Birthday Party Weekend Part 2-The Party!

Connor and Ava's birthdays are only 10 days apart so I knew that having a joint birthday party for them was definitely the way to go. We had their party at The Ark, a giant indoor play area inside the church where Ava goes to school. It is always a hit with the kids and the party was no exception. I didn't want to go overboard with a theme this year (and to be honest it's hard trying to come up with a theme for a 4 year old girl and a 1 year old boy) so I stuck with more of a color scheme/pattern of hot pink polka dots and navy stripes. I had a vision in my head of how I wanted things to coordinate for the party but it didn't turn out completely as planned. The polka dot wrapping paper I ordered for the tables didn't ever come in (had visions of having polka dot wrapped tables and striped wrapped tables throughout), Ava refused to wear the adorable polka dot and stripes outfit I bought her, and there were a few other minor things that truly were not a big deal. I took a deep breath and remembered that the party is not about having everything as I had envisioned. Everything ended up great in the end and most importantly Ava and her friends had a wonderful time! (Connor's teething and sleepiness made him a little more fussy than I would have hoped).

*We weren't able to get in to set up until 10 minutes before the party so in a mad dash to get everything set up I didn't take any pictures of the decorations. In fact I don't know if I took any pictures! My camera got passed around a lot so I am grateful for those people who took pictures so I have some documentation of their party!

The absolute best part of the party was our surprise guests......Brinley, Amy, and Cason!!!!!!
We had no idea they were coming and seeing them walk through the door gave me tears of joy! It was weird planning her party and knowing that so many of her best friends weren't going to be able to be there. I was a little sad with that truth but when we saw The McAdams those feelings instantly went away! It was so good to have them there, even if I didn't get to visit with them like I would have liked.

nice drool on the sleeve, huh?

Daddy and Gigi picked up balloons and surprised Ava and Connor with Minnie and Mickey Mouse balloons. She had a Minnie Mouse party last year but for some reason has been stuck on having Minnie Mouse cupcakes so the balloons made her happy.

Connor was smitten by his girl, June! She was the talk of the party amongst my family. One of the most beautiful and smiliest (is that a word?) babies we have ever seen!

Ava with her sweet friends Naomi and Brinley

Snack break with Mason and Brinley

Ava did a great job greeting her friends. She was excited to see Luke and Audrey. 

As well as her friend Sally who she hasn't seen in so long!

I made a slideshow of the kids to show at their party (as you can see in the background). 

Connor was happy as long as he was eating and had his empty water bottle in his hands. 

Kay Kay, Ava, and Granny Jeanne

Gigi and Kay Kay went down the giant slide with Ava! Always up for fun, those two crazy grandmothers!

I wanted a good picture of the kids together so badly but this is about all I got. Better than nothing!

My beautiful 4 year old!

My handsome 1 year old!

I think she was just about to blow her candle out. Connor was enjoying the singing. 

Pretty sure she was looking around to make sure that no one was watching her eat her cupcake. She is very concerned about getting icing on her face and other people seeing it and laughing. Oh dear! 

I love these two so much! I'm blessed beyond measure to be their mom!

Love these sweet friends so much! 

The best group shot we could get of the kids, minus a few. 

After his cupcake he came to life and had more energy!

So grateful to have most of the grandparents come in town for the party. 

We love you Papa and Gramielle!

Ava passed out all the "party flavors" to her friends before they left. 

And before I knew it, my crew (my sweet family) had the place cleaned up and all the party stuff packed up so we put shoes on and were out the door!

But not without one last goodbye hug from her bestie!

When we got home it was present opening time! That was crazy and fast. Glad Mikey managed to write down at least some of names of who they were from. 

It was a great day and we are so thankful for all the friends and family that could be there with us to help us celebrate our two precious kiddos! 

Birthday Party Part 1- The Pre- Party

We had an exciting week leading up to the big party weekend! Gigi came in town on Wednesday and we loved all the extra time we got to spend with her! She is such a good playmate with Ava and she is always fun to be around.

This little girl is in heaven when Gigi is around. 

Here they are making a collage from the leaves and flowers they collected outside. 

Kay Kay and Mimi came in town on Friday and she got even more attention!! She put them right to work helping her with one of her new puzzles. 

Connor gave Ava an early birthday present.....a Cinderella dress! (thanks for the sibling gift idea Jenny!). It was only fitting that he give her another princess dress since he gave her a snow white dress when he was born. :)

We let her open all of her presents from family before the party. Pretty safe to say she was excited!

And pretty safe to say he was UNexcited! 

He is getting all 4 of his 1 year molars AND I'm weening him (horrible timing I know!) so he hasn't been himself. In fact, since the teething and weening he has been a lot more unhappy and isn't afraid to let us know it. Looks pitiful, huh?!

Ava got lots of great stuff, including a button collection from Mimi and lots of craft stuff. We have been crafting every day since. :/

Stay tuned for part 2- The Party!

1 year old!

Oh, my sweet Connor. You are 1 year old!!! In a way it does seem like a year has gone by but when I think about you as a little baby and all the milestones you went through this first year I feel like I have missed something. It all went by too quickly for me. You have changed so much this past year and the love that I had for you the first time I saw you has only multiplied times 100! You have been the perfect addition to our lives and you bring us so much joy.

