Tangerine and Turquoise 30th Family Birthday BASH

 

 "It's my party and I'll cry if I want to..."  I've been worrying a bit too much about turning the big 3-0 and then it happened and it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be...yet.  My Mom really helped soften the blow by throwing a super fun family party as using these kind cards for decor:

You know, Moms really know how to comfort their kids and make them feel better! 

Ha

ha

ha

Driest.laugh.ever.

Thanks Mom and Dad!

But in all seriousness, using greeting cards as part of party table decor is a super smart idea! And my Mom has some mad skills for making things beautiful, for throwing pretty parties, and for hostessing.

My husband and I have birthdays a day apart and we both turned 30 this year. My Mom gave us an awesome shared celebration. 

   I was extra excited to walk into their house and find this set up for Chris and me:

She attends to every detail (sort of like someone else...yours truly). We are detail girls, homemaker girls, and definitely related. {wink}

My Mom used two season hot colors for our party:

 tangerine and turquoise. 

She wove a string of paper lanterns over a scarf for the table display.  Both the lanterns and the scarf were also birthday gifts for me! :)

I also got to take home this happy orange lily. 

It's such a smart idea to use gifts as party decor. It's also one of my favorite party tips to share.  

 Our family five all together ready to party 

like rockstars  like mature 30 year olds with kids.

I double love this table she made for us, 

and the boys matched the party colors...who knew?

I'm a chips and salsa snackin, burrito makin, Mexican food kind of girl.  My Mom prepared only the best Mexican dinner for us. 

She always sets such a stunning table and taking pictures of tables is one of my favorite things to do. 

Being cautious, Titus gingerly tip toes to the table, holding his milk in a fancy glass, carefully with two hands...

Kotah happy to have a glass of milk with dinner!

My Dad doing his thing on the grill, busting out some carne asadas for the family. 

After dinner, we were onto the good stuff: gifts.

I really like receiving money.

That pretty much makes my day, any day.

Oh, and cards are a sweet gesture too. ;) 

 

My mom is very talented gift-giver.  She puts all the extra thought into it, which always makes people smile from the inside out.  This time she made ALL the gifts MATCH the party color.

Like this new shirt for Chris to wear...

Chris and I got a collection of tangerine colored treasures:
Tangerine nail polish, the new Pioneer Woman cookbook, a new summer handbag, a bright necktie, flashlight, and more...it was ALL tangerine!

My brother always comes up with unique and creative gifts too!  

He made Chris and I these AMAZING origami money gifts. 

 He gave me flowers and shirts...but the shirts were a bit too small.  

Every fold was perfect.

He gave Chris neckties and bow ties.

Our sweet boys presented us with a giant size scroll card.  

 

My Mom is a super star cake baker girl.  

She baked two special (and I'm quite sure very time-consuming!) cakes
from Rose's Heavenly Cakes book, 

one for me and one for Chris.  

Because I'm a banana fan, my cake was a
 banana cake with a white chocolate frosting.  

  

Chris loves dark chocolate so she baked him a
 beautiful Black Chocolate bundt cake. 

Some reflections on birthday candles:

Symbolism is quiet beauty.  

Symbolic rituals silently say much more than words, 

always presenting beauty and meaning with grace. 

 Lit birthday candles are individual flames of years past, 

encompassing in unity, the good and bad times.  

The flickers of miniature flames are quick reminders of 

who we are now 

and what we've already lived. 

 Each candle celebrates OUR years, 

representing LIFE. 

We visually see each year of our life for a few seconds 

as those we love wish us what we all seek: 

future happiness. 

"A happy birthday to you, a happy birthday to you, 

and the best year you've ever had."

Then, by traditional ritual, 

we blow out the past years and embrace the future 

with prayers, 

wishes, 

and blessings. 

And after the flames are silenced, 

the melted wax candles are discarded, the years together in a cluster.  

Though set aside, 

we still pocket the good years in our memories, 

and remember the hard years as lessons of growth. 

But on our birthdays, 

we turn our eyes to the PRESENT, to our own NOW time, 

and focus on a new year, 

spent well. 

 We simply celebrate.  

Thank you Mom and Dad for giving us a 30th party prepared with love. 

 Chris and I literally enjoyed every minute.  

And now, my turn to tease you a bit since you had your moments of harassing us with our new

 "older ages"...

Doesn't it make you feel O.L.D. to have kids in their 30s?   

But at least you could still be cute even if you have old kids now. Ha. ;)  

Cheers to 30!

