Half My Life Ago

Today we remember the horrible tragedy that happened in downtown Oklahoma City.   I was 15 at the time,  I'm 30 now.  It literally was half my life ago.  Wow.  Isn't weird how sometimes, no matter how long ago it's been, you can remember every detail of that day?


I was in 9th grade at Christian Heritage Academy in Del City.  I remember I was wearing a black pleated skirt with a black turtleneck and a red and grey argyle sweater over it.  I was so excited because my mom was checking me out of school early so I could go get my braces off.  I was in Mrs. Wigley's typing class (ha! typing class, like as in, typewriters, not computers.)  I remember hearing the bomb go off and one of my classmates, Paul Owens, making some comment about not knowing it was going to rain (we thought it was loud thunder.)  We were having a special week of chapel that week (missionaries or something) and I remember on the way they had us all go to our homeroom class instead.  A few kids were called to the office, I remember Jon Echols was one of them.  His mom worked downtown.  Then, a little bit later they came over the intercom and told us what had happened.   We still didn't know the magnitude of the bombing, but we knew it was something awful.  I remember being in chapel and our office secretary, Mrs. Young, coming and pulling me out.  I saw my mom standing behind the chapel doors and thought she had just decided to come get me earlier than planned.  Once we were out in the hall I realized she was crying.  Her cousin's wife, Ellen, worked in the Murrah building.  Miraculously, she survived.  The woman training right beside her did not.  I remember going to see Ellen in the hospital.  Her black hair was gray from all the debris.  There were tubes in her throat helping her breathe and everytime she'd breathe, debris would come out.  It was one of the saddest things I've ever seen. 

As we mark the 15th anniversary of the bombing I hope everyone takes time to stop and remember those who's lives were lost and celebrate those who survived. 

Pink, Candy, & a 3 Year Old (part 2)

The birthday girl posed in her new pretty pink dress Gaga bought her while we were on our "Gaga's Great Adventure" earlier that week.  (That's a whole other post waiting to happen!)  I love that 3 year old!!

Little Man was the greeter.  He loved standing at the door watching people come in!

Then he decided he needed to be in a few more pictures. :)

Madeline and her one of her great-grandma's Nana

After her friends arrived, we had two craft tables going - one was decorating "lollipops'.  I cut out pink circles and glued them to lollipop sticks.  Then there was all kinds of markers, glitter, stickers, etc. for the kids to decorate their lollipops with.  They loved it!

The next craft table was making "candy necklaces."  I had fruit loops, chocolate Cheerios, and strawberry yogurt Cheerios for them to string on elastic.  

After they finished their crafts, we attempted to play musical chairs.  It ended up being quite comical when we started though because most of them had never played before.  A couple got upset when someone took their chair!!  Plus, the song ("I want candy") was almost impossible to hear.  We got a good laugh if nothing else!  The winner took home the game Candyland!

After the game, we went back into the front room, sang Happy Birthday, and filled our plates with PINK CANDY!! Madeline opened all her gifts while everyone enjoyed the sugar.

One of her gifts was a gift card to Peach Wave Frozen Yogurt.  She LOVES going there so Uncle Jason and Aunt Heather hooked her up!!

The sweet Gassid boys gave her her first Webkin!  Jantzen was so cute while he explained it all to us!  They are such a sweet family!  (Jett is the other cutie in the family...how adorable are they!?!  Totally makes me want a baby.)

Madeline and her other great-grandma Nanny

Mimi & Madeline

Pretty Princesses in Pink! 

Inside each favor bag was a singing Veggie Tales toothbrush.  I figured it was the least I could do since I was sending them all home with a bag full of candy. :)

We had a great time!  Thank you everyone who came and made my baby girl's day so sweet!! 

Pink, Candy, & A 3 Year Old.

I love a party.  More than the party itself though, I love planning it.  Call me crazy.  So a few months ago I asked Madeline what kind of party she wanted for her 3rd birthday.  "Mommy, I want a pink candy party."  Granted I know my girl loves candy and the color pink is a sure-fire favorite, I wasn't expecting it to be the theme.  But, the girl knows what she wants and I was up for the challenge.

I started out researching pink candy and found www.candywarehouse.com and www.ohnuts.com to be the best.  I also did tons of "research" (reading loads of blogs and surfing the web) and before long, the ideas started to flow.  I asked an old friend from high school to do the invitations and labels.  (check her out here rachel's blog).  Finally, my soon-to-be sister-in-law Aunt Heather took the pictures for me.  She's awesome. :) There are a million pics to go through still, but I wanted to share a glimpse of the sugary sweet time we had!

The front of the invitation - under her name it says "Pure Sweetness since 2007"

The back of the invitations was a pink polka dot with all the info.  I loved how perfect they turned out!  Totally set the tone for the party!!

This was on our porch along with some pink polka dot balloons and a gorgeous arrangment of flowers on the door.  (I have to find a picture with the whole set up!)

On our entry table, I had the favor bags (white bags with labels that said "Pure Sweetness" on pink polka dot paper tied w/pink ribbon) The bags all had singing Veggie Tale toothbrushes inside then the kiddos loaded them up with candy to take home.  The topiary is made from mini cupcakes.  Brodie made it for the party the night before.  What a great daddy!!  The frame beside it had 3 pictures of Madeline - one from each of her birthdays!!  She's growing up way too fast!!

I used the tutorial from Martha Stewart to make these paper flowers...so easy!!  I hung them above the candy table and above the beverage bar.  Love them.  Speaking of the candy table, check it out!

 

My sweet neighbor, Aislinn, helped me make the banner with her Cricket machine.  Pretty sure I need one now. :)  Madeline's eyes lit up when she woke up and saw the table that morning.  Totally worth it all!  Speaking of the candy table, we had...

 

Pink swirled salt water taffy

 

Strawberry cupcakes from Sweet Memories

"Pink Princess" cupcakes from Ruth's Sweet Justice

Homemade Merigune Cookies

They were super easy and they tasted just like cotton candy.  However, they do not like humidity.  But, it all worked out and they were a hit.  I'll have to post the recipe soon.

Bubblegum Jelly Beans

Strawberry Cheesecake Jelly Beans

 Pink M&M's 

 Cherry Rock Candy
(There was Bubblegum Rock Candy too, but we didn't get a close up)

Giant Marshmallows

(Which, by the way, make killer rice crispy treats the next day.)

Pink Gumballs

Strawberry & Creme Malted Milk Balls

and finally, Strawberry Gummy Bears!!

For drinks, we had Strawberry Milk, Chocolate Milk, Plain Milk, & Pink Lemonade.  I wanted to use old milk jugs for their drinks, but couldn't find them in my price range.  When at the grocery store one day, I noticed the Frappachino bottles were similar in size and shape so I stocked up and voila!  Milk bottles!! Pink straws and polka dot name tags attached and they were complete!

All in all the party was a hit!  I'll do another post tomorrow with pictures of the activites, the guests, and of course, the birthday girl!!