Speed Bump

It's hard to focus on much besides Izzy's beautiful rainbow birthday cake...     But there were other aspects of the party that I really enjoyed as well.   I loved the idea of using baby food jars to decorate for Izzy's first birthday when I saw this post . In the interest of time and my waning energy, I decided to simplify this idea.

I am really having fun planning and prepping for Izzy's first birthday on Saturday. Maybe it is all the decorating options that say Spring that has me excited. Maybe it is because I find it easier to plan and decorate for a girl's party than for a boy's. Maybe because her birthday is on St. Patrick's Day and it is a Saturday, and it is the first weekend of March Madness, and it is Spring Break most everywhere except in my lab at work. Maybe because it is 80 degrees outside! I think it is all these things, and rather than finding it stressful and tedious, I am having fun tinkering with paper flowers and photo banners til midnight every night. Daylight savings this week has made it easy to stay up late. But I'm naturally a night owl and if no one is telling me to go to bed, I can tinker til the wee hours. I am also working on Izzy's baby book this week. I made a promise to myself that I would finish both kids' baby books before their first birthday becaus...

Getting crafty!

I have to download some pics from my camera for a birthday post. In the mean time, check out this  video of Charlie devouring some cake with his frosting. And here is his first glimpse of the Lightning McQueen cake, it was a hit.

We celebrated Haley's second birthday this past weekend in Elmo style. It was a great party, thanks Haley!

How is it possible that two years have gone by already? This little guy changed our world two years ago today and it will never be the same. Happy Birthday to our beautiful, smart boy. We love you more than words can say. And we can't wait to see what another year with you in our lives will bring. Love, Mom and Dad

Charlie had his own monkey cake on his birthday. He was prepared to dive in - only his party hat and his KU socks. We started singing Happy Birthday. Charlie why are you covering your ears?? Will you like chocolate cake?? Charlie's first move was for the monkey's head... He squished the icing in his hands Charlie had a taste and made a face This cake doesn't taste like broccoli or peas... Charlie cleaned up and was ready to enjoy the rest of the party I hated to cut the cake, but someone had to do it. Uncle Todd and Aunt Susan with cousin Mark. I think Mark was interested in eating his monkey. Macy made a puppet out of her monkey Say cheese Mitch! The three M's having cake Hope you had a Happy Birthday little guy! Can't wait for year two!!

12 months went by so fast... We had fun planning Charlie's first party. The new table and chairs Charlie got for his birthday were perfect for our little guests. There is still an ongoing debate in the house as to where this cute set is going to end up permanently. If the party had a theme, it was monkeys. Charlie has collected quite a few of them and he is a bit of a monkey himself. Charlie's favorite book "Eight silly monkeys" was the inspiration behind his birthday cake. This well-loved little monkey (below left) was Ryan's as a child. I just love how this cake turned out! It was made by a co-worker, I am unfortunately not the creative type so I left this to a professional. "Eight silly monkeys jumping on the bed, one fell off and bumped his head..." Charlie was still a bit under the weather for his party, but he made it through and did great. He was a little subdued, but then again, he is pretty serious most of the time. Charlie, Ryan, G...