Audrey Hepburn's son Luca shares some never-before-seen pictures of his movie-star mom. Hepburn died 29 years ago today, on Jan. 20, 1993
Food is a central component of Luca, being shared amongst family and friends. The Genovese cuisine featured in the film inspired me to create this week's Luca Themed Disney Dinner!
by Sarah Baldwin, Waldorf teacher and owner of Bella Luna Toys One of my favorite traditions as a Waldorf kindergarten teacher was the celebration of a child’s birthday. Traditions and rituals help children mark the passing of a year and celebrating a child’s birth honors his or her presence in our lives, and in the world. Most Waldorf early childhood teachers tell a variation of the “Birthday Story.” The story usually includes a child looking down on the earth from the starry sky, and choosing to cross the “rainbow bridge” to come to his or her family on the earth. One version of this story can be found in the book Beyond the Rainbow Bridge by Barbara Patterson. There is also a beautifully illustrated picture book called Little Angel’s Journey by Dzvinka Hayda with another version of the story. Many teachers use a wooden birthday ring, a European tradition, to celebrate birthdays. This is a tradition which can also be incorporated at home! A wooden birthday ring usually has 12 or 16 holes. To use the ring, the number of candles corresponding to the child’s age are spaced evenly in the holes of the ring (in brass candle holders that fit the ring), and the remaining holes are filled with festive wooden birthday ring decorations. Before lighting the candles, a parent or teacher can tell the story of a child’s life by remembering the important milestones from each year. For example: Aidan was born on the first day of summer. It was a warm, sunny and beautiful day. When his mother knew it was time for her baby to be born, his mother and father packed their things and drove to the hospital. Aidan must have really wanted to meet his mother and father, for he came very quickly! Soon after he arrived, his big sister Hannah came with his Nana and Papa to meet him for the first time. During his first year on earth, Aidan learned to do many things! He learned to sit up by himself, to roll over, and then to crawl. During that first year he took his first airplane trip and flew to California to meet his Grammy and Grandpa for the first time, and before his first birthday, Aidan took his first steps and learned to walk. He said his first word, which was “HOT” and then learned more words like “Mama” and “Dada.” The earth took one full trip around the sun after Aidan was born, and when June 21 came again Aidan was one-year-old! [HERE YOU WOULD LIGHT THE FIRST CANDLE IN THE BIRTHDAY RING.] During Aidan’s second year on earth, he learned to do many more things. He became very good at walking and then learned to run and jump. He learned to sit up by himself, to roll over, and then to crawl. He learned many more words and soon he couldn’t stop talking! During his second year, his cousins Andrew and Lena came to visit from Michigan, and his family took a trip to Grand Lake. Then after another trip around the sun, June 21 came again and Aidan was two-years-old! [HERE YOU WOULD LIGHT THE SECOND CANDLE IN THE BIRTHDAY RING.] Add the events and developmental milestones for each year of a child’s life, lighting one candle for each year, until you get to the child’s new age, at which point you can conclude with: Now the earth has made another trip around the sun. Today is June 21 and now Aidan is [four]-years-old! LIGHT THE LAST CANDLE. After the last candle is lit, you can sing “Happy Birthday” or another birthday song, and follow up the birthday ring story with cake and gifts. Here are some other suggestions for bringing meaningful traditions to your child’s birthday at home: Start your preparations the evening before your child’s birthday. Before bed, you can light a candle and share this verse: When I have said my evening prayers, And all my clothes are on my chair, And Mother/Father switches off the light, I’ll still be [3] years old tonight. But from the very break of day, Before the children rise and play, Before the darkness turns to gold, Tomorrow, I’ll be [4] years old! [4] kisses when I wake, [4] candles on my cake. The evening before your child’s birthday, give her the number of kisses for her age for the past year and tell her that when she awakes, you’ll give her one more kiss in the morning. For example, three kisses when saying goodnight, and four kisses in the morning for a child turning four. Birthdays call for the royal treatment! Before telling the birthday story or lighting the birthday ring, ceremoniously place a birthday crown on your child’s head, and a birthday cape on his shoulders. The Birthday Book by Ann Druitt has many more wonderful ideas for bringing meaning in the Waldorf tradition to your child’s special day. We wish you a happy birthday A joyous and celebrated birthday To our dear Aidan May you have a long, long life! BIG BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION GIVEAWAY! This week we're giving away a HUGE birthday celebration pack! One lucky fan will win: Pair of Livie & Luca shoes (winner's choice!) Mosey Handmade for Livie & Luca Crown or Hat Bella Luna Toys Birthday Ring Hello Maypole felt pom garland of choice The Wishing Elephant Fairy Wings A gift card to Live Sweet Shop TO ENTER: To enter, follow each participating shop on Instagram: @livieandluca, @moseyhandmade, @livesweetphotography , @hellomaypole, @thewishingelephant, @bellalunatoys For extra entries, tag friends (one friend per comment!) Post your favorite birthday celebration photos, mention each brand and use #LLandMOplay = 2 entries Enter by 6/28/17. Winner announced on Instagram on 6/29/17 Entrant must own the rights to the photo(s) submitted. Account must be public. Giveaway accounts will not be considered. By entering this Joy & Wonder Series giveaway, you confirm you (account owner) are 18+ years of age, release Instagram of all responsibilities and agree to Instagram’s terms of use.
