Thanks for your interest in photo editing. I know I said my next post would be more tips and tricks, but I wanted to show you pictures from Sugarwing's birthday party first. The soft color editing tips will be on Friday instead.
We had quite a week with our fairy child. We took the entire bunch of 7 grands and their parents to a water park in Kansas City on Thursday to celebrate a few of the birthdays, then my husband and I snuck our little one away for a weekend at a Holiday Inn water park (we had a free Priority Club room to use) and a day at the zoo in KC too.
She's pretty proud of her two wrist bands from the parks and refuses to take them off.
She also had a sleepover with me on Sunday night, and since I got to have her most of Monday, we decided to throw a party. A fairy tea party luncheon with Pixie Pie.
We got up early on Monday morning and started baking cupcakes, then made mini pizzas by rolling out the dough and cutting it with a star shaped cookie cutter. The stars were topped with Trader Joe's marinara sauce, cheese, a broccoli nose, red pepper slice smile, and green pepper eyes.
I'd show you photos, but when a soon to be 5 year old works the cookie cutter and makes the faces, they aren't always recognizable as smiling stars. They just kind of looked like pizza blobs. But she loved them anyway.
Next, we set the table with pretty dishes and linens, got the tea pots out, and put on our fairy dress up gear.
It wasn't quite time for Pixie Pie to arrive, but Sugarwings was pretty excited and wanted to sit at the table and wait there for her.
Waiting can be the hardest part.
We were trying something new that day, some all natural rock candy sugar. It made the tea even more fun to stir.
When her cousin arrived, the girls scampered up the stairs to get her all decked out in her fairy wear too.
I think that Sugarwings is wearing my all time favorite selections in this picture. She layered herself in multiple skirts and a lady bug costume, along with great ruby slippers from Aunt Sissy. Of course, the water park wrist bands just make the outfit.
Did you notice that Pixie Pie is soon to be a big sister? Her mom is due any minute, and is expecting a boy. I hope he likes tea parties.
After lunch, I turned them loose with cupcakes, icing tubes, and sprinkles and let them go. It quickly became Sprinkle Palooza, we were knee deep in tiny, tasty, tidbits that made crunchy sounds when we walked through the kitchen.
When I was a young mother, I never let my poor boys go wild with the sprinkles like this. I was probably on too tight of a budget to allow such waste and on too tight of a schedule to clean up the mess. And too tightly wound myself to be able to relax and just enjoy the show of sprinkles and icing flying everywhere.
Its so nice to be a grammy. I can't imagine anything better. I wish I'd been as happy go lucky with my sons as I am with these girls. I have to say, all the arthritis and creakiness and backaches and wrinkles are worth it. Getting older is getting better. I love being a little old lady.
Oh, the boys and I had fun when they were little, of course. I was the master of finding free things to do. If there was a grocery store grand opening, we were first in line to get a balloon and free hot dog and play any carnival games they offered. We hiked, we swam, we pinched pennies and saved up to have special treats. But life was harder then, I was a single mom with three jobs for a while, times were tight, time was scarce and money even more so. I spent more time worrying than playing and didn't realize how fast it would all zoom by.
But with Sugarwings, I'm old enough to know how precious and limited these times are.
Sugarwings might be a bit spoiled by all she gets to do and the places she gets to go, but she doesn't act like it, she is the most appreciative kid around. She always has a big smile and an "oh my goodness" or "thank you, Grammy!!!", or a "thats sooooo cuuuute" ready whenever we do something special. And she flings herself at us with unlimited joy and wraps us in her arms. Her middle name is Joy and it is perfect for her. She overflows with it.
And we still are careful about spending, all of her dress up clothes are from garage sales and goodwill stores. We buy sprinkles by the truckload, but mostly with 40% off coupons at Michael's.
She might be a bit over indulged by grand parents who are smitten with her, but honestly, I think that I am the one being indulged, not her. I love every minute of it.
Its hard to believe she is five now. I've been invited to walk to school with her on her first day tomorrow with all of the rest of the family, and I'm just not sure that I can do it. I might just sob thinking about how fast she is growing up.
But I also can't wait to go through each and every stage of it all with her. Today she was planning her future wedding. She will either marry a blue M&M or Prince Navine. I sure hope that when that day comes, I get to help design and set up her reception. And I also hope that we are still best friends then like we are now. Because it will be here before I know it, I can almost hear those wedding bells.
Such wonderful moments to spend Karla…..such beautiful memories. Sugar wings is getting more beautiful with each passing day . :o) Sue
Oh Karla, So many memories for me, too. My grandboy just turned 5 also, and what an amazing trip it’s been so far. Bittersweet…
Thanks again for a walk through time.
September
How sweet and what wonderful memories she will have of her Grammy! You don’t spoil her, you shower her with Love! What can be better than that? And she is BEAUTIFUL!!
Karla you are every little girls dream. Life is hard and to create a place of magic while she is little, will carry her through the hard times when she reflects back. You will no doubt be a part of her wedding planning.
Leslee, my 34 yo daughter called last night crying because our Joey starts Kindergarten tomorrow. She just didn’t know how she would get through taking and leaving him there. I told her I knew how that felt, because when she was 22 and moved to Manhattan Ks to attend KS, I cried like a baby when I left her apartment, and was just sick for days. She was my last one to leave the nest.
So I guess we Mom’s and Grandmums just cry when our little ones leave this stage and go to another one.
I would just love to stay in fairy land!!
What a sweet nostalgic post. She is a darling fae child for sure. You are not in your dottage yet. That would involve high round red dots for your cheeks and alot more powder. You are an inspiration to Grandmas everywhere.
