Maggie's birthday party

Maggie's birthday fell on a Saturday this year which makes it really easy to plan a party. Unless you just had a big 1st birthday party the weekend before. Which we did. I just didn't have it in me to do parties two weekends in a row. The first birthday is usually the biggest (at least the most guests) but even to do a "small" get together with just family (siblings, parents) is still pretty sizable. However, I did not want to short change Maggie-- she has been talking about her Rapunzel party all year-- pretty much since Will's superhero birthday. We decided on a sleepover the night before her birthday so she could wake up and have a special little birthday breakfast. Maggie was so excited to pick up her cousin, Bailey, it was all she could talk about! Maggie got to pick dinner, then we watched Tangled and everyone played before snuggling up for bed.

Bailey reading Will's first school library book to the kids. Below, she's reading the story she wrote especially for Maggie's birthday. :) It was so sweet. 

 Maggie hugged the balloons when I brought them home. I could

barely get a pic. Guess she's got some of her mama's blood!

After the kids went to sleep, I decorated downstairs with a few streamers and decorated the mantel. I bought a pack of Rapunzel balloons that Daniel inflated and had 3 filled with helium. I printed the banner here and added other items we own to finish off the set up. For the birthday breakfast table, I used Rapunzel color table cloths, Rapunzel plates, cups decorated with tattoos (couldn't find stickers I wanted) and I printed crowns here and found Ryder's Wanted printable online. Then I added a few Rapunzel balloons.

 Maggie sure did love her princess donut breakfast!

I also made hazelnut soup for lunch- Rapunzel's favorite. Actually, I didn't make their recipe. I used my mom's butternut squash soup recipe instead because it required fewer ingredients, I've made it before and the kids like it. I used sliced almonds for "hazelnuts". It worked, but the kids chose something else to eat.

I found the tower cake idea here as well, but decided to use donuts instead. Maggie was introduced to donuts awhile back and is in love, especially with pink ones (frosted strawberry)! I had them add sprinkles for good measure and loaded those bad boys up. Plus, who doesn't want donuts with their cake? Maggie loved her Rapunzel tower cake! She's also been talking about this for awhile. (Well, she told me a Rapunzel cake and I found this recipe awhile back, so we talked about a tower cake) She insisted on Ryder, Pascal and Max all being on the cake, in addition to Rapunzel, of course. Girl knows what she wants...fortunately she asks for it sweetly. :) My parents dropped in with a present to surprise Maggie so they along with Buffy and Samuel, who came to get Bailey were there for cake and presents. Have a few visitors worked nicely- no fuss and it made Maggie's day. Plus we had some extra adults to eat all that soup!

She loved all her presents, but this princess umbrella we got her was the bees knees. 

That's her playing behind the umbrella in the fairy wings Bailey had to get her to go 

along with the princess fairy story she wrote Maggie. :)

Initially I wanted to do more for her party, I could really have some fun with a Rapunzel/princess party! But this is what I could make happen and it was a great birthday for our sweetheart! Our big 3 year old girl.  :)

Open House

Back in August Will's school hosted an open house night. We heard from the principal, who introduced all the teachers, assistant principal and PTO before we were dismissed to the classrooms. I enjoyed seeing Will's class and all the work he's done so far plus getting a chance to talk to his teacher. It was a good night.

Outdoor Adventure

Earlier this summer, before school started, we decided to take advantage of the beautiful weather and finally take the kids camping. They were stoked! We loaded the car and headed to a nearby campsite. And they were booked! Apparently it's a popular destination that requires advanced reservations. Will was so upset, which upset Maggie too. We decided to just put up the tent in our yard, but stopped to fish on our way home. We fed the ducks, then I sat on the side with Maggie and Jake while Daniel and Will fished.

