Red, White & Q

Here are some highlights from our 4th of July party.  

We kept the decorations simple - all homemade.  

Paper plates, coffee filters, cupcake liners, yarn and straws.  

Add the adorable printables from Paper & Pigtails = super cute decor!!

If you don't know, it's HOT in Florida!!  

We had all the eats inside - here are some of our goodies.

Our theme was Red, White & Q...

so we, of course, had lots of bar-b-q sauces.  

My Uncle made the chicken and provided all the bar-b-q sauces

*I must say, my Uncle sells these sauces throughout Florida 

and they are DELISH!

My Dad made ribs and we also grilled hot dogs.  

We also had other yummy food.  Baked beans, potato salad, tortellini, corn.

And no party is complete without desserts.  

Here are just a few of the sweets we had.

A few treats to keep the kids entertained - my paper plate bowls filled with candy, 4th of July coloring pages, water balloons and balloon carry games.

After everyone was stuffed, we sent them home with goodies.  Rocket Pops filled with toys and gum, bracelets (thanks to the tutorial from Jac o' lyn Murphy) and hand sanitizer.  

Everyone had a fun time 

(and may have gained a few pounds) - haha!

The day after....

Red, White & Q was a success! 

It was hot (HOT) but everyone had a great time.  

We had lots of delicious food - I think I ate most of it!!! 

I need a day to rest.  

Plus, I need to pick all the pictures I want to share with you tomorrow.  

Here's a little look...

I hope you all had a great holiday weekend!

Have a great Tuesday!

Happy 4th of July (and a flashback)

While I'm still busy working on our Red, White and Q cookout today....

I thought I'd share the EATS we had at our Old Fashion 4th from last year.  

I hope you all have a great day!!!!

my post from last year:

There was no shortage of food at our cook-out

 We had the standard hot dogs, baked beans etc...

but my favorite part is always the sweets!

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 here is the 'beverage' station (it was all inside since the weather was icky)..

notice the 'refreshing' sign (from Hostess with the Mostess)

 fruit kabobs made by my mom 

(with some of the best strawberries, blueberries and blackberries I've tasted)
yep..those are star shaped marshmallows..cuz that's how I roll :) 
these were inspired by Frost Me's (thanks Kim)

 firecracker cookies

white chocolate covered pretzels

 all together now...with an apple pie

(I got all the place cards from Hostess with the Mostess too)

There were lots of leftover goodies...we'll be celebrating the 4th until the 8th :)

Pickle jar 'hurricane vase'

The title gives it all away...

a clean pickle jar (or any jar really)

star shapes (I used a 2" punch)

I attached the stars with glue dots.  

For the purpose of the picture, I used a handful of the gazillion straws I have.  

Add some sand/rice/rocks and a candle...you've got a great little festive light!

Several jars lining a sidewalk would be really cute too!

DIY 4th of July coasters

Here's another super easy (almost free) 4th of July craft.

Do you have these things in your house?

card stock/scrapbooking paper/construction paper

scissors

contact paper

if so, you can make these super simple coasters.

I had 4th of July-y paper in a stack of cardstock I bought for something else.  

I also had a roll of contact paper..and I cheated and used a 3" punch :) 

Cut your circle/square out of your paper.  

Cut a piece of contact paper big enough to fold over & cover both sides of your shape.   

Cut off the excess contact paper.

Now all you need is a cold beverage & enjoy - responsibly :)

What I love about this easy project is that it works for ANY occasion!!!  

What's even better?  

Let the kids draw on the cardstock and you've got a great activity for any party!

(and a great little gift for the grandparents)

Firecracker cookies

These cookies are from our Old Fashioned 4th party last year.  

They are super simple, super cute and super festive.

Pull apart & bake cookies, store bought frosting, sprinkles and Pop Rocks are all you need!

the longer they sit, the less 'cracking' you get - 
so gobble them up right away :)

Countdown to the 4th!

My plan is to share 5 days of 4th of July goodies 

(crafts, treats, food etc...).  

Today, I'm starting off with pinwheels. 

I love them!  They are cute, cool and pretty simple to make. 

I know you can buy them pretty cheap but I wanted to make my own.

I found this great paper from Sprik Space 

(there is almost any pattern you can imagine - ALL FREE).  

I printed out 5"x5" squares and glued them together 

(so I would have a pattern on both sides). 

I cut, on the diagonal, almost all the way into the center. 

And poked a hole in the middle.

I also used a hole punch on one corner of each 'almost' triangle.

I decided to use straws as the holder.  

I threaded the straw through the paper 

and then began folding over the hole-punched side onto the straw.  

I also used small glue dots to keep the flaps together.

I haven't decided if we will use the straws for drinking...

or if I will just have them all as decoration.  

What do you think?  

