A Lovely Visit to the North Pole

Or at least what sweet bee called the North Pole, which was actually North Carolina. This was her first real experience with snow, and I think it was much crunchier than she expected. As soon as she stepped on it she shouted, "It's frozen!" in complete shock.

A Forest Friend Celebration!

"Your head is a living forest full of songbirds."

Four is such a special, magical age to be! This year we celebrated Bee's fourth birthday with a wonderful party in the Forest. We chose the Tree Hill Nature Center in Jacksonville, Florida. We fell in love with Tree Hill after Bee's very first field trip was held here by our local homeschool co op. They do such a wonderful job of instilling a love for knowledge and sense of conversation in little ones and if you ever get the chance to visit you absolutely should!

Some details! This was such a fun party to put together. I made the signs using this clipart package from seaquint design on etsy. I was also able to put together an e-invitation with this package to fit the theme. 

For snacks we had a trail mix bar with various toppings, vegetables, apples, and berries. We decorated the table with these great woodland creatures that were actually holiday ornaments we bought after Christmas for 75% off! They were all just under $2.00. Bonus of having a birthday in January, I suppose! We stopped at the grocery store and picked up an inexpensive flower bouquet on the way to the party, as well. We separated the boquet so we could spread the flowers over the table rather than just having one arrangement. Of course, what's a party without a cake? 

I was so proud of how this cake turned out. Can we talk about these gorgeous gumpaste succulents from Layer Cake Shop on etsy? They arrived in the mail in perfect condition and I stored them in a cabinet until I was ready to add them to the cake. I used scrapbook paper and bear stickers to make the banner for the cake, and wilton fondant to make the other animals. For the grassy topper, I followed this sugar cookie tutorial and was surprised by how easy it was and how great the moss looks! 

 

After cake, we all went on a scavenger hunt with the favors which included the scavenger hunt, a small bag, a pencil and an eraser. They were a big hit!

 

The amazing team at Tree Hill also hosted an animal encounter for the kids with a snake and a possum. This woman has really instilled an interest and respect for snakes in Bee and I am very excited to explore that with her! 

Lastly, we got to explore the walking trails and museum at Tree Hill! They have goats, chickens, snakes, a possum, and even a touch tank! I cannot think Tree Hill enough for the day we had and the memories they gave us. 

Four.

My darling, sweet girl. Four. How did we get here? So many things happened this year. We ended last year with a new family member, Wallace the dog. He grew with you. You're still sometimes adjusting and learning to appreciate his big, goofy, particularly rambunctious brand of affection but you really love him. So does Violet, your favored choice in dogs, but she's been yours since you were born. You started swimming lessons. Your teacher immediately took to you and called you her rockstar swimmer. We went on rock hunts, leaf hunts, all the hunts. You climbed and ran and swung as high as swings can swing. You got your first real skateboard, a Blind deck, just like I had when I was a kid. You started gymnastics, and classes at a local co op. We went on a vacation as a family to St. Pete Beach and watched dolphins in the water. You danced, jumped, played. Navigated your way through the corn maze. Picked the very best pumpkin in the patch. Rode roller coasters at the fair. Completely fearless into everyday. 

So many brilliant, bright days this year. Yet, it was a rough one. Maybe the worst one in some ways, but it can't be because there you are - happy and healthy and unreasonably beautiful. This is the year we decided, through trial, grief, and heartache, that our family is complete. We will grow with each other and learn everything we can and appreciate the good things, all together, the three of us forever. As you grow and get older I have a sinking worry that one day, when you're much, much older, you'll feel alone. I want you to know that you were never alone in your childhood. Never lonely, and that is my goal. That at the end of each day you feel loved, completely adored, that you're something amazing and so meaningful and that our family is enough. Never alone.

Sweet Bee, you are strong and fierce. A warrior, courageous, an explorer, a lover with a full heart. Full everything, filled to the brim and boiling over into the world everywhere you go. An adventurer with a boundless spirit. A dancer, conducting your own orchestras and performing on stage. Fearless. Giving. Inspiring. Perfect. Smart. Inquisitive. You have so much to give with the energy to follow through. I know that you will find your place and make your mark and I'm so glad to have you. Paws in, my love. 

“In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer.

And that makes me happy. For it says that no matter how hard the world pushes against me, within me, there’s something stronger – something better, pushing right back.” --Albert Camus

Merry Christmas!

2012                         2013                         2014

"A dog will teach you unconditional love. If you can have that in your life, things won't be too bad."

Happy Holidays!

put up your little arms

and i'll give them all to you to hold

every finger shall have its ring

and there won't be a single place dark or unhappy 

DIY Strawberry Shortcake Costume!

As I promised in my previous post, I am back with instructions to put together this Strawberry Shortcake costume for your own little trick or treater! I am thrilled to share these patterns with you that I used to put together this adorable costume! I am so proud of how it turned out and would LOVE to see your photos as well if you use it!

Before I get to the tutorial, can we just all collectively marvel over the cuteness for a minute? Okay? Okay! Because it was almost too much for me to handle on my own.

For this photo we were so lucky to have the chance to shoot with the incredible Hannah Joy of Hannah Joy Photography. If you're in the area, I cannot recommend her enough! She is beyond a talented photographer but also has this unique ability to connect with her subject, even these stubborn little ones, and getting gorgeous photos! I just love this one so much!

Now, onto the patterns!

I scoured Pinterest for costume ideas and from the start I knew I wanted to model her costume after the more vintage version of Strawberry Shortcake rather than the newer one. Despite all of my searching, I didn't really find clear instructions anywhere so I set out to create my own.

For the red dress I followed this Sunday Best Dress Pattern from Bobkin Designs. The pattern level was for Intermediate sewers, and I found it easy to understand and follow. It comes in sizes 1 through 8!

For the apron I followed this Girls Pinafore Dress Pattern from The Tie Dye Diva. This patterns goes up to a size 10 and would be so versatile for so many projects! I will definitely be using it again. The level is marked for beginners and I found it easy to understand and follow as well. I did add the red trim and I used leftover fabric from the dress and other projects to freehand the diamond and strawberry appliques.

Onto the hat! Sew Can Do was kind enough to provide detailed instructions to make the hat. I won't lie, I was most intimidated by the hat and saved it for last. I almost didn't even attempt it, but I am SO glad I did. It really was not difficult, came together in under 15 minutes and looks amazing!

Thank you to everyone linked above for your talent and for making my sweet Bee a very sweet little Strawberry Shortcake this Halloween! She loved it, and so did I!

Happy Halloween!

It's no secret that Halloween is a very favorite holiday here at Brightly Living! I have always enjoyed Halloween, but having a child to share it with makes it extra special!

Trick or Treating each year in the Historic Springfield neighborhood of Jacksonville, Florida has become our annual tradition! This was our third year and we never get tired of seeing the community come alive with decorations, music, and trick or treaters! 

Bee had an amazing time with old and new friends and of course scored plenty of candy and other goodies! This year she chose her own costume, Strawberry Shortcake! Her father and I joined in the fun and went as custard and pupcake.

This costume was one of the more intricate pieces I've made, so I am very excited to share it will everyone! I am planning to post a tutorial soon as well, so stay tuned!