William Turns FOUR!

Since William is turning 5 in just a few months I figured I should mention his FOURTH birthday party!  I'm sad to say the day is a little blurry.  For one, it was 9 months ago, and it was during the height of our "worrying days" with Anna Grace.  We were just getting by day to day.  Trying to not worry.  Praying and staying hopeful and happy.  We definitely didn't let any of this get in the way of celebrating our #1 little dude.  All of his grandparents came into town (and of course Aunt Emily and Uncle Grant were around all weekend).  We started our weekend off eating at a Japanese Steakhouse.  This was night #1 of happy birthday singing.  :)  Little did William know we would sing him happy birthday at least 5 more times over the next few days!

Here are a few of my favorite pictures of my William from over the years.

{About to be 3, just found out we were having Anna Grace} {TWO!}

{One day new in the NICU} {Happy 4th birthday!} {Loving on his baby}

 Well folks, it's happened....the super hero craze.  We decided to take some of the pressure off for the party and had William's birthday party at Little Gym.  It was so nice to not have to get the house ready and then clean up afterwards!  Instead we had 2 hours of fun, with our favorite people, and then headed to El Tiempo for a yummy dinner with our family.....and then went home to have a champagne toast for Emily and Grant's anniversary!  Lucky for us, William's favorite teacher was the leader of the party.  The kids had the best time and got lots of energy out (and no parent is going to complain about that!).  Hearing their little squeals made our day!

The life size Spiderman lived in our house for months after this party.  :)  He was used for target practice, scaring Mama, and karate lessons.  We definitely got our moneys worth!

This little guy sure does keep us smiling.  He has the kindest, sweetest soul.  He loves his sister with all he has, doesn't want to disappoint anyone, is a tomato lover, sweet potato fry eating, cuddly little BOY (but he'll always be my baby!).  

Hot Diggity Dog 3rd Birthday

To say I have fun planning a party is an understatement!  This party was super easy to put together.  With a little bit of planning and help from family it all turned out perfect.  I have found that if I plan far in advance it all comes together nicely (with less stress involved).  It will be nice having William and Anna Grace's birthdays 4-5 months apart.  It'll give everyone a chance to recover from the crazy fun birthday weekends we tend to have!

Here are a few of my favorite pictures from William's 3rd birthday party.  I'll do another post on the "birthday party details" for anyone that cares to know where I got things from.  I knew this was my last year to throw William a party without him having a real opinion.  So, I picked Mickey Mouse!  William loves "hot dog" but is slowly turning into a little boy and starting to show interested in Spider Man, Hulk and Iron Man.  .....let the super hero parties begin....next year...... 

William was in love with everything about "his party".  This little guy loves to have his friends over, so this was a much anticipated day.  

• Posing with Hot Dog and Papa
• Checking out the Hot Diggity Dog Bar
• Family of three, going on four
• He was one happy little boy
• Singing happy birthday
• Blowing out his 3 candles
• "Look Mama, it's my cake!"
• Laughing at his friends

{watching the balloon artist} {he loved his new big truck} {some of the guys} {William broke his plane and JB was figuring out the bean bag game} {playing on the new swing set} {tire swing fun} {family dinner at Dekkers} {fun with Friends} {being a superhero with Uncle G}

To this day, a month later, William is still asking me if he can have "his party" again because "it was fun".  He was so excited to take the leftover cupcakes and cookies to school with him on Monday morning.  His teacher said he told her all about his party.  This little boy loves having all his family around.  Uncle G is the best play buddy a boy could ask for, my parents brought his favorite puppy, Massy (aka "Fifi"), and everyone got to check out his fun new swing set.  He is such a loved little boy.  We can't say thank you enough to all of our friends that joined us.  We had the best day and I know that William felt extra loved!!!  There's nothing that makes a parent happier.  :)

Ice Cream Party!

A couple of weekends ago we helped Emersen celebrate her 3rd birthday party.  Emersen's mom, Rachel, is one of my best friends, that I met when I worked at M.D. Anderson.  I loved getting to make a trip into town for the big day!
The birthday party was at one of our favorite spots, Mia's.  Rachel did a fabulous job with the ice cream themed birthday party.  The decorations were precious and the kids stayed happy and busy the entire time.  They had someone painting faces, lots of yummy food for kids and adults, a pinata, a balloon maker, and ice cream!  It doesn't get any better than that.  :)

adorable organic ice cream cone cupcakes | the pinata was a hit! | the balloon lady made his day when she handed him "hot dog" | happy boy | everyone watch out! | pic with Rachel | yummy!  

I still can't believe we have kids that are old enough to walk and talk!!!!  Big hug and thanks to Rachel for having us!

CHOO CHOO, Someone Turned TWO!

