Good Things #3

Meals!  Another of my things...taking meals to those in need.  The usual meal recipients come to mind...a new baby (my favorite meal to deliver) or an illness or death.  Recently I read an article and started to think about others who would really appreciate a meal...teachers during the first week of school - one less thing to think about while getting back into the new year.  Another good one is a neighbor after they have been out of town.  How nice to come home to a dinner when you expect the pantry and fridge to be empty.  

A great sight to organize meal support:  Care Calendar. 

My top meal tip:  Give food in containers you do not want returned.  Multiple meals are a blessing but keeping track of baking dishes and bowls to return puts a damper on the good deed.

Photo credit 

4

The number of months we have left in London. We are moving back to America at the New Year. I could stay longer but I am also looking forward to being an American in America again.  Now I feel almost stressed to see the whole of London in the next four months. And as much of Europe as the budget will allow - that pesky budget always causing trouble. Today we ate a picnic on Primrose Hill and visited the London Zoo. I hate to be a check the box tourist but we have to be organized!  

A Bit More George

First time standing solo.

Daygown

Then...

Now...

George's 1st Birthday

George started his birthday with his cupcake and candle.  Brent returns from work after George's bedtime so the lucky boy ate cake for breakfast...

His sisters helped him open presents...



He had his favorite dinner...chicken pesto pasta...

One more of the hat...he did not like it and would leave it on for about 10 seconds...

Doddfest ~ Take I

Just the 22 of us.

Classic oldest to youngest.

Sisters.

Hands to elbows - we support and encourage. 

Our true feelings. 

Little Family Photo. 

George Turns 1 ~ Party Part 2

 

  

Hat from Stell and Livi

George Turns 1 ~ Party Part 1

Invitations from Zazzle

Welcome to George's orange and yellow giraffe party...

I threw the wreath together with ribbon scraps. 

Orange tubtrug chilled lemonade with yellow giraffe picks for all ~ cut with prosecco for adults...

George banner...

The menu was included some of George's favorites:  

ham sandwiches with red leicester cheese and yellow mustard

blueberries (boo boos) and bananas (nanas)

hummus with bread sticks, carrot sticks & bell peppers

cheddar bunnies

m&m's and jelly beans in orange, yellow & brown

Carrot cake cupcakes with cream cheese frosting (made from scratch by George's daddy)...

Pick labels from Etsy Ladybug Labels

The birthday boy liked the cupcakes...

4th of July

We had a fun 4th of July!  The party was a success.  The criteria to be invited was one must be American.  Then wearing red, white and blue was a given.  

On the menu was hot dogs, deviled eggs, chips, watermelon, rice krispie treats dotted with blue and red M&Ms & Cokes.  The rice krispie treats were a huge hit!  Marshmallows are hard to come by here.  When in the US this menu is rather plain and not at all impressive.  But in London our fellow Americans appreciated the taste of home.

First we say Happy 4th of July...

Patriotic Pinwheel Wreath...

Thankfully the weather was gorgeous.  The back garden...

Kid utensils...

Tubtrugs are great find.  Originally (and still) they were used on farms, with equine and in construction.  Around the house we use them for laundry and to hold toys.  They come in a variety of sizes and colors.  For the party we had red or blue ones for trash, dirty dishes, to ice down drinks and watermelon and chips...

Lollipop pail...



The Lollipop Guild...

George with Uncle Andrew, who saved the day!  Andrew, Mary Kate and I filled 50 balloons with helium in record time.  He also finished prepping the deviled eggs, cut the watermelon and ironed the table cloths.  I especially appreciate the ironing because it is one of my least favorite tasks.  He took on lots of Georgie duty too...

With my almost 1 year old baby...

Georgie loved his first go with watermelon...

Next...Georgie turns 1!

Party, Party, Parties

One of my many "things" are:  parties.  I just adore them!  Planning and selecting the theme, invitations, decorations, food, favors - it is so much fun.  I am very excited because we have a party two weekends in a row.  This weekend we are throwing a 4th of July celebration.  Loads of red, white and blue, hot dogs,  watermelon and rice krispie treats.  Invitations set the tone...

tiny prints (& they ship to the UK)

Next weekend is George's giraffe 1st birthday party!

But now I need to finish tying blue bows on 30 of these...

Giant Red Swirl Lolly