Sunday, December 16, 2012

Birthday Success

My little man had his very first on location Birthday party yesterday. We always had our celebrations at home because we didn't think he was that interested in the party and friends yet. This year we knew he was ready and we let him choose where he wanted to celebrate his big day. Our big boy chose Jungle Java and we invited all of his friends.

The party was amazing and N had the best time! He didn't even want to stop playing to take a bathroom break. He loved seeing his school friends and enjoyed every second of playtime. I was so impressed with Jungle Java and their service and staff. I literally didn't have to do one thing because their great staff decorated, served yummy food and ordered a perfect cake. I loved seeing my baby (and his little brother) so happy and having so much fun.


With this party falling the day after the horrific Connecticut shootings, we spent even more energy basking in our amazing children and family. There is nothing better than celebrating an amazing boy with all of our favorite friends and family. A truly wonderful day!


Great Decor
 
Happy boy
 
Lunch time. Even for picky eaters!
 
Adorable cake
 
Cute cousin Roxy
 
Baby Brother's B-ball game
 
 
 
 

Thursday, December 13, 2012

New Year Wishes

I like to be prepared and I often get things ready a little early. I loved these two things I saw on pinterest so I gave them my own little spin and then made them for the 12 adults on my side of the immediate family and 2 of my friends.. so far ;).


I am big into making wishes and encouraging others to do so. I believe anything can be yours and the more you put into clear words/pictures, what you want, the more likely and quickly it is to happen. SO to start out the New Year this year, this is what I gave to my people.

A few different designs but one mission
 
 
These are the instructions
 
Inside the jar is paper, a color coordinated marker and one bag of wishes
that can be carried over each year. Love, Health, Wealth, Serenity, Dreams and Happiness.
 
On the side I added this second little trinket
Rainbow candy with mini pots of gold
This part I got from a St. Patty's Idea on Pinterest
 
This part I added and spun it into my little New Year's theme
 
The New Year is almost here. Make sure your thoughts are positive, your hopes are high and your dreams are
huge!!
 
Enjoy the end of the year and ring in the new year right!
xoxo
 
 
 
 


Saturday, December 1, 2012

A Little Late To Post, But Still Thankful

It has been busy around here as I have some exciting new things on the fire that will hopefully help my little business move to the next level, but I did want to post some fun pics from Thanksgiving.

We had 25+ of our favorite friends and family over and everyone brought a yummy dish. I tested out a few new recipes including, Blueberry Cheesecake Bars, Oreo Cheesecake Bars and Grandma's Marshmallow Candy. Dinner was perfect, dessert was yummy and the company was the best!

Thanksful as always to be surrounded by amazing people all year long.

Set allll the tables
 
Gone are the days of fine china. It's resting comfortably in the cupboard
Everyone got a goody bag with a See's turkey sucker, jelly beans and a little note telling them
how thankful we all are to have them in our lives!
 
Delicous first attempt
Quite yummy too
The people that fill these chairs alternate from time to time but every single day
these chairs are filled! We are so lucky to have playdates with our favorite people
all the time!
Lucky and Thankful!
 
 

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Our First Family Vacation

We recently took a family trip to Florida with not only our little family but most of my extended family as well. We have even more family in Florida so it was definiately a trip to remember! I had a little less fun than my kids because I pack worry along in my suitcase but luckily my boys don't and they had a blast!

Our first airplane ride was way more smooth and successful than I had even hoped for. My boys stayed busy for the most part and everything went great.

 
 
Picky baby #2 even tried some new cookies
 

We didn't have time this round to go to Disney World but we went to Sesame Street at Busch Gardens and for my kids it was even better than Disney...for now

We went on rides, played on a huge trampoline and got to meet some of our favorite Sesame characters.



 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 
 
It was very windy and cold but we are tough so we went to the beach and had a blast!
 
 
 
 
 
We had fun with family and friends and loved staying in a hotel.
 
 
We loved playing with our new cousin (niece) who lives in Florida
 
 
and playing leap frog with other cousins.
They all look like brothers when they are standing together!
 
We loved all the new experiences but we actually went to Florida for a wedding and a beautiful, amazing, perfect wedding it was!
 
Flower Droppers
 
Back View
 
 
Windy, cold weather can't spoil true happiness!
 
Dancing the night away
 
And dancin..
 
Travel is great, family is great and home is the best!
We had a great time and we went away for a wonderful event
 but we were thrilled to get home to our routine and comfy house.
 
 
 
 

 
 
 



Friday, September 21, 2012

A Change Would Do You Good

A change would do you good, I think a change would do you good.

