Rant time.

Rant time.

I always do more than what is expected of me. This is true with absolutely everything I do. Work, my kids, my crafts. Everything I create and put my name on is a true labor of love. I don't sit, I don't whine, I don't cry about my responsibilities. I know what I get myself into everyday and I am fully capable of handling my business gracefully, and with a smile.

I'm probably going to get flack for this blog, but whatever. It needs to be said! I just don't get how people can be lazy! How does someone do that? If you're getting offended by my rant, then good. You probably need to take your left hand, raise it up, and slap yourself with it. I'm glad to be hitting nerves. You don't ever get to where you want to go in life by just sitting around and waiting for something good to come along. Life does not wait for the lazy. If you're not out there, actively looking for that opportunity of a lifetime, it's just never going to come to you. Sorry.

I see life differently than most. It could be because of the whole childhood cancer deal. A lot of the memories that were repressed are coming back to me now that I'm an adult (SO psych! I love it). Actually, I know I see the world through different color lenses because no one knows the value of life until yours is nearly taken away.

At Janin's opening day of T-ball last Saturday at Eastview, they retired the number of a young boy who lost his battle with lymphoma. Same type of blood cancer I had. That could have easily been me 22 years ago. So why did I make it?

I am here for a reason. I don't care how long it will take me to get to where I want to be in my life. Just know that I WILL get there through my hard work and tireless commitment to my family and responsibilities. Can you say the same for yourself?

My ultimate goal in life is to bring birthday parties and joy to kids stuck in the hospital on their birthday. That's all I want to do. If there's anyone down to help me with this little project, I totally encourge it. Nothing feels better than giving away something you put your heart into and seeing a kid smile. Nothing else even matters. Email me if you're awesome and want to donate your time and craftiness.

I am not perfect, nor am I by no means mom of the year. I'm just real people, trying to make my voice be heard.

What are you doing with your life?

Potty Party Re-cap!

What a fabulous day! I live for parties, so when I found out I had been selected by Houseparty.com to host a Huggies Pull-Ups Potty Dance Party, I was absolutely estactic! They sent me a BUNCH of goodies to pass out to my guests:

Thanks Huggies and Houseparty.com!

Gift bags, all nice and pretty.

Elliotte whipped up tri-tip AND ahi tuna tacos. YUM! They were a huge hit with our friends and party guests. Let me know if you're local and need catering! We're trying to buy a food truck...



Grown-up food

And what would one of my parties be without a pinata?! I had to do something fun and crazy. So, I made a pinata that looked like a roll of toilet paper! Then, I filled it with Yo Gabba Gabba boy briefs and Hello Kitty girlie panties I wrapped to look like giant candies! So. Much. FUN!

FYI: Pull-string pinatas are best for toddlers!

The goods! You can see the undies wrapped in pink tissue! Janin is holding a blue one.

What a great party idea. I highly encourage anyone potty training to host a potty party of their own!

Project April.

I am SO happy to report to everyone that my friend and super mama April V is expected to make a FULL recovery from the stroke and the following 3 1/2 hour neuro surgery she underwent at the UCLA Ronald Reagan Medical Center late Friday night. My family and I went to visit her on Saturday and she looked as if nothing had even happened to her. What a miracle. Thank you to everyone who said a prayer for my friend as it clearly made a huge difference in the outcome of her story.

This terrifying event in our lives was really a life changing and eye-opening experience for me. April is a healthy, young, energetic, active mother. Just like me. Our kids share the same interests and hang out together all the time. When I found out April was in the hospital for having a stroke, I was beside myself with fear. All I could think was: "What if this had happened to me? Who would take care of my kids?" and "But she was JUST at my house! She was JUST fine! Why is this happening?"

I knew I had to get a hold of myself. I channeled the fear I felt about April's situation into an idea. This past Friday I started Project April (#ProjectApril on Twitter) in an attempt to help offset the medical costs I knew April would incur from this hospital stint. I was determined to make something happen for my friend. Moms have to stick together. I set up a listing for those shirts I told you all I was going to sell on Etsy for April. And once she's feeling up to it maybe we'll even hear from April herself about the stroke and recovery period.

