Nathan's Minion Birthday Party

I was really glad when Nathan requested a minion birthday party (from Despicable Me), because they are little yellow oblong creatures that are easy to replicate, even for someone like me that has 0% decorating skills. Because of our family and all the schedules to work around, we didn't actually throw the party until a few weeks after his birthday but it allowed time for his excitement to build. ;) He watched me very closely (as in, "you are too close to the cake, move away before your snot drips into it!" Close) as I made a minion cake and marshmallow pops and he was just so thrilled. "I'm gonna tell everybody I have a minion cake! I'm gonna tell everybody I have minion marshmallows!" Often times when we do things for our kids, it's hard to know if they truly appreciate it or not, but he loved everything and there was no mistaking that he was so thankful.

 The cake idea was from Betty Crocker. You can find it here. I didn't follow all of the steps perfectly, mainly because my grocery store was out of tootsie rolls and I couldn't be bothered going back to see if they had restocked. I also made my own frosting and colored it--so much better than the store bought stuff!

 Let me tell you--I have no cake decorating skills. Zilch. So if I can make this cake in a short
amount of time and have it turn out halfway decent, anyone can! It's not perfect, but it was cute and the kids loved it!

 The marshmallow pops were just as easy. Thankfully, the decorating section in the baking isle had candy eyes. They were my saving grace because I doubt I could have hand drawn all of those teeny eyes! I dipped the marshmallows in white chocolate that I added yellow food coloring to. I stuck them in the strainer holes so they wouldn't be flat on one side. Necessity is the mother of invention! Once again, nothing that would win me a job at Carlo's Bakery or anything, but cute enough for kids. ;)

As for the rest, I just bought yellow and blue of paper products at the Dollar Store. We blew up about 20 yellow balloons and I drew little minion faces on them and left them all over the floor. Sometimes they ended up underfoot while I was trying to cook, probably like real minions would. Ha! It was super easy, cheap and quick to put together. It's easy to go crazy once you get a theme in your head, but I have neither the time nor energy to spend more than a few hours on party prep and cake for a 3 year old.

He loves his cousins :)

So, so thankful for my sweet 3 year old and all of the joy (and sometimes tears!) he brings us every day! 

Nathan's 3rd Birthday

Somehow, Nathan turned 3 on Monday. Not sure how this happened since I just had him a few months ago. Anyway, we will have a "real" party for him in a few weeks but the day of had to be super special and exciting and all about the birthday boy!

 As you can see, I went all out on the decorating.

He came bounding into our room earlier than normal and crawled into our bed with a huge smile on his face. "It's gonna be a goooood day," he said. I have never had a 3 year old be quite so excited about his birthday as Nathan was. He talked about it for weeks, telling everyone he was going to have a minion cake with fire on it that he would blow out. (Minion cake to come ;)

I had to run a few errands in the morning, so I took him with me and bought him a doughnut and let him pick out something in line, which was orange tic tacs.

For lunch, it was grilled cheese dinosours. I love how easy kids are to please at this age!

Getting to watch "ABC Animals" on my phone was a special treat--again, easy to please!

So when we ran errands earlier, I found a package of mini cupcakes for $1.97 and talked him into them so I could bake his special cake at his party. He really wanted the pink cupcakes, ha! I put them on a platter in the shape of a "3", added extra sprinkles and candles and he was thrilled!

His birthday dinner of choice was chicken and rice--easy enough! Not sure why he was licking his plate, but hey, it was his birthday. Anything goes!

This face.

This is the face he makes when he's asking a question and I am so glad I was able to capture it because I don't want to ever forget it!

This is another face he makes--bottom jaw pushed forward when he's embarrassed or trying to show off.

His day ended with a trip to Cabellas, where the kids picked up cap guns and shot every animal in sight. Cabbala's is his favorite, not to mention it's free entertainment and 5 minutes from our house, so it was the perfect way to end his birthday! He ran around with gusto, yelling excitedly about everything that caught his attention. Nate and I loved observing him have the time of his life!

 Nathan is our child that has given us quite the run for our money over the past year. He has a very strong will, but over the last several months we've been very consistent with him in not letting him get his way, and the result has produced the sweetest little boy ever. Not that he's perfect (um, obviously) but he loves to cuddle and hug. He loves motorcycles, especially fast ones, and minions, hence the party coming up. ;) He has the cutest high voice and stutters a little. He over-pronounces his words to try to talk really clear and it seriously melts our hearts. Age 2/3 is one of my favorite ages and I wish I could box him up and keep him this size forever! He very often will say out of the blue, "I love you Mommy," and hug me. It just melts my heart.

 Happy Birthday to my precious Nathan!

Four-in-One

I am way behind in blogging, but I've found a little time right now so I figured I would catch up from the last month or so! Here's 4 posts in 1...

ONE MONTH

 Nicolas was one month here, and I thought it would be fun to do a monthly picture on my chair to see how he grows over time. As you can see we were dealing with a lot of baby acne and skin troubles then which thankfully has gone away now (he's almost 2 months!). At his 6 week check up he was 10 pounds, which was surprising as he looked a lot smaller but he's long limbed as they said. He was still eating quite often during the night and Mommy had some very emotional days that mainly stemmed from the exhaustion. My tip to all Moms that can't "sleep when baby sleeps" because of other kids--hang in there! After about 6 weeks or so it got much better and I actually am feeling human again!

