Toddlers are HARD

Believe it or not, I actually had a completely different post written and scheduled to post today.
But I just finished ugly crying while trying to get Clayton (my 3 1/2 year old) to sleep.  I wasn't crying because getting him to sleep is hard....at least not any more. But Sundays have suddenly become that day of the week I dread. And I hate that. Sundays were so relaxing, full of spiritual uplift at church, finally having a child old enough to be entertained during sacrament meeting and obsessed with nursery. That all changed this year.

I don't frequently talk about my church on this blog, but those who have been "long-time readers" or instagram followers, will know that I am LDS or Mormon.  If you're unfamiliar with my religion, I encourage you to ask me questions or go: here.
At the beginning of this year I was pulled from being a teacher in the Relief Society to teaching Nursery, to teaching the 4 year-olds. Quite a big jump, and I honestly had to humble myself immensely to really enjoy and love teaching the little class of 4 year olds.
Also at the beginning of the year, Clayton was old enough to move from Nursery into his "big boy class" in Primary. And this is the thing that brings the anxiety to me every. single. sunday.
Clayton is very active and not used to sitting still, and as a toddler has a hard time just sitting and listening to someone teach without actively engaging him. The past few days I bribed him with a new Thomas the Train toy IF he behaved and stayed in his chair during Primary. I repeated this promise to him so many times it made my head spin. I tried this tactic because so many others haven't worked. (Serious talks, practicing at home, reminding all week, taking "rewards" away...)

We went into Primary I sat him in his class RIGHT in front of my class and he already lost it. He begged for his snack. Then he turned around and sat on his knees while eating his snack, he whined loudly, he sprawled across the chair next to him, he fell on the floor to whine. While we and his teachers are kindly talking to him to get him to sit on his bum. We took him out twice and on the second time he made his way outside with his dad I had to hold back tears.
"Is the the reason I got put in this calling, as punishment?"
"Why can't he just sit still for 15 minutes?"
"He behaves so well during Sacrament meeting!"
"Do they think I'm an awful parent?"
"What can I do to help him?"
"WHAT AM I DOING WRONG?!"

Guys, toddlers are hard. I'm at my wit's end. As I laid him to bed tonight and he sweetly asked me for a cuddling, the emotions from earlier today rose up and I sobbed in the dark. Parenting is an absolute roller-coaster ride...feelings of such complete happiness with nights of feeling like the worst mother ever.
So I come to you. Please, I beg of you, give me some tips, tricks, advice! Thank you. And from the bottom of my crazy toddler-mother heart, thank you to Sunbeam teachers everywhere.

Fiesta Printable

This printable seemed appropriate to post on a Friday.  While I created this specifically for Cinco de Mayo, "fiesta like there's no manana" is appropriate on a number of other occasions. Hand-lettered by me this is only for personal use. Enjoy your Fiesta Friday!

A San Diego Wedding

A few weeks ago I shared this picture on Instagram (@katiecarranza) with the caption: "I'm heading to San Diego for my mom's wedding! Packing everything up is getting me excited to see it all come together."  I love planning parties and this is my 3rd wedding I've been able to be such a big part of the planning and it is always so much fun! So I though I'd share just a few details from the wedding.

I worked with the amazing Wendy of Stem & Leaf to create these beautiful custom invitations and both my mom & I were thrilled and impressed with how well they turned out. And guess what, they're not printed on kraft paper...Wendy just worked her magic to make it appear that way to keep the printing cost down for us!

Here's a quick picture I snapped of the addressed envelopes before I sent them out. (Addresses blurred to obviously protect the innocent.)

My super awesome talented sister-in-law helped me put together this incredible "naked" cake and I am in love with how it turned out. I hand cut the cake topper out of gold glitter paper and attached it to wooden skewers and pressed into the cake.

For the send-off, I last minute saw the idea of using glow sticks, kind of like a safer sparkler alternative. And they turned out to be a big hit! People even snuck them before it was time for the send-off and had fun with them, I just wish I had ordered more big ones!

The guest book was a big piece of navy card stock  that I hand-lettered 

Elaine & Stephen 

est. March 21, 2015

Then had everyone sign so that it can later be framed and hung up.

The favors were another favorite of mine. I wish I could take credit, but my mom had the idea to have my OTHER talented sister in law watercolor a painting and put it in frames. And through the power of technology she painted one and then we scanned and printed out multiple copies of the San Diego skyline looking across the bay. I printed out a page of the flowers that coordinated with the invitation and hand-lettered e & s 3-21-2015 on them and tied it around the frames with twine.

And for your viewing enjoyment, here are some pictures of the beautiful bride! I was asked to be the maid of honor and I stood up with my mother's husbands daughter during the ceremony.

Metallic Easter Egg DIY

 A few days ago I shared the above picture on Instagram (@katiecarranza), and if you're a fellow procrasinator like me, this tutorial is for you! These eggs (or eggies as my 3 year old calls them), are made by applying metallic temporary tattoos. So easy and fun to group together. My tattoos were found at the 99cent store of all places! (I have a budding love affair with that place). Here's a quick, picture by picture video tutorial for you! Make sure you're gentle and careful when remove the paper, and use your fingers and wet paper towel to smooth it out.  Now go cur-a-zay!

Super Simple Subtle Easter Decorations

What's that? You want some poorly lit photos of my super simple subtle Easter decorations?! Well today is YOUR lucky day, my friend! That's exactly what this post is! Happy Tuesday!

Mint Chocolate Chip Protein Shake

Here's a fun festive twist on the original protein shake!

Ingredients:  

1-2 Tablespoons Powdered Peanut Butter (or regular peanut butter)

1 scoop chocolate protein powder

1 & 1/2 sliced & frozen bananas

enough Dark Chocolate Almond Milk to make smooth

1-2 Teaspoon Mint extract

Add ingredients in blender and gradually add Almond Milk to desired shake thickness. Enjoy!

Rainbow Tassel Garland

I love re-sharing this fun idea for St Patrick's Day because it's so easy but so fun! Add 2 of each color or more "clouds" on the end, you can't go wrong with this rainbow!

 How to make your tassels:

1. Lay out 1 sheet of tissue paper.

2. Fold "hamburger" style. 

3. Fold it the same way again.

4. And one more time the same way.

5. Now fold in half the other way.

6. Pin the top folded side with 2 clothes pins to help keep things in place and cut the side folds 1 1/2" from the top.

7. Cut/fringe- only up 1 1/2" from the top. 

8. Un-fold once, then roll up.

9. Twist tight until it curls up on itself and makes a "loop."

& repeat!

10. String onto ribbon or bakers twine.