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Tuesday


 
It's baby shower time for 'super cute and very pregnant' Nikki (pictured above on the left) and her almost here, baby girl, Rylee.
My 'very creative, party-planning' friend, Meghan (pictured on the right) chose the theme...ABOUT TO POP!  How fun is that?! 
My job was to make a banner to go with the theme. So I used my Silhoutte cutter, and lots of pink dotted paper along with red ribbon and pink chalking ink.
I had so much fun creating the banner, that I kept on crafting and cutting and created these fun 'POP'corn boxes to put on display!
This led to many more labels and tags.
I made some candy coated marshmellow 'POP's for display and for holding up the circle tags that I taped to pink coffee stirrers.
Meghan brought goodies that purposely went with the 'POP' theme, like...
'POP'corn,
Carmel 'POP'corn
Mini-'POP' Tarts
and Soda POP!
This was a church shower, so many church friends brought goodies as well.  Their treats didn't go with the 'POP' theme, so we had to get a little creative with the labeling.
for the fruit platter, the label says, A 'POP' in your mouth!
A 'POP' of cheesecake,
 'POP' one in!
a 'POP' of chocolate,
Apple Crisp with a 'POP' of ice cream!

After eating the many, many treats, our church's Children's Pastor gave a devotion using Psalms 139:13.
"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.
I am beautifully and wonderfully made."
Next, came Meghan's fun 'POP' shower games.
First was a timed 'POP' quiz.  Here's a few questions:
-You 'POP' open a bottle of this to celebrate.
-Dr. Seuss wrote this book with 'POP' in the title.
-In 'POP' Goes the Weasel, the_____ chases the_____around the_____.
My 'lovely' friend Heidi, finished the quiz first!  Her prize...a bag of 'POP' items, of course.  'POP' Rocks, Mini-'POP' Tarts and a Ring'POP'!
We also played 'POP'tionary!
 It was quite fun trying to draw all kinds of words that had 'POP' in them...words like 'POP'corn, lolli'POP' and 'POP'arazzi! (Well, Meghan sort of stretched on the 'POP' in that word.)
All of Nikki's gifts were recorded on this 'ABOUT TO POP' Gifts Received Sheet.
As the guests were leaving, they picked up one of these 'POP' Tarts goodie bags.  The tag says:
"When it 'POPS' into your mind, say a prayer for Nikki and Baby Rylee!"
We're praying for you, Nikki and we can't wait to meet Rylee.
__________________________________

Linking up to:  HiyaLuv
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Friday

I actually like my small walk-in closet. I wish it was a bit bigger, but I really can't complain. Some years back my amazing 'build anything' dad and my 'awesome' husband installed one of these cool closet organization systems from Lowes. (Just so you know, this is a picture off Lowe's site, my closet doesn't look quite this organized!)
Click here for the system they used.   The closet system turned out wonderfully, but it still was a bit cramped for all our clothes.  I really wanted the space to myself. (Yes, I've always had a hard time sharing.)  I knew I was in trouble when I started dreaming of having the closet to myself.  I could just picture my clothes spread out a bit more with space for my many sweaters, shoes and purses.  So one day, after quite a bit of planning and negotiating, I kicked my husband's clothes out of the closet!  It's true!
I picked out one of those great closet-system pieces of furniture from
IKEA,
bought two of them and moved in all of my husband's clothes. 
(Truth be told...we did have to move out a long dresser to make room for these monster pieces.)  I'll admit my husband wasn't too happy about the arrangement until
we put in one of IKEA's pants hanging rack systems.  All his pants hanging wrinkle-free in a slide out contraption, sold him on the idea! 
So now I have the walk-in closet to myself!  Yay! 

It's lovely!  I have lots of room for more my clothes.
 I added bins to hold clothes from the off-season, (I can't wait to get out those summer clothes!)  
and I now have space for my bags and purses...well, at least some of them!

