Bubblegum! It's an all time favorite. So every year, when I spot these adorable, tester tubes filled with bubblegum, I grab them.
I've done a Valentines with bubblegum, in the past, my tag line was "Won't CHEW be mine!" So this year really last year, I wanted my tag line to be different. I decided on, "Blowing kisses your way!"
I just think this color combination is so cheery and SCREAMS Valentine's Day! This entire box was found at Sam's Club and was ONLY $9.99.
If you are an avid follower you already know this, but if you are here for the first time... I must say, just passing these test tubes out as is, wasn't enough for ME! I wanted MORE details.
I normally make my own tags and printables, but I was running LOW on TIME, so I used this adorable and PERFECT tag from My Country Girl Ramblings' Blog. I printed the tag, removed the tag included, and attached the printed tag, to give it a more personal touch! Caroline, the creator of this tag, used bubbles! I know kids love bubbles, but I think bubblegum is more exciting to receive. Either way, I am thankful for Caroline's willingness to share her creation.
See... it really wasn't that hard to make something a little more impressive for Jax and Lilah's friends. These particular Valentines were from Jax! ANY TIME you pass out any type of candy or gum, kids go nuts. This time, it was no exception.
As you know, Lilah was blessed to be casted for Annie. The play Annie was performed (9) times. Yes. I repeat (9) times. I was thankful even though it was a little taxing. Those little thespians worked their tales off and I can't imagine having less than 4 shows after all of those late night practices. I couldn't possibly give Lilah (9) gifts, but I did have a new gift for her EACH OPENING weekend.
On weekend 2, I made my baby girl a bouquet of CANDY! Flowers are great and beautiful, but kids like candy way better than flowers. I did this for her during Snow White and not only did she enjoy it, but her cast-mates were in total awe.
I tried to design this particular candy bouquet with gold, red, and silver candy!
My Annie "edition", of this candy bouquet, was transforming a Russell Stover's Chocolate bar, adding a photo of Daddy Warbuck's to the front of the $1,000,000,000, instead of Santa Claus.
It's hard coming up with unique gifts for those special occasions, so while I had already given Lilah something similar, for another show, the candy choses was entirely different as were the color schemes and sweet details! Lilah LOVED it. In fact, she still has a few pieces of candy left in her bouquet because she just can't bring herself to eating it all. Eating is all makes her feel like she's saying goodbye to the Annie production and her cast.
Lilah and I have been attending a few of the local plays around town, over the last year. Ever since Lilah was in Snow White, we've both been more and more interested to watch others in action. Once I saw the advertisement for Shrek, the musical, I asked Lilah if she wanted to go (because I wanted to) and she immediately said "YES!"
We had a special night on the town planned and invited Gram to join us. Lilah treated it like a real date and knocked on the door to pick her up. Poppy said hello, but NO BOYS ALLOWED.
And we were off...
We headed downtown for dinner, the candy store, and the musical SHREK!
We met Lilah's BFF and family (not daddy) at Alejandro's. Doesn't every perfect night start with chips and salsa?
After dinner, we headed to the local Candy Store. It's actually called "The Candy Store". LOL!
I am so glad that Lilah has met her match. She was teary one day and said, "Mom. I just really love Avery. She's like a sister to me. I feel sad when I am not with her."
Gram had to get in there a snag a pic. I was glad that she was able to join us. I know it meant a lot to her.
Downtown photos always turn out so good. Look at this sweet photo I captured of Avery with her momma.
And then my mom stole the show in the candy store. I swear, she always keeps us entertained.
Until the candy store attendant stole the show by bombing our photo.
Shrek, the musical, was incredible.
The entire show was great, but the role of Lord Farquaad had us all dying laughing. His costume was HILARIOUS.
It really kept everyone's attention.
This outing was so sweet. Of course, it had to end with a sleepover. Haha. Lilah finally used her sleepover coupon that she got in one of her hidden, Easter eggs to invite Avery over.
So many people told me NOT to do party favors for Ty's party. "They're too old!", "It's not necessary!" "Party favors are an extra expense!" "It's not the guests birthday, it's Ty's birthday!" But I just cannot have a party without party favors. I LOVE party favors and I believe it's the FINAL detail that sends the party guest home NEVER allowing them to forget the party and all of the details. Party favors are a present thanking your guest for their presence.
I thought using a variety of rainbow colored bags, to represent the paintball theme, but I have a difficult time with the rainbow icon since it's be recreated to mean something else. SO... that left me to come up with another idea. I chose to make my OWN paintball bags.
I purchased an $8.00 collection of craft smart paint, paint brushes, and a cloth tarp. I think the total investment was $15.00.
I poured about 1/4 cup of paint into glass cups. I watered down the paint, so that the paint was not so thick and easy to splatter. YES! SPLATTER!!!!
The white bags came from Michael's Craft Stores. I believe they were $9.99 for 13 bags. I needed two packs. Ugh. I used a 40% off coupon.
I laid out the tarp. And go to work, splattering paint all of the white bags. I was a nervous wreck about doing this because I didn't want to mess up my garage floor or those beautiful, crisp, white bag. The best part about this craft job is that truly NO paint splatter would be wrong. The "uglier" the better. This is probably the coolest, "funnest", most original idea I've ever had. I saw this idea done on helium balloons, so I switched things up and did it on white bags instead.
Thank you to my hubby for being my videographer on his lunch break. HEHE
The end result was EXACTLY what I was envisioning.
WINNING!
After each bag was complete, I would lift it up and find this gorgeous art, on accident. HAHA. You can see exactly where the bag was lying.
What do you give 12 and 13 year old boys at a paintball party? You all... I found the MOST PRICELESS and PERFECT items. First up,
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