Sheryl Crow~

I have never been great with change. I get through it and I do what is required but I worry along the way. My kids have always surprised me because they both are great about rolling along with new routines and schedules. Even though I know that they are happy to try new things I have been extra pleasantly surprised by each of them this week.

My older son started Kindergarten recently and everyone on his "team" except one therapist, is new to him. He doesn't know them and they don't know him or his likes and dislikes. I was very nervous about the new school even though I had heard all about how great his teacher was going to be and had met her a few times. I was nervous about how he would do with a full day how he would handle ALL those kids in that BIG school and if they would really see how smart and special he truly is.

Here we are in week 3 of school and not only are they all adjusting to each other, but my son is thriving in many areas. Sure there are little hiccups here and there but he has tried two new food items while in his classroom and his teacher has already made the decision to send my little man to an additional circle time with the typical students. This happens to be a dream come true for me because I really get to see how much they believe in the "least restrictive environment" policy and how closely they are watching him and working with him. They know how bright he is and the fact that he is already getting his time increased in the big classroom is such a wonderful gift.

My fears about change and new routine turned out to be a waste of energy! My son is happy everyday and he is moving right along. Lesson 1, stop worrying!

The next exciting accomplishment this week was achieved by my younger son. While my mom is happy to cut their hair, my boys are way too hard for her to do. I have been taking them to children's haircut place at the mall for a couple years because they can buzz a moving target and they don't stop for kisses when the kids are crying or screaming. Haircut day is pretty intense in this family and I often consider taking up drinking after we leave the mall.

The place we had been going to, recently closed and some of the girls who worked there plan to open a new place right near our house so we have been waiting for that to happen. I did go to the new store that opened at the mall but I just wasn't comfortable there so have been really dreading any hair growth. I snipped T's bangs and did a little clean up the other day our of desperation but this actually did not help the situation at all. I finally decided last night that I simply could not wait around anymore for the new place to open so we had to take action.

I went to a walk in place in my area and before we walked in I talked to T about being good. While we were walking to the chair, I explained our history to the new hairdresser and she didn't even flinch! The next thing I knew I had a smiley kid watching himself in the mirror and a few minutes later his hair looked great! Well aside from the minor hacking that I had done but it will grow ;). I could not be happier and only wish I had overcome my nerves and taken him sooner.

Our next challenge will be to take big brother there when his hair grows out but our new friend said that she is up for it and not at all worried. He is at least as tough as his little brother but I won't worry about it anymore because lesson 2 is... stop worrying!

A change really can do you good!



Monday, September 17, 2012

A Labor of Love

I actually was pretty happy with the fact that I have never been on a ferris wheel. I am somewhat uncomfortable with heights and I get dizzy on roller coasters so I have never been remotely interested in taking a ride. We took the kids to the Ferndale Street Fair because I had read somewhere that they were offering pony rides and thought that would be a fun outing for my boys. It ended up being a grooming stall only so the kids didn't really get to do much besides have a little ice cream. As we were leaving, we passed by the ferris wheel which I knew my son had seen when we first arrived. I had felt bad during that first moment that it wasn't a fair with actual rides and games.

I tried to pass by and head to the car but he pulled me back and insisted that we get in line. My husband doesn't like rides either and I knew there was no way out of this one. I got in line and luckily the woman behind me gave me pointers on what not to do while on the ride after she said "can you believe the things we do for our kids?" Her son has special needs too so that was the fun part about being in line but once it was our turn to get on the ride, I was very nervous.

I think we went around 12 or 14 times and I just kept counting down until it was all over but my little man loved it and that's all that matters! I made it through and will make a note to bring someone who likes rides along with us the next time we go out on the town.




Tuesday, August 28, 2012

So Long Summer

It was a great summer with all 3 of my boys and now that it is coming to an end I want to highlight some of the moments. My youngest is starting his last year of preschool tomorrow and my oldest starts Elementary school next week. For the first time in a while I will have a few hours to myself each week so for now I am enjoying every kid filled moment that I can. We had a blast this summer and made a whole bunch of long lasting memories!



Ice Cream/Candy store with cousins!





Bounce House and Slip and Slide! (big brother is peeking out on the swing behind and cousins are outside of this shot) Family Fun!



Sometimes we bring books and toys down the waterslide with us. We like to be original ;)

 

Playing dress up while we shop



Silly brother time



Brothers got matching flip flops of their own so they can stop wearing mommy's!



Had a blast at the Birthday party



Taught Gram to play the ipad

 

Helped Papa drive the boat

 

Yummy Spongebob Ice Cream at the pool

  

  

  



We had a blast at the splash park!

Summer fun for everyone. Now it's time for school :)