FINALLY!  I can't believe it's taken me two months to do this post.  Let me just start off by saying that this birthday party was so much easier compared to last years.  Having it at the house made things go much more smoothly.  My parents, Dustin and Skye stayed with us that weekend and they were awesome helpers.  I had everyone running errands on Saturday morning. :)  So, BIG thanks to those guys.  Sweet Skye even helped me give William a bath that evening because I was pooped!
The day before his party I found out I have to move to working 5 days a week from my current 4 days a week.  I was a bit upset (more on that another time).  Luckily I had lots of friends and family around to help cheer me up.  Saturday morning I woke up feeling really yuck (stomach bug).  :(  Again, thank goodness for my family.  Regardless, we had the best day celebrating William James.  We went to Little Gym that morning and then starting getting ready to PARTY!  
Here are just a handful of the pictures that were taken that day.  Somehow, I didn't get one of Dustin and Skye with William?!?!  :(  I'll have to make it up when we see them next month. 

• How cute is this photo backdrop?!?!?  So easy!  Just some streamers twisted and taped at the top and bottom, balloons and a chalk board.  We took some cute photos of the kids with "conductor" hats on!
• Adorable sugar cookies by a local lady. 
• Invitations from Berings.   Cupcakes by yours truly (blue cupcake holders from Michael's). 
• Picture frame from Hobby Lobby and Mason Jar with forks wrapped in chevron paper.  
• CHOO CHOO banner made by me using Cricut.  2 yr photo book for guest to sign from Snapfish.  
• Drink stand outside.  Re-used name and fabric banner from William's first birthday party.  The fabric banner was super easy!  Just cut long strips of fabric and tie in knot on rope.  

• I love primary colors!
• Thank you Arvella for making the best cakes ever! {Midland peeps contact me for her info!}
• Napkins from Monogram Shop
• Cakeballs by Eggleston's Edibles.  Labels from WH Hostess
• Goodie Boxes from Oriental Trading Company for only $5/dozen (see below for content).
• Centerpiece train from Melissa and Doug.  Table runners ordered off Etsy. 

• Playing corn hole has become a family tradition!  It keeps everyone entertained for hours.  
• Brandon and Ashley came all the way from Birmingham!
• SIL :)
• We rented 3 round tables and chairs so people could hang outside.  After the party we cooked out so having the extra seating was perfect.  I never got a picture of the tables with table clothes/centerpieces (pictured below). 
• Best. Idea. Ever.  The train was a hit!
• They have the cutest stamps on Zazzle.  
• Centerpieces: clear jars from Hobby Lobby + spray paint = cute.  I filled the jars halfway with potting soil and then put the sticks in so they'd stand up straight.  
• Goodie Boxes =  Bubbles, toy train, train whistle and stickers (most everything from Oriental Trading) 

{Playing} {He loves his lawn mower from Nana and Papa} {He rode the train the entire hour} {My baby} {Craft Station} {Riding with Grant and Emily} {I'm in love with this easel W got from Grant and Emily} {Helping Uncle D and Daddy} {Hanging with Mimi}

The little arts and craft station we had was a hit!  My mom and I cut out all the different shapes for the pieces of the train (using construction paper).  I then put all the pieces to make one train in a zip lock baggie.  I had an example laid out for the kids to copy.  All they had to do was clue the shapes of one baggie on a big piece of construction paper.  Super easy and fun!  All the girls loved this.  

Construction paper + glue = cheap and fun  

Happy 2nd Birthday, Sweet William!

Big thanks to everyone that came out for the festivities.  We had an awesome day.  An even bigger thanks to my family for helping get the last minute details together and for helping clean up afterwards!!  Since the birthday party William talks about Choo Choos every single day. :)

 He loves the hat he wore during the party.  He loved playing in the balls.  He loved seeing all his friends.  He adores his grandparents and aunts/uncles.  He's obsessed with the new lawn mower and drawing ovals on his 2 new easels.  He got so many new books that are now some of his favorites.  He loved seeing his old teachers from BLS that came.  He (and we) had a happy, happy day!!!!!! 

Now I just have to sit down and finish writing thank you notes!   xoxo

Sneak Peek

William's birthday post is long over due but it's coming soon.  I'm sure the only people that really care are Mimi and Nana.  Here's a little sneak peek at our super fun day celebrating William James!

Smile for the camera?!?!  Why would I do that with all these people looking and singing at me?

Even the stamps had CHOO CHOO

I'm so in love with those baby blues.  Hard to say NO to all that cuteness!

I can't wait to share the rest!  We had the best birthday weekend (and it was so much easier than last years zoo party).

Party Weekend

Another fun weekend has come and gone!  Yesterday we did our normal Saturday breakfast at Barnaby's and the grocery store.  Instead of sticking around the house we decided to head out to Katy to swim with the Wilsons!  Swimming is such a good way to wear a baby out!!  When we got home Gordon headed out to go golfing and we napped....and napped.  Since William slept so long during nap time we were able to keep him up late for dinner at Memorial Park once G was done with golf.  We got to have dinner with the Barteaus who are expecting their first baby in 2014!   We can't wait for another friend.  :)
After church and Home Depot we got to have more fun in the sun at Eli's first birthday party at The Houstonian.  Everything was super cute and we all had a blast swimming.  William and I are so lucky to have these sweet friends!

• Sippy cups for everyone!  Such a great idea.
• Adorable and yummy cake from Whole Foods.
• Wearing a birthday hat like a good boy.
• William loved the balloons.
• The gang!
• Telling me how he loved the water slide.
• Showing me how over the picture taking he was.