Happy Birthday Jesus

I love Christmas for SO many reasons; but the ultimate reason we want to teach our boys to love Christmas is for the celebration of Jesus! So, 3 years running we have continued our tradition of making a birthday cake for Jesus! Happy Birthday Jesus!

"Happy Birthday to You

Happy Birthday to You

Happy Birthday dear Jesus,

Happy Birthday to You!"

Curious George and the Birthday Party

We planned Klayton's 4th Birthday Party for today and it couldn't have been a better day for it! Not because the weather was beautiful-which it was; but because the theme was Curious George and George visited the local bookstore in the morning! What a perfect way to start the day!
Klayton watches Curious George-DAILY! I wasn't really sure what he would think of meeting George in person though. He is not too crazy about "mascots"; but I wondered if George would be in that realm of people in his eyes because he is such a part of our daily life! But, Klayton was eager to stand in line and wait!

When it was our turn though, he started to have doubts.

But, when asked to help Curious George spell his name, Klayton didn't have to be asked twice!

And, before we left Klayton gladly posed for a picture with George!

I was thrilled for the picture pose! I was excited to run and get a copy of the picture made for the birthday party that would start in 2 hours! Busy morning with lots to do; cupcakes to frost, lunch bags to be packed...
There is not much on the market for Curious George party decorations, unless you want to spend an arm and a leg as well as order it all online. So, I went with red and yellow for the colors, used library books-giving each table a theme from Curious George books and used lots of free online resources! The tables had placemats that guests could color!

I made the gift table and cupcake table stand out with the red table clothes and balloon bouquets!

I had sack lunches ready for the guests! When they came in they could just sit and start eating! Since the theme was focused on a child, I served hot dogs, a bag of chips, Curious George fruit snacks and a Capri Sun in each bag! This also allowed easy clean up-BONUS! On each lunch bag I attached characters from Curious George and if your bag had George or The Man with the Yellow Hat you won a door prize!

The meal was simple; but the table conversation was fun and I was able to relax without running around making sure I had enough buns, etc.!

I also set up an area based off the book, Curious George Goes Bowling! If the kids could knock down all 10 pins they received a sucker! They loved it and it helped them working on the skill of taking turns! Haha!

Of course we had presents with the birthday boy, front and center!

Klayton received SO many nice gifts this year! A bike-what a surprise that was! He received cars, a chainsaw, planes, dinosaurs, coloring books, a farm animal set and one of our personal favorites, the armor of God!

After presents we did the Birthday song and didn't have to stop! And Klayton blew out the candle without prompting!

Everyone enjoyed their chocolate chip cupcakes with a banana on top and monkey juice! Then with grateful hearts we thanked everyone for coming and let them go at their leisure!
And I decided that birthday parties are A LOT of fun and work-I am EXHAUSTED and I can't help but sigh as Klayton asks for another party...

It Begins

Friday I was sitting in the chair at the salon-where the lights are brighter and make you more aware of imperfections. I didn't necessarily want to view those imperfections in light of the coming day...my birthday. I turned 32 yesterday (Feb 2nd), it wasn't a great event as the Superbowl and the Groundhog clouded the day; but none the less I still turned 32.

I realize it is not THAT OLD and a few kind people thought I was turning 29. But, this morning I faced the harsh reality of what 32 brings...hair rollers.

Eye cream for the bags under my eyes-and yes, I do realize if I keep pouting I will need the cream for around my lips as well! I find it ironic how just a few weeks prior, the "kind" lady at the makeup counter offered me a sample of eye cream and I was quite offended...yet here I am using it.

Oh, 32 thank you for the reminder that I am not getting any younger!

I meant this as a fun post and as I was prepping my photos my husband walked in and with horror could not believe I was going to let people see me this way. So, for his sake I am including a pic of the "finished product" and proof that I don't stay in my hair rollers all day long!

Bucket List 2013

I turned 31 last Saturday. Wow! I'm beginning to realize that I am definitely not getting any younger! I had the idea to make a bucket list of sorts, things to accomplish this year. Initially, I was going to list 31 things; but the list below was enough of a struggle...

10 Things I Want to Accomplish Before I'm 32:

1. 1 week of new dinner recipes.
2. Do a random act of kindness for a stranger.
3. Reach $1500 in 1 month of Scentsy sales.
4. Read 12 books I've never read before.
5. Get something I've written published.
6. Do my family tree.
7. Eat s'mores with Klayton.
8. Try a new dish instead of ordering the same old thing when I go out to eat.
9. Cut out Red40 from my diet and the diet of my family.
10. Watch 7 Brides for 7 Brothers.

Some of the above may sound odd; but I don't think I'm the only one who cooks the same things all the time or always orders the same thing at a restaurant?
The movie thing? Well, I don't know how many times I've been asked, "don't you just love 7 Brides for 7 Brothers?"
So, here goes something...