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This post is linked to:  Bird's Party Blog  Under the Table & Dreamin, Nifty Thrifty, Seasonal Sundays,  Met Monday, Making the World Cuter, Tuesday Tutorials and Tips, HOMEWORK: Be Inspired, Tasty Tuesday, Tempt My Tummy, Tip Junkie, Get Your Craft On, DIY Design, Works for Me Wednesday, Blue Cricket Design, Organize and Decorate Everything, Celebrations at Home,Transformation Thursday, House of H, Tablescape Thursday, Show off Your Stuff, Strut Your Stuff, 36th Ave  Show and Share Day, Foodie Friday, Frugal Friday, I'm Lovin It, Tickled Pink, Friday Flair, Design Dazzle, Be Different Act Normal, Funky Junk Interiors, Weekend Wrap Up  DIY by Design   

dirty thirty, 30 balloons, and a thank you for being my strength

My husband and I BOTH just turned 30 this week.  Our house sparkled with hints of celebration, but this year I didn't do a party table.  I did a party... ummm, bed. OH yes, a party bed.  I just had to remind my my husband that I officially joined the dirty thirty club.  OH MY.

So he may need to UP his MoJo to keep up with ladies in their prime.   A Mojo Bar for my baby!

I know I share EVERYTHING here in this little-big online world, 

but I probably won't share anymore of my other creative party bed ideas. 

Soooo, that's all she wrote on this topic loves. 

The boys wanted to surprise their Dad too with some birthday CHEER.  

We delivered 30 neon party balloons to Chris at work. 

Kotah had to hide in the back of the car because the balloons consumed all the space! 

Just a itty bitty hint for any of you who want to buy neon balloons:  They're so different, so pretty, so fun, so freaking awesome...and so terrible!  They pop very easily and don't last well at all.  I went against the advice of the florist and did it anyway.  Bad idea.  If you're considering putting helium in neon colored balloons, you may want to reconsider.  

Ready to surprise Dad with a party cluster!

Happy 30th Birthday!

And now, dropping down to a serious level...

Dear Christopher, 

I know I've told you before how much you mean to me, over and over again, but I wonder if you realize that I still feel that way, but with greater intensity with each year.  

 Every day and every year I love you and admire you like crazy but this year I feel particularly grateful for you.  I've always been that "strong girl".  That attribute is what drew you to me.  You've said that my inner strength, independence, and confidence was what was most attractive to you.  And for all these years that we've spent together, you've seen that independent strength in action, during times of bliss and times of trouble.  

But then this year happened, the year where I've been totally different than the girl I usually am.  And personal physical battles I've faced have weakened me from the inside out.  My strong spirit folded, enveloped within walls of doubt.  

BUT, you're always there, telling me that I'm still that "strong girl".  I wonder why you think that, but your authoritative, solid voice provides reassurance to my questioning mind.  Your confidence in me never wavers --- never.  I'm grateful to you, this year especially, because you've stepped up, holding the foundation in place when I've crumbled a bit inside.  You've firmly but gently stooped down to circle my arm around your neck, helping me walk when my legs buckle.  You are my stability when my thoughts are circling.  You are my order in the midst of my chaos.  You offer resolve and answers. I've rested in your arms,  allowing you to be my ONLY.  This is coming from your "strong girl" who isn't feeling much strength.  You were attracted to my confidence yet you are immediately there to hold me up when that confidence has weakened.  

 

I'm grateful to have a man who constantly believes in who I am and consistently loves me with the insane amount of passion that you love me with!  You adore me and that's all this girl really every wanted.  Yes, I'm entirely grateful to you for showing me YOU.  Because the YOU I know is incredible.  You are my main squeeze, the one I respect more than anyone.  

Now I realize that this birthday message is a little different that this one about how super cool you are or this one about who you are to your family. This one is more about my gratitude to you and how you've helped ME.  This message isn't so light and feathery-cheerful.  But,  I'm still your giddy, happy girl so tuck that promise into your heart! {wink}

 It is important to me that I paused for a moment to tell you that you're simply the best.  And soon, when I conquer this thorn in my side, I'll be that strong girl again who you married.  In the meantime, thank you.  Thank you for never once doubting me.  

Happy Birthday Christopher. 

1610

Always and forever  

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This post is linked to: Jennifer Rizzo Spring Link up   Under the Table & Dreamin, Nifty Thrifty, Seasonal Sundays,  Met Monday, Making the World Cuter, Tuesday Tutorials and Tips, HOMEWORK: Be Inspired, Tasty Tuesday, Tempt My Tummy, Tip Junkie, Get Your Craft On, DIY Design, Works for Me Wednesday, Blue Cricket Design, Organize and Decorate Everything, Transformation Thursday, House of H, Tablescape Thursday, Show off Your Stuff, Strut Your Stuff, 36th Ave  Show and Share Day, Foodie Friday, Frugal Friday, I'm Lovin It, Tickled Pink, Friday Flair, Design Dazzle, Be Different Act Normal, Funky Junk Interiors, Weekend Wrap Up  DIY by Design