Jump on your scooter and ride in to discover this Disney’s Luca Themed Birthday Party by Nicci Dewez of Sunny Bunny Balloons, out of Fontana, CA! Highlighting the softer side of this fun-filled movie, this event combines Italian cities and underwater adventure seamlessly! Favorite details, include: Incredible Luca-inspired Backdrop Simplistic Under the Sea Birthday Cake Lemon-inspired Smash Cake Under the Sea-inspired Florals Custom Cookies Lemon ONE Banner Muted Bubble-inspired Balloon Installs Pretty Picnic Tables Highlighting each Birthday Celebrant
Vehicle Cards
It’s been a full month since Luca turned one and I still can’t believe he’s not a baby anymore. Okay, obviously he will always be my baby, even when he has his own babies, they will be my bab…
by Sarah Baldwin, Waldorf teacher and owner of Bella Luna Toys One of my favorite traditions as a Waldorf kindergarten teacher was the celebration of a child’s birthday. Traditions and rituals help children mark the passing of a year and celebrating a child’s birth honors his or her presence in our lives, and in the world. Most Waldorf early childhood teachers tell a variation of the “Birthday Story.” The story usually includes a child looking down on the earth from the starry sky, and choosing to cross the “rainbow bridge” to come to his or her family on the earth. One version of this story can be found in the book Beyond the Rainbow Bridge by Barbara Patterson. There is also a beautifully illustrated picture book called Little Angel’s Journey by Dzvinka Hayda with another version of the story. Many teachers use a wooden birthday ring, a European tradition, to celebrate birthdays. This is a tradition which can also be incorporated at home! A wooden birthday ring usually has 12 or 16 holes. To use the ring, the number of candles corresponding to the child’s age are spaced evenly in the holes of the ring (in brass candle holders that fit the ring), and the remaining holes are filled with festive wooden birthday ring decorations. Before lighting the candles, a parent or teacher can tell the story of a child’s life by remembering the important milestones from each year. For example: Aidan was born on the first day of summer. It was a warm, sunny and beautiful day. When his mother knew it was time for her baby to be born, his mother and father packed their things and drove to the hospital. Aidan must have really wanted to meet his mother and father, for he came very quickly! Soon after he arrived, his big sister Hannah came with his Nana and Papa to meet him for the first time. During his first year on earth, Aidan learned to do many things! He learned to sit up by himself, to roll over, and then to crawl. During that first year he took his first airplane trip and flew to California to meet his Grammy and Grandpa for the first time, and before his first birthday, Aidan took his first steps and learned to walk. He said his first word, which was “HOT” and then learned more words like “Mama” and “Dada.” The earth took one full trip around the sun after Aidan was born, and when June 21 came again Aidan was one-year-old! [HERE YOU WOULD LIGHT THE FIRST CANDLE IN THE BIRTHDAY RING.] During Aidan’s second year on earth, he learned to do many more things. He became very good at walking and then learned to run and jump. He learned to sit up by himself, to roll over, and then to crawl. He learned many more words and soon he couldn’t stop talking! During his second year, his cousins Andrew and Lena came to visit from Michigan, and his family took a trip to Grand Lake. Then after another trip around the sun, June 21 came again and Aidan was two-years-old! [HERE YOU WOULD LIGHT THE SECOND CANDLE IN THE BIRTHDAY RING.] Add the events and developmental milestones for each year of a child’s life, lighting one candle for each year, until you get to the child’s new age, at which point you can conclude with: Now the earth has made another trip around the sun. Today is June 21 and now Aidan is [four]-years-old! LIGHT THE LAST CANDLE. After the last candle is lit, you can sing “Happy Birthday” or another birthday song, and follow up the birthday ring story with cake and gifts. Here are some other suggestions for bringing meaningful traditions to your child’s birthday at home: Start your preparations the evening before your child’s birthday. Before bed, you can light a candle and