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Lily’s Birthday Recap, Harvest Feast, Thanksgiving, Black Friday & More

Filed Under: Thankful Things Tagged With: , , ,

Happy Saturday all and it is now the last day of November.  Seriously cannot believe tomorrow will be December 1st!

Time is flying once again.  Last weekend was Lily’s Third Birthday, the girls both had Harvest feasts also at school, Thanksgiving was Thursday and yesterday was Black Friday and Monday is Cyber Monday.  Time keeps on flying by me!

But since it is indeed Saturday, I am sharing Ten Thankful Things of the Week, including a recap of Lily’s party and more!

1.  Saturday started out with tons of cleaning to get ready for Lily’s family birthday party.  Before everyone arrived we had her open our grifts with Emma from Mommy and Daddy.

Opening Up Princess Sophia
Opening Up Princess Sofia
Opening the Princess Sophia Tea Set
Opening the Princess Sofia Tea Set

2.  We made the right choice for Lily, who indeed asked for Princess Sophia Theme for her birthday with the singing Princess Sophia Doll from the Disney Store.  Her face said it all!

Singing Princess Sofia
Singing Princess Sofia
Both girls loving Sofia!
Both girls loving Sofia!

3.  Kevin and Lily before the party hammed up up for the camera and this picture below totally put a smile on my face!

Kevin with Lily
Kevin with Lily

4.  Getting a family photo before the party officially began!

Our Family-Lily's 3rd Birthday
Our Family-Lily’s 3rd Birthday

5.  The cake, which was done by our local Carvel.  I usually do the cake, but when Lily requested Sofia and I couldn’t find a cake pan that had Sofia’s face to use, I decided to see if Carvel could put a picture of Sofia on the cake.  They were indeed able to and the cake came out awesome.  Bonus, that for once I didn’t have to go crazy baking and decorating the cake, too!

Princess Sofia Cake from Carvel!
Princess Sofia Cake from Carvel!

6.  I did, however, make cupcakes decorated to match the Princess Sofia cake and they were a huge hit with the kids!

2013-11-23 21.02.33

7.  Seeing Lily’s face when she blew out her candles was truly one of the best parts of the night for me!

Lily making a wish!
Lily making a wish!

8.  Lily receiving tons of presents and getting to for the first time actually rip into her gifts with her family on her own.  Last year at 2 years old, she was still too small to do this on her own and I opened many while she helped slightly.  But this year, I opened the cards, while she went to town on her gifts and the wrapping paper.

All the presents!
All the presents!
Opening her Presents!
Opening her Presents!

9.  Sunday, after I we cleaned up a bit.  We honestly took it easy from all the excitement.  I spent the afternoon taking a blogging break and actually got to read a book on my iPad!  Totally enjoyed “Finding Emma”, by Steena Holmes and now almost done with the sequel, too.

10.  Monday found me playing a bit more of hooky going to Lily’s Harvest feast at school.  I must admit after the guilt from Halloween (read more here), I was more then happy to sign up and just move my schedule around a bit for the beginning of my work week.

Harvest Feast for Lily at School
Harvest Feast for Lily at School

11.  Wednesday found Lily and I at her doctor for her 3 year old checkup.

Lily at Her 3 Year Old Checkup
Lily at Her 3 Year Old Checkup

12.  Thanksgiving was indeed on Thursday and to be honest I took most of the day off from all thing technology.  I have no real photos from the day, but fully enjoyed my time off and feel that much happier for the fact that I truly got a day during the week to close my computer and spend a whole day with my wonderful family!

13.  Black Friday, I went shopping with my mom for our annual Black Friday shopping trip!  So another afternoon, I got to take a off for a little bit.  Two days in a row during the week, someone pitch me!

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Now if you missed a moment of this week’s blog articles, here is a recap~

Time to Confess!!

On Monday, I was finally able to share my recipe for Grilled Chicken Tomato, Mozzarella Panini, here.

On Tuesday, overzealously shared the week’s PINcentive Blog Hop, which has the best of the best as far as posts this side of Pinterest.  For more, click here.  I also happily began sharing some gift ideas as we were closing in on the holiday shopping weekend with Blurb Books here.

On Wednesday, I gave an inside look on how to decorate a little girl’s room from my prior experience.   To find out all about that click here.  Also, loved being able to update about the wonderful baby company Pish Posh Baby and their Black Friday/Cyber Monday offer, for more on this click here.

On Thursday, was Thanksgiving and while I was celebrating with my family, I offered up my readers all  awesome Thanksgiving, Black Friday and Cyber Monday company specials, click here for more.

On Friday, gleefully gave all my readers an amazing offer for all the moms they are shopping for this holiday and to indeed redeem this offer please click here! 

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Weekly Affiliate Offers (Always Check My Sidebar for More, Too!)

This week I wrote a whole post shared on Thanksgiving with all my affiliates Thanksgiving, Black Friday and Cyber Monday Deals. Please click the image below to get any of these existing offers now you may have missed.

