Milk and Cookies

Charlie turned 1 on May 24th. I know - that was my last post...it's been awhile. A LOOOOOONG while. For her birthday, I planned a Milk and Cookies party. I had been searching around for a cute 1st birthday theme (because I really like themes) and that one just really stood out. What is better than cookies....especially when you're one year old? Or....even when you're 34 like the Hottie? So...that's what I planned.


I will say that Rainie was a little bit of inspiration to me. She has been planning Talon's party pretty much since he was born. She is NOT a procrastinator (I guess that title is reserved for me.) So - about 6 weeks before her birthday, when Rainie literally had everything completely done for Talon's Carnival Party - I thought I better get started. And, crafting - I did.


I will say....I had a LOT of party inspirations:
A.Party Style
The TomKat Studio
Swanky Pear


You will say - I pretty much re-created all my favorites from all my inspirations. I was definitely laughed at with my spreadsheet-ing and lists and crafts. But, that's okay. It was fun. And you only turn 1 - once...right??!!

Welcome to the Party!!

Aren't these adorable!!! Thanks Ash for making them!!!

Ribbon Topiary made especially for the day.

Ribon/Picture garland...it's now hanging in Charlie's room.

This is a VERY popular design for the cake. Thanks a.Party Style for the idea. But, most importantly - thanks to my Aunt Renee's friend Diane for making the cutest cake ever!

Yummmmmmmy Cookies. The Cookie Bar. 

Closer picture of the cookie bar.

Take home bags made from Brady's lunch sacks that I had laying around.

More cookies. Some bought - some homemade. All delicious!

Isn't this so true?

My HB Banner made for Charlie. I love these darn banners!

The birthday girl and her super cute Etsy dress.

Awwww....no crying at your party!

Ready for sleep....cookie coma.

Thank you to everyone for making this such a great birthday. It's the very last 1st birthday that I will plan and boy oh boy did I have fun planning.......and eating the cookies!

Happy FIRST Birthday, Charlotte!!!

Dear Charlotte, Sharlie (as Lil calls you), Miss Charlotte (as Nanny calls you), and Charlie (as we all call you),



Oh my goodness! You are one. One year ago today I was preparing for my doctor visit in which I would be told to just head over to the hospital and really "complain" about my contractions. You were very stubborn and we were very excited for your arrival. We couldn't wait any longer. So...we headed over to the hospital and you were born 6 hours later after (luckily) we ran into Dr. Messer in the hallway and she let us stay.


It is hard to believe that you are already ONE YEAR OLD. This past year has flown by so quickly. You have perfectly completed our family of five. Maybe unexpectedly - but needless to say - you are by far my very favorite surprise I have ever received.


Let's look back at your first year:
1. Lots and lots of movies. Brady never even entered a theater until he was 3.5 years old. You...well, you've probably seen 15 movies. Of course, you slept...but, you were there.
2. Reflux - from day 1. Only at 10.5 months did they finally prescribe you some medicine.
3. Staycations - we haven't really traveled anywhere this year - but, you did join us at a Phoenix staycation with a waterpark. Everyone loves a baby - especially a baby in a teensy cute bikini.
4. At four months you started eating...and you never turned back. You.Love.Food. You're definitely mine! You eat anything. And, you seem to love it when we feed you something tarty, like lemons. You keep eating it just to put on a show of silly faces.
5. A new sitter. In August, we started you and Lily at a new sitter while I worked. You love her. You have been the only infant this year and you are doted on like no other. We love Michelle and she certainly loves you.
6. At Halloween we trick or treated in the neighborhood. You stayed at home with Dad and helped to hand out candy with Uncle Brett. We dressed you as a cute little ballerina.
7. By Christmas you were finally sitting by yourself. You loved to sit by the tree and try to grab the ornaments that you could reach.
8. Dancing fool. Although you can't yet walk - you love to dance. You will pull yourself up and bop your head to the music. You even bounce your cute, adorable, chubby legs. We're big dancers over here and you absolutely love it when we turn up the 'tunes' and dance around the house.
9. You started crawling about 9 months. You move quickly and love to find every single little piece of paper on the ground and eat it. Does it really taste that good!!? :)
10. Your BFF is the vacuum. I'm serious. When I get the vacuum out, you squeal with delight and follow me around the entire house. Like I said - BFF's.
11. Squints. Lately you have been doing the most adorable squints face. You smile, throw your head back and squint. We laugh. You do it again. You're our little comedian. We're pretty sure you'll be the class clown.
12. Your little giggle. Pretty much since you learned to laugh - you do it all the time. You give this small giggle all.the.time. And, a lot of time it is at the RIGHT time. We laugh. You do it again. Another comedic trait.
13. Mama's Girl. Sorry, Bryan...but, you are VERY attached to mom. I'm sure this will change and go back and forth, but right now...I'm your favorite. Although...the vacuum daddy is a close second.

