Gulf Shores Vacation 2014 {Emmy's Photoshoot}

We did not get a photo shoot appointment for Emmy's three year photos. In the hustle and bustle and I never located a new photographer that I liked and wasn't thousands of dollars. So I decided to use the great locale that we had right outside of our front door--at the beach house-- and take a few photos. I had my new lens with me, and I must say that I am not disappointed with it. I can't use it with big groups, but one-on-one it is perfection.

 I wanted to be able to do a couple of different outfits, but I knew that the golden hour light at the beach was fleeting at best, so we took photos several nights while we were there.  Since dressing a three year old is pretty simple, it worked out wonderfully.

Her first outfit was a gift from Brad's grandmother.  I think it looks like something a house wife from another era would have worn when going out to play bridge with the ladies or something.  I love it!  You will notice that there is a pink dolphin bracelet gracing her wrist.  That was her prize for a job well done during family photos, and she "did not wish" to take it off.









She likes to pose, but she is silly sometimes too.









The sun was still a little harsh by the dunes, but she wanted a picture by the fence.  It should be apparent right now that two people think they are in charge at my house.  I am not currently sure if it is Emmy or myself that is delusional.











When she sat down in the dirt, the Mom in me mind shouted, "THAT'S A BRAND NEW DRESS!!" But the photographer in me said, "It'll wash, and it's pretty cute."  We went with it.











The next day, she wanted to wear the coral dress that Nana bought for her.  I think the way this color pops on the beach might be my favorite.







I love the color pops from the beach houses in the background.







She's got her daddy's big blue eyes.













She took more photos, but I think I have reached the max that any one post should have (probably passed it around 20 photos ago).  Thanks for sticking around to the end if you are reading this.  You're a good sport.

Emmy's 3rd Birthday Party {The Details}

This party was a labor of love.  When I decided to have a swim party for Emmy this year, I asked her if she wanted a Minnie Mouse party or a Little Mermaid party.  I gave her a choice because she is a little difficult, but I fully expected her to choose a Minnie Mouse party.  We had just gone to Disney World when I started planning, so Mickey and Minnie were on her brain.  I was surprised but a little delighted when she chose The Little Mermaid.  I have tried to throw her big parties the past few years, and I thought that I would try to scale back some this year.

"We'll just get pizza and Capri Suns," I said.

"We won't do all the craziness this year," I said.

"We don't have to invite everyone every year," I said.

I lied.

Once I got on Pinterest and started looking at all of the ideas for Little Mermaid parties, there were so many cute ideas from so many parties, that I knew I would have to do more than just pizza and juice.  To my credit though, there were a thousand more things that I wanted to do decoration wise, but I knew and accepted that it just wasn't possible to do all of that when you are having a party at a public pool.   The following are some of the details and food from the party.  I think this just might be my favorite so far.  Maybe next year we'll scale it down...








This is supposed to be reminsicient of a scene from the movie.  Ariel puts silverware in a candleabra because she doesn't know what it is for.  Scuttle tells her that forks are "Dinglehoppers," and you brush your hair with them.



Although the card that I made says goldfish, I actually bought the brand that had Shamu on the front.  It had whales, turtles,a nd other sea creatures instead of only goldfish.



My mom made the PB & Jellyfish sandwhiches.  She even went the extra mile and cut them out with a fish cookie cutter.  She's the best.









I think this was a favorite among our guests.  I had three vases of "seaweed" out and people munched on them more than the platter of fruit.  They were a little hesitant at first though because they thought the purple grapes were olives.  GROSS.







The cupcakes.  Oh the cupcakes.  I refuse to put a picture of all of the cupcakes on this post because they were so very sad.  I made them and iced them, and before we left my house they were already melted and dripping down the sides.  I almost started to cry.  So instead of the actual truth, you are going to see two of the cupcakes that were in the best condition, so when I read this post later I can lie to myself and say everything went perfectly.  Since no one is graduating next year from our family, Rae will for sure be making the cake again.  I'm going to put my order in tomorrow. ;)





My sister LOVES Swedish Fish, so I added a bowl of them to the table just for her.



For party favors, I raided the dollar bin at Target and bought all of the little girls sunglasses and beach hats.  I also ordered a mega pack of Ariel favors from Party City when I bought the plates and napkins.  I just put them in a bowl and handed them out as people were leaving.  There were only a couple of pairs of sunglasses that looked like boys could wear them, so those went fast.





We were surprised with cookies from Rae when she got to the party.  This was the sweetest gesture because she has made the cake for every event we have ever had for Emmy (baby shower, dedication, birthdays..).  I liked that there was still something of hers for our guests.  Aren't these cookies the cutest?





I'll post pictures of the actual party next, but I wanted all of the details to be on their own!