Absolutely Adoring My New Chapeau

One of Dan's friends/co-workers has a girlfriend who crochets.  She made me this incredibly fabulous hat in my favorite color.  Next up on her needles for me is a hat/scarf set in a classic color combo: black and red.  Photos to follow...

A Bouncy House, Balloons, and Bows

After pancakes it was time to head out to the garage for some bouncy house fun.  If you look really hard in the background, you can see Miller in his blue Spider-Man pajamas.

Here's Cara Beth closing here eyes and making a wish before blowing out her candle.  I think the way this picture was captured looks so sweet.

This is Ruthie.  She was a six-year-old helper at the party who served as a hostess and gave out all of the pancakes to the little kids.  Right before I took this she was starting to doze off because she said it was, "hard work being a helper."   :)

After Cara Beth opened her presents, a group photo was attempted by the birthday mom.  Miller accidentally sat in the birthday girl's seat and he wouldn't stop playing with the balloons that were attached to it long enough to look at the camera.  The other kids were ready to get back into the bouncy house, so basically the photo was a lost cause.

So, for humility's sake I'm including this one. Just for kicks I tried to get Miller to put this bow from a present on his head.  He wouldn't do it so I put it on my head instead.  Miller took my picture.  How do I look?

Pancakes & Pajamas

The theme for the party Miller and I attended last weekend was "Pancakes & Pajamas."  Not sure how I missed that one in my party-planning repertoire, but I will be sure to file it away for later ~ too, too precious!!! 

The first thing on the agenda was to make sure all of the party guests had an apron so that they didn't get their PJs dirty.  They came in orange, purple, pink, and green.  The animal choices were frogs, butterflies, and ladybugs.  Miller looks quite handsome in his, if I do say so myself.

The table was set with bowls of toppings (blueberries, bananas, strawberries, marsmallows, and chocolate chips), whipped cream, and syrup.

It also had bowls of cookie cutters on them.  That's because...

...while some of the pancakes were smaller and had faces on them, the others were regular sized and could be cut out into various shapes for the kids to enjoy.  On a side note, clearly Miller was only interested in the sweet toppings. 

The finished product of the cups for the kids.  Makes me want to hit a Starbucks right now!

This is one of Miller's friends from school, Eli, who just adores Miller.  I kept trying to get a picture of them but my little man wasn't having any of it.  Poor Eli kept trying to hold his hand and give him hugs, but Miller kept turning away and just kept eating.  Finally Eli kissed him on the head.  This was the pure reaction of happiness that Eli had from finally getting to show Miller some affection.  How sweet!  Miller got to be happy, too, because he still got to eat.  Everybody wins!

Taking Some Serious Notes

I used to consider myself a pretty decent hostess in the party throwing arena, but clearly I have a lot to learn from the party Miller and I attended on Saturday.  I'm going to post pictures from the actual party later but here are some of the photos of the decorations.  I was telling Ma about how fantastic they were and she pointed out to me how they were done to impress the adults.  (Not that there's anything wrong with that, I would have done the same thing.)  Well you know what...they impressed this one!!!

The entryway table decorations.

Miniature cupcakes/party favors.  (Both for the kids who came AND one to take home for each of their siblings!)  I REALLY have to step up my game!

"Tall" Starbucks type coffee cups for the kids to drink out of with lids on them, of course ~ complete with cupcake ribbons on them.

Individual printed labels for each type of drink available ~ both for kids and adults.  Each label had its own unique cupcake holder.

A cupcake tower with both mini and regular sizes.

While The Big Kids Bowled...

During the bowling party there was a good bit of down time.  I took some pictures of Dan and Miller and after Lorelai bowled a few frames she came back and snapped a few pictures, too.  I'm not posting a ton of them as the majority ended up on the cutting room floor, but here are a few highlights.

Those handsome Jacob gentlemen.

Trying the ever-popular fist-under-the-chin pose. (That one's for you "Napolen Dynamite"/Uncle Rico fans.) 

Little Black Riding Hood.

Since I'm usually the one behind the camera I asked the birthday mom, Carmen (who's also my friend and hairdresser) if she would oblige us by taking our picture.  I think she did a great job!

Lorelai took this one ~ the funny faces were her idea.

Bowl-A-Rama

Lorelai went to a bowling-themed birthday party on Saturday.  Fun, fun, fun!  When I met Dan he was the captain of a bowling team, I bowled for a season on a team with Dan and Pap while I was pregnant with Miller and got the award for Most Improved, (and trust me there was TONS of room for improvement!) and Pap still bowls in a league every Thursday.  Let's just say bowling is definitely in Lorelai's blood. 

The party wasn't until 1 pm, but bright and early Saturday morning she was dressed and ready to go.

I tried to get a picture of Miller before we headed out, but Mickey was a slippery little sucker and swooped in and took the spotlight.

Here's Cailyn, the Birthday Girl, complete with a crown in her favorite color.  She turned 6 this year.

Even in bowling shoes she looks FAB-U-LOUS!

Cailyn was a very sweet Birthday Girl and let Lorelai borrow her crown.

Checking out the scoreboard.

Hurling it down the lane.

Victory dance!

Cooling off.

Cheering on some of the other partygoers.

Miller wasn't bowling, strictly speaking, but right before the timer ran out Lorelai gave up one of her last "bowls" so that he could have a turn.  What a sweet sister!

Always a Fashion Show

Around these parts, as soon as the school day is over the uniform/school clothes come off and the dress-up begins.  You would think that would mean that the costumes would get put on.  No, no no...As long as it wasn't worn to school that day, it's fair game. 

Little Miss Hollywood ~ Off to star in her next major motion picture. 

Awww!  Looking up to his big sister.  Let me tell you, that is one popular vest!  (And the boots get some good wear, too.)

See what I mean?! 

On to the next wardrobe change.  The vest makes it's next showing with some lovely plaid shorts.  Miller is sporting a red beret, some aqua shorts, and a pink faux fur vest.  (I've spared you the bottom-ish portion of the photograph, but can't help but tell you he's wearing Easter egg socks and a pair of Lorelai's pink shoes.)  Not quite sure why she looks so "gangsta."

That's more like it.  With bookbag in tow I'm not exactly sure where she's headed, but I do know that this extraordinary girl is without a doubt headed amazing places and bound for magnificent things.  (The same is true for you Miller, you just weren't in the picture I was captioning at the time.)

Body Art

Ma CJ and Pap gave Lorelai and Miller some body paints for Christmas.  They're the kinds that are supposed to be used in the bathtub.  They had a great time drawing on themselves and the walls.