Your brother is smitten by you. He is such a good helper and even at the age of 7 he helps to take such good care of you. You try so hard to keep up with him...but, since you can't even walk yet - it's pretty hard. But, he does a great job at trying to play with you. You love it when he rolls the ball back and forth. You throw it back, too!

Your sister thinks you are her little doll. She hates it when you do not have a dress on. And...she LOVES it when the two of you wear matching clothes. Lily loves to help feed you and even change your diapers. And, she is the best at telling us when you have stinky pants. Thank goodness. At least you know - you won't be dirty for long...she makes sure you are clean with pretty clothes on.

We will be celebrating your birthday tomorrow with just the five of us. We will have some cake and sing happy birthday. On Saturday, we are having a Milk and Cookies birthday party for you. It's going to be a hot one outside....but, it should still be a lot of fun. I'm sure you won't even notice the temperature. There will be lots of cookies and milk and pizza and cupcakes. You'll be in food heaven.

Charlotte, you are our miracle and we are so very thankful every single day that you chose us. We love you so very, very much. Happy FIRST birthday sweet girl!!


Love,

Daddy & Mommy
Brady & Lily

I Hate NOT Blogging, but....

this is the deal. My 30 days of free editing software is up. It's over. Expired. Gone.

This very well may not seem like a big deal. But, I've grown very quickly accustomed to editing my photos. I like editing my photos. And, now.....well.....I can't.

It's sad.

Editing software is pricey. It's a heck of a lot less if you are a student or a teaching professional. Does former adult corporate trainer count? Nope, it doesn't. So....while I am in the process of purchasing myself an editing software....I don't have it yet. And, my photos just aren't the same.

I have sooooooooo much to blog about:

• the Royal Wedding.
• Princess Lily and Princess Kate.
• My love for British Hats (seriously).
• Mother's Day.
• Mother's Day Family Pictures.
• Milk and Cookies Party Planning.
• End of School-itis that even my 1st grader is suffering from.
• Sharlie vs. Charlie.
• Brady's obsession with squinkies and how he is the squinkie godfather at school.
• Lily's sudden need to practice her dance recital routine all.the.time. (not sure its helping:) )
• Charlie's adorable facials and eye squints....and her bobble head dance moves.
• And...not to mention some other topics that I have typed into my phone so that I don't forget.

But, without my editing software....it seems hopeless.

I know...it doesn't even make sense. But, that's how I feel.

Here's a (yes, unedited) picture of Lily and Jakey.
I.Love.this one. Unedited and all.

I WANT TO WIN!!!!

Laura Winslow Photography is hosting a

HUGE,

GIGANTIC,

ENORMOUS,

SUPER-COLOSSAL giveaway!!!!

It's seriously unbelievable.

$6500 in prizes.

All to one lucky person.

One lucky mommy.

I want to win.

BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAD!

Go here to enter. Or, go here to check out Laura's amazing photographic talent. Or, just wish me luck!

Easter 2011

Easter is always such a fun holiday. The Easter Bunny did not come until very, very late to our house because some cuties wouldn't go to bed! It was a late night - but, worth it.


We were woken up pretty early - 7-ish by the cuties. I made homemade cinnamon rolls thanks to this recipe from Rookie Cookie. My goodness were they super delicious!!! In fact - the hottie said they were bakery style and loooooved them. It feels good when I make something that the whole family loves! Thanks Rookie Cookie!!


Following breakfast, we had our own mini Easter egg hunt with just us and the cuties. Sheesh!! It was a competition!! Brady and Lily both actually did pretty well looking for the eggs. It was so much fun - I asked if we could hide them again....but the Hottie said no :)


Then it was time to get ready and head over to my parent's house for their annual Easter Party. Tons of food, tons of people and lots of fun.


We played BINGO...

We watched tons of kids running around in their Easter best!!

We hung out with tons of family and friends.

We fed Charlie a lime and then laughed as she made faces like this...

And we even had a visit from the Easter Bunny...even if he was mighty frightening looking

Happy Easter!

It's Charlie's first Easter!!! She didn't want to sit still for a photo - but, these goones did!!

Happy Easter Everyone!!