  •  Blogging Design Needs~

Don’t forget to check out my web design company for specials running at J9 Designs for all your web design needs, plus we offer Paypal’s Bill Me Later, too!  And also, check out a brand new Ask J9 Designs Article to help with your techy questions and don’t forget to ask your own techy questions, which may be featured in an upcoming blog article, too.
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About Janine

Janine is a published author of the books, The Mother of All Meltdowns and Only Trollops Shave Above the Knee. She has been featured on The Huffington Post, Mamapedia, Today Parenting Team and SheKnows. She also runs her own graphic design company at J9 Designs.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  3. Michelle Liew says

    Aww! Her face when she got Princess Sophia was absolutely priceless!!! Happy belated b'day to Lily and let her know that she's a little Princess, always!
    My recent post Little chasms

  4. joanneviola says

    So enjoyed seeing photos of your children & the birthday party! Probably because I have 2 granddaughters who also LOVE Sophia 🙂 But then, what little girl does not love a princess! May you now enjoy this Advent season with them & all the joy of Christmas. So glad that I visited from Make My Saturday Sweet.

    • Janine Huldie says

      Thanks so much Joanne for stopping by and I know what little girl doesn't love pretending to be a princess. I was totally like this as a kid, too and think for my girls and your 2 granddaughters that Princess Sofia is a kid like them makes all the more special. Wishing you a wonderful weekend and also a very, Merry Christmas coming up, too!! 🙂

  5. clark says

    very good looking/sounding holiday intervention! (lol no, I have not idea…sounded right as I typed).
    I really like the photos as story telling… (I am back on my kick that all blog Posts true, real world experience, whatever are us sharing telling stories of our respective worlds)

    very cool Post and story of a happy family
    My recent post no, really …today is Saturday? the Wakefield Doctrine …when routines are disrupted I’m thankful I’m not a roger or a scott

  6. Eddy says

    I know Janine that I repeat myself over and over again but I love your posts and will continue to do so .It is as if we were talking side by side. You are indeed a natural writer and this only comes from true talent .
    Take care my dear friend and enjoy your weekend with your beautiful family.Lots of love from Wales.
    Eddy.

    • Janine Huldie says

      Thank you as always Eddy and I truly feel the same when I read your poetry and short stories. So the feeling quite mutual. Wishing you a wonderful Saturday and rest of the weekend now, too! Love right back at you, as well!! 🙂

  7. lrconsiderer says

    My dear, the cake, and the Lily, and the birthday are all ADORABLE. I do SOOOOOooooo love your photos of your gorgeous family, and the one of the four of you there together is just delightful 😀

    Have a glorious weekend, my friend *HUGS*

    • Janine Huldie says

      Thank you so much Lizzi and I seriously waited to do a recap to do it for Thankful Things, because I love the hop and thought it would work nicely here today. Just so glad Lily had a wonderful birthday and now for a bit of resting up for the rest of this weekend now hopefully here and you, too! Enjoy the weekend and thank you as always. Hugs right back!! 🙂

    • Janine Huldie says

      Are you having with small kids or family? I usually make sure to have enough food. We catered from a local deli with sandwiches (breads, rolls, cold cuts (ham/turkey, cheeses) and salads (potato and macaroni salad). I then I just did cupcakes and the ice cream cake. The cupcakes were the Pillsbury Funfetti mix and the Funfetti icing (they make purple) and then just decorated with princess candies from AC Moore. Think Michael's or any craft store should carry, too. And then did goodie bags from Party City for Sophia with an assorted bunch of candies from Stop and Shop, as well as kid pencils from the local dollar store. If there is anything else that I forgot here, totally ask and will try to help if I can 🙂

  10. tamaralikecamera says

    Aw! I love all things Sofia and I love seeing the looks on her face. You can tell she felt so special on her birthday and you can tell how much effort you and Kevin put into her happiness.
    Big aw!
    I've been taking a lot more time off of the computer. It's weird! Seriously pinch me too!
    My recent post And This Is How It’s Done.

    • Janine Huldie says

      I know I am so loving taking off here and there more now. I really love blogging, but need time to breath too, so I am trying to do more of that if possible now. And I too am started to love all things Sofia more and more with my girls love for her now. Hoping you are having a great weekend and enjoying some time away from the computer for sure 🙂 xoxo!!

