Gearing Up For A Celebration, Monsters and Robots Style

 In only a few days the Little Mister will be ELEVEN months old! I can not believe the time has gone by so quickly. He's still as mellow as ever (thank goodness) and gaining new skills daily. Eleven months old means we are thinking about a first birthday party! I love first birthdays, we've always done those bigger than the other birthdays. They are just such a milestone, seeing a baby grow from this adorable, little blob of do-nothing to a baby who can move about the world, has opinions about stuff, can do things by themselves, communicate. And we survived it so we should get to celebrate!

I've decided the Little Mister's theme is going to be monsters and robots. I ordered this adorable hat from Fashion Touch on Etsy for his first birthday pictures. He thought it was so funny, not sure we'll get him to keep it on his head for long, taking this picture was a bit of a chore. I'm getting all excited with plans of things to make, decorations and scrappy craft projects then I wonder how I'll even get the house clean for a party, we're a zoo these days!

Dear Mr. Golden Curls,

I can't believe it was 7 years ago today that you were born, how can it be?! 7 years is one year longer than your pappa and I dated before getting hitched. 7 years is longer than I have ever lived in one house or one town. 7 years of motherhood is worlds longer than any other job I've ever had. And yet every single day you amaze me bitty kid. Amaze me with your curiosity, creative spirit, and your humor. Every day a tiny piece of little boy is replaced with big boy. I love you birthday boy!

Harry Potter Party! Now Say It Three Times Fast.

I have no idea why, but Spitfire decided awhile back that he wanted a Harry Potter birthday party. Being only 5 he's not a reader at all, let alone one that can read Harry Potter. He's seen at least part of a movie and plays a Lego Harry Potter game on his cousins' Wii and that's about it. But the kid wants Harry Potter for his birthday, he gets Harry Potter for his birthday!

I was shocked when my mom and I couldn't find any Harry Potter themed party supplies but we ended up making a few cool things. I found the banners online and printed them on craft cardstock and my awesome husband hung them from crepe paper. My mom found Spitfire's Harry Potter garb and had the idea for the dry ice, which was a huge hit...with the kids and the dad's!

We gave the kids little blinking magic wands and they stirred up the "magic potion" until it was all done smoking.

This cake was painful for me to order, especially since I have a Sis' in law who is a brilliant cake decorator, but she lives 6 hours away so weird Harry Potter doing something only a fan would understand it was. Is it clear yet that I am not a fan and know nothing about Harry Potter? But the boy liked it so I was ok with it...I suppose.


Gift opening time is always total chaos! But it's a lot of fun to watch all the kids get excited. Spitfire loved everything he got and bounced off the walls into the evening playing with it all.

Spitfire is such a big kid now he got to get his own bicycle, no more tricycle. He has been so incredibly proud to turn 5. He's having trouble understanding he has to wait awhile for kindergarten and he's ready to pass down all of his things to the baby. The other morning he ran through the house yelling "Mama, mama, come look!!!!" he took me into his bathroom, "I can reach the sink without the stool! It's because I'm 5! Now the baby can use the stool to reach the sink!" I know this is only the beginning of so many milestones, proud moments, and growing up but he'll always be my baby boy!

Happy Birthday Spitfire

My baby boy turned 5 today. Well, I suppose he's about to lose his position as baby of the family but I don't think he minds that one bit. He is so incredibly excited and proud to be moving into the realm of big kid and big brother. Since his party isn't until Saturday we went this morning for breakfast at IHOP. Big brother was even able to come along since he had a snow day today...again...for the third day in a row. The boys both got pancakes with a smiley face and ate more than ever. When we were stuffed to the gills the staff came out with more yummy stuff and sang "Happy Birthday" which Spitfire just loved.

One Dino-mite Birthday

Ugh, bad dinosaur pun, bad...but we had a crazy weekend last weekend and it was so much fun! Friday night was Mr. Golden Curl's 6th birthday and we had it at the new T-Rex Mini Golf place in town. It was way cooler than I expected...I think I may have had more fun than the kids!

sand art table

Brothers tee up at the 18th hole

Grammy tries out her skills with a captive audience

Diggin' for bones at the Dino Dig

Make a wish bitty!

My husband's sweet, he let each kid pick out what part of the cake they wanted!

Legos and super heroes, doesn't get better than that for a 6 year old boy!

This is Mr. Golden Curl's "girlfriend" that he's "gonna marry some day." Except that a week before the party he informed me "We're not boyfriend and girlfriend anymore because she got a whole new life and that means she has to have a new boyfriend so now we can't get married." I told him being friends is way better anyway. How cool is she though? A pretty little girl who makes dinosaurs eat each other is cool in my book!

The course was all black lit and very dark. The kids were all pretty nervous with the animated dinosaurs and noises and I was impressed that they all made it through the entire course, though several nearly jumped out of their skin!

The boys all mini-golfed out and ready for a good nights sleep!

The next day Grammy and Grandpapa braved a day with the boys while the Bohemian and I had a fun day selling my wares at a craft show.

Happy Birthday (Not So) Lil' Spitfire

Four years ago yesterday my "baby" was born. Born into this world an angelically calm infant who grew to earn nicknames like Lil' Spitfire and Payback. Four years of equal parts pull-your-hair-out-and-scream ornery and dimpled-misty-eye-inducing sweetness. Four years old has always seemed the age to me that children fully lose their babiness, completely evacuate the realm of toddlerhood and start being little kids. Welcome to kid-dom bitty, I look forward to your next year of antics!


He wanted a party with frogs and bowling so frogs and bowling it was. Grandma and Grandpa drove the long road to partake in the festivities. *WARNING* Aunt Sarah, you will want to avert your eyes...supermarket cupcake cake coming up in 3...2...1...


