Mommy Monday

Lil Miss and I had a mommy & me morning last Friday.  I went to get my brows waxed and she loves coming with me.  Afterwards I spoiled her with a cake pop and she was in lollipop heaven with her blue sucker too!

After that we hit up Party City to check out any last minute party supplies and then met up with Daddy and brother at the mall. It was a such a fun morning!

Saturday my girlfriend Kristin came over to help me decorate for the kids' party which was on Sunday.  We were so impressed with how well it turned out!

The sign said "Aloha" so we obvi changed it to Rio.  Thank you again Kristin!

Birds, bright colored flowers, primary colored balloons and streamers were just enough to make it feel like a festive little area.

Most of our budget went into the cake, (which I still cringe over) BUT it came out adorable and everyone (and then some!) enjoyed it.

I have tons of photos, but I of course need time to upload them ;)  Here is one of my favorites, of my two.  They've been dying to get their fingers into ring pops, so I finally caved and let them have some for the party.  Hence their blue and green mouths.  Ya only turn 2 and 4 once and we still had a fantastic meet up with the dentist this morning, so I'm rolling with it.

Brooke & Bradley, I love you more than you'll ever know; you two have so much spunk, personality, creativity, joy, love and life---I need to constantly stop and thank my lucky stars all throughout the day, for a perfect pair like you.

I hope you had so much fun during your party; I had so much fun getting ready for it.  Love you!!

What I am Loving...

Wednesday, err Thursday??  This week?

Oh my gosh, where has January gone?!   I wanted to share Brooke's birthday; we went up to where Daddy works and had a little pizza party with balloons and some cake.  He had to work late, so we wanted to try and spend a little time together.

She blew out her candles and definitely enjoyed her cookie cake that Daddy picked out!

After the oldest turned four, I immediately started to get emotional about this one turning two.  Don't let that sweet grin fool you, he is a crazy little bubs! He just never stops and his energy is intense.  I love it and would not wish for it any other way.

Friday we snuck out for our Date Day and I had acupuncture; I wished I had brought some makeup to refresh with, as I feel like I look rather pale!  We had a wonderful little lunch, drove around and enjoyed some chats and some silence!

I requested that he take me to Breathe Yoga studio, as I have been too nervous to go before, and I've been wanting to check it out for years.  They have a delicious juice and smoothie bar.  I am obsessed with their little immunity defense shots!!

Come Monday, I was so proud of myself that I actually went to a Yoga class. I got up at 5am and made it to the 6am practice.  I'm still sore. I can't wait to go back.

Tuesday night Bubs turned 2!!  We decided to go to Longhorn Steakhouse.  The kids were fairly well behaved and we enjoyed ourselves.

Someone was *a little* jealous of the attention brother was getting, but she hung in there like a champ.  She's obsessed with her new bird from Grandma.

Mr. Cranky (literally was fairly moody all day long!) gave some dirty looks before dessert.

We just got him a few gifts and he LOVED the scooter my friend Lindsay recommended.  He's so big, it's killing my momma heart!!

Big sissy was such a huge help opening the cards and gifts.

And totally random, but I really like this tea.  My throat had been hurting for almost a week and I was downing this tea like it was my job.  My throat is starting to feel better, but now I sound like a man (or Luann from the RHONY).

What are you loving this week?

Friday Night Meatballs

We did it!  We actually hosted a "Friday Night Meatballs".  I'm a little late to post about it, but as is life! 

Brooke Lynn
Brooke and Joe did some clean up outside on the back deck, as the furniture was still outside.  Really, they just wanted an excuse to play in the leaves! Love this girl.

It was a lot of fun and definitely something we would love to do again, I just don't think I could do it every week.  Maybe it'd be less of an ordeal, but you could tell for everyone, coming over "for dinner" was a big deal.  I may have invited a lot of people, but I didn't really know what to expect.  We had a lot of "no response" which is always annoying, and we had some people who couldn't make it last minute, understandable.



My niece was getting super hungry and couldn't wait to eat!

Father & Son

 Either way, the house was full of food, laughter, and lots of people!

My love!

My dad & step mom!

Chatting with friends!

I would recommend gathering everyone into the dining room.

We had plenty of room, but I was putting the baby to bed and people were already sitting at the kitchen table eating. I didn't want to make them move.

Next time I would not put out this many chairs.  I reeeeeeeally wanted everyone in one room! Being me, I was kind of upset for a bit about that, but what can I do. I learned for next time!

Most of the food was eaten by the time I remembered to snap a pic.

So, while we didn't get the effect of the table being completely filled up, we still had a wonderful time!

Brookie loved running around with the other kids and goofing around with Daddy.