share this verse: When I have said my evening prayers, And all my clothes are on my chair, And Mother/Father switches off the light, I’ll still be [3] years old tonight. But from the very break of day, Before the children rise and play, Before the darkness turns to gold, Tomorrow, I’ll be [4] years old! [4] kisses when I wake, [4] candles on my cake. The evening before your child’s birthday, give her the number of kisses for her age for the past year and tell her that when she awakes, you’ll give her one more kiss in the morning. For example, three kisses when saying goodnight, and four kisses in the morning for a child turning four. Birthdays call for the royal treatment! Before telling the birthday story or lighting the birthday ring, ceremoniously place a birthday crown on your child’s head, and a birthday cape on his shoulders. The Birthday Book by Ann Druitt has many more wonderful ideas for bringing meaning in the Waldorf tradition to your child’s special day. We wish you a happy birthday A joyous and celebrated birthday To our dear Aidan May you have a long, long life! BIG BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION GIVEAWAY! This week we're giving away a HUGE birthday celebration pack! One lucky fan will win: Pair of Livie & Luca shoes (winner's choice!) Mosey Handmade for Livie & Luca Crown or Hat Bella Luna Toys Birthday Ring Hello Maypole felt pom garland of choice The Wishing Elephant Fairy Wings A gift card to Live Sweet Shop TO ENTER: To enter, follow each participating shop on Instagram: @livieandluca, @moseyhandmade, @livesweetphotography , @hellomaypole, @thewishingelephant, @bellalunatoys For extra entries, tag friends (one friend per comment!) Post your favorite birthday celebration photos, mention each brand and use #LLandMOplay = 2 entries Enter by 6/28/17. Winner announced on Instagram on 6/29/17 Entrant must own the rights to the photo(s) submitted. Account must be public. Giveaway accounts will not be considered. By entering this Joy & Wonder Series giveaway, you confirm you (account owner) are 18+ years of age, release Instagram of all responsibilities and agree to Instagram’s terms of use.
This pretty Parisian inspired 1st birthday was one for the books. It was a dreamy day and it was such an honor to finally be…
Your family loves Disney for more than the attractions – they love the food. Toffee...
Wow where did that second year go!! Its amazing how time goes so slowly when youre pregnant and when babies are young and calm in the run up to their first year. Then suddenly they explode into little bundles of energy and similarly time flies along with them... Anyway, as you would surely have realised by now figure Katherine has just turned 2. The invite perfectly summed up Katie as a "1 going on 2" year old ... a dolphin-mad, Bubboo-mad and Noddy-mad happy choppy! Of course theres no denying I loved the theme, Noddy was actually my hero as a young kid too. I still distinctly remember my Noddy bedroom and duvet set that my mother diligently sewed up for me (my how the tables have turned!) Anyway enough jibber jabber, moving onto the decorations.... Poundland kindly made this whole party feasible for me with the enormous Noddy posters they sell. I quite literally used them for everything :) First one is here at the entrance of the party venue ... Then here they are chopped up as centrepieces with brightly coloured balloons, and table cloth labels ... And the party packs were as follows ... Here are some cupcakes with the Noddy characters as rice paper toppers Not to forget the large Dolphin cake with Rainbow jelly as requested by the Birthday Girl!! The cake was modelled using Rice Crispy Treats and covered in fondant Here is how the Jelly part came out ... Here are some cakes with Noddy drawn by stencil using chocolate sprinkles And lastly my favourite .... here is the look on the birthday girls face when she saw all the decorations :)
Noddy Simply a noddy cake!
Narnia 1st Birthday Party
Mijn kleine drop vindt ‘In the night garden’ op de BBC erg leuk op het moment. (In nederland ook wel bekend als ‘In de droomtuin’ op Jetix). Ik ben nog steeds op zoek naar e…
Noddy Cupcakes Noddy cupcakes complete with red foil cases. Choc & Vanilla
These chocolatey 'taches are perfect for fun photo ops and are sure to be snapped up quickly. Just the thing for fans of CBeebies Go Jetters
