Birthdays!

I love planning my kids' birthday parties. Landon's birthday is close to Halloween so the last two years we have done a Halloween themed party. Last year when he turned 5 we had a costume party complete with dry ice in the punch, decorating pumpkins and mummy wrapping games. This year we headed out to Maxwell's Pumpkin Farm to wonder through the corn maze, ride the cow train, slide down the giant mountain slide, and so much more. The kids--and a few dads--all had a blast! I made a wonderful pumpkin cake that turned out great--I even impressed myself! Upon the birthday boy's request, I made him a birthday balloon! I used to make them for his friends and they have a great time popping the balloon to find what's inside. The place I used to buy the balloons at has closed, and the new party place across the street has bad balloons. I cannot get the balloon stuffed without it popping on me while I stuff it, so my son probably got the last one I will ever make, unless Gracie can convince me otherwise or I find another place to buy balloons.

A special thanks to Aunt Whitney (Wene) for taking all the wonderful pictures of Landon's party!

Landon,

Wow have you grown up this year! It seems like yesterday you were crawling around getting it to trouble and now you are running around but still getting into your share of trouble. You started kindergarten this year, you love playing sports, and hanging out with your friends. Most of all, you love watching Texas Tech with your dad--you really lived it up this football season! Dad and I love you and as Dad has told me several times, "You are a pretty cool kid!" Before we can blink twice you will be off on your own, and I will be remembering your loud drums banging up stairs and the pirates "Going Band from Raiderland" Costume or whatever other costume you found to wear as you ran through the house. Praying for you always~Mom





Now for Miss Gracie's 3rd Birthday Party. Her birthday is just a few days before Christmas so she typically just has a family party on her real birthday, then we have another friend party after the first of the year! She has been really into Tinkerbell this year--she was even Tinkerbell for Halloween, which I made a great costume--so her family party was all about Tinkerbell. However, her friend birthday party will be a Fancy Nancy birthday party, including a special guest to entertain us all. I am waiting until it gets a little warmer to have a fancy little picnic tea party for a few of her friends. I made special cupcakes with huge icing flowers on top. I even found a cute little Tinkerbell doll, the perfect size to stick in Gracie's cupcake. The sugar cookies had "3" on them and after a family dinner featuring Bo's special spaghetti--requested by the birthday girl--and opening presents, Gracie blew out the candles and enjoyed her cupcake.

I took the pictures so they are not as grand as Aunt Whitney's but it works!

Miss Gracie,

You have grown up too! Carrying around all your "stisters" and lip gloss! I feel like you almost skipped being a baby and are all grown up now in the blink of an eye. You sure can tell a wild story, and at times, that temper of yours takes over the sweet girl inside. We deal with it and that precious girl returns. You love your big brother and he loves you, even though he is just figuring out how to push your buttons. Daddy and I love you more and more each day. I know you can not stay little forever, but when you are up and gone one day all too soon, I will always long for the days when you pranced around the house in your high-heal dress-up shoes, or cuddled with me on the couch to watch morning cartoons. Praying for you always~Mom




Happy Birthday kids, I love you both more than you will ever know! Mommy