The 1st birthday party

I will admit it. My poor daughter was victim to second child syndrome. I totally dropped the ball on her party. Austin? His was planned with little details months before his actual party. I threw Mackenzie's together in about a month and a half.

 

I thought of themes. I think owls are super cute, but "look Whoo's Two" is a much cuter theme then just an owl 1st birthday. Then I thought pink cowgirl. Then, I tried to book somewhere for the party. (we do not have the space we had when Austin turned 1) Of course being a slight procrastinator left me with few options.  Finally, we booked a party at Crock A Doodle. I knew Mackenzie wouldn't care what we did for her party. However, a lot of our friends all have kids about Austin's age. I wanted to do something that they wouldn't get bored. Crock A Doodle it was. Basically a pottery painting place.

 

Ta-Da! Artist theme party!!!!  I went to order a cake.... and there was nothing cute for an artisty theme. I found a cute sesame street cake in their book that had polka dots all over it. I requested the polka dots in pinks and purples.  Of course then I thought, hmmm, Austin had a 1st birthday that was Elmo, and we had a bunch of supplies left over. (the plastic plates I bought for the party? We still use them today. 3 years later) I went to the party store and bought a happy 1st birthday Sesame Street candle, some Sesame Street decorations that I knew we didn't have for Austin's birthday, and let Austin pick out random party favours to give away.

 

Let's just say, it's a good thing I bought some Sesame Street stuff. Because when I went to the box of party supplies, there was a vapourizer in there instead. And the left over supplies from Austin's 3rd birthday when I just lifted the flap of the box high up on the closet shelf and dropped them in what I thought was our left over party supply box. Imagine my surprise, when I found all that 1st birthday stuff I already had was gone.  The party still went on with a hybrid Artist/Sesame Street theme.

 

So, to keep with the Artist theme, I got out my sewing machine and got crafty. I picked up 3 different colour of star fabric and made all the party goers an apron for crafting and cooking!

 

 

 

So, the goodie bags consisted of: Sand Bucket to hold everything, 2 Sesame Street crazy straws, a Sesame Street blower, a container of bubbles, Colouring page roll, mini pencil crayons, clackers, a mini skateboard, magnifying glass, and a mini set of paint.

 

The Aprons were put at each kids seat as they came in.

The kids? They loved the painting! Even the birthday girl got in on it!

 

 

 

She had so much fun rubbing the paint all over her face.

 

And getting her handprints done!

 

 

And then? It was time for cake!

 

 

 

 

 

 

And I'm pretty sure she enjoyed her cake a lot.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And finally, my 2 adorable kids.

 

(And it bugs me that even though the bows on her shirt and her shoes were the same color, the picture looks like the bows are orange and the shoes are pink)

 

And this picture? Just makes my heart melt. She loves her big brother so much.

 

The day my heart went mush.

Tonight let it be noted that it's the day my heart went mush.

I was reminded just how awesome my husband is. With him being gone so much for work I truly worry about Austin having great "daddy and me" memories. The day started out with cleaning out the new baby's room. We emptied the closet and came across 2 sleeping bags. We put them in the kitchen to go out to the garage. Hours later Austin drags the sleeping bag into the living room and asks daddy if they can go camping. Now, it being January and rather cold out, Daddy said no, we're not going to go camping. I thought about it for a while and about an hour later I went into the living room and suggested to Dave that maybe the boys should "camp" in the living room tonight. He tells me he's already ahead of me. They were going to sleep in the sleeping bags in the living room. (and this is when I'm kicking myself for not going to get the kids tent when it was on sale before Christmas for $25, because sleeping in the tent in the living room would have been even more awesome.)

Tonight the next door neighbor and I went to bingo. I had fun. I got home just after 9:30. There in my living room was daddy and Austin laying on an air mattress in their sleeping bags. As soon as I walked in the door Austin said "mommy's home!" then despite cars 2 being on, he rolled over and went to sleep. Dave figured he was just waiting for me to get home before falling asleep. Very shortly after I got to snap this picture:


When I first got home I excitedly asked Austin if he was camping with daddy tonight and I could tell he was happy that him and daddy got to camp out. Like I said I worry about him having memories of his dad because he isn't around all the time. I know my son and I can guarantee he will be talking about this night for weeks if not months. Yes, the bed would have been comfier and easier, but it melted my heart that my husband knew this would be the type of thing that would make a great memory and gave up sleeping in a bed for a night to make a great night for his son. (especially since we've both sworn off sharing a bed with austin. He is a tosser and wiggler in his sleep) Melts my heart so much.

As I was getting ready for bed I came across this. Seriously my husband and son are so alike in a million ways, but this just cracked me up!

No explanation necessary

Another Weekend

Where did this past week go? It's like poof, it's gone! I wanted to get Austin's hair done this week but alas didn't get it done.

I'm writing this post while in the car on the way to Dave's grandparents. We've packed a lunch and goodies and we're going to visit and catch up. I'm not sure if I got a chance to go visit after Brian and Korrinne's wedding, but it's been quite a few months since we've seen them.

They are always so fun to visit. There is only one way to greet Grandma, and that is a hug. Doesn't matter how long she's know you. She's a great complimenter and always makes you feel great. And grandpa, well he just has such a contagious smile and makes you feel like you've just made his day. Of course there are hugs from him too. He is the cutest old man I think I have ever seen. (Think a skinny version of the man in UP!) They truly are a blessed couple and you can see the love for each other after all these years.

They make you so comfortable as you walk in the door. I remember almost 6 years ago now going to meet them for the first time. I was so nervous and worried they wouldn't like me. I was worried that they would decide I wasn't good enough for their grandson and conversation would be awkward. I walked in the door and was greeted by smiles and hugs and immediately felt comfortable. Conversation was easy and I left their house that weekend in love with them.

So today is going to be a great day of visiting grandma and grandpa (or Nana and Opa to Austin) and catching up. We are almost there and I can't wait!


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Hold onto this time

Some days, I think I am going crazy. That if I hear one more whine or cry my head might actually explode. If another variation of the word no escapes austin's lips I might have to lock myself in the bathroom and bang my head off the wall.

But I also know that before I know it this time will be gone. He is only 2 years, 5 months, 2 weeks, and 4 days old once. Tomorrow will be a different number and within what will seem like only a few months from now he will be 3 years old.

I'm trying my hardest to live every day to the best. There are hard days for sure. Like today. A very hard day. But despite being hard I still try to remind myself to take all of him in. See the silly things. Like trying to sneak and tip toe down the hall when he should be sleeping. Especially when I am looking at him and he's still trying to sneak. Or when he stops, says ready? Go! Then continues running.

I love the way he is so curious about life and want to know "what that mommy?" Or "where did ___ go?" And when he's excited he will say 'look look!" And point out all the things that us as adults don't bother stopping to appreciate.

I look at my niece and nephew while I'm here at my mom's or I look back at videos and pictures of austin and I'm reminded that he's only this age once, every day he gets older and I need to cherish those days. I am going to try my hardest to live each day to it's best. Try to remember the cute when I'm losing patience. Try to tell myself that life is short, do all that I can now. And no matter what I will always love my family.