We were blessed with unseasonably mild weather which was an answer to prayer as too many people were coming than my house can hold. We would use the backyard as our congregating place!
Anyway, I am VERY grateful to Valerie for all her hard work. Had it not been for her help, I'd still be preparing after the fact!!!! Guests were arriving and Valerie and I were still preparing! Those that know me know this is out of character. This also explains why I didn't take my "normal" pictures during the event. It was about 1/2 hour after guests arrived that I realized I hadn't taken any pictures! How could I when I was still putting things together when the guests arrived? My apologies ahead of time for the lack of quality of the pictures. I was thinking..."just get some!"
I had all intentions of making a diaper train. I had a visual from Pinterest, but nothing else. So with Valerie's inspiration, off to the store we go, supplies purchased, and walla...I come home from choir practice to have it done! Valerie did an amazing job. I was going to download instructions as to how to make the thing, and she did it just be looking at it. Wow!
I had found these cute little animal safari Easter eggs on clearance, and thought, "Hmmm, those would make good nut holders to put around for people to munch on.
Valerie also made this watermelon cake. It is actually a watermelon cut into this shape with cream frosting and garnished with berries. It was very tasty.
I had googled train themed parties and found lots of ideas. People are quite creative. But for me, I was a bit stumped because safari print duct tape paper only comes in 2 designs, and I wanted more variety. I ended up using felt prints and glued them to the meatloaf trays. I then cut out a cardboard cereal box and colored the wheels black with sharpie marker. I hot glued them. I didn't think they'd hold the weight as bloggers stated that was an issue, but not for me. They held up just fine!
I didn't get a picture of the train cars I made to attach the balloons to. They turned out really cute. Clif cut wood for me which I covered in scrapbooking paper. I again used a box to make the wheels and hot glued them on. I was proud of the way they turned out. :)
We played games while we ate our lunch. I had found a trivia game that had some interesting facts. I also purchased a game from Big Dots of Happiness.com titled Itty Bitty Baby Parts. This was tough to figure out what the parts were on the sonogram. It provided lots of laughter to hear people's guesses. I elected not to use the answer sheet provided because you would be able to figure them out by process of elimination. I thought it'd be more fun to guess from the top of your head. I was right. It was hilarious!
I had also ordered Bingo cards from the same company to use while Amber opened her gifts. My how people try to manipulate the answers. I loved it when my sisters were trying to convince others that a onesie is an outfit. When Markie asked, "would you wear one in public?" We roared because of course we knew they never would. But the response back to him was priceless. Will I post it? I think not because I don't want to embarrass anyone. :) I'll just say this. We laughed until it hurt!
Amber was blessed with many gifts: clothes, diapers, essentials, toys, car seat, carrier. Well, I'll just share a few photos.
Her mom found the perfect book....
My sister Janet couldn't be with us. We missed her. She sent the Magic Hankey. I read the poem to Amber and she was moved by the significance of this gift. Janet has made one for every grand niece/nephew to be born. It is a wonderful family tradition of hers that she has started and continues through time. :)
I made Amber 3 receiving blankets, one of which says "I love Mommy and Daddy", and the other says, "I love Grandma", the third one is just a generic one I thought would go with the theme in the nursery.
Amber with Valerie and Ashley.
Valerie had also made our little tags of Auntie's to be, Mom to be, and Grandma to be tags. I had bought the stuff, and walla, once again, Valerie worked her magic and made them more creatively than I would have. :)
The Grandma's can't wait to get their hands on little Levi!
Amber at 7 months, Elizabeth at 5 and a 1/2 months.
The Miller girls with Amber.
I wish I would have taken pictures of all the guests. Normally, I would have taken pictures of everyone at the tables, but we were having so much fun, I didn't think to. Anyway, it was a fabulous day. We enjoyed everyone's fellowship, and Amber was blessed in many ways. :)
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