Z. Daisy Blog

Candy anyone?

I just returned from a great Colorado vacation with my kids and parents.  My parents live in the Dever area so stayed with them and did lots of fun things during the day.  There were so many fun and FREE things to do there and the kids had an absolute blast.  One of the places that was recommended to us by a friend was the Hammond Candy Factory.  What kid is going to say no to a candy facotry!!??!  They make the prettiest, shiniest candy canes and lollipops you've ever seen.  So, if you're ever in the Denver area stop by for a free tour and some sweet treats.  In the meantime, you can also order from them online through the link above.  These yummies would make great stocking stuffers!

 

Lorri
 

Easy Baby Shower Decorations!

I had the privileged to host a baby shower for a dear friend and I was in charge of decorations. We knew she was having a girl...so the decor had to be pink. I don't like to spend a lot of $$ on decorations that are just going to be thrown away...so I got creative. I made the banner and filled it with actual baby items that the mom could take home with her. The centerpiece had to fit a long and narrow table, so I decided to use 2" pails and make the letters that spelled out "Baby Baxa" (their last name) from both sides of the table. I had the help of one of those awesome Cricut machines (www.cricut.com) that has transformed the world of scrapbooking...and made this project very easy.

Another hostess recommended tissue paper "puff balls" on the walls and hanging from the ceiling but we could not quite figure out how to make that work...so we turned the chandeliers into giant puff balls! It turned out really cute and it was a great (and cheap) way to make the room look ready for celebrating. So - if you are looking for quick and easy...here it is. (My camera did not take great pictures but you will get the idea.)

 

 

 

Fun Idea to Honor Volunteers at Your School...Room Parents Rock Luncheon!

It is so hard to keep school functions fun and creative but this year...we did. We wanted to honor the room parents at our school with a special luncheon, but wanted the theme to be fun and different. So - we did "Room Parents Rock" and the decor...well...you will see below. We had a lot of fun creating the pet rocks and card packs for all of the ladies that attended. Maybe this will spark some creative ideas that you can share with us about how you honor volunteers at your school! Volunteers REALLY do rock! (Do you like the "bedazzled" rock below?




 

Boy Stuff

There are so many great things about boys and so often they get neglected in my blogging.  It is so easy to get excited about all the girly things and sometimes the cool boy stuff gets overlooked.  So, I thought I'd post a few fun things that my boys have been up to this week.  First off is Samson's obsession with bugs.  He loves all things that he can catch with a net and put in a jar.  He spends hours in the park by our house digging around for stuff.  He came home with this "beauty" the other day and he was quite proud.  He loved the way the wings looked when he opened them up.  I guess it is pretty cool.... for a dead bug. =) 
Next up is my sweet Zach.  He's almost 10 and I must say the years have flown by.  His closest friend had a birthday party today and he was keen on getting him Cubs baseball cards.  Anyway, we found this picture in the newspaper this morning of his friend's favorite player and ended up making some great wrapping paper out of it.  He was sooo proud and excited to give this little box of baseball cards to his friend.  Oh the simple things in life when you're only 9 years old. 

Handful of Flowers, Handful of Love

WOW!  Has it been a whole month since I last posted?  Time is flying by this summer.  Time is also very limited with all the kids at home.  We've been having lots of fun though, so please forgive our absence.  Here are all the treasures the girls brought me while on our walk today.  These are the prettiest little weed flowers I've ever seen.  I must say, they picked me a lovely handful of flowers and love. 
We've also been pretty busy with some exciting new things for Z. Daisy.  We have some big announcements coming up!  Check back soon!

-Lorri

Promise Kept

A few months ago I made a pool bag for my oldest daughter.  After I made hers, my younger daughter decided she wanted one too, of course.  I promised I would make her one, but wasn't sure when time would permit.  She certainly didn't forget my promise and reminded every chance she got.  I started working on it a few months ago and finally finished it up today.  Phew!  The warm summer days and trips to the pool have certainly been good motivation.   Here's a list of her requests:

1) Lots of pink.  CHECK.
2) Cupcake.  CHECK.
3) Butterly.  (Reverse side.) CHECK.
4) Ruffles.  CHECK.

I took a very deep breathe after this little project was done.  No mother enjoys having an unkept promise hanging over head.  I love making things for her though because she is the best appreciator.  She is always so proud and goes on and on about how much she loves it.  That's always good motivation too. =) 

I do have a little cupcake applique pattern to post.  I'll try to do that in the next few days.  Who knows, maybe you have a little one who's requested a cupcake with a cherry on top too!  Oh to be 6 again and only dream of pink, cupcakes, butterflies and ruffles.  Very sweet.

Happy Father's Day!

Here's a little photo journal of our morning at Lake Michigan.  There were lots of rocks which means...
Lotsa climbing...
Lotsa throwing...
And lotsa collecting.  Hope you all had good times with your dads today.  Here's a shout out to my dad if you happen to read this.  Happy Father's Day!  Love you and wish you were here!
Lorri

Another Favorite Place...

We visited Catigny Park yesterday, which is now one of my new favorite places to visit in town.  

It's another old mansion estate filled with gardens, ponds, pools and fountains.  Aren't those lily pads beautiful! 

The kids would run and run, but then stop to take in the beauty of the elements around them. 

There's no better way to top off a sumer outing than by dipping your toes in cold little creek!  We will definitely be going back!

Favorite Places

Do you have any places that you really enjoy?  There are lots of far away locations on the beach or in the mountains that I thoroughly enjoy, but there are also a few sweet spots close to home.  One of my absolute favorites here in town is Adams Park.
This fountain once graced the front of John Quincy Adam's mansion which stood where this park is now located.  (Not THE John Quincy Adams, but his distant cousin.)  The park is right downtown close to all the yummy ice cream shops and the train tracks.  Our family frequents here on many summer nights.
The peonies were in full bloom the other night.  So pretty.
There's no playground here, but the kids always love it - the fountain, the water, the winding paths, simple kid fun. 
Our good friends were with us this weekend, this is their daughter and one of our boys.  It was a good time together.

2 Little Monkeys

Today has turned out to be a fabulous Saturday.  It's absolutely gorgeous here - sunny and low 70s.  Ahhhhh....  Started off with soccer and baseball and ended with some very relaxing time at home as a family.  The girls have spent their afternoon swinging in the willow tree by the pond while the boys played baseball together.  I just love watching them have fun together.  Hopefully they'll still love each other when they're teenagers!  For now, I'm enjoying their sweetness.
Lorri