Saturday, February 6, 2010

The story of the Ladybug Tutu...

Way back in December I decided that I wanted to have a ladybug themed birthday party for Ruby. Partially because her nickname is my ladybug and also because I was inspired by the tutu as seen above. That's not the actual tutu I first saw on etsy.com, but that's the reproduction that my mother lovingly offered to make for her grand-daughters 2nd birthday. I was so excited to get my hands on this tutu along with the cute custom onesie and hairband! I was planning to do a photo shoot with my daughter and create invites for her party based around this outfit. Now, I was not that naive to believe that it would be smooth sailing, because you just never know with toddlers. Also, it's usually when you REALLY want them to do something that they completely refuse. I must also mention that Ruby has a sensitivity to clothing that are scratchy, tags, things that are stiff or tight. The truth is, I knew deep down inside she wasn't going to put the outfit on, I was in denial.

So I get my camera ready and treats to bribe, and start to get Ruby dressed. The onesie goes on no problem, the hairband she flings off immediately, the tutu...well apparently the tutu was torture. Here's Ruby with the tutu....as she screams "off...off...want it off..." and me in the background saying "come on sweetie, it's pretty, do you want a treat...."





So I finally accepted reality and I took it off, crushed that my magical photoshoot would be no more. And then she looked at me like this....


I then called on my mommy and said something similar to "she wont put it on...she's being a brat." Okay, I know my daughter wasn't being a brat, hold your calls to CAS, I was frustrated with my toddler's stubbornness. My mom offered to come over with another tutu, which happened to also have green in it (she was saving it for Christmas) but this one was a bit softer in texture and she thought maybe she could help convince her. In comes Nana, with popcorn for extra bribing and convinces her to wear the "Christmas tutu." Nana to the rescue...


With popcorn dangling in the background and Nana's special touch, we were able to get some cute photos. Not the pictures I was hoping and dreaming for, but these pictures are real, and the truth is, this is my Ruby...and she hates scratchy tutus...and I love her to bits.




Thursday, February 4, 2010

Making Homemade Valentines

With February just arriving I am preparing my activity calendar for both my children at home and my children at work. I was thinking that this will be the first year that my children are both at preschool and Jalen especially will understand Valentines Day. Now, when I grew up my mom would always buy me a huge pack of punch out valentines, and I would scan the 100 of them to find the "best" ones for each of my friends. Being extra careful to not to give a valentine that says "love" on it to a boy that I certainly don't! Now, I could make my life alot easier and just get a pack of Dora valentines and get Jalen to pass them around, but a. I like a challenge b. I think it will be more fun and c. I love celebrating all holidays just a little over the top....so....with my kids, I am making my valentines this year. For inspiration I went first and formost to my friend Martha Stewart. I find that she does the most spectacular valentines day crafts and food. Who hasn't seen Martha Stewart magazine's February issue on the magazine stand at some point and just had to flip through the glossy pages, splashed with gorgeous homemade boxes for homemade chocolates, and delicious looking chocolate cakes with pink hearts?


Martha Stewart Magazine February 2010 cover


I've come across some wonderful ideas to make with your kids to give to grandma and grandpa, to pass out at preschool or elementary school, or if you are like me and work with children as well, these are great crafts to add to your february planners.

This simple little valentines are made with those sheets of candy polka dots! I thought they were darling :)




These valentines are flowers made from pretty cardstock and a lollipop is through the centre, I think they would look so sweet if Jalen and Ruby brought them to class with a cute painted terracotta pot and all the flower valentines arranged inside!


These valentines take wrapped candy, gum or chocolate and jazz them up with great pink, red and white printed papers.



These are clothes pins that are cute valentines but also practical as they are used to close up little bags of treats.

Time to get crafting! Happy Valentines Day....