In the meantime, I beg for everyone to see April's stroke as a lesson that life is not something one should ever take for granted. You are not guaranteed to live a certain number of years on this earth. Don't be afraid to take that crazy chance or go out on that very far, and ridiculously unstable limb. If it means failing a couple times, so be it. Growth and learning derive from failure. At least, that's how it is for me.

Thank you all again for your show of support. I know April truly appreciates it.

April needs our help.



April and Milo. December 2010.



My friend and fellow crafty mama April V is fighting for her life. Just this past Monday she came over and we talked about joining forces to revolutionize the party game. On Wednesday, she dropped off a fabulous mixer. On Thursday, she had a stroke. As she fell, April hit her head on a hard object. As a result, there is a pool of blood in her brain, though I don't know all the details.



She is being transferred to Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center because they've been recognized by the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association for their commitment in caring for and treating stroke patients.

April is a young and fabulous stay at home mom. What happened to her is just... I have no words to describe how I feel right now. I am devestated. As a mom, all I can think about is her son and what would happen to my family if something like this ever happened to me. That's why I decided to organize a fundraiser.

  

Last week, I asked April to make me a PDF that I could use to make "that mom" t-shirts that I was just going to give to my fabulous mommy friends. Well, now I think the shirt has an even bigger purpose. I'm going to get these shirts made and ALL proceeds from them will go towards helping April's family pay for medical bills. Stay at home moms don't have health insurance. So, I'm hoping we can all help a mama out.

Here's an image of the design:

Designed by April V. February 18, 2011.

I'm currently looking around and trying to get the best rate on the shirts. If anyone has any connects in this department, PLEASE let me know. Also, if you're interested at all in purchasing a shirt and helping a mom in need, please leave me your email address as a comment on this post. Once I have the shirts I'll email everyone a link to complete the purchase. This will hopefully be by the middle of next week.

I need input as to how much people are willing to pay. I'm thinking $25? And $2 extra if I have to ship it. I also need people to help me spread the word. I'm also working on several other fundraising ideas, so I'm asking all my crafty mommy friends for help right now too. Email me at: thepinatamama@gmail.com.



What really boggles my brain is that she was just FINE the other day. This could happen to anyone. April has one son, Milo, who loves Yo Gabba Gabba and Cars. I'm trying to get some fun things going for him too, because I'm sure he's probably wondering what's going on with his mom.



If everyone reading could just say a little prayer for April, I'm sure it would really make a difference in her recovery. Thanks you guys.





WOW it's been a LONG time!

Finally got a chance to post something! I actually have a million blogs saved in the notes of my iPhone that need to be transferred here! But I've been SO incredibly busy! Which is a good thing. So this is just my mini attempt to get the "blog-ball" rolling again.

My 2011 started off with a definite bang.

Pinata orders are through the roof! Who knew they had such high demand in the kid party department? I never had one when I was younger... And to think it all started with a Brobee for Leah's first birthday...

I've also been selected to host a Pull-Ups® Potty Dance Day House Party™! WooooHA! I'm beyond excited for that. It's going to get national press so you KNOW I'm pulling out all kinds of tricks from my party plannin' bag! More details on this fun little party are coming soon for sure! Until then, check out the link!

Feels like everything is just falling into place.

Move over Martha...

That's right. I said it. It's time for someone new to mix things up a bit in the name of today's modern stay at home mom. I decided that I would be that person. I'm fun, relatable, and can totally craft circles around ol' Martha any day.

When I'm all fancy and famous, I would totally be a Sandra Lee (my Food Network IDOL), Martha Stewart, Rachel Ray hybrid. I love how Sandra Lee is about semi-homemade cooking. That's how I am too. It saves me time and money and everyone always thinks I'm a fabulous cook/baker at the end of the day. Rachel Ray has that bubbly personality and I love 30 minute meals. Then of course, there's Martha. The domestic goddess herself. She's the BEST and I want to be that too...

One day. The ball is already rolling.

Yo Gabba madness...

I am so excited this morning! I finally finished my fabulous DJ Lance pinata! My BEST work to date. Check it out!


DJ Lance Rock!



Complete with magic Gabba boombox.



"Hello, Friends!"



I've gone Gabba CRAZY since seeing them live in concert. My daughter is still talking about the show! I knew I had to make a DJ Lance pinata. Doesn't it totally make you want to have a dancey dance party?!