Birthday Party Time

We had Presley's birthday party Saturday night.

 

I had planned an outdoor water and ice cream party. Unfortunately it rained and rained and rained 3 days before the party and I had to move it indoors.

 

It wasn't raining during the party, so we were allowed to eat outside and do a few water activities. I was a little disappointed but the party had to go on.

 

I bought Presley this bathing suit and had it monogrammed for the party.  I love love LOVE it! We are going on a big family vacay in September and this will definitely get more use there. 

Presley's smash cake above and the birthday cake below.

 

I took a few pictures before the party started with my phone and then didn't take a single picture during the party. You get the idea at least.

 

We served make your own taco salad, cake, and homemade ice cream with a topping bar. We have a frozen yogurt place here called Sweet Cece's. So I did a little spin on that naming our topping bar Sweet Presley's.

I also used some poofs made of tulle I made for a baby shower and added cardstock to make them look like ice cream cones. I was so happy with the way it came together. The picture doesn't really do it justice.  

 

I found the chevron burlap ribbon at Hobby Lobby for 50 % off and it really added a sweet touch to the décor.

 

I put jelly beans in little mason jars to give out as party favors to the kids.

  My sister made this fabric banner for a baby shower a while back and we reused it as décor in the living room. I moved all the furniture against the wall to have a more open area for the party since it was so wet outside.

Several people were able to eat on the deck because it wasn't raining at the time. I am so thankful. Our little house doesn't hold a lot of people well. The kids found the water table and took full advantage of it. Many of them were soaked.

Caleb and I went ahead and filled up the water balloons because we didn't think it would be raining. The kids all loved the water balloons. I was so happy we were able to do them at least.

 

 Presley is an eater! She eyed that cake and jumped right in. She had icing everywhere. I had to take it away from her or she might still be eating on that cake. Ha!

 

It turned out to be a fun, sweet party with friends and family. It wasn't exactly what I planned, but it was great nonetheless.

 

A special thank you to everyone who helped celebrate and love our girl as we start a new year with her!

Presley's Birthday Day.

Caleb took off work on Tuesday for Presley's birthday.

 

We had thought about taking her somewhere fun and exciting, but decided to just have a family day.

 

I made everyone custom waffles to kick start her special day.

 

Presley took a nap while Caleb and I worked around the house a little.

 

We all loaded up and headed out for a late lunch at Old Chicago. Presley really enjoyed the birthday pizza. Girl is an eater!!!

 

We took a little trip over to Toys R Us to get Presley a water table. She had no idea what was going on, but Brady was very excited. We explained to him that it was Presley's birthday so she gets something and he isn't going to get anything. He did wonderful with this news. As tempting as it was to go ahead and let him pick something small because he never threw a fit, I decided against it. I want them each to learn that you don't always get what everyone else gets and to be happy when others get something. It is a hard life lesson that I would prefer they learn now instead of the hard way later on. They may still have to learn it the hard way, but at least they might have sweet little loving hearts.
 

 

 

We also ran by stride-rite to measure Presley and pick out some walking shoes.

 

We made a quick stop by the local bakery and picked up a sweet little birthday cake.

 

We came home and everyone took a short nap, not really planned.

 

 

We went out and put the water table together and let the kids play with it for a while.

 

 

 

 

We decided to have cake for supper since we weren't really hungry after our late, big lunch. She isn't really shy about jumping into her cake.

While we were eating, Caleb's parents called to sing Happy Birthday to her. She danced and ate her cake while they sang. Silly girl!

 

 

 

It was an easy, low key day, but it was absolutely perfect.

 



12 Months

Life has been a little bit of a whirlwind around here the past few weeks. A good whirlwind, but a little crazy to say the least. We are busy enjoying a great summer. The kids are at such fun stages right now. Hopefully, there is more to come on our crazy happenings.

But first we have had a BIG birthday in our house!

 

Presley is 12 months old!!!

 

As of  last Tuesday, we no longer have a baby in the house. We have a toddler.

 

It is one of those crazy things were the last year has gone super fast, but it is so hard to remember life without Presley.

Not only have we welcomed a new member to our family, but Brady has gone from the only child and having all the attention to a big brother. He has welcomed his new role wonderfully. I am so proud of him and how well he has handled this past year. He is a special little boy and I am so thankful to be his mommy. I am also so thankful Presley has him as a brother. They have a sweet little relationship. He is so loving and nurturing, most of the time anyway.

