Party for Two

Yesterday was the day we've been waiting for all month...our friends, the Miller's, annual Christmas party. This seems to come early enough that it sort of kicks off a nice long string of Christmas festivities for us and we look forward to it every year.

This year was a bit different though. Nicholas has a cold. This complicated things as we do not take sick kids anywhere they might easily pass those cold germs to others. We basically avoid close contact places like church, co-op, and friends' houses. Another complication is that Todd is out of town right now so I've been on my own this weekend making splitting up to take the kids who are not sick to their party while leaving the sick one home impossible. I waited until Saturday morning, hoping and praying that Nick would wake up better, but he didn't. He was coughing just as much as he had been. UGH. I had to tell the kids we weren't going. This was not a popular decision and I totally understood Megan's and Brandon's frustration.

Lucky for them, we've known the Miller's forever! I sent Margot a text explaining the situation and asking if Brandon and Megan could come parentless. I never would have done this is any other circumstance (and I did tell her if she thought it might cause her stress to have kids there unsupervised to tell me and I would totally understand! This party is HUGE and I didn't want to add to the stress of hosting such an event), but like I said, we've spent so much time with the Miller's and Margot has spent so much time with our kids that we all seemed comfortable with this arrangement. So after threatening lecturing our kids on what I expected of them, I took them to their party and left them with their friends and mine. I'm so glad I did! They had a great time! I can't wait to see pictures from their afternoon.

As for the sick one, he had the opportunity to have some time with Mom :) He wanted to get his Christmas shopping done so that's exactly what we did...after a quick stop at DQ for a milkshake ;)

This is my only picture of our afternoon. Can you see how sick he looks? And that little raw place under his nose where he blew his nose all week? This little guy is really under the weather. But he was a trooper! He didn't complain about not being allowed to go to the party, not one bit! I'm so proud of him for that! He was completely worn out by the time we picked up Brandon and Megan, and still, no complaining! That means the rest of the evening was video game time ;)

Hopefully, he is on the mend and no one else gets this thing! We're ready for our fun!

Christmas Party fun!

Last Saturday, we went over to Bill and Margot's house for a Christmas party! They host a wonderful party every year for family and friends where we are treated to tons of cookies and Santa, as well as great company :)

Some of my moments captured:

The minute we got there, Megan went right up and got on Santa's lap! Nevermind the fact that there was a line or anything..(sorry to all she stepped in front of!).
After I said my "hellos" I went off in search of my kids-who-had-mysteriously-disappeared and found them in Margot's fantastic playroom giving the airhockey table a big workout! That table was a big hit!

Chas beating my little guy :
Brandon and Kyle:
Brandon and Todd:
Megan having "girl time" with some great friends:

Megan and Greer.
Megan and Amelia?
Taking a break for some yummy cookies!
Another sweet, little girl for Santa's lap:
"The girls"
Thank you, Margot for taking the picture and for a terrific party!

A Party for the Birthday Boy

We were finally able to have a few friends and family over to celebrate Brandon's birthday. He was really anxious to get everyone outside for a game of capture the flag and because of the mud, we did all the indoor stuff first ;)

Poor, little Megan was the only girl at the party...
We don't drink soda, but we wanted to serve the kids something besides...water ;) While shopping, I remembered a friend of mine had put Izze on her blog and that it was all natural so I picked up a couple of cartons to try. They were a big hit! Thank you, Angi!

As far as the kids' cakes go, I bake and Todd decorates. Brandon chose a football this year:
I didn't go outside to take any pictures of him running around with his friends. I also forgot to get a picture of Brandon with his grandparents. SHEESH! I'm really slipping in the picture area lately...

Even though the weather could've been better, he really had a great time! Better late than never!

Happy Birthday, Nicholas!

My littlest guy turned 7 today! I can't believe it! Although it seems like yesterday that I brought his little 9lb 9oz self (he was my second smallest baby) home, it also seems like he's always been here. I can't imagine one day of my life not knowing him.

He is funny, shy, and snuggly. He sometimes crawls in my bed very early for some snuggle time. He's like a little heater :) He builds all kinds of things that baffle me. He's so smart. And handsome! He looks like his dad :) He loves to do crazy things...not dangerous really, he's actually kind of conservative...just crazy. He cracks us up!

He's also stubborn; especially about food. And school. He hates to hear the word "no".

He takes awhile to warm up to things. He doesn't like "switching gears" so to speak. Maybe he gets that lovely trait from me as I hate change.

We had just a very small party for him today to celebrate his day. Just us and my mom. He picked our meal (not healthy of course) and told his dad what he wanted for a cake. I'm the cake baker and Todd is the cake decorator.
Our monkey picked a monkey cake for the second year in a row ;)
Opening presents:
Loving his new Crystal King:
Brandon helped him get it together ASAP!

A birthday hug from Meemaw:
Little hands:
Happy Birthday my sweet, little guy :)

Celebrating, Graduate Style

As you can see, last week was busy! And fun, of course! Through all that though, we planned a party in Kristen's honor to celebrate her achievement. We decided to have it at the church her dad attends so everyone she loves would feel comfortable coming. It was a great idea! They have a picnic shelter, the best playground ever, and a cool sand volleyball court so there was something for everyone! Her friends and family drifted in and out throughout the afternoon congratulating her. It was wonderful to see everyone! We had a really good time!

We were really hoping for a sunny day (it was supposed to rain) and the weather couldn't have been better! Sunny and breezy...very nice! Actually, it was down right windy but although it made a few things a challenge (like keeping your plate from blowing away!) it kept the temperature very comfortable under the shelter.

Her cake was three sheet cakes put together! There were these little silver tiaras scalloped all around the edge that you can't see...very cute!
There was TONS of food! Kristen's stepmom, Sandy, and I did the cooking (except the potato salad...thanks Mom!).
The party gets started!
My mom gave Kristen a picture frame that had a picture of the three of us; my mom, me, and Kristen, all during our senior year. How cool is that?!?
More partying :)
The super-fun playground:

A rousing couple of games of volleyball:
That's my hubby serving in that one :)

A couple more shots of the graduate:
Here with her grandparents.
And getting cake ready for her guests. She's a good hostess :)

There was so much cooking and preparing to be done that week. Kristen's job was brownies so she recruited her little sister to help with that :)
I forgot to take a picture of all the chocolate on their mouths ;)

It was a great day and such a meaningful celebration!