ice cream socialite

Wednesday was Jeremiah's last day of school (Yay!). Audrey and I went to school early to help with their end of the year party and help his teacher do a bit of cleaning before school let out. 

After all the good bye's...Jeremiah, Audrey and I headed to Deutsch in LA for a not so old fashioned ice cream social hosted by Real California Milk. 

The kids had a lot of fun, Audrey loved the crafts table ...

and Jeremiah enjoyed making some really interesting ice cream combinations...his favorite topping was bacon!

Leave it to the boys in the room to head straight for the bacon...ewww! 

While the kids were busy... I had some fun of my own...

which included hanging out with other moms and a yummy Izze blueberry cobbler float!

I want to share the recipe with you and think it would be perfect for any summer party!

Floating Blueberry California Cobbler

1 scoop Real California vanilla ice cream

1/4 cup blueberries

1/2 cup blueberry-flavored soda (such as Izze Sparkling Blueberry)

1 sugar cookie crushed (about 1 tablespoon)

ground cinnamon 

In a serving glass alternate layers of ice cream and blueberries. Pour soda into the glass until it reaches the top and ice cream is floating. Top with crumbled sugar cookie and a dash of cinnamon. 

Sip and smile!

You can also make a peach or blackberry flavored float by substituting fresh peaches or blackberries and sparkling peach or blackberry flavored soda....or any other seasonal fruit flavor. 

*Recipe developed by Kristina Vanni on behalf of the California Milk Advisory Board 

*no compensation of any kind was given for sharing this post. The kids and I just got invited to a really cool party with ice cream...score! Loved the recipe and wanted to share ( :

Winny de Puh

via lynlee's petite cakes

When Kip came home from work last night he surprised us with an invite to see Winnie the Pooh. 

Such a darling movie. I had no idea Zooey Deshanel was on the soundtrack, so as much as I love She and Him, it was a sweet surprise to hear her sing.  I think I must buy the soundtrack. 

Wouldn't a party like this one be the best before going out to the show to watch?

and just in case you are wondering... the title of this post is Winnie the Pooh translated to spanish. ( : 

audrey's 3rd birthday

Somehow...without me realizing how fast..Audrey turned three.

We celebrated with a big party in the backyard.  It happened to fall on one of the hottest weekends here... I was so scared we'd have kids falling over from the heat...

but somehow pitchers and pitchers of water (sprinkled with lime wedges and watermelon chunks), raspberry iced tea with chia seeds, cold beer....

and ice cream kept every one feeling yummy and cool inside.

We had Carmela Ice Cream bring their delicious ice cream over...cucumber sorbet, strawberry buttermilk, brown sugar vanilla bean and lavender honey...(I know what your thinking...and yes it really is that good!).

Audrey's favorite things right now:

ice cream, arts and crafts, bubbles

and this was kind of the theme of her party

We set up an arts and crafts table so the kiddies could decorate their own goodie bags. Glitter pens, stickers, crayons, glue... so much fun (thanks Gaby for supervising the arts and crafts table).

I bought a bubble machine....

and bubbles flew all over the backyard, definitely a favorite with all the kids. 

I have more pictures and words ....

(but have to get ready for work now)

to be continued....

Papel Picado

(via aymujer)

These papel picado decorations from Ay Mujer make me feel like throwing one last bbq in the backyard before the end of summer.  It brings family and friends, color, and fun to mind. 

(via Ay Mujer)

I am also thinking a Day of the Dead celebration?

Ay Mujer has style. 

A special kind of Quinceañera (here at home)

I can remember holding my baby sister as a newborn.  I was a teenager then.  I remember her little baby toes, that I would paint, to match whatever color polish I was wearing at the time.

She just turned 15.  We hosted a party here at home. A Quinceañera.  It wasn't fancy.  No ballroom, ball gowns, or limousines...but it was special.

Gaby is beautiful.  And looked even more beautiful in her pretty pink dress and heels.

Our family all worked hard to get all the little details just right. 

Like yummy food.

A beautiful cake (made by our cousin Xenia, the chef). 

Decorations.

A candy bar!

Audrey wore a pretty dress also.

Most quinceañeras would skip the piñata.  To feel all grown up.  But not Gaby, she is her own person...and wanted a piñata.  

She is the youngest of all the girls.  We all love her.  And sometimes still think she is our baby, the baby we all carried in our arms. 

Jeremiah looks up to her.  To him, she is the coolest teenager.

Happy Birthday Gaby!  

You are loved!