We started setting up the tent when we got home and saw the kids' excitement return, especially as the tent arose from the ground. We decided to sleep Jake in his room as usual since we were home. Then at bedtime, we brought out the big kids and we followed shortly after. I was excited too- it's been a long time since I've camped. Well, let me tell ya, I know why my parents slept on egg crates when we camped as kids. I was so uncomfortable! I laid there forever, willing sleep, listening to snoring, crickets and the rare soft breeze. When the rain started, I gave up and went inside-- plus to camping in the backyard. It was 2am. Sad thing is, I didn't sleep much better the following four hours. I guess I was overtired, who knows. The kids really enjoyed it so that made me happy, though we all had a much earlier start to Saturday morning that usual. Pretty sure they woke up with the sun. And Daniel tore down the tent right away, so I didn't get any daylight pictures. :(

Maggie's big girl bed

Maggie Moo finally moved out of her crib into a big girl bed! Well, it's the same bed, just converted to toddler size. She was really excited, but nervous the first night. She felt more comfortable with the safety rail. I'm surprised she hasn't gotten out of bed herself yet, but maybe she needs more time to get used to it.

We waited until Will started school to be sure I'd be awake before the kids in the morning. Even though Maggie knows not to go down the stairs unassisted, I didn't want to risk her up and about without me. Moosie loves her big girl bed! And the pretty, cozy, pink pillow daddy bought her awhile back. :)

Happy 3rd birthday Maggie!

Maggie Moo, I cannot believe you are already 3 years old! These years have flown by for sure. Three years ago today started as any other day. Except I was already in labor- it started late the previous night. The day progressed and things were going well. Until they weren't. Then the day became scary and the following days uncertain. The whole time you and our family was lifted up in prayer- around the world, in fact. And what would have been an unbearably frightening nightmare otherwise, was eased by the Holy Spirit and our Father in heaven. We felt so much love and could feel the prayers. It is only through Him that our burden was lessened.
"Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and My burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30
I will never forget the day of your birth and am so grateful for every birthday we celebrate with you and all the days in between. God has blessed us with a beautiful, sweet, fun-loving little girl and we love you pieces. Happy birthday, sweetheart, with all our love!

Jake is 11 months old!

That's right, our little sweetums is 11 months old, only one month away from the big ONE year mark!!! Can you believe it? Me either. I'm in full party planning mode and will be excited to reveal his party details soon. So, Jakers, what have you been up to this month? You're just movin' and learnin' and growin'. It all happens so fast!

Here's a few things about you:

• FINALLY got teeth! Your bottoms just came through. They sat right under the gums for what felt like forever, but finally made that break. You're working on some uppers, though, so we're not quite in the clear yet. :)
• Have stood by yourself a couple times for just a few seconds- both letting go of furniture and pushing up to a stand
• You're cruising on furniture and around the coffee table but you're not ready to let go yet
• Making lots of sounds now- b's, m's, d's, g's, you said da-da, uh-uh (for uh oh) and ball. I'm pretty sure you're saying "more" too but it sounds a lot like your "mom" so it could just be that. When you're talking it sounds a lot like you're saying "these" or "geez" 
• You really enjoy table food! I think bananas are still your favorite, but you've also tried graham crackers, chicken, carrots, waffles, cheerios, pretty much anything you can mash.
• You're just on the move- crawling here, pulling up, cruising, grabbing things, singing, dancing. A busy baby boy!
• Climbing up a few stairs after mommy
• Learning the word no! Sometimes you get mad and grunt but many other times you just stop and when you go back to it again, you pull back as if remembering you're not supposed to touch
• You pat my back/shoulder when I hold you, it's the sweetest thing
• Still my sweet, cuddly boy

We love you Jakie-poo!!! I cannot express the joy you've brought into our family and I'm enjoying every minute of it. :)

Will's first week

Will really enjoyed his first week of school! It's taken me awhile to write about, seeing as he's already completed his second full week as well, but whatcha gonna do? I walked Will into class his first day and we all went his second day. After that, he was ready to go all by himself which made me proud and sad all at the same time. My little man is growing up! He was excited to tell me all about his day when I picked him up but in typical Will fashion (most boys in my experience), he's not really into the details. "That's all I remember, mom" or "we did the same thing we always do." Well, I'm not there to know what you always do...

Maggie wanted to say goodbye

Anyway, so far he's been most excited to tell me about computer class (his father's son, perhaps?) but we'll see how things go. I still miss him during the day and Maggie has asked a few times, "pick Will up." I think that sweet little girl misses her big brother. :) Even though Will has been excited, he already looks forward to the weekend. I'm sure he misses the freedom he once had with his time, it's a difficult adjustment for sure.