Monday, September 20, 2010

First Birthday Party

I had a hard time deciding on a theme for Haley's Birthday Party! I figured that I will get to throw many birthday parties in my lifetime. But this is the first one, so I wanted to make it extra special. I wanted the party to focus on something that Haley likes, I looked for ideas online, and I finally settled on an idea. Bedtime stories. Haley loves books, and it would be easy to make play centers that go with different books.

Each play station had a book to go with it.
Instruments- Olivia forms a band
Swinging and flying- Guess how much I love you
Blowing Bubbles- The Rainbow Fish
Blocks- Brown Bear, Brown Bear What do You See?
Balls- What's Wrong Little Pookie?
Dress-Up- Fancy Nancy
Food- The Very Hungry Caterpillar

I had a lot of fun drawing the pictures on the poster boards and coloring them with markers. Most of them I did free hand but Fancy Nancy was a little to complex. (For that one I copied the picture a little bigger, used a window to trace the outline in reverse with a pencil, than colored over the lines to transfer the graphite to the poster.)

We had a grown up food table and a kid table. The grown up food included blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, grapes, spinich, tomato, mozerella skewers, and soda. (Even though this was the grown up table I got Haley the berries because they're her favorites)
For the kids table I put cheerios and crackers in little containers for each kid to take home. With a spoon and fork set and a mozerella string cheese stick. We also had juice for sippy cups.
My mom ran to the store to pick up 2 cakes. I had a friend who was going to make haley's cake but life happens and time runs out. But these were pretty cute anyways. My mom wanted the little cake to be Haley's smash cake, but it was way too big for one little baby.

My mom also had my cousin Sarah make tutus for all of the girls at the party. They turned out super cute. Fancy Nancy would have been impressed! The 2 big brothers who came both got cowboy vests and hats.

Haley had fun at her party. She spent a lot of time playing with her Daddy. She loved the ladybug themed instrument that John picked out for her. And, luckily she had her uncles there to remember that even birthday gils get stinky diapers.

Several of Haley's friends came to join in the festivities. there were four 2 year olds, one 1 year old, and two more under 1. plus two little boys, 4 and 6. These are all of Haley's best buddies.

The boys were not shy, they had fun playing dress-up too!

Even some of the Adults got in on the action.

I think one of my favorite parts was walking around and seeing all of the parents reading to their little ones.

When it was time for Cake Haley had no problems digging in to her gigantic piece. This girl knows the good stuff when she sees it.

The little girls in their tutu's were beyond adorable.

They had fun playing with all the toys and each other.

The snack bowl made it easy for each little one to eat when they got hungry.

The swimming pool turned ball pit was a big success. Even the big boys liked it because they could run and jump in.

All in all I would say Haley's Birthday was a wonderful day. I am so thankful for all of the people who came out and made it so special.

And I'm thankful that my little one already has so many sweet friends.

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Haley's going to be a Big Sister!









So I think by this point everyone who reads my blog knows that I'm pregnant. But here is an official announcement.

The new baby is due around April 20th. We found out the day before Haley's first birthday. We told Haley that night. She didn't really understand but she did like playing with the pregnancy test we showed her.

Since we got to make the announcement last time we decided to let Haley tell most of the family the good news. Since she can't talk yet I made her a shirt announcing her status as a big sister in training. The 11 is for 2011 when the new baby will be born. It was nice that the focus could be on Haley with this announcement instead of on me.

I'm sure that with the new baby's arrival Haley will become a complete Daddy's girl. She is already well on her way thanks to the pregnancy hormones that knock me out and require me to take 2 naps a day. I am blessed to have such a wonderful, understanding, and patient husband who lets me get the rest I need. Who knew growing a pinto bean sized human could be such exhausting work.

Friday, September 3, 2010

Friday Favorites- August

Far apart, close at heart- the creative mama

project organize @ sherbert blossom

camp wanna-laffa-lotta @ life as mom (this whole series is great, there were fun ideas last summer too if you look at the archives.


Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Birthday- Take 1

While we were at the beach we celebrated Haley's birthday for the first time. The first of 4 celebrations.
Why 4 celebrations? The first was with Zachs family; since we saw them at the beach 3 days before Haley's birthday we figured we would celebrate there instead of people traveling to the mountians for her actual brthday. The second celebration was her birthday party, where her friends came as well as my mom. Part 3 was on her actual birthday. We were at work but some of our kids were gone so we had ice cream and saved the cake for celebration number 4, which occured after the rest of the boys got home.
Our beach celebration was small, just some cake and opening presents. Haley had a mini-cake to destroy. A chocolate cupcake covered in berries. I think she likes this birthday business.










Friday, August 20, 2010

The Beach- A Photo Story

2 weeks ago we went to the beach with Haley's grandpa. Her 2 uncles, great aunt and uncle, grandma, and British grandpa also joined in the fun. It was a great week :)

Haley got an early birthday present. We turned her car seat around and let her ride to the beach like a big girl.

When we arrived we went straight to the sand to play.

Haley was happy to see her grandpa! (aka papa, aka OPA!)

She was much less timid about the waves this time around.



After playing in the sand we stripped her down and hosed her off. She was a bit unsure of the hose.

Haley spent a lot of time on the stairs and she learned to turn around and go down feet first.

Grapes, seashells, and the ocean!


I love the sweat bubbles on her nose. Irresistible!

New beach toys. Another early birthday gift.






While we were there Haley learned a new trick. I gave her a bite of my cereal, she looked at me and signed "more". Someone has been paying attention.

Playing in the waves with uncle Josh.


More playtime with the uncles. We followed her as she crawled up the beach along the edge of the waves. It was a blast to watch her entertain groups of people watching the ocean from their lawn chairs.

Sweet shades!

Polka dot girls

Little Swim suites out to dry.

I love how she folds up her legs when the waves come in.


Always the entertainer.

Yellow polka dots courtesy of my mama.

An adventure with the grandparents.

All snuggled after getting wet.


My Fresca!



Bocci at the beach.


Giggling at Grabby

Playing in the sunset and "I want my momma"

Discovering the bocci balls. She was very disappointed that they were not easy to pick up.

This girl loves the sand.

Our little Family