Well done enjoy!! PS Go to the school and shed a few tears of love. Without the tears, the joy would not be as precious.
Hi Karla, Oh Happy Birthday Sugarwings!, what a beautiful post and she is so lucky to have such a wonderful grandma, you are such an inspiration. She is just the cutest fairy. I don’t have any grandchildren yet but you make it look so fun. I hope some day to do just some of the things you do, you are an amazing person Karla. Time does go by just too darn fast, enjoy them. Have a wonderful August. Hugs, Terri
Good Morning, Karla….what a sweet, tender tribute to your little Sugarwings, and you are correct, they do grow up much too soon. It is good that you recognize that and make every moment special with her. Our grands are 22 and 16, and I’m not sure where the years went. Yesterday, they were 8 and 2, weren’t they? Have a wonderful week-end with them all! Patty
Oh Yes! Being a grammy is the best and I truly think we should be Grandmas before parents as we would be able to enjoy our children so much more and realize life is short. Happy Birthday Sugarwings…FIve is a very lucky number! Karla you are a wonderful grammy…
Beautiful post, Karla! That little fairy is so lucky to have you! It’s amazing how we do worry about things when our children are little and it sure does zoom by, sadly. I have not been blessed with grandchildren yet (soon enough!), but I will certainly treasure every moment as you do. What beautiful memories for both of you!!
Oh, I got a lump in my throat just remembering how quickly it goes! You are both so blessed to have each other, and it’s so great that you know it! It looks like it was a lovely party. My favorite part was Sugarwings’ outfit!
So fun!! I need to loosen up a little with my little guy too! I love that Sugarwings is going to marry the blue M&M.
oh how lovely, made me cry! She is so precious. I can remember her as a baby on your blog! My granny was the most special, beautiful and important person in my life, grandparents are special. You can NEVER over indulge children with love! Rachaelxo
Karla, You brought tears to my eyes. I can identify with being the single mom. I remember when we couldn’t afford to spend 50 cents for a coke (needless to say that has been a while back, where could you get a coke for 50 cents now a days!!!) It’s great that you can give Sugarwings so much fun, she will have so many memories to look back on.
Don’t stop!! I’m sure that you did a lot with your boys but granddaughters are a little different. Besides I can’t see Adam or Ryan in high heels!!LOL
Sandy
Thank you for sharing you beautiful granddaughter’s fifth Birthday with all of us. She is the most photogenic child – she never takes a bad photo. Your photos of her must be awesome!
Yes, she is so lucky to have you in her life. Your every girl’s little dream of a fantastic grandmother. I know you have spent many wonderful hours together and oh, the memories you have made.
Keep those stories and pictures coming – we all love them.
Hugs,
Connie
Memories for you both
PRICELESS
Sugarwings is so lucky to have you as her grammy! She is such a cutie. Wishing you many more wonderful times together.
WHAT!???? Sugarwings is FIVE now??? Oh Karla…how fast the time flies girl! I know that I can’t even believe my grandbaby is now 2 1/2…..you are such a wonderful g-mama….and this babe of yours is so beautiful to me ~ each and every day she’s more precious!!! hugs and love, Dawn
Cutest little Pixie I have ever seen. She’s growing up and what a great party you gave her Grandma!
I know I am building wonderful memories for myself. I hope she isnt too little to remember all of our fun when she is grown up
Sent from my iPad
Thank you so much. I think the reason she takes good photos is because she is so unaware of the camera that she never poses. Her pictures are natural since she is so used to Grammy having a camera pointed at her, she ignores it.
Sent from my iPad
Thank you for sharing most wonderful Grammy. You’re right to lavish your attentions on little ones so precious. These wee ones will grow up knowing they are loved, and I know your boys are too. That’s the most wonderful gift of all! – Amy Bauer
Awwww…I got all choked up reading this one. I was broke when my kids were little too, but it sure brings back sweet memories to think back on all the freebie fun we had. 🙂 I asked them recently if they realized just how broke we were and they had no idea. It really is the time and love you put into them that they remember, and that’s what you’re giving to your little Sugarwings. She doesn’t seem spoiled at all.
Sugarwing and her friends are adorable. The pic of them coming down the steps with heels on (10 times too big) and living to tell about it takes my breath away. I can’t even walk on flat ground with 1 inch heels anymore without saying a prayer and holding on to something. Ahhhh childhood, to be young again (and have good knees). The girls are precious. Wish her a very happy birthday from me.
Mary
That little girl is not overindulged with anything but love time and creativity and you can never indulge anyone too much in that. She is the luckiest little girl in the world!
She sure is loved! Thanks!
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It has been fun to walk with you on your journey through the past couple of years with Sugarwings — she remains a gorgeous child and I’m glad she also remains a sweet and unspoiled one! Belated birthday greetings to her.
And thanks, too, for the picnik tips.I am just discovering picnik and these are good ones!
Not from experience, but from watching my parents, being grandparents is the best. You have a philosophy of life, usually less stress, and have learned to relax and not sweat the small stuff.
I always did a lot with my daughter and indulged her fantasies and she was always appreciative and had no problems sharing. I think she felt secure.
I think Sugarwings is an old soul.
~elaine~
Speaking not from experience, but by watching my parents, being grandparents is the best. You have a philosophy of life, usually less stress, and have learned to relax and not sweat the small stuff.
I always did a lot with my daughter and indulged her fantasies and she was always appreciative and never selfish. I think she felt secure.
I think Sugarwings is an old soul.
~elaine~