This past month has been full of new milestones and as always,  lots of fun!

*You weigh 25 lb.s 15 ounces (75-90%), you are 31 1/2 inches tall (90-97%), and your head size is 19 inches *90-97%) = You are a BIG boy!

*You are walking!! You have been walking for about 3 weeks now and watching you toddle around the house is one of my favorite things. You almost always have a toy or random object in your hands as you walk around.

*Some of your favorite things this month have been SHOES (as in, you are obsessed and always want to touch or hold any shoes you find), mommy's brushes (you try and brush my hair and it's so cute!), balls, and the kitchen toys (it's so funny to watch you stand beside sissy and bang all the play dishes and food around as if you are making something).

*Since you have been walking, you and sissy interact so much more. You love to do what she is doing and often times you get yelled at by her because you are playing with "her" toys.

*You still take two naps a day usually between 1-2 hours each and you still go to bed early before everyone else on the planet. I know it sounds crazy to everyone else that you go to bed at 530 but it has really worked for us and you sleep almost 13 hours at night. I cannot complain one bit! You are an excellent sleeper!

*Teething can even affect the best of sleepers though.There are some days when it is harder for you to to fall asleep and your naps might be a little shorter but I credit a lot of it to new teeth. And big ones at that! Both of your bottom molars have broken through the skin recently so you now have a total of 10 teeth! Wow!

*You say "dada", "sss" for shoes, and "b" for ball. Somehow you forgot how to say mama and it has disappeared from your vocabulary. It's ok though. I know it makes your daddy feel so special when you look at him and say dada with a big grin on your face.

*You wave hi and bye and give us lots of kisses.

*You laugh when you think you are being silly or if mommy or daddy are being silly. Your favorite is when daddy gets one of your bug toys, makes "bzzzz" sounds, and then makes the bug fly around and then land on his head. Now anytime you play with one of your bug toys you make the sound and make them land on something. SO cute!!

*You are fascinated with dogs, cats, and birds (all animals actually!). Anytime you hear a dog barking or bird chirping you grunt as if you are telling us you hear them or you are trying to imitate them. I can't wait to take you to the zoo again now that you are more interested in animals.

*You eat a TON of food and will drink water from your sippy cup. I am still nursing  you 3 times a day but I plan to really start weening you after your party this weekend. I have given you milk in your sippy cup before but you didnt seem as interested in it as Ava was at your age. I'm hoping that you will start to like it more so that weening you wont be such a long and drawn out process.

*You continue to be one of the most layed back and content babies I know. You are such an observer and love to take in everything around you. In new environments and around new faces you prefer that I am close or holding you but I am totally ok with that. :) *Correction! As of a week after your birthday you have shown a different side to your usual calm and quiet personality. Now if you want something that Ava or I have taken away from you or if you are frustrated with something you groan loudly and scowl back at us. I don't think your sister did this at such an early age. I'm worried I might have my work cut out for me!

Little guy, when I think back on March 10th, 2012 the image that always goes through my mind is that moment when you were placed on my chest for the first time. You immediately stopped crying as you listened to my voice. It's as if you knew that I was yours and you were safe. You stole my heart at that moment. I hope you always know how much your daddy and I love you and more importantly how much our God loves you. You are wonderfully and fearfully made and so incredibly special. You and your sister are two of the greatest gifts that God could ever give us. I feel so blessed and honored to be your mommy. I will always be your biggest fan. I love you with all my heart Connor! I can't wait to see what the toddler years will bring for you!

xoxo,
Mommy

Daddy/Daughter Ball

What happens when you hand a little girl, who is obsessed with princesses, a random invitation and you say it's for a ball?? You better find a way to take her to the ball! This became Mikey's mission when he quickly realized that his little girl was going to hold him to it. I kept thinking about what homecoming or prom they could crash together so that she could go to the "ball" her daddy had mistakingly implanted in her mind. We saw an ad for a Daddy Daughter Dance at Bent Tree Bible Church and knew it would be perfect!

Mikey made her a new invitation and handed it to her after her nap. She was thrilled!


After a quick trip to the park after naptime we headed home so this fairy godmother could change Ava into a princess.

She picked out a purple shirt, purple tie, and blue necklace for daddy to wear to the ball. She told him that "he looked so handsome and that everyone was going to love his outfit!".

I wanted to go so badly so I could experience it with her but no moms or sons were allowed so Connor and I stayed behind. 

After a few pictures they were off on their way. I waited patiently for all the pictures that Mikey sent me by text of their evening!

Before the ball they had a special dinner at "chicken fil a"

Mikey and I were both expecting their time at the ball to be brief do to lack of activities but he was pleasantly surprised. He said there must have been about 1000 dads and daughters there! We had no idea it would be that big or be as much fun as it was! He said he would do it again every weekend if they had it!

Ava got her nails painted....

Made lots of crafts and played games.....

Did some dancing and hula hooping....

Ate cookies, drank lemonade, and took some much needed breaks....(just look at how exhausted she looks!)

Took some pictures in between by the baptizing pool....

And loved every minute with her handsome prince. :) 

This will definitely become a yearly tradition for these two!!