9/22/2011

So this is what it's like?

...to have a two year old?

The day after his 2nd birthday party.  The tantrums begin.  He wanted to hold the bag of graham crackers by himself and we didn't want him to get messy before church.

We gave in, that's how it goes with us.  We need to toughen up.

Later that day we went to Kameron's 1st birthday party, look how cute!

Ryder and Levi

In deep thought.


My bebe

Cheering from home since his party was the day of the Auburn game, don't worry we know how to schedule, it was an away game.

JM must've caught my glares and got him out of the house so I could get my decorate on.

Ever since the day that crazy looking ice cream van came, Ryder wants a popcicle all the time.  Yeah, we're kinda redneck over here.

Last Saturday we ventured to the zoo.  We got there at 3:30 and found out they closed at four.  It was a zoo marathon.  Little cousins Walker, Sellers, Tucker and Ryder.

I wasn't kidding, I believe JM was in full sprint at this point.

CC & Poppy with Tucker, Walker and Sellers


Uncle John Michael quizzing the boys on what their favorite part of the zoo was.  Ryder claims his favorite part was Baby Jaguar, Giant Tortoise  and Woodpecker.  Go Diego Go is to blame for his response.

CC with her grandsons.

CC and Poppy kept all the boys that night (Ryder didn't spend the night but stayed until about 9).  I have a good feeling this won't happen again for a long time!  I think grandparents might've been a little worn out.

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John Michael has been wanting a jeep for a long time.  I'm not a fan.  Not because of anything other than I think they are unsafe.  I told him he could get a jeep if he traded in his Tahoe.  He said no, he wants this jeep to have for fun.  He shared with me over lunch last week that he was going to look at one.  I agreed because I knew he would have a good time looking and then he would come home empty handed.  He did not come home empty handed.  He came home with a jeep, much to my SHOCK.

I was not very excited about this and warned him that I would "match his price" for myself (I know that's horrible, but c'mon, this was my only chance to buy things I want without him saying a word!)  So my friends, tonight I am typing in my bed on my new pretty MacBook, yes indeed!

Now back to the jeep, let me clarify some things.  At first I said Ryder would not be riding in this jeep.  Of course that didn't last long because every time Ryder walks outside he says he wants to ride in his jeep (I'm feeling confident JM has been practicing this with him).  So my agreement is that Ryder can only ride in this thing in Clinton and under no circumstances will he be going on the interstate.  I will stand firm on this!


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More proof that Ryder is indeed two:

Tonight's events at Chick-fil-A:
First, I took a little bite of his ice cream.  He screamed very loudly for several minutes, then refused to look at me.

Still avoiding me at all costs.

Then on the way out I tried to sneak past the play area.

He's no dummy I tell you.

On our way out the door we passed two cops walking in.  Ryder was still screaming and I said to them jokingly, "I sure wish he was old enough to know what it would mean if I said "If you don't straighten up these police men are going to take you with them."  They did not think this was funny.  At all.  I was kind of embarrassed :(

Also, I feel bad because I told Ryder I would take him to Walmart and buy him a new book if we skipped out on play area.  I thought he would forget but he didn't.  He asked me why we didn't go to the grocery store to get his book.  Oops.  I was ready to get home!

9/13/2011

A very Seussy birthday party

I have been planning Ryder's party for a while now because it takes me a while to get organized and have everything just so.  I can't do things on a whim like a lot of people, I wish I could.  Most everything was a DIY project - I do love a good project.

Here is my inspiration to the party!

The invitation - just made it on my computer and bought the cardstock and envelopes at Walmart, easy and cheap!


"Hat" cookies I made at midnight the night before his party, it was a last minute idea.

Utensils - I made the labels on my computer as well.  They say Ryder is Two!


Cake, made by Baker's Bakery in Clinton

Cupcakes, made by yours truly :)

I made the toppers on my computer as well.  I just googled Dr. Seuss images and cut them out in circles.  I found a template for the cupcake holders online and used a program to make the stripes and cut them out.  Another DIY project.

Party Hats.  I had some old party hats that said happy birthday leftover from Ryder's birthday last year.  So I took them apart and traced them out on this red and white wrapping paper.  The blue on the top is cut up pieces from a boa that I found at Hobby Lobby.  Supposed to look like the Thing 1 and Thing 2 characters.

These are images from book covers that I found once again on the internet.


Party favors.  I thought these looked Seuss-y enough.  Designed and printed these tags on my computer as well.


Had to frame that cute picture and put it out.

Poms that I made.  Saw the instructions in one of my Southern Livings.

I bought this cloth from Hobby Lobby and found the striped ribbon at Walmart and used fabric tape to stick it to the cloth all the way around.  No sewing for this mommy!

As guest left, they were asked to sign this Happy Birthday Book (these are even Dr. Seuss markers!)

The mantle decor.
I love my a & z bookends, found them for five bucks!

I scanned pages to my computer from our Green Eggs & Ham book and cut them out to make the banner.

Balloon wreath.  Another DIY.  Found instructions online somewhere.


Cake table.

My cookies.

And now for the food.
Crummies in your Tummies (Chips)

Oodles of Noodles (pasta salad)

Goldfish - Of course.

Yot in a Pot (cocktail sausages)

Truffula Sticks (fruit skewers)

And what's a Dr. Seuss party without GREEN EGGS and HAM!
(Nanni made these stuffed eggs and used food coloring, I would be clueless)

And ham (mini ham & cheese sandwiches)

Up next: Featuring some of our party guests, including our very own Dr. Seuss himself!
(I know this is long, bear with me!)

Oh, just waiting on my friends to arrive.

 Dr. Seuss (Brooke) trying to tell Ryder to come here

He said you can forget that!

Go fishing!
I created this little fishing game in my head and went to Hobby Lobby and they had everything I pictured.  I found some little wooden shaped fish and I glued a magnent to the back.  Then I got some wooden sticks, glued a piece of ribbon to them, and a glued a magnet on the end and wah lah.  A fishing pole.  It was a hit, surprisingly.  I printed the sign on the computer and stuck it to a handy BankPlus yard stick.

See, it's fun!

Ryder got a big'n

Preston and Pace caught a couple too.

Sellers was the only child who did not run from Dr. Seuss.

Thanks to Devin we have all the pictures you are viewing, she took my camera off my hands!

 Many parents thanked me for supplying a jump jump because they felt that their child would sleep really well that night.

 Ryder snackin with his aunts.

Our youngest party animal - Sofie, just 4 weeks old!

Party hat was cutting off his circulation (his head is still in the 90th % you know..)

I like how excited Ryder looks about getting to blow out his candles.

He got them both!

 Enough presents, can I go outside now?  And wear my new boots too?

Mom and Sister

Ryder and Swayze sharing the Foot Book

I like to think he's saying:
"Thanks for the party, mom!"