Every week we have a family night where we spend time together learning a lesson about something and having fun. (Well, sometimes, it's just craziness.) This week my daughter and I taught a youth lesson that I did here, to the rest of the kids. Then we had the tattoo tote activity that brought out their inner artist.

We put the lid in the center of us, surrounding it. Then we drew a swirl, then a scallop, then dots and then we rotated the lid. Yes, turned the lid clockwise. So, then we had to draw on the drawing that ended up in front of us, and build on it. At first, we all did the same icon, then we did free drawing. The kids were surprised at how good it looked. I wasn't. 

We all laughed and talked. That's what family night is all about.

We had our daughter's bridal shower the day before the wedding so her BFF, who was flying in, could be there. Even with the BFF's flight coming in late we still squeezed it in between all the setting up. 

I'm not much into some bridal shower games. But, living an artsy life, lead me to the idea of having the guests paint little birdhouses (to go along with the birdhouse theme) and leave a wedding wish for the couple's new love nest.

I was surprised at how long everyone spent on them. Just proves to me that everyone has an inner artist. Whether they want to admit it our not. Here are a few up close. Then, we used them at the reception to decorate the cake table.

Then they got to take them home after the reception.  What are some ways that you've celebrated bridal showers?

I cannot begin to catch up on what's been happening. But this is the "sum up" - 3 of my children are getting married in 1 1/2 months (longest engagement 3 1/2 months). They have no sense of timing. One of them getting married is a boy. Thankfully, the Bride's parents took care of just about everything. Bless them.

The other 2 weddings are for our daughters. And they are totally DIY Weddings. I'll be posting bits and pieces in between the "inshanity" (as the boyfriend so aptly puts it) of it all. Here is a quick pic of the wedding cake for one of them. My daughter from another mother, Hannah, baked the cakes. My daughter Leila made the frosting. And I assembled and decorated the cake. The craftsmanship is not quite as lovely as I Am Baker from where I got the idea, but for finishing it at 4:30 am the day of the wedding I was not complaining.

I have not decorated a serious cake for 20 years. My daughter Leila was going to but I don't know what came over me and I said I wanted to. It was the delirious creative side of me. But, here is the link that gave me the fabulous idea and instruction - I Am Baker. 

Okay, she (Creative Momma Chelsea) just posts better and faster than I do. Which really, it works for me. So, here is the link to more of the wedding stuff we did over at Creative Mommas. Inside the birdhouse windows I put little votive candles. Some of them had words worthy of use in marriage. And others had sayings.

Loved this little quote, and movie line. Daina, who took this photo, does too.