• About
  • Social Media
  • DIY
  • Holidays
  • Travel
  • Lifestyle

Staying Home Sawyer

Real Life Living on a Real Life Budget

Travel

Evelyn Takes the Bay Area

8.27.2015

San Francisco, California, Golden Gate BridgeIn case you haven’t noticed, I’ve been a little MIA lately. I just thought I’d let you know, since you probably didn’t actually notice. My mom noticed, so I guess that’s all that counts right? Right.

So where have I been? Traveling the world? I wish. Really, I’ve just been bumming around the Bay Area again. We had house guests for a while, which is typically the only reason I go bumming around the Bay Area. The traffic in and out of San Francisco is a good reminder of why we don’t make trips up there that often. Unless I’m getting ready to try out a new cheeseburger place in the city, my heart is just not in the trip.

San Francisco California, Toddler on the BeachI promise I’ll get back to crafting again soon, but until then, I thought I’d share a little visual tour of our weekend. Mostly through the eyes of my cousin’s daughter Evelyn. Who is the most beautiful five year old I’ve ever seen. That, and the random toddler in the photo above. The photo was just too good not to share!

San Francisco, California Golden Gate Bridge.My favorite photo of the entire weekend is below (to see it in color, check out Instagram –  you’ve got to see her beautiful eyes). Maybe I’ll get real ambitious and enter it in a photography contest. What do you think?

San Francisco, California Golden Gate Bridge

We found a cool playground in the middle of Chinatown, in San Francisco. It turned out to be pretty fun for Evelyn, who was a pro at the monkey bars. I, however, pulled every muscle in my body attempting to cross them. This mysterious ‘getting old’ thing really blows. I used to be a borderline Olympic athlete when it came to the monkey bars.

San Francisco, California, Chinatown playgroundChinatown, San Francisco California Card GamesWe had to make a pit-stop at CREAM (ice cream sandwiches). Clearly, she didn’t enjoy her sandwich at all. I don’t even think she left one bite uneaten.

Cream Ice Cream Sandwiches.Cream Ice Cream Sandwiches

We took Evelyn to Santa Cruz, where she had a blast in the waves. Being from Wisconsin doesn’t leave you with a lot of ocean experience. She was a natural.

Santa Cruz, California

On the last day, we took her to Big Basin State Park, to see the redwoods. She was more excited to practice her “balance beams” with the fallen trees than seeing the in tact ones. Apparently she’s practicing her gymnastics to take the Olympic athlete title away from me.

Big Basin State Park, RedwoodsI think Evelyn (and her mom) had a pretty eventful weekend. They saw almost everything there is to see in this area and then some. So tell me, which photo is your favorite?

Share this:

  • Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • Print (Opens in new window) Print
  • Tweet

Like this:

Like Loading…

Related

Previous:
DIY Floral Backdrop
Next:
Ding Dong Ditch!

Comments

  1. MS says

    8.27.2015 at 11:47 am

    Love all the pictures!

    • shauna841505@yahoo.com says

      8.27.2015 at 1:10 pm

      Yay!!! Had so much fun!

  2. alice says

    8.27.2015 at 11:50 am

    These photos are all amazing!

    • shauna841505@yahoo.com says

      8.27.2015 at 1:09 pm

      Thank you so much!!!

  3. Lucy says

    8.27.2015 at 1:02 pm

    Meow… I am going to miss that little girl, always bugging me, petting me, not leaving me alone. But it was all worth it because she fed me endless treats to help me waddle even more than I do now. Meow.

    • shauna841505@yahoo.com says

      8.27.2015 at 1:10 pm

      Ohhhh right Lucy.

      • Carli says

        8.31.2015 at 9:54 am

        Lucy has a wordpress?! OMG!

        • shauna841505@yahoo.com says

          8.31.2015 at 10:21 am

          Hahaha sort of. My cousin Michelle made it for her!

  4. Jamie says

    8.27.2015 at 4:14 pm

    Gorgeous photos! I don’t think I can pick a favorite. And p.s. I, of course, noticed your absence so you should probably go ahead and send me a reward now 😉

    • shauna841505@yahoo.com says

      8.28.2015 at 11:55 am

      Hahaha thanks for noticing! At least my mom wasn’t alone in that! 🙂 And thanks for the photo compliments!! 🙂

  5. Trend-mixblog says

    8.27.2015 at 6:05 pm

    Such cool pictures, everything looks so artsy in black and white. It looks like you guys had a lot of fun. 🙂

    • shauna841505@yahoo.com says

      8.28.2015 at 11:53 am

      Thank you so much! I agree about the B&W, I don’t usually use it but they turned out so beautiful that way!

