Fun Filled Easter Weekend Recap

This weekend was packed full of fun! Friday, Maya and Jenelle came over for their 2 year old and 9 month old portrait sessions. Full post later this week! Mia had fun tagging along for the shoot J

Saturday, we went to the 'burbs to celebrate my mom and my aunt's birthdays. We {as you can tell by those chubby fingers} arranged these bouquets in the morning.

In the afternoon, Mia and her cousins had an egg hunt in the backyard. I was excited for Mia's first Easter egg hunt! But, she didn’t want to touch the eggs because they were dirty or the grass felt weird! Ha, daddy’s girl!

For dinner, I bought spicy Asian chicken wings from Great Seas {per the birthday girl’s request},  marinated eleven pounds of meat to make bulgogi and kalbi {traditional Korean beef dishes} and picked up Bob Chinn’s Mai Tais {now carried at Binny’s and Mariano’s!} - Yum, yum and yum!

These cousins are finally at an age (4 and 2) where they can play together - so much fun!

We have a sassy little one on our hands...

After a fun day, Mia slept in her toddler bed for the first time! {Full post detailing her bedroom to come.} She was so excited!

Sunday, I made some last minute Easter baskets out of paper plates. For my one year old niece and nephew, inside were rice shaker rattle eggs.

At church, Mia did another egg hunt, even though she didn't walk around much because the grass felt weird on her feet.  She kept talking about the egg hunt though, so I think she still had fun filling up her basket.

Afterwards, we had lunch at our place.

Being Thai, I was nervous having my Korean mother-in-law and sister-in-laws judging my Korean cooking! I think I passed the test since Umma said the bulgogi or kalbi {I forget which one} was better than hers! Phew! What a surprise! And Doug and I happily ate the same meal two days in a row haha.

And lastly, today is my mom’s birthday… Happy Birthday, Grandma! We love you so much! Thank you for being home to raise me and {practically} now my baby girl. ♥ You mean the world to us!

Come back tomorrow to see how I spent my golden birthday…

linked up here:

Pink & Green Polka Dot 1st Birthday Party: Decorations

Now that you've seen the party printables that I designed and how I used washi tape for my niece's first birthday party, here is the full reveal of all the decorations!

{Letters normally hang from her bedroom wall.} 

My sister in law (Sandy) didn't have a specific theme in mind for her daughter's dol {Korean 1st birthday celebration}. She just wanted it to be pink and girly with a touch of green for Springy-ness. Based off this and the polka dotted balloon invite, I got to work and sent my SIL a 10 page detailed party plan so she could easily execute her party.

{Tray from Target's $1 spot, although it was $2.50. Lined with scrapbook paper and trimmed with two ribbons.}

The brainstorming started two months in advance. Sandy wanted a modern dol, while keeping a few classic elements.

{Those wrapped phonebooks made another appearance.} 

To combine modern with traditional, we included candy coated marshmallow pops & cupcakes with dduk {Korean rice cakes} & fruit on the main table.

Erin also wore a traditional hanbok (Mia's!) when various items were placed in front of her for the doljanchi.

Everyone wrote their name on a raffle ticket to guess what Erin would pick and placed it in that item's bowl. After the birthday girl picks an item, she picks a raffle ticket from that item's bowl and the winner received a Target gift card. Get the washi tape gift card holder tutorial here.

 {Free Sprik Space patterns used to design sign, tickets, tray lining and doljabi pictures. The doljabi pictures are taped to clothespins so they could attach to the bowls. Bowls are from Target's $1 spot, but again $2.50. What's up with that?!}

Whichever item the birthday girl picked is thought to tell her future {golf ball::athlete; pencil::scholar; stethoscope::doctor; paint brush::artist: microphone::performer}. Just like most babies, Erin froze under the spotlight of all her guests staring at her loudly cheering her on. But, after some coaxing from mommy, she picked the golf ball. Let's see if she's the next Michelle Wie!

In addition to the traditional doljabi, Erin had a smash cake. Unlike her photo session where she was all over it, she didn't care for her cake in front of her guests.

{DIY birthday party hat from scrapbook paper and tulle from her newborn tutu!}

All in all, Sandy said, "The party turned out even better than I envisioned. I loved the sweets table arrangement...

{Wondering how to make wall letters stand on a table without tipping over? Insert chopsticks into the holes in back!

Just call me Martha McGyver J} 

...the colors...

{Cupcake toppers designed with free Sprik Space polka dotted pattern. Cut lollipop sticks in half.} 

 {Washi Tape menus.}

...the tulle table skirt...

 {Inspired by and tips from Genie Leigh Photography's Tangled Party. We used 8 yards of tulle for under $10. I would even double the yards if you want it to be fuller. Random balloons scattered on the floor was a HIT with all the kids.}

...and how the balloons tied everything together.

{Pictures from her photo sessions matted on cardstock and scrapbook paper taped to ribbons.}

{Buckets from Target's $1 section. For fiddy cents, holla!}

{Custom name print from BabyByrds. Which I have for my daughter and all my neice and nephews.} 

...I wasn't excited about the entire process, but I'm glad I put in the time and money to create a beautiful party for my little girl." Awww that means the most to me - when people see that the time, money and effort truly is worth it.

I think we successfully brightened up Maggiano's dark banquet room. Don't you think? Please contact me at mindysukan{at}gmail{dot}com for further details on my party planning services. I would love to take part in creating your special event!

linked up with Tatertots and Jello, live. laugh. rowe. and:

DIY Pillow Cases - Birthday Gift

You all know by now that I try to give a hand made gift whenever possible. My niece Erin has a lot of open space in her bedroom next to a bookshelf, beneath a window. I thought this would be the perfect spot to create a reading nook. I bought 3 square pillows, in sizes that nest. Big one for daddy, medium one for mommy and small one for baby J

 (The stack of pillows in the back against the crib are Mia's pillows that we cuddle and read on.)

The two big ones were from Target - and oh so soft! The smaller one was from Michael's or Joann's and made just as soft as the other two with a minky fabric pillowcase. Pink and green, just like her party - did you notice? J

In one night, I made all three pillow cases with an easy, basic envelope closure and a few different embellishments.

1. Sew ric rac to the edge.

2. Sew ric rac in a frame and add a bow.

3. Make a "bow". I bought this minky fabric for her newborn photo shoot *sigh*

Cute baby gift, no?

And of course, you have to get some books for the new reading nook. And a big blanket for bed time snuggles.

linked up with Tatertots and Jello and:

{Alex} - 6 months

Meet Baby Alex...Ok, so I introduced you a few weeks ago.

Alex recently turned 6 months old, but weighs more than my 1 year old nephew! Gotta love chubby babies! You really have to embrace every itty bitty baby detail because they'll be gone before you know it.

I loved his comb-over little patch of hair!

Ahh, the discovery of your chubby deliciously soft toes. And look at those fat fingers! nom nom nom!

And this precious gummy smile because I have no teeth yet?! *sigh* It'll be gone before you know it!

Dah! How cute are these grandpa lips that he makes?! Years from now, these silly little mannerisms, unique to your little ones, are the things that will make you stop and reminisce about how itty bitty your baby was.

Thanks for having me over! I'd love to hug and kiss those baby rolls anytime!

Tell Halmani in Korea that her eggi is waiting for a visit J