Anni's Pinkalicious Party

First birthday parties are a big deal around here. So we knew Anni's needed to be special. Then a few weeks ago, right in the thick of planning Anni's party, we found out that my family was going to be in town the weekend after Anni's birthday. We never usually have much family around for birthdays, so we quickly changed our plans and decided to have an all family party. Little Anni was lucky to share her big party with all her favorite people.

THE PINKALICIOUS DETAILS...

Call me crazy, but I decided I didn't want the mess and craziness of a big party at my house, so we rented one of sport court rooms at Noah's to house the party.  We thought the kids would have a lot of fun playing games and running around. I was especially grateful I made that decision, when I ended up with walking pneumonia the week of the party.

A couple weeks before the party Reese and I had a big crafting day and made this fun banner, birthday hats, gift bags and a fun cake topper. Reese helped pick out the theme, the paper and all the cute embellishments. She also helped do all the cutting and gluing.

We also made Pinkalicious cupcakes and a fun little cake, just for Anni. We served pizza and old fashion rootbeer for dinner.

THE BIRTHDAY GIRL...

Was pretty much in awhh the whole night. She especially liked the balloons.













THE PARTY...

Anni loved her hat!



Reese, of course, had an honorary "sister of the birthday girl" hat.









Reese helped Anni blow out her candle.



Anni is a lucky girl and got some fun gifts from her aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents.



Her cousin Mycol made her the most beautiful matching necklace and bracelet.







Reese and I made this fun surprise ombre cake. I'm making another one for Anni's one year photo shoot next week. During the photo shoot she'll be able to dive in face first, just like Reese did on her 1st birthday.











THE FUN...

In each of their gift bags the kids got glow wands or glow swords. The had a blast turning off the lights and running around in the dark.









The party was a huge success and we had the best time. A big thanks to everyone for coming and helping us celebrate Anni's first year in our family!

Happy One Year!!

One year ago today I was lying on an operating room table having an unexpected early cesarean, due to some complications with my pregnancy. As I listened to the doctors talk about their day and what they had done over the weekend, I was trying not to panic and stay calm. Arnold was holding my hand at stroking my cheek, and with every breath I was saying a little prayer that any second I would hear the sound of my sweet baby cry her first breath.  It happened faster than I expected and it was the sweetest sound I have ever heard. Two minutes later I was kissing her beautiful little face...it was love at first sound and sight.

Happy birthday my sweet girl!

St. Patty's

We didn't have the best St. Patty's day...to say the least. Both the girls have been sick all week, and while they are both starting to feel better, they were nice enough to share the nasty bug with their mom and dad. We had hoped to dodge the bullet. We had both not felt well last Monday, but managed to make it through the week. Unfortunately we both woke up this morning feeling like we'd been hit by a bus. Thank goodness it's the weekend.

I had some fun things planned for "leprechaun" day, but most were tossed out the window this morning when I woke up and realized someone beat me up while I was sleeping. Although those mischievous little leprechaun's did managed to sneak into our house and plan a little treasure hunt for Reese. (Have I ever mentioned how much this kid loves any kind of treasure hunt or scavenger hunt??) They left a trail of chocolate gold from her room to the first clue, then managed to scatter gold through-out the house. It was fun to have Reese burst into our room this morning excitedly yelling, "mom, mom...those crazy leprechaun's visit me and leave chocolate all over!!" She dragged Arnold and I around the house until she found her final treasure in her bedroom closet. We tried to act as excited as two people can, who feel like death. Then Arnold was nice enough to make "green" blueberry pancakes for breakfast. That put a wrap to our St. Patty's day fun. We all sacked out on the couch for the rest of the day. We didn't even wear green. Most of us never got out of our pj's.

Swings...

first ride of the year for Reese...first ride ever for Anni...

It started out pretty good. Anni was happy for the first few swings....but...



...it didn't last very long...



Maybe it's that she's still not feeling 100%. But this little monkey wasn't quite as big a fan as her sister has always been. With Reese, the swings were love at first ride.

We'll have to try again when everyone is feeling a little better.

Not even one yet...

...and already plotting her escape.

Cabin Fever...

I definitely have it!! The funny thing is, I've gone much longer without leaving the house, but the last three days have felt like eternity. This is the first time both girls have been sick at the same time. I mean really really sick. Throw-up, fevers...mainly fevers. The good news is that both my girls tend to just sleep a lot when they're sick. Sunday night was the only night I was up with Reese...throwing up. But since then, there's just been a lot of shut eye.

As a result, I'm bored out of my mind. I would clean...but I'm just going to have to clean again once this nasty bug leaves us for good. The laundry is done. Not much cooking to do, when no one is eating anything. Sooooo...that just leaves one thing for me to do...

Crafting! I made these fun hair accessories for the girls, and a few to give away.

Reese was my funny little helper. She laid on the couch the whole time; checking on me every once and a while. She was always ready with an opinion as to what she liked and didn't like, which one's were going to be her's and "not Anni's", and which ones I could give away. I only halfway listened to her. I think her fever was so high...she was deliriously funny.

Independence...

From the moment Reese was born she's been on the fast track to independence. She consistently wants to take big and little steps, long before I'm ready to let go. Lately she insists on getting herself dressed. This includes picking out her clothes. She doesn't even allow me in the room when she's getting ready. While this has presented a few minor frustrations...like the fact that she a couple favorite outfits she likes to wear over and over and over again, or the fact that she hasn't quite grasp dressing to the weather...she's actually impressed me so far. On most days she's managed to put together some really cute outfits, that match and everything.

That is until today. She came downstairs in this little concoction. She even managed to get her favorite Mickey shirt into the mix.  I'm hoping it's just the fever she's had since the middle of the night that's throwing her off.

But I've continued to support her creativity and encourage her independent thinking. I told her I thought the outfit was awesome. Her response...

Reese: ya mom! see...stripes...stripes. It matches.
Me: So why do you have your Mickey shirt underneath?
Reese: Why? cause I a little cold and Mickey keep me warm. (she has the chills)

See...I think it just might be the fever.

Wheels...

One kid tries everything to get out of hers....






...and the other one is excited to show her new ones off!



Watch out world...she's on the move!