Three.

This little cutie-pie turned three today. 

He ran circles around the kitchen singing "Happy Birthday to you!" at the top of his lungs.  He had whip cream on his cake.  He blew out candles and opened way too many presents.  He finally understood that he was three by the end of the night.  He talked on the phone to Auntie Debbie telling her that it was his birthday and he was opening presents.  Only Dad was allowed to help him open presents. 

He played with all his new toys.  He got diggers and firetrucks, tools, crayons and coloring books, playdough and paint, firetruck undies and new clothes, a DVD about diggers and fireengines and a big dump truck too.  Phew. 

He blew out three candles on his melted cream snowman cake.  (Mental note, don't put cream on until right before.)  Three candles flickered back on.  So he blew even harder making some great puffer lips that made Mom laugh.  We all laughed.  We all love him so. 

Mia decided to drive a truck on her hair and got it stuck.  Jake played with all of Sam's new toys.  So did Mia.  And um, so did Mom.  :)

It's hard to believe three years have already passed when the fresh memory of the craziness I felt to have him born.  Each day passing creaping closer to Christmas brought on new emotions and breakdowns and one fat baby that was determined to stay put.  He wasn't interested in joining a crazy lady.  :)  A whole week passed and finally he was born.  He came quickly.  It was painful.  Grandma Sharon was invited to witness his birth along with Grandma Desse.  He was worth it.

Already three years old and happy and content.  Loves to be with Dad and plays late at night in Mia's room when they should be sleeping.  He loves gum and classifies it as either spicy (mint) or by it's color (purple gum).  He'll eat a whole pack in a day and leave chewed bits in places that I don't want to find them but it makes me laugh because it's Sammy.  My Samalicous who calls himself "Sam'l ".  Who requests that we drive past the firehouse everytime we go somewhere.  (Good thing we live close.)  Who hid under the table when Stephanie's family sung to him this week and snuck pieces of steak of the other children's plates when they were not looking.  Who was throughly thrilled that it was his birthday.  If we all could all be so happy. 

Happy Birthday my little man!  I refuse to believe that you are growing up and will be a Sunbeam in just a few short weeks.  That you'll be big enough for Preschool next Fall.  That you were brave enough to sit on Santa's lap and tell him that you wanted a garbage truck for Christmas.  That the dimples on your hands and wrists will soon be gone.  We love you with all of our hearts!

xoxo,

Mama

Garden Party - Part II - The Finale

On to presents! Look at all that pink goodness. Do they know Mia or what?? She got three jump ropes, two princess golfing sets, outdoor chalk, crafty kits, My Little Pony sets and more. They thought it was hilarious that she got as many jump ropes and golfing sets as she did.

This little cutie (seen laughing in the background) punched out dots in purple and pink and decorated her package and card just for her. I say that the apple doesn't fall far from the tree! She takes after her Mama Jodi!

I laugh everytime I see this photo. The visable pain those two girls are feeling after they see that Mia got Hannah Montana bracelet set. Oh man, Hannnnnnah Monnnchaannna!

Then off to play in our big tree. The tree that provides countless hours of entertainment to my little girl. I think that these girls could of played in the tree the whole time. My only regret from the party was not getting the big pom-poms made. After staying up late working on the flowers (that we didn't end up using) and then having the Kindergarten program that morning, I was out of time. How great would this photo be with the pink pom-poms hanging on the tree??

Gift bags of bubbles, lipglosses, rings and candies were handed out. A big group hug for the birthday girl and the garden party quickly had come to an end.
Super successful and simple yet I could not of done it all in time without the help of my long distance party planner sister Sharmyn, my wonderful Mom and my fabulous friend Kem. Thank you so much for your help!!

(If you missed part one, you can find it here.)

Mia's Garden Party - Part 1

I recently got the pictures back from Mia's birthday party. My cute friend Kem was my personal photographer for the day. It was the perfect day for a garden party. There are soooo many pictures that I want to share so the garden party will be featured in two installments.

Part One:

The weather was warm and the yard was green. We set up a few tables on my favorite rock patio and covered them with vintage floral sheets. A few small vases with a sprig of flowers made a simple and sweet centerpiece.

Our party was right after the Kindergarten program, so lunch was a must. Pink lemonade, puff-pastry ham and swiss sandwiches (yum!), mini fruit kabobs, mac n' cheese and of course the mini Fresh Strawberry Cupcakes. I make a mean homemade mac n' cheese but I wanted to make sure the girls would eat it so boxed it was. Lunch was a hit!

