Monday, March 19, 2012

You Make Me Happy When Skies Are Gray…

Averly’s Birthday theme this year was based around the “You Are My Sunshine” song because she loves for me to sing it to her. The skies definitely started off gray that day, but by the time the party started, the sun came out & it was perfect weather for a party at the park!

I didn’t want to go overboard with “sunshines” so I just did a couple subtle touches here & there, but mainly brought her room outside. I used her quilt for her big girl bed as a backdrop, her rug as a table cloth & a few pictures that are in her room. If you saw my last post with the picture of Averly, you will see that her outfit matched her quilt. I had her quilt made by a good friend’s mom & she sent my leftover fabric back with it. So my mom made her Birthday outfit for the party with what we had left!

Picture 041

Normally I would rather not use plastic table cloths, but with the picnic tables as dirty as they were at the park, I didn’t really have an option. It still came together nicely, though.

Picture 082

I used this antique baby doll stroller as a centerpiece. I picked some dead hydrangea blooms out of my yard & spray painted them to match, then stuck them in it.

Picture 035

For the food, we had ham & biscuits, colored deviled eggs, & grapes.

Picture 025Picture 030

I made a sun out of  Twinkies & chopped pineapple.

Picture 036

I lined her baby doll’s crib that was also mine when I was little with some fabric & stuck monogrammed lollipops down in it.

Picture 027

I usually go simple with the favors & I did again this time. My mom & I made Oreo pops, then I tied sunglasses (for the sunshine!) & glow sticks to them. Super easy & the kids loved them!

Picture 028Picture 029

The beautiful cake was made by my sister’s old college roommate. It turned out exactly how I imagined it! And it tasted wonderful, too! The top layer was strawberry & the bottom was white. Plus, it was the size of a small wedding cake, so we had lots left over! ;0)

Picture 031

I found these free printables on Pinterest & decided I would use them on the cups. I especially loved them because they even had a Bible verse on them. “I am the light of the world, whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12

Picture 032Picture 033Picture 034

I stole these next 2 pictures from a friend’s Facebook page. I thought they were cute.

426041_2666908601184_1510110051_31790461_220157287_n418075_2666911361253_1510110051_31790465_1931677318_n

The invitation, made by Kelly.

Picture 037Picture 039Picture 040Picture 043Picture 044a

The Birthday Girl seeing everything for the first time!

Picture 072

This was the easiest party I have ever thrown together--and I did literally throw it all together at the last minute. I have been going & doing non-stop ever since we moved, that I just didn’t have much time to think about it. The only thing that stressed me out over this party was the weather, but it ended up being better than I even hoped for!

Next up, the party itself!

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Sneak Peak!

We had Averly’s Birthday party Sunday afternoon at the park. I am still working on getting all of the pictures together, but here is a little sneak peak at the Birthday Girl!

Picture 058

Thursday, March 8, 2012

How can it be?

My baby is TWO years old today! Wow, what a crazy, wonderful, blessed, exciting, sometimes stressful 2 years it has been!

Picture 447
Averly Brooke,

You, my baby, have been a part of our family now for 2 whole years! I look back on these last couple years & realize just how blessed I am. You continue to teach me more & more about not only motherhood, but about myself. You have taught me lots of patience-more than I never knew I had! You went from being a very laid back, easy going baby, to a head strong, knows-what-she-wants, does not like to hear “no” toddler. You’ve learned how to use your voice & sassy little attitude, for sure. But you are still sweet as pie! I love nothing more than to see my daughter learn & grow day to day. Growing up, when I would think about my future & kids, I never pictured myself with a daughter. I always wanted to be a mom to boys only. Of course, God showed me who is in charge & He gave me you. And I am forever grateful that He did. I know I’ve said this before, but you are the balance I never knew I needed until you came along. Not only do I now get to play with girly toys & dress you like you are my own living doll, but I know I will have a best friend for life.  

Aren’t you still supposed to be this small??

averly2weeks

I think this was actually the first bath you’ve had without Riley since you were a little bitty baby & it was only a couple weeks ago! But you two love it that way! You have so much fun in the tub together.

