The Big Birthday Post

I don't know how to do a *small* birthday party. 

I tried.

It didn't work.

I guess it's because I really think that birthdays should be done up BIG.  Since they are such a celebration of life.  So this one was no exception.

Our little boy, ahem, I mean big boy turned 3.

Can you guess the theme?

The Wonder Pets, of course!  All the kids got their own capes

and a note in their gift bags telling them that there were some animals in trouble!

There was even some face painting courtesy of my very talented sister.

The birthday boy actually had a wardrobe change due to some serious fun in the sand and water table (good thing we have more than one Wonder Pets shirt!)

We were blessed to celebrate with lots of family

and friends.

In lieu of a cake, we opted for colorful cupcakes and ice cream sundaes.

 

 

 

It was a super,

super day!

And as for the birthday boy? This big birthday boy didn't even cry when everyone sang happy birthday.

AND he even blew out his own candle! Best part of the day in my opinion.

The day was pretty amazing.  Just like him.  I already have idea's for next year's celebration.  And to think, next year I'll be planning 2 parties!

1 month

In one month

my little baby,

 My baby,

(remember those adorable glasses?

 

 will be THREE!!!

From 18 to 30

This is my husband (then my boyfriend) and I celebrating our 18th birthdays. In 1998. When we graduated high school together and headed off to separate colleges. We had no idea where our relationship was going to go. We had so many new adventures ahead for us bringing new challenges for us both. Surviving 4 years of college as a couple, living away from each other was definitely not easy. But we made it, somehow.



This September we both celebrated our 30th birthdays. We decided to celebrate and invited our friends and family for a night out. I really was hating the idea of turning 30 (and feeling old) for the longest time, but the more I thought about it the more I realized that I should be thankful for another year.



Recently we returned to my alma matter (North Park University in Chicago) and walked around the campus. We walked down the same streets and paths where I had lived for 4 years and Ryan had driven once a week to visit me, towing our little two year old behind us in his wagon. It was pretty surreal, thinking about how unsure we were about things then and how blessed we are now.





Here's to 30 more birthdays...and then some!

Just because...

...I'm always the one behind the camera. And this time I wasn't.

Sweet treat

We went for ice cream the other week for my 30th birthday. It dawned on me sometime before we left that Nathan had never had his very own ice cream cone before (this is partially because he has been hot and cold with ice cream-sometimes he likes it and will eat it, other times he won't touch it- and also partially because I can not stand him being a sticky mess). I decided to let go of my fears of sticky hands and clothes and let him have at it. And boy, did he ever. He ate THE. WHOLE. THING. and was in heaven. See for yourself!

A celebration of life

Yes, I know I'm a little late. But this super-megapost is going to make up for it, I promise! June was a big month for us. Nate turned 2 on the 9th and we had his party on the 26th. And it was big, because birthdays are big around here. They truly are a celebration of life. And that's just what this whole month was. A celebration of two years with our little boy. (Yes, little boy-he's not a baby anymore, let me tell you. Or, actually, he'll tell you. In some loud fashion).

On his actual birthday the three of us visited the Michigan City zoo. Nate enjoyed checking out the animals and riding in his wagon. His favorite were the bears. It was fun seeing him so interested (and talking so much) this time around.

After the zoo we went home where we had a little mini-party with grandmas, cousins and aunts. Thanks to my mom who made dinner for us!





After dinner it was time for the main attraction...



It has a push button on the steering wheel and a handle that you can control from behind. Really just perfect for him to get around in!



After Nate was done driving around town it was time for some cake. And since he is in love with Elmo lately, I just had to!



Okay, so he's not much on the whole singing "Happy Birthday". For some reason it kinda freaks him out. Not unusual that we get tears. But fear not, they didn't last long!



All in all a fantastic day!

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I probably put way too much on myself when it comes to his birthday parties. I just can't help myself. I like to think I am creative (um, I am an art teacher after all) so I like to put a little extra effort into them. I just want it to be the most perfect, fun, right-down-to-the-very-last-detail kind of day.



And that celebration of life thing I was talking about? Well, it wasn't just about the birthday boy.



And as for a theme-well I think I picked the perfect one. What could be better for a little boy who thrives in the water and has a birthday in June?









Another round of singing "Happy Birthday" which was received much better this time. No crying!



And oh, how this little boy loves his cake!



We rounded out the evening with Nate opening a few presents.



I have to say, this party was so much fun! It was so nice having Nate be able to partake in the activity with everyone else. He really shines in the water. He really enjoyed himself, too. Just soaked up every minute of it. It truly was a perfect day filled with family, friends, splashing and laughter all to celebrate the life of one amazing little boy!