After lunch, we went inside to make big flower clippies and makeovers. It was fun to watch the girls put together their flowers. . As each one was finished, they brought them to me to glue a clip on and put in their hair. They couldn't believe how beautiful they were.









This little cuties' flower was my favorite. It was so stuffed full of petals and beautiful and lush. I see flower clippy master maker potential in her.

And this little cutie felt that her make over was just not complete until she added a little something herself.

This little cutie is my beautiful baby girl adoring baby Milo.

And this little cutie, well he is just cute even with a flower clippy.

To be continued...

Mia's Birthday

It was an eventful day for my little girl 6th birthday. First off, Ryan, Sam and I went to her school to visit for the last 20 minutes and share a poster of her favorite things. It was fun to see her in her class and I really want to watch her more to see how she interacts.

After school, we were happy to be watching Mia's friend Lauren so we all went out to McD's for a Happy Meal and some playtime on the playground.

Off to dance class. Parents were invited the last 15 minutes of class time to see what they have been working on. My oh my, does my daughter have a bit of sass to her step. Lauren loved watching them and she declared Mia the prettiest and bestest dancer of them all. How cute is she?

Somehow, I let birthday shopping get lost in the shuffle. Could it be back-to-back boutiques? Maybe. So, after running the girls back home, I had exactly one hour and fifteen minutes to find her presents. All Mia's heart desired was wedding stuff. "Wedding dress, wedding shoes, wedding jewelry, wedding thingy you put on your head and wedding make-up." Wedding dress-ups were no where to be found.

I felt like I was on Super Market Sweep running through the stores not finding my little girls dreams. Searched three stores with nothing but a pair of fancy dress up shoes. With only 20 minutes left, I dashed off to Walmart knowing that they had a wedding section. I scored a diamond tiara, a wedding veil and a bouquet of flowers. Then I checked the fabric department and they had the perfect wedding dress!! Already smocked silky white fabric with a lacy overlay. We measured the kid waiting in line to get a guesstimate for Mia (way off by the way - he was solid!) grabbed a spool of satin ribbon and ran home just in time to teach a flute lesson.

The fabric couldn't of worked out any sweeter. One french seam and the addition of satin ribbon straps, the dress was finished before dinner finished cooking. Quickly wrapped the flowers with the rest of the ribbon, I wrapped up her dream wedding for around twenty bucks. Yes folks, I feel like a superstar! Please all give me a virtual pat on the back for making my daughter a dress for her birthday in between making dinner. Never mind the simplicity of it all. It was still satin and lacy and everything nice. :) And she loves it. And to top off the wedding cake, Gram and Gramps gave her a real, very fancy crystal necklace. Her dreams were granted. Yay and phew! I am so relieved and thankful it did.

Birthday cake ended the night as she was encouraged to thank all that came and gave. She was a very happy girl and that makes all the stress of running around worth it.

Happy Birthday my little sassy Milly! I love you so much and next year, I promise that I will be prepared for your big day. xoxo- Mama

Happy Birthday Kaylin!!

And a quick Happy Birthday shout out to my favorite hair dresser, niece extraordinaire, cutest little pregnant girl you have ever seen. Love you lots!

And why do I not have a picture of you?? I might have to steal on off your blog. :)

Happy Birthday Teryn!!

Happy Birthday to my favorite designing sister of mine! You are so much fun to be with and so much help and support to me. Your warmth and love radiates from you. I love your tender heart and genuine concern. Thank you for being such a great example to me and for being a fabulous sister!

Tonight, she had a the best surprise birthday party. Her husband had it all worked out and had Teryn completely surprised. They were on their way to dinner in Salt Lake when a worried "neighbor" called to tell them that the water was flooding basements in the neighborhood and that they better get back and check their basement fast. Teryn was so panicked about her basement that she didn't even notice us sitting in the dark. She was standing arms length out from Dan looking at the carpet. Finally, Dan said "Boo!" and it scared her right down to her knees. It was great!! We all laughed so hard we cried.

We enjoyed a catered dinner and cupcakes, a birthday game that Cort made for Teryn and lots of laughter. It was wonderful!!

So Happy 50th Birthday to my sweet sister Teryn! You don't look 50 and I say that 50 is the new 40.

Lots of hugs and kisses! Meg