operation: dino birthday

Plans for Parker's second birthday party are already in full swing! Last year, I started planning when he was like five months old, so this year, I actually held off a bit longer. We don't do over the top, super expensive parties. I just like to make almost everything myself, and I like to have tons of little details to make the parties extra special. I like for people to come to the party, have fun, and remember it!

I sort of stumbled onto this year's theme, when a friend bought me these:

Dinosaur sprinkles! My first thought when I seen them was, "this is the second birthday theme." Since then, I've went back and forth on it. I was afraid it was too bright, or that the pink & purple were too girly. But after much thought, and reassurance from the husband, I've committed to this theme. We figure, the bright colors will be fun in gloomy January, and toddlers love all colors!

The first thing I did was make a trip to Hobby Lobby to find paper to match the sprinkle colors. I found the perfect colors and bought a few sheets of each. I already have a cricut cartridge that has the dino shapes, so I got to work cutting them out and seeing what color combos I liked.

Adorable, right?

I'm going to sew a bunch of these together (in a ton of different color combinations) and use them as streamers! I'm also thinking of making some cupcake toppers (still haven't decided if I want to do cupcakes or a sheet cake). I'm going to pick one T-Rex that I like the best to use on the invites (in a bigger size of course!), and also make the banner out of this paper as well.

For the goodie bags, I found these crayons, and I'm going to make some coloring sheets based on the cricut shapes. I'd love to find some sort of theme appropriate candy, and maybe get some of those dinosaurs that expand when you put them in water. Also, dinosaur stickers would be fun (Parker LOVES stickers!).

More fun things I'm considering:

Pin the tail on the dinosaur
Finding dinosaur themed music (land before time soundtracks?)

Dino themed menu
A hat like this for Parker

Dinosaur shaped cookies (I need to use up those sprinkles!)

That's all I have for now! I'm sure right now there are things I haven't even though about, but I have plenty of time! I would love to hear suggestions from everyone!

three years

Three years ago, we boarded a plane and flew to Vegas. Only a handful of people knew. Three years ago, we got in a limo and went to a chapel. We walked down the isle together, with only two witnesses watching, and vowed to love each other forever and ever and ever.

first haircut

I have had been putting off Parker's first haircut. Just thinking about chopping off those curls made me want to cry. I was looking at him the other day, with his hair in his eyes, and I just decided.. it's time. So the next time Ben went to get his haircut, we all went. Parker watched his Daddy get his haircut, he climbed around and we told him it would be his turn next.

We put him in the chair, and this happened

But, he played with Daddy's phone, and the old ashtray on the chair (don't worry, it was clean!)

but when those didn't work, the barber busted out the big guns

Yep, a sucker! His first! Once he had that, he was perfectly fine! I wish I could say the same for myself. Once we got home, I cried more than he did. His hair was just SO short! I just wanted it trimmed so he could see. But seriously, now that I've had a few days, I'm fine. His hair has practically grown back. So we'll be doing it all over again in a few weeks! :)

**Fun fact: Ben has been going to that barber shop since he was a little boy!



A Bad Week

This past week has been horrible! Last Wednesday, I woke up and couldn't move. It took me 10 minutes to painfully roll out of bed. That was 6 am. By 7 I was calling/texting Ben to tell him to come home. I couldn't pick Parker up, it was so painful to sit or stand. Ben didn't get any of my texts or calls (he has ZERO reception at work). But he called me at 9 during his break. I was in tears and told him he had to come home, now! Well, it took my back until Friday to get better. But then, Monday, I got some sort of stomach virus! (I told you it was an awful week). That little bug lasted until late Tuesday. I'm just thankful that Ben and Parker didn't get it. (Maybe it was something I ate?)

So, no fun stories, or inspirational pictures today. Just letting everyone (anyone reading this yet?) know where I've been. Tomorrow will bring something prettier (hopefully!)

vacation

ben has worked the past 11 days. 12 hours each day. & it has sucked. to top it off, parker has his last canine coming in (horrible!) and he no longer stays in his crib. he has been climbing out of it on occasion for the past month or so, but it was rare. then the other night (when that tooth started to come in) he refused to stay in bed. so, his mattress has been on the floor, and that is where he sleeps. the toddler rail is going to take up to 8 weeks to get in! (FAIL on planning ahead). blah. anyway, all of this has me dreaming of going somewhere beautiful with my boys...

like, the grand canyon

or morocco

or france

hey, a girl can dream, right? ;)

what is YOUR dream vacation?

all of these pictures are of resorts owned by AMAN. they did not pay me in anyway to promote their resorts, i just stumbled upon their website and absolutely fell in love with ALL of thier resorts!

hello.

i had sorta, kinda, maybe, lost hope in blogging. i started a blog when i got pregnant with parker in 2009 and basically abandoned it when he was born. oops! but he is now 18 MONTHS old, and i think i'm ready to fully commit to this blog world. i've never stopped reading my favorite blogs and i just love peeking into other peoples' lives! so, why not give everyone a chance to peek into my our life?!