Cowgirl Party

 

Our lil Cowgirl themed birthday party 

Sack lunches

Popcorn & Cotton Candy

Estimation Jar

 

Gifts for our Guests

Bakerella's Cowgirl Cookies

These are the cutest gifts!

Berry Crumble instead of cake!

 

 

This is the best Berry Crumble recipe ever!

Berry Crumble 

This Beautiful Banner from my lovely friend Kinga

Happy 9th Birthday Mia

The Elf on the shelf Diaries

Small snapshots of where we find "Cutie" our Scout Elf every morning...

 

Where will she be next?  We still have 6 days left to find out!

The Elf Tradition

Have you ever wondered how Santa knows who is naughty and who is nice? The Elf on the Shelf®: A Christmas Tradition is the very special tool that helps Santa know who to put on the Naughty and Nice list. This interactive holiday hide-and-seek tradition is perfect for children and families of all ages.

The tradition begins when Santa sends his scout elves out to Elf Adoption Centers. Waiting for their families to bring them home, these patient elves hibernate until their family reads The Elf on the Shelf, gives their elf a very special name, and registers their adoption online. Once named, each scout elf will receive its Christmas magic and become a part of the family’s Christmas each and every year.

Excellent listeners and even better observers, these scout elves are the eyes and ears of Santa Claus. Although they cannot be touched, or else they may lose their magic, the elf will always listen and relay messages back to Santa. Taking in all the day-to-day activities around the house, no good deed goes unnoticed; these scout elves take their job seriously.

Each night, after the family goes to bed, the scout elf uses his magical Christmas powers to fly back to the North Pole. Once there, the elf will make his or her daily report to Santa and visit with elf friends where they will tell stories about their beloved families, play with the reindeer, and of course, sneak some of Mrs. Claus’ cookies!

Before the family awakes each morning, their special scout elf will fly back to their home from the North Pole. However, since these elves like to play games, don’t expect to find them in the same spot!  While some like to hide in the freezer (probably because it reminds them of the North Pole) and others prefer to sit on the fireplace mantle or hang from the chandelier, these elves love to play hide-and-seek with their families.

On Christmas Eve, the scout elf will listen for Santa’s bell and then fly back to the North Pole until the next season, wishing every girl and each boy a Christmas of peace and a year full of joy.
Elf on the Shelf 

Merry Christmas from The McClellan Clan

Stationery card

View the entire collection of cards.

my urban garden in a new home

My summer garden's first pickings!  

 I know summer is half way over... but I just started our summer garden a month and a half ago when we moved. 

Alice in Artichoke land

my first tomato of the season

the queen is angry!

Morning Glories and mint

I wish I had taken some before pictures...

Summer Bowling Fun!

This is our second year participating in the  Kids Bowl Free Program.  Each child you sign up is able to bowl two games a day all summer long and for $29.95 you can add up to four adults.  This is an awesome summer program!

Garden Heaven found in the back of an antique shop

After our weekly breakfast trips to Kimmie's Coffee Cup (in old town Orange) I love to browse the antique shops.  When we were walking around this particular shop my daughter noticed a back door and asked me if I wanted to go in the garden.  Garden?  Really? 

Country Roads Antiques & Gardens
Address:	204 W. Chapman Avenue Orange, Ca 92866
Phone:	714.532.3041
Email:	mailto:cradealers@aol.com
Hours:	Daily: 10:00am - 5:00pm Closed 4th of July, Thanksgiving & Christmas

Tons of rare, heirloom & unusual plants from Annie's Annuals & Perennials  http://anniesannuals.com/

Shamrock Pie

I make this with my kids at school every year, but just recently I made it for our Super Brownie troop 2829!  Of course if their are tree nut allergies substitute the pistachio pudding for vanilla pudding with a little green food coloring.

I found these St. Patrick's day rings and gold coins at a local cake shop

I sprinkled some graham cracker crumbs in the bottom of a clear plastic cup and topped it with a chocolate gold coin

Make the pudding according to the box directions and fill the cup up halfway with pudding

top with whip cream and shamrock ring

*remember to tell the kiddos that there is a chocolate coin at the bottom