Zoo Day and Picnic

 

There are many fun things I did with my daughters when they were young, but have not done in a very long time. Two of my favorites and theirs were going to the zoo and going to the park for a picnic.  When I was in Michigan, my daughter and I loaded Audrey in her stroller and did both.

We spent a lovely afternoon at the zoo in Grand Rapids.  Audrey loves her stroller and while a little young for the animals, loved the sunshine, people and bright colors of the Lantern Festival.  It is a small, manageable sized zoo and I look forward to many more visits.

Before my flight home and because it was a beautiful day, we picked up lunch and found a picnic table at a park for a quick lunch.  We then pushed the stroller on some pretty paths and I especially enjoyed the sunshine and fresh air before a long travel day.  

Being a grandparent lets you relive the best times of motherhood and I am blessed and happy to experience every moment.

Happy Thursday!

God Bless Audrey

 

The day after Melissa’s Bridal Shower, we headed two hours across the state from the Detroit area to Grand Rapids to celebrate Audrey’s Christening day.  It was a special day for our family to see her baptized into the Catholic church.  Audrey wore the Christening gown made from my Mother in laws wedding dress; the christening gown her mother, auntie and all that generation of cousins wore. Megan chose to make the day small with immediate family only and I think that made it even more special.

After mass and the christening ceremony, we headed to Megan and Adam’s home for a delicious lunch, including a beautiful carrot cake.  It was a calm and relaxing day after the hectic week before and of course our little Audrey was the star.  I know I am biased, but she really is the most happy, content baby and will play, talk and smile all the time.  She also was happily passed around and held by both sets of grandparents, her great grandmother and godparents - her auntie and uncles.

My husband flew back to Florida, but I stayed for a few days for more Audrey time (and Megan too).  It was just what I needed and there were many cuddles, quiet playtime, plus a trip to the zoo.  What Nanna dreams are made of.

Happy Saturday!

Bridal Shower for Melissa

 

We are getting into wedding mode and the first big step was Melissa’s bridal shower this past Saturday. Planning something like this long distance takes a lot of coordination, but my co hosts were so helpful and the vision came together beautifully.

Melissa is a wedding and corporate event coordinator so I knew I had to step up my game and it made me very happy that when she arrived and saw the room she was thrilled and appreciative.  The theme was vintage garden party with blue cloisonné vases of different heights and styles, linen napkins, blue goblets and a lot of white hydrangeas.

We picked up the vases over time and with the blue goblets, the color really popped.  I love all things floral, so I knew having a lot of vases overflowing with white flowers would make a lovely setting.  The hydrangeas were ordered from Costco and delivered the day before.  I highly recommend how they were shipped and the amazing quality.  The other flowers were picked up at Trader Joes.  Everything was put together on site the morning of the shower in just under two hours.

Perhaps the centerpiece was the sign I had made from Etsy that was a flower box design.  I used greenery as a base and then filled it with flowers.  We added garden lanterns and a big balloon bouquet to make a pretty photo backdrop.  

We enjoyed a delicious luncheon of broccoli soup, grilled chicken Caesar salad and lemon sorbet with mini chocolate tarts.  Everyone was very generous with gifts and Melissa definitely felt the love.  It was a beautiful day.  And now, just under three months until wedding day.