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Last weekend we had Noah’s birthday party at the McMinnville Aquatic Center. Naturally, since we were playing in the water – and it’s our school’s mascot – we added a little pirate theme to the party and made it extra fun with TWIX® Bites.
It’s always slightly more challenging hosting a birthday party at a venue – set up time is really nonexistent, and while the kids are playing you find yourself rushing to clean everything back up. There are a few upsides though – it is short and sweet, meaning you don’t have to entertain people for a long period of time at your house, plus you don’t have to clean your entire house either. 😉
Ten years ago today I was one scared lonely girl who grew up quickly as I became a mom a month earlier than expected.
I never left Anika’s side at OHSU until she was healthy enough to go home with me.
Without her, I wouldn’t be the woman I am today.
We’ve been through many ups and downs and life events together, but looking back I wouldn’t change anything.
Happy Birthday, Anika, we all love you!!!
~Mom
Anika celebrated her 10th birthday a week early this year, doing what she’s been dreaming of for a year and a half now – a birthday party sleepover in a hotel.
After weighing the pros vs. cons I proposed a deal with her. One night stay in a hotel with her two best friends instead of a party and presents. Of course, she said yes.
We arrived at check-in and the girls were in awe – a one-bedroom suite with a jacuzzi tub. They staked their claim on the ‘spaces’ and quickly changed into their swimming suits for the pool.
Three years ago today I had my last baby.
It’s hard to believe he’s going into preschool this fall. I can’t imagine my life without a little boy to make our family complete.
We had a blast at his party last Sunday, with 85 degree weather I made nearly 300 water balloons for the kids, and then somehow water guns and super soakers got brought out and everyone had a water war. 🙂 Noah was having so much fun he didn’t even want to do cupcakes, ice cream sundaes and presents!
Noah wanted a Team Umizoomi party, all blue and orange, so that’s what I attempted to create. It seems like when you are the one preparing the party, not as many good pictures get taken. At least I got a few. Someday, someday, I’ll get a better camera. Until then, these will have to do.
Happy birthday little man.
~Melissa
Hello everyone! Happy February! This month is going to fly by super fast…considering its the 7th of the month before I even get around to blogging! I have lots of stuff going on right now, and I have some possible personal life decisions coming up over the next week, and I will have to sit down and figure out all of the pros and cons of the situation to see which path to choose. I’ll talk more about it later. 🙂
Right now I wanted to show you some highlights from Emma’s 5th Birthday Party last month. She had a Princess Tea Party theme, and we made some tea party snacks together and a few simple decorations that the girls absolutely loved.
Princess Tea Party Ideas:
We created red velvet cupcakes, complete with pink frosting and pearls and flowers on top! The flowers were created by rolling out gum drops and gummy rings! The girls really loved helping make those.
The birthday party was a hit. The weather turned out beautiful. A little on the hot side, but a great evening for a BBQ. I followed along with Anika’s polkadot theme and my dear friend Carolyn bought her a cake to match. She ended up having 7 friends over, 5 of which stayed the night, and of course all of the family. There was plenty for them to do while the grown-ups BBQ kabobs…. a ‘beauty’ station where they painted their faces and gave each other manicures, then proceeded to the photo back drop to pose for mommy paparazzi. Then there was bean bag toss, which I created from an old sheet of plywood, a skill saw and some paint. We also played balloon tennis, and squirt guns.
We then all feasted on an array of food, then sang happy birthday to the birthday girl and ate cake while she opened presents. The adults began to leave, then the girls party began. The tent was set up outdoors and sleeping bags brought out, along with Cheetos and juice boxes for midnight snacks. 😉 We had an extra treat because coincidentally there was a meteor shower all night, and the girls loved looking for ‘shooting stars’.
The next morning (after not much sleep) The girls feasted on bacon and eggs before going home.
It was a fun, exhausting weekend, and summer isn’t winding down here yet! Camping at the beach the weekend of the 24th, and then at the end of the month we are hosting our last big BBQ of the year…and it just so happens to be on a Blue Moon. If you don’t know what that is, its when a full moon occurs twice within one month. My friend will also be bringing her game of Bunko to teach us all. So our BBQ theme is Blue Moon BBQ and Bunko ;). Should be fun, and you’ll know I’ll have something creative to post for that!
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| my beautiful 9 year old |
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| Photo Shoot! |
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| daddy with his princess Emma |
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| My fruit Kabobs – complete with cantaloupe polkadots on top 🙂 |
| my handsome little man enjoying all of the girls, and cake!! 😉 |