 

This will be the last monthly post and we used our last monthly sticker. It is a bittersweet. I am so happy she is growing, thriving, and here to celebrate her first birthday, but it is a little sad we are leaving behind baby, baby land and moving more toward toddler land.

 

At 12 months Presley is...

 

 

• eating table foods, ALL. THE. TIME. She has the biggest appetite and eats constantly.
• not drinking whole milk. I have offered her whole milk for about 4 weeks and she will not drink it. I have bought different brands, added chocolate syrup, switched up the cup, and tried Organic milk. She isn't having it. I even tried a little almond milk, but Caleb ended up drinking it because she spit it out. She drinks water! She will drink juice, if I give it to her. She eats cheese and yogurt, so I am not too concerned. We will keep offering it and see what happens.
• not walking. She is still pulling up and cruising. She can stand alone. She is just so scared to take that first step. She has taken some pretty good falls, so I get it. She will take off when she is ready. I would be more concerned if she wasn't pulling up and cruising, but she is. For now we are enjoying not having to chase her everywhere.
• in size 3 diapers.
• in size 12 or 12-18(although they are a little big) months clothing. We have a few 9 month things still hanging around.
• a mommy's girl through and through.
• singing, dancing, shaking her head yes and no, mimicking motions and sounds, patty cake, blowing kisses, and much more.
• has just started throwing a few tantrums. Not too bad yet, but I am not looking forward to that part of being one.
• has four teeth and two poking through the gums in the back.
• saying Mama, dada, bubba, no, baby, and a few other things occasionally.
• loving her brother. He is pretty crazy about her too, unless she is stealing his toy or breaking something of his.





She is a crazy, silly, strong willed, fun, sweet, girlie girl.

We look forward to many more years of life and birthdays with this sweet one.

I love this little girl so very much. She is for sure a Momma's girl. She is such a mess and silly and crazy and fun. She has bonded our family in ways I didn't know possible. 

 

Happy Happy first year baby girl!

4 years!!!

Brady turned 4 years old today!!!!

On one hand I can't believe I have a 4 year old and on the other it feels like he has been around for much longer than 4 years. I have a hard time remembering life with out him!

We celebrated with family last night. Brady choose a hibachi restaurant.

 

 

We came back to the house for Spidey cupcakes and presents.

Brady and Noah were so cute and excited at dinner. Brady looked at Caleb and gave him a huge hug right in the middle of it.

It is so hard to imagine my little Christmas baby is not a big, talking, funny, sweet boy.

We love him more than we could have ever imagined and can't wait to see what joys the next year holds!!!!

Happy Birthday sweet boy!!!!

2008

Birthday Shopping Spree

Brady is just a few weeks away from his 4th birthday.  Caaraazy!!!   My mom had suggested to my grandmother she take Brady to pick out his birthday gift instead of buying and gifting him something. Everyone agreed this was a great idea for a few reasons. Brady's birthday's is hard being so close to Christmas, he needs nothing, they would both have a ball, and this gives them some time together, being just a few reasons.

 

She and my uncle Mike came and picked Brady up this morning. They headed to Toys-R-Us and to eat at Brady's choice, Toots. (It is a local sports bar/restaurant that serves fried foods and burgers. It is loud, fun, and kids get free hotdogs! He always chooses this place!)
 

Here he is with all his shopping spree loot!

 

He pulled it all out of the bag and said, "And that is all I picked out!" Ha Ha! I think that is plenty little buddy!

 

 

And this is what he picked out for Presley!

 

So fun! I am so thankful he got to have such a fun day with one of his Great Grandma's. So special!!!

Play Date, Birthday, and Football

 We had a play date Friday morning. Stephanie had us all over, she is 39 weeks pregnant!!!! I think she was hoping it would encourage baby Claire to make her debut, but it didn't. The kids had a great time and we had some yummy lunch.

Saturday afternoon I was invited to 2 baby showers and 1 Birthday party. They were all at 2-4 pm. I didn't make it to the baby showers because the birthday party was for our niece Carleigh.

 

Brady, Presley, and I made the short trip to the party. Brady got to swim a little, we ate snacks and cake, Brady played games with the big boys, and we all watched Carleigh open her gifts. She is so cute and funny!!!

They had these petit fors last year at her party and they were so good. I was so hoping they would have them again and they did!!! I have waited all year for these. I may have taken one home with me. ;)

Carleigh loved all the attention. Last year she cried! Ha Ha! It is funny how much can change in a year.

We all came home to watch the UT/Florida game with daddy. I made some finger foods and we spent the night in cheering on the Vols! Unfortunately we lost, but it was still a good family night in.