  6. Bobbie says

    8.27.2015 at 6:13 pm

    Can’t pick a favorite. Love them all

    • shauna841505@yahoo.com says

      8.28.2015 at 11:53 am

      Thanks!

  7. Farrah says

    8.27.2015 at 7:40 pm

    That is a gorgeous photo (and yes, you should enter that into a photography contest!!!)!

    I miss the bay area! <3 I grew up there, but haven't lived there for several years now. :[ I'd love to go back there someday! (+ hooray for playgrounds!!)

    • shauna841505@yahoo.com says

      8.28.2015 at 11:53 am

      Thank you so much!!! I didn’t know you grew up here?! Where abouts? We are in San Jose, but I work at Stanford so the commute is ROUGH! Haha.

  8. Laura says

    8.27.2015 at 9:59 pm

    OMG I too love all the photos, but did love the one of her (and agree gorgeous eyes and YES enter in any sort of photography contest). I was lucky (not to see the absence, since you were so gracious to follow me…).
    I know you don’t like ‘trips’ but you two really need to try and make it up here to the PNW sometime – you’ll have some great photo ops.

    Thank you for sharing and being YOU! Tell Mr. Police Officer I’m glad he has such a endearing wife. 🙂

    • shauna841505@yahoo.com says

      8.30.2015 at 1:23 pm

      Oh my gosh we totally want to make it up towards you soon. My husband has family in Seattle, and they keep asking us to come visit. I would have liked to go in the summer (apparently they have a pretty nice beach house somewhere close?), but it might have to be in the winter. I have been to Seattle before, and just loved the city! I also have wanted to go stay in the treehouse hotel (have you heard of it?), outside Seattle!

  9. Federica says

    8.28.2015 at 1:30 am

    Gorgeous pictures <3

    The Cutielicious
    http://www.thecutielicious.com
    Federica

    • shauna841505@yahoo.com says

      8.28.2015 at 11:52 am

      Thank you so much! Thanks for visiting!

  10. Ashley says

    8.28.2015 at 11:55 am

    So fun and such great pictures! I love that last one the very best!! So beautiful!

    • shauna841505@yahoo.com says

      8.30.2015 at 1:21 pm

      Thank you so much!! The last one is pretty cool, she had a great time in the forest. She’s a WI native, so of course she likes the trees! 🙂

  11. Erin McElrath says

    9.08.2015 at 10:34 pm

    All the photos are beautiful but my favorites are the one of Michelle and Evelyn in front of the GGB and the random toddler, of course!

    • shauna841505@yahoo.com says

      9.09.2015 at 8:52 am

      Me too!!!!!

About Me

About Me

Hi Mamas! My name is Shauna, a 30-something (big emphasis on the 'something') new mama and wife living in Southern California. I've become a Stay At Home Mom to Sawyer, and I would do it forever if I could! I'm originally from Wisconsin and am a total Cheesehead! I'm here to share DIY's, travel tips, and baby stuff I'm sure!

Follow Us on Instagram!

stayinghomesawyer

I saw this viral template and as soon as I heard t I saw this viral template and as soon as I heard the first part I immediately thought, “that’s the worst part too.” Then I heard the rest of the audio and just felt that. It’s so true. It’s the most bittersweet thing a human being goes through. Raising children.
We always see these crazy parties on social media, We always see these crazy parties on social media, but how much do they ACTUALLY cost? If you know me, then you know I’m the most frugal person on the planet, so my parties are destined to be inexpensive. I’m going to give you the real life breakdown, with all my money saving tips. Let’s go!

(Let me know if you have any questions that I didn’t cover)

This is one of my biggest tips, which is pretty obvious I suppose. Hand make EVERYTHING. Decorations, treats, food, etc. The only time I wouldn’t suggest making your own food is if you have a huge guest list, in which case ordering Costco pizza is your best bet.

For the paper chains, I’ll be honest, they’re not cheap. Finding paper that’s inexpensive is hard. So pro tip: you don’t NEED cardstock, regular paper will be cheaper (and easier to hang). I found these packs of red at Walmart on clearance for $1.50 each. The pictured chains was three packs of 50 pages. Also pro tip: use a generic stapler to staple them into the ceiling, tape doesn’t work.

Also, because I throw parties a few times a year, I have a general stash of party supplies. I try to use similar colors so that I don’t have to store every color. I happen to have a lot of pink (because, duh, two girls). So table runners and vases and such were things I already had. If you don’t, I suggest Temu. And if you’d like to start collecting a supply for future parties, get some nice ones in white because you can always use white! 