This was pretty much Lil' Spitfire's expression the entire evening. The mark of a successful birthday party!

Happy "Surprise" Birthday Pappa!

A few weeks ago Lil' Spitfire and I were at the grocery store and he asked if we could bake a cake for Pappa's birthday. He has become quite vigilant over Pappa's birthday ever since we had a conversation about when his own birthday was going to happen. To get him to stop talking about what he wanted for his birthday I told him he had to be patient, we still had Pappa's birthday and Christmas and then it would be his birthday. In response to his cake query I told him "Sure, and we can pick out a cake now if you can keep it a secret." He assured me that he could and I decided if he spilled the beans it wouldn't be the end of the world, so we skipped on to the next aisle where he picked out lemon cake with cream cheese frosting. Now, Spitfire is becoming quite the little chef. If someone's cooking he's right by their side wanting to smell, touch and stir. However he has yet to grasp the details involved in keeping surprises secret and when Pappa came home he promptly asked Pappa "You know why I can't tell you about your cake? Because it's a surprise!"

Since Bill's birthday was on a Wednesday, not a great night for a party when you're an employee of the church, I decided we could celebrate Tuesday night and maybe it would even be a bit of a surprise still. That afternoon Spitfire and I got to work in the kitchen baking that cake. No sooner had we plopped it in the oven then the birthday boy arrived home...in the middle of the day...unheard of! Spitfire gasped "NO!" and we rushed around hiding our mess. When Pappa opened the door the tiny baker was there to greet him with an oh-so sly "You can not go into the kitchen!" The whole time Pappa was gathering his stuff Spitfire watched him closely and when he left and the door shut behind him Spitfire's little shoulders relaxed and he sighed "Whew, that was close!" Needless to say the surprise that evening wasn't really a surprise but it was so much fun because they boys loved it. When we heard Pappa pull up we turned off the lights, rushed into the kitchen to hide, and jumped out when he walked in. I wish I could sustain the excitement the boys have in making even small moments events and remember the details are so unimportant, it's the experience that's the good stuff.

A Time To Celebrate!

I can't believe it's been 5 whole years since I became a mamma! In so many ways it all still feels brand new. Yesterday we celebrated Mr. Golden Curls' 5th birthday in Buzz Lightyear style and it was so much fun. Apparently he enjoyed it as well since in the middle of opening gifts he paused to loudly declare "This is the best birthday I've ever had!" I love anything that makes my boys happy and brings family and friends together in my home. There were friends and family and even some of our wonderful new neighbors. I hated to see everyone go!

Our first time with a birthday classic, the pinata! We went for the pull string kind. I'm guessing The Bohemian was thankful for that since he's the one who ended up holding it for lack of a good hanging spot.



Mr. Golden Curls asked for "a big kid bike with brakes" so that is what we got him. I imagine it'll take some time before he's comfortable enough to take the training wheels off, but he seemed very proud of his new ride.

The boys with two of their cousins. We are still surrounded by construction equipment!

Lil' Spitfire wanted dressed out in brother's pads and helmet. Oh yes, and a baboon Velcroed to his back all day! Oh, but tell him it was a monkey on his back and his response: "It's not a monkey, it's my jet pack!" He has always loved dressing up and it can lead to some pretty strange outfits and accessories!

Mr. Golden Curls also asked for a pair of cowboy boots like Grandpa's and of course Grandpa was happy to oblige!

We love you baby boy!

Tootin' My Own Birthday Horn

It's my birthday. And yes I do feel a day older, like I have one foot in the grave and smell like a monkey, thanks for noticing.

I also have received the best ever birthday wish from a business. I'm used to getting "Happy Birthday, don't forget to update your kids' and/or pets shots" or "Best Wishes on your birthday, have 20% off of your next oil change." but the handwritten "personalized" birthday note shown below from my bank had me in stitches for days! (Click to enlarge)


What does that even mean? Are they trying to pick a universal compliment that is likely to fit anyone? Is it a polite nudge to not forget my ID? The funny thing is I despise the drive through window and am just anti-social enough to avoid going into the building so I always use the ATM, no id required. I like to go where everybody knows my name.

Lil' Spitfire's Reign Of Stubborn Turns Three

Grumpy little jammied super hero. You should really click to enlarge this pic and check out this kids mega lashes! They're gorgeous but look out, they just might knock you down!

My baby boy turned three last week while we were in Texas. I can hardly believe it. He wanted to celebrate with a Wall-e birthday so Wall-e it was. It was a little strange to celebrate his birthday in someone else's house and doing that made me realize that all of the boys' birthdays up until now had been celebrated in the same house with the same friends and family, a little sad. But it was also a lot less complicated. With 4 cousins, Aunt, Uncle and parents the guests were built in, no invites to buy, fill out and mail, no stress leading up to the party, it all worked out well. All but waiting until 10pm for Pappa to return from his seminar! I thought the poor kid might explode from a day of waiting. And I think my sis-in-law and I might have exploded had we heard one more kid ask if it was time for cupcakes!

He worked really hard at giving me a genuine smile in spite of his grumpy 'tude.

Ah! And none too soon!

Can you tell this kid is into super heroes these days?

The third birthday of any grandchild in my husband's family means they receive their family bracelet from Grandma. Lil' Spitfire has been asking for his for months and months and was so happy to finally be wearing it. He was also over protective the first few days telling anyone who tried to touch it "No, don't break my bracelet!"

A slue of braceleted family members

Mamma holds Lil' Spitfire's still tiny hand

When we got home from Texas a surprise was waiting on the doorstep for Lil' Spitfire. It was a matchbox car track from Uncle Casey and Auntie Kristin! He couldn't wait to open it and immediately dumped out his entire basket of cars in preparation.

All built and ready for a test drive.

I think he likes it!