Sunday, December 7, 2014

Trains and Tiaras

So, last year we had the twin's 3 yr birthday party and Easton's 1 yr birthday party within two weeks of each other. My baby was going to get his own special first birthday party, but I basically knew the moment I started planning that from there on out, the kids would be having a combined party. That is what happens when your birthdays are 2 weeks apart during an insanely busy time of year. :) They do everything together anyway - might as well party together, too!

That brings us to this year. When I asked the twins what they wanted at their birthday party, Caden immediately replied "trains" and Jenna immediately replied "princess." Lucky for them I follow a blog of a mom who has quadruplets (3 boys/1 girl) and she had thrown a Trains and Tiaras party. Perfect! At times like this, you have to love the internet and gleaning off others creativity. I took a few ideas here, a few ideas there, got super lucky the Dollar Store is carrying Disney princess party stuff right now and used the 497 trains we have laying around this house to throw together a party.

Ryan was gone most of the week for work and a dear friend's son (2 years old) was hospitalized with serious complications. That combination plus the fact that I am soooo miserably tired these days meant the party was down a few notches from the usual. But seeing my friends journey up close and seeing my three children run around healthy and happy and at home made that "party" enough for me. I still love throwing a serious party for my babies, it is just something I always will have in me. It is a serious reflecting time for me that they are here and call me "mom." So many prayers and tears were cried for them to be here so you better believe I make a big deal of their birthday.

Special thanks to my sister again - without her most of my life would be documented in a blurry cell phone picture. :)

choo choo! 

Hallelujah for Dollar Store princess gear 


The girls had their own princess room to dine in 

Whole Food cake didn't happen. Tragedy. Thank goodness I have an extra Thomas or twelve to throw on a cookie cake! 

Thank you Pinterest, my first successful birthday "cake" homemade. 


Princess Drama of course had to wear her new yard sale princess dress. 

I just love this picture. Deep conversation about something with those two. 

Candy-necklace making station

These two together are TROUBLE 

I printed lots of Thomas and Princess coloring sheets. Papa T (my dad) was so excited. :) 

Trying to make his move




killed it. 

Easton showing everyone his new Thomas pillow. He bear hugs that thing every night as he falls asleep. Adorable!




My two four year olds and one two year old. Yes, it will mess with your brain, read slowly.  And yes, Jenna had a wardrobe change. 

Tuesday, December 2, 2014

Hello & Goodbye, Fall

Well, Santa came through. I'm typing on our new laptop where it took 2.4 seconds to open up the Internet, the space bar has worked every single time and...wait for it... every picture I selected uploaded the first time. WHAT? 

Anyway, the only pictures I currently have loaded on here are the few I snapped of my fall items as the twins were ravenously taking down any pumpkin they saw getting ready for Christmas decor. So, just sitting down to get the feel of blogging again with the only pictures I have access to. Enjoy some orange since we have all moved on to red and green. I get the feeling that will be typical - me, this blog, pictures....a few months late to the party. :) 




Our Thankful Tree this year. Items included: grass, the sky, the "jumping place", football,  Jesus, God in Heaven and "I can jump." 



My amazing blocks from my friends at Carolina Homemade on Etsy. Awesome, awesome. AND - they are reversible. I have already made the "flip" to the reverse side which says "jingle bells." 

Yes I sure did make that! Got crafty with my extra time on vacation at the Lake this year. 

Why yes I did make this one, too. I shocked myself!