  14. Brittnei Washington says

    AW! Lily is so adorable. That cake with your cupcakes was really adorable too. I hope she reads this when she gets older so she will have the memories for sure. I have not made Black Friday a ritual yet, but I'm thinking some time in the future I might find it rather helpful. 🙂

  15. notinjersey says

    I enjoyed all the pictures from Lily's party. My kids all love Sofia and I feel sad that Gabbie is too old for the toys that go with her – and Simon is the right age, but he's a boy! lol. I'm so glad you got to read a book, go you!
    My recent post Hanukkah–Second Night

    • Janine Huldie says

      I must admit my husband was being driven crazy by that Sofia doll playing her theme song over and over, but still she is really such a cute doll and concept that I have to admit the song has totally caught on to me and even found myself singing it this morning. And I knew you would be proud of me reading. I seriously think if I could do one book a week I would feel accomplished at this point, because I truly was feeling so down and guilty about not reading much at all this past year. So thanks for all your motivating posts about reading!! 🙂

  16. pictimilitude says

    Such awesome photos and it sounds like a wonderful week. I ended up taking just about the WHOLE day off from all things technology while I was at my mother in law's house because there was just so much to do – I didn't even check messages on my phone! Awesome stuff here. Love it. I hope you are still feeling nice and rested. 🙂
    My recent post Ten Things of Thankful – The Pets Edition

    • Janine Huldie says

      Thanks so much Cyndi and must say it has been truly so very nice to be able to take a bit of time off and think I should play hokey again every so often and am in complete agreement with you on this 🙂

  18. NuggetOnABudget says

    I loved reading about Lily's birthday and I'm definitely going to have to read through the post again later today so Sofia can look at the pictures of the girls with me and all the Princess Sofia decorations! You did a GREAT job with her party theme and that cake was gorgeous. Can't go wrong with Carvel. I absolutely love your family photo! I'm glad that her party went well and also that you were able to take some time off for yourself over the long weekend. Hope you were able to get some good Black Friday deals, too! xoxo!
    My recent post super sunday sync blog hop #64. happy thanksgiving weekend!

    • Janine Huldie says

      I wish your Sophia could have been there, because we had so many kids here that night with my nieces and nephews, I think she would have had a blast. But I loved Lily's theme this year and I was a bit skeptical with having Carvel decorate the cake with a graphic image, as I usually make the cakes myself, but seriously did come out so good and think I may hang my hat up for awhile and hand it over to Carvel for the cake, since it looked great and who doesn't love ice cream. The cupcakes were a breeze to make, so seriously totally saved me time and energy not hat for sure. And as for Black Friday the deals I got were pretty amazing and only reminded why I do venture out with all the crazies on that one day of the year! So far it has been a great weekend and even had some friends over last night for dinner and just hanging out a bit. And today probably be a bit of catch up, but hopefully in a lazy Sunday style. Hoping you too have had an amazing weekend, too!! 🙂 xoxo!!

    • Janine Huldie says

      Thank you so much Diane and also for showing your daughter her cake and cupcakes. The cupcakes were so easy to make and just a mix with store bought icing and the cake was so all Carvel. Easiest dessert for a party I made in years, but was a hit here! 🙂

  22. Sandy Ramsey says

    Sounds like an incredibly busy but incredibly awesome week! I am so glad you got some time away from work to enjoy the extra holiday time with your family! I can't get over your beautiful family but I'm sure you can never hear that enough!
    Have a great week ahead!
    My recent post TToT: Perfect Turkey, Parents, Peace & Not Getting Shot

    • Janine Huldie says

      Thanks so much Sandy and I loved having time away. I know with the holidays indeed coming up in a little more then 3 short weeks and my kids being home from after Christmas for 2 whole weeks (can't believe their break is that long), I may be taking a bit more time off here and there. So just trying to figure how to work around that. I think I may do a recap of posts (like a best of) for the last week of the year. Totally playing around with it though right now.

  25. gigigirl says

    So glad you got a chance to take a break from your work schedule…..you needed that and need to do it regularly. Thanks for sharing the highlights of Lily's BD party. A beautiful cake from Carvel….less work for mother! So good to see you all and thanks for the vicarious experience of being at Lily's party. I heard you did very well with the Black Friday shopping too. I'm not that brave! Hope the week goes well. Love to you and the family…….xxxxoooo

    • Janine Huldie says

      Thanks Aunt Gloria and will see it was totally needed, but now of course I have a cold. Seriously, you know how much I hate the winter months and it is always something. But seriously, did truly score on Black Friday and was a great weekend. Hoping you too had a wonderful Thanksgiving and weekend, too. Miss you and love you!! xoxo 🙂

    • Janine Huldie says

      Thanks so much Lisa and I am now trying to set up a schedule for Christmas and New Year's week, because I have both girls home for two weeks from pre-school and foresee not much writing getting done during that time. I may do a week or two of best of posts from this past year, but not sure yet. Seriously, wish I could do it all, but sadly not happening here!

  29. lizzy allan says

    Happy birthday to your sweet, lovely Lily! Janine, these photos are so gorgeous. You organised such a wonderful party for your little girl. I'm sure it will always be a precious memory for her and your whole family. The cake looks great and so do those cupcakes! You fit so many things into each week, I don't know where you find all your energy! 🙂
    My recent post What Adventure Means to Me

    • Janine Huldie says

      Thank you so much Lizzy and was just so glad Lily's party was a success. And I am so trying to figure out now to be honest what I may have to let go of in order to get a bit more down time, because I truly have so much on my plate with both sites I run and my guesting contributions elsewhere, too. So trust me, even I have my limits, too.

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