My sweaters have a home too. (Did I mention I'm sooo ready to pack them away?!)
 My favorite part are the built in drawers and cubbies for my shoes!
 I don't normally think about my closet or clothes THAT much, which is why I was surprised to have it on my mind when studying this verse awhile back.
"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience."  Colossians 3:12
I've read this verse many times, but this particular time I started thinking about my closet.  I started thinking that I need this verse in my closet where I can see it.  I need to be reciting this verse as I get dressed everyday.  I need to consciously think about putting on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience as I get dressed for the day.
The verse goes on to talk about forgiveness..."Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another.  Forgive as the Lord forgave you."  (Great reminder for me to forgive quickly and move on!)
"And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity."
I wonder if I could think about 'putting on love' every time I wear a belt?

I looked up this scripture in The Message Bible.

It reads, "Dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you:
Compassion
Kindness
Humility
Quiet Strength
Discipline
Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive.
Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you.
And regardless of what else you put on, wear love.
It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it!"
Colossians 3:12-14  (The Message)
This got me thinking that my entire family should be focusing on this scripture too!
So I printed it out and made copies to hang inside every closet in our home...and of course anything I craft involves color coordinating paper and ribbon! 
I made one for my son's closet

and one for my daughter's closet,

one inside the coat closet, one in my closet and even one inside my husband's closet.....
now let's see if I can get the whole family 'putting on' this scripture every morning?  I'll keep you posted.



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Saturday


Before you become a knight, you must go through the proper training.

Take a look at my son's 9th Birthday! Knights-In-Training Royal Celebration!
The formal invitation



Check out the goodies and decorations.


Alright! Let's get this party started with a fanfare from the King!
(Yes, that's my 'awesome' husband, oh the things I talk him into.)

Training has begun!

Get some inspiration...
Shield Designing is first.

Every good knight needs a personalized shield!



Well done!
Now it's time for the Battle Training.


Get your gear!

Take one bow... (straw)

and strap on a pack of color-coded arrows! (Q-tips)
Now choose your castle to take cover in.

The serpent castle on one side or...





or the dragon castle on the other!



Load one arrow into the bow,aim and fire (blow)!
Repeat again and again! Good work! 

Even the king got in the middle of this battle!



That's the spirit!

Time for Catapult Assembly Training.





Head to the supply table.  Gather what you need.


Follow the directions carefully...you don't want a faulty catapult!

Don't forget your ammunition (marshmellows)!

Load up the catapult with marshmellows...I mean ammo.

a little target practice.
Take teams, ready...fire!
Aim for your target!  Get your mask on for protection!
Now, just what you've been waiting for...
it's time for Sword Fighting Practice.



You'll need some energy first, eat up.





OK, you're ready, careful now...

Do a little practice first, then...


get on those 'horses'

and knock your opponent off!
<><><><> <><><><> <><><><>
You've got it!  Great jousting!

Try not to enjoy it too much, this is serious training! Good work!

Your training is complete. Your knighthood has been officially granted by the king!

Time for the Celebration Banquet!


-Corndogs on a stick (knights love anything that can resemble a sword!)
Fruit Kabobs (yes, they're on a stick as well!)


Round Table Snack Mix
(Round pretzels, round soup crackers and cheddar popcorn)

Flaming Arrows -Chocolate dipped marshmellows with red sugar sprinkles! (Oh, look- they're on a stick too!)


Shield cookies- rectangle shaped cookies with a frosted petite cookie on top.



To drink, Knight's Fuel otherwise known as juice pouches.






And Birthday Cake!
Happy 9th Birthday, Jacob!





Before leaving, all knights receive their reward for good training.






Payment in gold (chocolate coins), RingPop (from the king) and little knight figures.
A reward well deserved!

Many thanks go out to the grandparents for their help!  The paper decorations were ordered from Birthday Express and the foam swords were ordered from Amazon.  Catapult directions were found at the Knight for Hire website.  Costumes, hoppity horses and various props were brought from my mom's friends.  The king's robe and crown were borrowed from our church.

 A big thank you (especially from my child) to Lowes for their many appliance boxes and helping me stuff them into my car!  (I drove home with my seat as far forward as possible and cardboard over my head! The things we do for our kids?!)


Now the hard part...getting those thank you notes finished!



Linking up to: MyInsanityPartyParty



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