enjoy and God bless you all! See you next year 


Get your printable HERE


By the way - I find teaching moments in EVERYTHING I do with my family. Here is a cute little worksheet you can download and have your little ones fill out or even just verbally discuss to put in their file for memories of 2012 from thirtyhandmadedays.com. Enjoy!

Snowflakes at Christmas Time

So with the cold weather we've been having in San Diego - the family and I took the opportunity to escape to the mountains and play in the snow.

We had an awesome time and enjoyed playing in the snow and truly having that winter experience. As I watched my kiddos play in the snow I really took the time to reflect on what we've been through this year and just how awesome God is. I have a wonderful family and because of His blessings, I am able to escape to the snow during the midweek just at a moments notice.  I love snowflakes at Christmas times and 2 years ago, I wasn't able to do so because I was a slave to my job and the time off was not allowed. The freedom and time I have with the family is priceless and even if I ever had to go back to corporate - I will make sure that I value every moment I have with my family and you should too.


With that said, we came back home and I was able to instantly create a lesson plan that helped my 2nd/3rd grader grasp the concepts of seasons, weather, snow and the various snowflakes.


Here's what we did...
We made paper snowflakes using this template I found from Yarn Owl. We then went over the various types of snowflakes that there are...here's a quick study . And finally we discussed our day in the snow, recapped on the type of snow, seasons and weather patterns as well as the water cycle and completed this worksheet from our National Geographic Guide (the books are amazing as well).


Next week will finalize our winter session with a nice journal and picture book of her snow day. See how easy it is? Our children can learn anywhere and any place. They soak up the information and more hands on it is, the more they retain. We will make it a yearly tradition for snowflakes at Christmas time,


I would love to hear about your daily learning activities. Comment below and share. Until next time - keep loving the family!

Free Thanksgiving printable party package

Many of us are getting prepared for the Thanksgiving holiday. I've been posting on facebook various things I am thankful for and will start Monday with my Random Acts of Kindness.

The girls and I are also working on the first thanksgiving history lessons and favorite recipes - so stay tune.

Today I share with you the wonderful printable package for your THANKSGIVING DECOR! It's so cute and free so get to decorating! Enjoy and don't forget to send us pictures of your spread and decor.

Free Thanksgiving printable party package Thanks Dimpleprints for sharing!

Homeschool Preschool - why or why not?

As my 3 year old gets older and turning the curve to being a 4 year old - which she considers a "big girl" - she keeps referring to her school. She keeps implying that she'll be ready to go to "big girl" school and when I tell her she already does work and homework at home...she says..."No mom, not school at home..I want to go to school at school". You get the jest of the conversation....

So here are my thoughts: even at the ripe age of 3 she's learning daily. She's counting, coloring, learning her shapes, colors, learning how to be  better listener, speaker as well as following directions. (we'll as best as an active 3 year old can). Recently we are working on the alphabet and spelling of her name as well as her writing skills. She is in school as far as I am concerned. Now officially, my oldest didn't go into preschool until she was 4 and the only reason we sent her is she had been the only child who hung around adults for so long she needed the social interaction of her peers. Even in her dance classes, she was placed with other kids due to her level so I felt it was instrumental that she get "socialized" - and preschool did just that.  With this second child however, and now that we are homeschooling the oldest, I am not sure if I see the need for preschool - in the traditional sense. Miss L (the 3year old) attends Sunday school frequently with children her age, has cousins whom she plays with her age (Miss J -my now 7 year old - didn't), attends dance classes, has play dates and playground buddies all the time. She isn't shy and really really has no qualms with making friends. So I'm thinking, homeschooling preschool at the age 4 will still be done. I'll place a little more focus on social activities for her where it's in a more "teacher" setting other than myself... but I think we are good. My question really lies with kindergarten....But I'll cross that bridge when I get there. I've got 2 years...


So what are your thoughts?  Will you or Do you already homeschool your preschooler or kindergartner? Why or why not? I would love to hear from you and your experiences as well as thoughts.

Extreme Couponing 101

Couponing 101 - How to coupon the right way and the sites I use

Many viewers of my facebook fan page and this site have asked me how they can get started couponing. Besides gathering coupons from your mail, the sunday paper, and the internet... you need to know what to do with the coupons once you have them. This quick video will show you some of the website I used when first starting and how to match them up with the sales from various stores.

Let me know if the video help you out any and any other couponing questions I can answer for you. Enjoy and Happy Couponing

DIY CRAFTS and Homeschooling

DIY CRAFTS and Homeschooling


Since we have transition into homeschooling, I have found my need for more do-it-yourself (DIY) crafts. I am constantly on the look out for more crafts for our art time as well as projects, and DIY gifts. I love them because it let's my creative juices flow all while engaging the kiddos. Plus 9/10 times I am creating the projects with items I have around the home. The freedom of a DIY craft also allows room for error - which is actually none. I can create whatever I want, however I want, even if it doesn't look like the picture. The picture serves as an idea creator, and a buster for me, not the absolute blueprint so I can tweek and change things as I so desire...even if it's by accident.


With that said, I would love to see pictures of the art work and projects you and your family have created. Send us a picture with some background on the project, how it came about, etc. and we'll post it here for you. Thanks in advance for sharing and don't forget to check out our facebook fan page for more delightful homeschooling tips, shopping and couponing tips, and much more for the benefit of your family.


Below is a picture of what I call my "Designer Pumpkin", I wish I could have my home designed in all white, with accents of black and another color... but hubby's not going for it with 2 young children...so I put my wish into my pumpkin. It's stylish and quite un-ordinary...which I LOVE! Enjoy and thanks in advance for showing us yours.

Toilet Paper Pumpkin - DYI Arts and Crafts

As you get to know me on this blog you will begin to understand that I am a very determined person. Once I get something in my mind and I am convinced that I want to - need to - do something. Come what may ...I am going to do it.  


Now with that said, I am not big on halloween but I LOVE the fall season and since homeschooling I have found many ways to merge the two. Today I am sharing with you my latest craft fixation. The Toilet Paper Pumpkin. This craft serves 3 purposes for me...#1 I put all those toilet paper rolls to use (you would not believe how much tissue my family goes thru) #2 Helps me satisfy my need to decorate for the fall season #3 serves as an art project and lesson on how pumpkins grow etc. for my homeschooling children. Pretty cool huh?


Here is the tutorial for the TOILET PAPER PUMPKIN. Thanks Frugal Girls for sharing! I'll be taking pictures and posting ours next week. ;-) If any one does this craft, feel free to share your results here on our facebook page. Happy Crafting!

It's SOOOO Cute!!!

Our first Day!

We belong to an awesome Charter School called THE LEARNING CHOICE. They have 4 different locations - La Mesa, Chula Vista, Scripps Ranch and Temecula. It is through them that we do our homeschool, get our curriculum and even have the ability for Miss. J to go on campus 1 day a week and get learning with other homeschool children. The Learning Choice has been great to us and we love them!  


About a week we had our welcome back to school picnic day! Dad had to work but the girls and I went and had a blast! check out the pictures. 

Thank you TLC! We had a blast. And if anyone wants to find out more about the school, don't hesitate to check out their website or call at 619-656-4220