I made this box out of 9 pieces of foam board from the Dollar Tree, one roll of wrapping paper (back wall) from the Dollar Tree, and two cans of spray paint from Walmart. If you had more time, acrylic paint would be cheaper, as my spray paint cost $13 alone. My cost for the project could have been cut in half if I used acrylic from the Dollar Tree (they have extra large bottles for $1.25). I just didn’t have time to do a few coats of acrylic.

The backdrop was made from four sheets of poster board from the Dollar Tree ($2), and one roll of Dollar Tree wrapping paper ($1.25). 

My splurge. The larger scalloped plate is from American Girl and when we were at the store I couldn’t resist. That alone brought up my total by almost $10. Ha
She turned NINE and wanted a doll party. And hones She turned NINE and wanted a doll party. And honestly? I loved every second of it.

Because I know that at this age, some girls are already asking for Sephora trips and makeup tutorials, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. But there is something so special about a little girl who still wants to play with dolls, have a themed birthday party, and lean into the magic of being a kid. 

I know I can’t keep her little forever, but I can stop rushing her into growing up. There’s no prize for growing up the fastest. The world will ask her to be older, cooler, and more mature soon enough. So if she still wants the dolls, the dress-up, the silly games, and the magic of childhood, I’m going to let her.

Because one day, I know I’ll miss these days more than I can imagine. And if I can give her a few more years of being little, I’m going to cherish every single one. 

Let them be little. There’s plenty of time to grow up. 

#americangirl #americangirldoll #diyparty #americangirlparty
Save for later. PS: This is my husbands rendition Save for later.

PS: This is my husbands rendition of a “Sexy Willy Wonka.” You know, because being Aladdin, Flynn Ryder, Prince Charming…he couldn’t just be a regular guy for one year. 🤣🤣
Don’t spend today wishing for tomorrow. Find five Don’t spend today wishing for tomorrow. Find five things every night that you’re thankful for, and BE thankful for them. So much of our lives are spent waiting for the next best thing when in reality, it’s sitting right in front of us.
If there’s anything I’ve learned in this life, it’ If there’s anything I’ve learned in this life, it’s to SLOW DOWN.

So much of life is spent going, going, going. Waiting for the next stage. Telling ourselves, “Once we get through this, things will be easier.” Once the kids are older. Once life settles down. Once we have more time. But what if we’re missing the whole point? Because the moments we’re so eager to get through ARE the moments.

Today is the important stuff. The ordinary days. The messy days. The little conversations, the giggles, the routines, the chaos, the moments that don’t feel significant while we’re living them. We spend so much time wishing for the next chapter that we forget we’re already living one we’ll someday wish we could go back to.

So slow down.

Be here.
Pay attention.
Let the moment take as long as it needs to.

Because someday, these will be the days we miss.

**And if you know us personally, you know why I had to jump on this social media trend**
This is your permission slip to let the crafts be This is your permission slip to let the crafts be messy. 

They don’t need to match your house. They don’t need to be Pinterest-worthy. They don’t need to be made with a neutral color palette and a Cricut. They just need to be theirs.

Because someday I’m probably going to miss the paper scraps, the glue everywhere, the questionable color combinations, and the little masterpieces I had no idea what to do with. Let them make the ugly craft. Let them make a mess. Let them create something that looks nothing like what you had in mind.

Childhood doesn’t have to be aesthetically pleasing to be beautiful.
When you stop to think about the fact that one day When you stop to think about the fact that one day all of her toys will be someone else’s toys, she’ll be heading off to college, and all I’ll be left with are these videos…
This is NOT a post to bash moms that are happy the This is NOT a post to bash moms that are happy their kids are going back to school. My neighbors and I commiserate all summer long about how long the days are, how frustrating the kids can be, how much they’re fighting, etc. 

But my days are always like that, and even though it’s exhausting and overwhelming at times, I wouldn’t trade it for the world. Even if I only have ONE moment like this a day, it’s one moment a day I could miss out on if they were in a traditional school. 

So here’s to whatever choice you are making in regards to your kids education. What’s best for YOU is most important. And what’s best for us is this.
Follow on Instagram

 

Whatcha Looking For?

Recent Posts

  • Baby on Board Baby Shower
  • Dalmatian Party
  • 14 Things I Love About You
  • Purple Minnie Mouse
  • Surfing Into 6

Categories

  • Birthday's
  • DIY
  • Holidays!
  • Home Decor
  • Lifestyle
  • Parenting
  • Party Planning
  • Products I Love
  • Travel
  • Uncategorized
  • Wedding
2026 StayingHomeSawyer. All Rights Reserved. Design by SkyandStars.co
Back Top

Copyright © 2026 · YOON Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

Loading Comments...
%d