What would you do with them?


linking up 

4th of July on the brain

I love the 4th!  The colors, the food, the fireworks.  

We are having a family get together at my mom's this year (as usual).  

As soon as I saw this post on Celebrations at Home 

featuring printables from Kori of Paper & Pigtails, I decided on a theme.

Red, White and Q 

(as in bbq)

 

I've been gathering ideas (mostly in my head) of goodies I want to use.  

Mason jars, pinwheels, push pops, flags.

Are you planning a 4th of July gathering?  

What types of fun things are you planning?

Last Day of May

I hope you all had a nice Memorial Day (and long weekend, if you got one).  

We spent yesterday at my mom's.  Hanging out, grilling, playing outside, laying in the hammock.  The weather was perfect.  This was my view for a few minutes - before the kids started arguing :)

Not much else is going on with me.  

The lizard will be finishing up pre-k in a few weeks (boo hoo).  

I'm helping with his graduation party (woo hoo).  

After that, it's the 4th of July. 

 We always have a family party & this year is no different. 

 I have some ideas I'm working on - which may or may not involve the push pop containers :) 

 I ordered mine from CupKate's Event Design 

(in case you're looking for some of your own).

What fun things are you up to?!

Fab Finds Friday

Hey y'all!!  I'm in full Pirates & Polka Dots panic.  Tomorrow is the party and it feels like I have a bagillion things to do.  BUT...I did find some pretty fab things I want to share today.

#1 Fancy Fox Designs

Holly (who I happen to know) makes some of the most beautiful jewelry.  

I love the Mother's bracelets 

and the Children's bracelets 

  and the Sports Themed ones

 

You may have guessed - I LOVE all of it!!  

Check out Fancy Fox Designs and I know you will fall in love too!

#2

Shindig Parties to Go 

Amanda designs some of the cutest printables around.  

Her latest creation is this adorable Summer Time collection. 

(this is just a teeny peek)

Click here to get the whole set!

 

It's so colorful and fun & FREE!

There are so many options with this set, I may need to have another party just to use this set!

#3

Hostess with the Mostess

ok..so this site may not be new to you BUT this New Summer BBQ Theme  is just plain FAB! 

When I first saw the post, I immediately decided my 4th of July theme.  

 

Red, White and Q 

(get it..Bar B Que?)

The pictures are great, the ideas/tips are brilliant and the freebie printables are perfect!

If you haven't seen the Summer BBQ Theme yet, you must check it out!!

I hope you all have a great weekend! 

I'll be up to my eye patch in Pirates & Polka Dots tomorrow.  

ARRRGGGGHHH! 

I'm dishing it today...

So excited today...my Back to School Bash is in the mix on Catch My Party!!


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Amanda at Serenity Now - A Mommy's Solution to Staying Sane is hosting a party.  A great party to get to know each other/mingle/chat...

all without having to get dressed up :)  

Oh..and FYI - Amanda is HI-larious...check out the rest of her blog 

(including her love affair with Mr Darcy  - not the one you think)

Now..onto me!

The topic of the 'dishing it' party is Summer Rewind.  

Best activity you participated in this summer  

Running a 5k on July 4th.  

I went by myself (at god awful early in the morning) and did it!  

I even got a kick ass cup for my efforts

Did your family go on any trips this summer?  

We didn't go away for vacation...I HATE to fly and having a 4 and 2 year old makes it (almost) impossible for me to not feel guilty getting D-runk before getting on a plane.  The husband would have his hands full & that's just wrong :)  We did, however, spend the night at a Disney resort *one of the great things about living ~20 mins from the 'Happiest Place On Earth' is that you can drive home when you need to.  The kids had a blast & we'll be going back again and again and again.

  Best new recipe you tried.

peanut butter brownie trifle..rot your teeth out good!

Coolest crafty thing you made or home decor thing you tried. 

I would say it's the subway art I just did.  I can't believe I've never done it before..it's so simple.  There are so many possibilities - I can't wait to make some more.

Best book or magazine issue you read. 

Run Like a Mother...since I started running (this past January), I've fallen in love with it.  Oh..I hate the 'I'm going to die' feeling you get the first few minutes or so...but I'm hooked.  This book touches on 'real' running (from marathoners and newbie runners alike) - peeing on the side of the road, chub rub and all.  Loved it!!

Coolest new (to you) blog you've found.  

There are so many...

I really enjoy *less cake {more frosting} *Random Thoughts of a SUPERMOM  *froufroubritches &  *the celebration shoppe

Your best post of the summer was...? 

I don't know that there was a best 

but my faves were of the kid's Sesame Street combo party

What's left on your summer to-do list? 

get some sneakers for the lizard (w/velcro)...he starts preK on Monday :( 

and get a new camera :)

Now it's time to mingle.....