 I think I've said it a lot, but Nick is really such a great baby. Happy and content when he's awake and only fusses if he's hungry, needs to be changed or tired. He is the center of attention in this house!

5 YEARS OLD

 On September 22nd, my sweet Joe turned 5 years old. I can hardly believe it--5 is a big one! Unfortunately I got a really bad stomach flu, but daddy came through and made him mac and cheese for dinner and put together his strawberry ice cream cake, complete with homemade graham crackers crust!

 Joe has been such a sweet big brother and helper to me now that Brooke is at school all day. He is sweet and sensitive, very obedient and loves to help and calm the baby down if he's fussy. Joe loves to compliment and hug--he is going to make a lady feel very special some day. ;) He loves to tell me I looks beautiful and give me a huge hug, and he always says the sweetest things to his Aunts when he Facetime's them. He is very curious and inquisitive about spiritual things and I really think that he'll get saved soon. 

THE BIKE RODEO

 A few weeks ago was church's annual bike rodeo. The kids were so excited--it's definitely a highlight of their year! They love dressing up and look so forward to all the activities that the day entails. I mainly look forward to the cute photo op ;).

My gorgeous brother and sister-in-laws family! They go all out and looked SO cute!

AROUND THE HOUSE

 See what I mean about him being so sweet? I can't even handle it sometimes. I have to pick my heart up off the puddle on the floor.

He is doing so well in school! His writing, reading and spelling have all improved immensely. I'm so proud of him, because he works really hard!

At the slightest hint of fall weather, I'm all, get all the hats and hoodies and boots. They are totally unnecessary but who cares? It looks adorable.

Speaking of puddles...

 We potty trained this week.

 It did not go well.

 After day 5, he is back in diapers. Oh yes he is.

 We'll try again next week.

And speaking of next week, it's that time of year again: FAMILY! The first of them arrive in a few days and I cannot wait. It's also the busy season for me with photography, so I can't promise many posts in the coming weeks, but I'll try. ;)

Friday Randomness

It's rainy and cool here today, which is so rare for Texas. Actually, this entire summer has been super mild so far. We've reached high 90's for several days, but haven't seen 100 yet--what's up with that?! And the night's have still been gorgeous--as in, you could actually take a walk or sit outside and feel a beautiful breeze. Normally, it's 97 degrees and humid still at 8:00pm, so this has been such a nice, refreshing break!

A little Friday randomness for you...

Is it normal to find your 2 year old like this? Sitting in your sink, pumping the soap bottle and happily saying "bubbles! bubbles!"? Do all 2 year olds behave like this?

Brooke and I started a fun little project that is teaching her how to sew by hand. I am the worst seamstress ever, but I do know basic skills and want her to learn. A while ago, one of my sisters got her a kit to make a little princess doll. We started on it and it will be fun for her to have the finished product with the satisfaction that she made it!

We have not been to the library enough this year, but we finally went the other day. I can't believe I have a child going into second grade that is loving the books I did when I was that age! She's started into the American Girl series and reads a little at night before bed, just like her Mommy used to do.

Books are too boring for him when you can climb and stand on windowsills. Have I mentioned this child climbs on  everything and jumps off of everything?! He has no fear whatsoever, something he did not get from me. I'm a scaredy cat.

I love finding my childhood classics to read to my kids! Do you guys remember any of these?

Someone started sleeping in a big boy bed this week, but it didn't go over too well at first. At not even 2.5, he's my youngest by far to be in a bed. I usually don't let them out of the crib until after 3, but it just felt like it was time. Not to mention the small fact that he was taking off his diaper in his crib and peeing out through the slats. So yeah, there was that.

After hugs and snuggles from daddy...

...All was well! His little feet did come pattering down the stairs at about 4am yelling "GUYS! IT'S DARK! GUYS! IT'S DARK!" A few snuggles later, he was tucked back in by daddy and has done great ever since.

Speaking of books, remember Corduroy? That was a favorite for sure. The corduroy bear that quotes the whole story in the cutest voice ever has resurfaced recently and they will sit and play it over and over. Quiet time abounds.

 And speaking of quiet time, them laying there together, her reading to him, amidst their toy "House" (because obviously that's not a mess) was the sweetest thing ever. 

Have you seen the newest style? Diaper and a blow up Dollar Tree lifejacket. You're welcome. When you catch on, you have Nathan to thank for setting the newest trend.

Happy Friday!

Daily Moments

I haven't done a "daily moments" post in a while, and I figured now is as good a time as any! This post ended up being a lot of pictures of Nathan. He is obviously my one that is willing to let me take pictures of him right now--more than the other ones, at least. He also turned 2 last week, which made him the center of attention for a few days!

Nate's birthday dinner

Joe did his own hair this day

This boy loves his baths. He will get out and then beg for another one an hour later. He always wants to "take a baf"

We grow them stylish in Texas

Gorgeous Spring Day

Climbed up on the stool, grabbed a leftover pork chop and ate it with his bare hands. Such a man!

My 2 year old birthday boy!