Picture 424 Picture 428Picture 430

You loooove to play in Mama’s makeup. We tell you all the time how pretty you are, inside & out. And you are. You are absolutely the most beautiful little girl I have ever laid eyes on. You have such a kind heart, too. Never forget-pretty is as pretty does! ;0) Last week you got out of your bed & came into mine early one morning. You hugged me & snuggled for a while, then held my face & said, “You so poo-dy, Mama” in the sweetest, tiniest voice imaginable. Be still my beating heart.

Picture 454

You love being outside. We have had a very mild winter, so we’ve been able to stay outside a lot lately. I think you would jump on the trampoline & swing all day long. Or head over to the park. We go over there a lot when Mama is off work during the week. Some days we have it all to ourselves. Your favorite is the slide-not the biggest one, though. You don’t like it unless you can ride down in someone’s lap. We also seesaw a lot. You have to try out each one every time.

Picture 480

You are very independent. You do love to play with us & Riley, but you are so content to play by yourself. I’m guessing this is part of being a second child. I’ve noticed really just in the last couple weeks to month you have started making your toys “talk” to each other. The conversations they have are very simple & so sweet to watch. I heard one today go like this with your Barbies: “Hey! What you doing?” “You stuck in da door?” “Otay, I hep you!”

You & your brother are BFFs. You try to do everything he does-you are basically his shadow & echo. If he is thirsty, you are thirsty too. If he wants to draw, you want to draw too. Never fails.

Picture 495

You like to eat just as much as your Mama does! You, unlike your brother, are not picky at all when it comes to food. You will eat just about anything we give you-or at least give it a try. Some of your favorites are grapes, raisins, apples, cheese, chicken strips, noodles (doodles, as you call them), almost any kind of beans, but especially butter beans, black eyed peas, corn, & sausage. You are not a big sandwich eater (peanut butter & jelly). So while that’s about the only thing I can get your brother to eat, it’s about the only thing you won’t eat!

Picture 506 

I don’t know your exact height & weight right now, but we go to the doctor next Friday for your 2 year check up. I know you will definitely be in the >95%til, just like always. You are a big girl, about the size of an average 3 year old! You are wearing mainly 2Ts right now, but I have just started buying 3T for length in pants. You are also mainly wearing a size 7-8 shoe.

Some milestones you have hit recently:

You are now climbing out of your crib on a daily basis. Sometimes even before you go to sleep, so nap time has become a little difficult at times. We have tried to get you to try your big girl bed because it is all set up & waiting on you, but you just feel more comfortable with your crib. That’s fine with me for now too.

You have been able to count to 10 for a few months now, so we are starting on 11-20. You know all of your ABCs & can recognize some letters. D, A, H, T are the ones you get right the majority of the time.

POTTY TRAINED!!!!! You all the sudden last week became interested in the potty after a few months of us just introducing it to you. One day you just decided that you wanted to use it & you have been doing great with it! I think your main incentive is the “a-prize'” (surprise) you get afterwards. You still sleep in diapers at nap & night time, but mainly during the day you are wearing big girl “pennies” ;0). We have even gone out of the house a few times with no diapers on! I am so proud of you, sweet girl!

Some sweet things you have said recently, now that you are forming full sentences & can carry on a conversation:

“God is grape, God is good.”
“I want to wock and woll” When you were wanting to play Bubba’s drums.
“Watch Elmo’s Street?”
“Red yight, stop!”

You call your toys by their actual name when playing. Yesterday you had 2 Barbie Dolls &  a Mermaid Barbie playing together & when they would talk to each other they would say “Come on Barbie Doll!” “Hide in da tent Mermaid!” “You want some juice, Barbie Doll?” You are really into your Barbies right now.

You also are very into puzzles. Your favorite is a Mickey & Minnie puzzle that Santa brought you for Christmas. You even sleep with your “Minnie poozle” everyday/night.  
    
We are still trying to grasp the concept of sharing. Some days are better than others. You actually do pretty well with toys, but it’s food that you do not want to give up!

I could go on and on and on about the things you say & do, how you are growing into such a sweet little girl & how much I love you!! You mean the world to your Dada, your brother & me. We all love you more than words can say.

But now, just a little video of you tonight at the Mexican restaurant that I’m sure will embarrass you for years to come. No, really it’s not that bad. You just did NOT like them singing Happy Birthday to you & you REALLY didn’t like them putting ice cream on your nose! I love you Sugar Pie!


Monday, March 5, 2012

This little dude knows how to…

Melt…

Picture 503

my…

Picture 504

heart!

Picture 505

I could just eat him up!