That was my goal. 1) Have a table full of friends/family 2.) Let the kids play.

It gave us an excuse to light these candles that have been up here forever…

Our sauce with meatballs…smelled so good!

I decided to make some chicken cutlets too, just to make sure we had enough to eat.

The biggest hit?  Homemade bread.  The first batch I tried to make didn't work out and I got pretty upset, but Joe insisted I try again, instead of just buying some at the store.  I was so glad that I did! There was NONE left.  {Recipe}

My favorite part?  He was excited to make meatballs and help tidy the house for our friends to come over.  He'd kill me if he knew I posted this, but how can I not?! Seriously it melts my heart when he is in the kitchen. {real life kitchen = mess}

Have you hosted a dinner party? I will definitely do it again, I'm thinking February when holidays and birthdays are out of the way.  

Brooke's 2nd Birthday {Frozen}

On Sunday January 11, our little Brooke turned 2!  To be quite honest, I didn't even think that we would be able to have a party because I thought baby boy would make an appearance!  I tried my best to not stress out and get all Type-A like I usually do.  It was hard because I LOVE party planning. I love hosting and having people over.  I absolutely love cooking and having a house full of people.  Well, when you're past your due date and aren't sure when #2 will make his arrival, ya just don't have the stamina to go all out and Pinterest-y.  [like her first birthday here]

When she woke up we gave her one of her gifts.  I found it on E-bay for $20--score!  My friend had told me that her kids loved having a tent to play house, put their babies in, or just go hide.  I thought it was the perfect size and she loves the crowns.  I will most likely put it in her room once the pack-and-play and swing make their way back into our living room.

She immediately brought her blankets and toys inside.

Despite her cold, she was a happy happy girl!

Even Holly checked out the new toy.  

As for the party details, it was a very short guest list.  I only invited close family, no friends.  I just didn't want to have to worry about calling too many people IF we had to call it off.  

My sister had our cake made. It was the same lady who did our wedding cake, bridal shower, and previous birthday cakes.  How adorable?  This is her photo:

We added the Elsa doll and Brooke just about died she was so happy with it!

The only other "Frozen" theme thing I did was find a punch.  

Recipe calls for: 

Blue Hawaiian punch

7up

Splashes of pineapple juice

vanilla ice cream

Hubby went to the store and couldn't find Blue Hawaiian punch, so he grabbed a bottle of gatorade.  I didn't expect it to taste very good, but WOW. Everyone loved it haha!  It looked even cooler as the "snow melted" on top.  Definitely a hit with the girls.

Back when I was ordering Christmas gifts off Amazon, I also ordered just one set of decorations, cups and plates too.  Simple, yet added just a little something extra to make it feel like a party.  I know Brooke won't remember, but I will.

Our niece Adri playing with Brooke.  

Nana and Papa

Instead of a lavish spread, we opted for pizza and boneless wings.  Best idea ever.  No dishes to do and no real mess to clean.  This prego was happy.  And Brooke?  Oh she just loves pizza.  Just not the crust.

 

Adri was such a big helper and really such a wonderful big cousin to Brooke.  

She got her very own puppy purse like her big cousin's!!

She also received some new food to play kitchen with. 

Everything was, "ooooo" and "wow."  Once again, it was so much fun to see her open things.

Her first American Girl Doll.  It will be a "special toy" only to be played with highly supervised.

I think it will be perfect, especially if she's starting to feel left out while I nurse baby boy, she can play with her baby.

Showing Uncle Eric!



She got new oven mitts and a chef's hat to do her cooking with.

She loved showing everything to everyone.

Great Grandma picked out this outfit, I mean come on.  How stinking cute is it?!  I want one in my size haha



Daddy helped her cut her cake.

She was like, whoa!

This stuff is pretty good.

Man, why don't we get this ice cream stuff more often?!

We keep trying to teach her that she's "Two" and she says two, but shows us 4 fingers.

We had a moment in the kitchen and Mama D captured it---thank you!!  I just love this little girl.

I tried to keep the party short, as it it was a Sunday and I know people have other things they need to do, plus we were tired.  Brooke fell asleep on Daddy for a nap, which NEVER happens! 

I may have pulled out my Valentine's Day decor too, but only because I know I won't be thinking about it once baby boy arrives.  I just love, love.

It was a beautiful day full of lots of love.  I still cannot believe it was two years ago that we brought her into this world and are waiting (any minute!) for the arrival of her sweet little brother.  Here's to a wonderful year, filled with many incredible experiences to come.  This year will be many more 'firsts' and we can't wait to see all the joy you will bring. Happy Birthday Brooke Lynn. Mommy and Daddy love you more than you will ever know!