How To Build An Outfit Kit

Our Snack "Kit" [HERE] has been a valuable addition to our family vehicle. It is absolutely worth the cost and the space it occupies. Combined with "Treat Saturday," I buy far fewer treats and snacks. The level of sadness in the back seat is at an all-time low [at least when it comes to being hungry/thirsty].

This weekend the 183rd Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will draw THOUSANDS of people to the Conference Center in downtown Salt Lake City. Even in spite of a possible passing rain shower, City Creek Center is certain to draw a crowd with

◊ Nordstrom's Estée Lauder "Mad Men" Event, 
◊ Conference Signings/Ladies' Night at Deseret Book, and 
◊ Women and Children's Night at Macy's.

◊ Conference Weekend Event Details HERE

Because I'm a mom:

City Creek Center does not offer strollers that I'm aware of. 

For an inexpensive "umbrella" stroller in a hurry, you'll find a Target and a Walmart along 300 West and a Smith's Marketplace at 455 South 500 East, just West of Trader Joe's.

For your weekend, and for those braving the crowd, I thought I'd share

ANOTHER SIMPLE KIT YOU WON'T WANT TO LEAVE HOME WITHOUT. 

This week I took my boys to the Disney Store at City Creek Center. Afterward, they really wanted to play on the splash pad...

Plan for this:

Happy Birthday: Our Newest Four-Year-Old

It's hard to believe that my baby boy celebrated his 4th birthday today.

I caught myself wanting to hold and look at him all day,

like we did when we first met.

All too soon I realized, my infant son is now an energetic 4-year-old.

I still had A_FANTASTIC_DAY with my 3 boys.

Nothing felt like work today, and I wish I knew HOW I managed that. As I did a bit of light cleaning, loaded/unloaded dishes, and rotated laundry I thought about how we could make today great for our birthday boy.  Both Dad and Mom spent one-on-one time with him, and I had a great time taking pictures today.  I rarely feel like I take enough pictures to remember the day, but TODAY I took a few good ones.

Birthday French Toast

A Splash of Color

A New Bike 

Little brother wanted to come along, but he kept dragging his feet...  

Dad gave his ride a lift.

He's Tech-Saavy

Little brother rushed the cake...

Slot cars

And bedtime...
He probably could have pulled an all-nighter, 
high on birthday fun and sherbet!
But, his parents can't.

I love you, son.

The Oscars 2013: Weather A Storm With The Stars

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A peek inside the Oscars
Dolby Theatre at Hollywood and Highland Center

Oscar.go.com

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If you're reading this exhausted and at the end of a long week that has demanded a SUPERHUMAN level of endurance from you, I'm crawling and clawing my way to the Finish line right behind you!  I, for one, am grateful to be at the end of it.  

A fresh blanket of snow has covered the little bit of green grass I caught a glimpse of earlier this week.  BRRRRR!  We appear to be in for a cold weekend [here in UT]!  After we spend some time shoveling [and coloring in] the snow, tuning in for the 
◊  red carpet arrivals, 
◊  gossip over gowns [that will be either be famous, or infamous],
◊  memorable musical performances, and 
◊  emotion-filled acceptance speeches of THE OSCARS may be 
      the light-hearted weekend we've needed.  [And, I can't think 
      of a better place to weather a storm than in front of a fireplace!]

◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊

If you're thinking about going for a few last-minute decorations,

Local THEMED DECOR

THE BEST OSCAR-THEMED DECOR - ZURCHERS 
[Midvale/Fort Union Blvd. location - while supplies last]

◊ star wall cling, $2.23

◊ tissue stanchion rope, $3.83
◊ red carpet runner, $6.43 [includes double-sided tape]

HONORABLE MENTIONS [also at this location]
◊ black/gold/silver star cut-outs, confetti, and party tableware

◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊

Seth MacFarlane hosts
THE OSCARS 
Sunday, February 24, 2013

5 pm [Mountain Time] ◊ ABC 4 

Channel 4 on DirecTV/Dish/Antenna

Channels 4 and 652 on Comcast

The Oscars will NOT stream online.
The Oscars are now available online, HERE.

◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊

Extras

◊ PRINTABLES  
    Oscar Ballot via GoodHousekeeping.com
     How accurate will your predictions be??

Does the fact that we've seen ALL of the nominated ANIMATED FEATURE FILM nominees and NONE of the BEST PICTURE nominees tell you anything about who rules the box office at our house?!

◊ FUN FACTS
    Have you ever wondered who is allowed inside the award show?  
    Have you ever wanted to sit in the bleachers that line the red 
    carpet?  Read this very interesting post HERE!

◊ YOUR next RED CARPET EVENT 
     [links in the photos]

◊ POSTS 
    How To Fake Like You're An Oscar Expert [Flavorwire]

Wishing You A Red Carpet Weekend!

    

Super Bowl With A "Punch"

visit the Punchbowl website now

We veered from tradition last year.  Instead of making invitations to our annual Halloween party, I happened upon a site called Punchbowl and went digital!  

Punchbowl is a party planning website that offers free digital invitations you can customize, and so much more.  

I'm impressed with just how much you can do on their site,  free. 

Today I learned that their list of holidays and events includes SUPER BOWL which means, there's plenty of time to make it official.  

..."weekend get-together?"  WHAT??  Tsk, tsk, tsk.  

...this is SUPER BOWL.  It's time to get your Punchbowl on!  

GIVE YOUR SUPER BOWL A "PUNCH" IN 5 STEPS:

◊   create a *free account

◊   choose your favorite Super Bowl design [they offer both Free designs and *Plus designs]

◊   add your event details

◊   customize your envelope and postage

◊   preview and send!  [once you've created your free account]

*From the Punchbowl website:  "when you create a Punchbowl account, you agree to receive periodic newsletters and emails from Punchbowl according to our privacy policy.  These emails include an unsubscribe link."  

It's easy to add guests to your Super Bowl even with an email address [other options available]. As far as we can tell, there's no guest limit!  [We've added 30 guests without a problem.] Punchbowl keeps a record of your guests' response/RSVP, and they can even leave you a message on the Message Board.

I love paper.  I love getting mail [real mail].  I do not particularly love 

◊   brushing snow off of my car,

◊   scraping ice off of my windshield,

◊   browsing the invitation section with two energetic boys,

◊  driving to the post office on unplowed streets, or

◊  waiting in a long post office line with two energetic boys.

I've really enjoyed using Punchbowl and would use them again.  Given the weather this week [in UT] if you haven't tried them yet, Super Bowl would be a great first event! 

Let us know what you think!