He Turned Seven

Happy New Year!

I really thought things were going to slow down but my entire holiday break was crazy. Way to many commitments that I will not do next year for my break.

My beautiful Luke turned 7 on December 30th. Hard to believe he is now 7 years old. Time goes by way to fast.

Seems like yesterday he was this little thing....

And in a blink he has grown into my big boy.
We had a small birthday celebration at home with us and grandma's and grandpa's and a couple cousins. This provided me with an opportunity to make a trial cake. Luke wanted a Star Wars character and he picked Jango Fett (don't feel bad I don't have a clue either). My husband does not like Fondant so I used icing. Made my own and colored it blue and it was a night mare. First little kids and blue icing is not a good choice. Second I just couldn't get it to spread correctly on my cake that I carved and shaped into a lego character.

Here is the result of my not so pretty cake.
We also planned on Saturday after the New Year a party with Luke's friends at a local bowling ally. The kids had a blast! This was my chance to redeem myself on the birthday cake and Luke changed characters on me to Boba Fett (son of Jango Fett). Good news he isn't blue. This time I used fondant because I was not making an ugly cake twice. Turned out really cool and I got lots of great comments.

Here is the result of my second cake.
Let me just say I live for the comments especially after slaving over that cake for hours on end. I am not a pro at cake decorating but I expect perfection so this causes me hours of work as I do and redo things. This cake I started decorating Friday night around 8:30, went to bed at 12:30, got up at 8:30 and finished at 11:50 just as it is time to walk out the door for the party.

Babies First Birthday (The Big # 1)

Yesterday my baby turned 1. It was a wonderful first birthday and this is my tribute to his special day.

Your brother was the first one to tell you happy birthday and it just melted my heart the way Luke ran into the room and said happy birthday to you. We then went to church where everyone sang happy birthday to you and you just smiled and had no clue what was really going on. All the older ladies ooh and awed at the fact that you were already a year old.

That afternoon you had your first birthday party. Mostly family and a couple friends were in attendance. We tried to keep it small but that is hard with the size of our family. You had a little anxiety at first and wouldn’t leave my arms but you eventually got over it and were off playing with all the other kids.

You tried to stick you figures into the large cake long before we gave you your little cake. You dipped your head down into the little cake and made everyone laugh. You came up with a big smile and then were afraid to do anything else with the cake. It didn’t take long and you dived right in and loving that sweet stuff.

We opened present and you were not very interested. I believe you were a little confused by all the people watching you. All the bigger kids were stealing your new toys right after you opened them and you were getting a little mad when something seemed fun and then it was being snatched from you. It wasn’t long and they all went home and you and your big brother tested out all the new toys and were having a good time playing together.

The part of the day I loved the most was that today, on your birthday you decided you were going to walk. For the past couple weeks you have been taking two and three steps at a time and falling down. You were never really determined to walk because crawling seemed to do the trick for you just fine. But on this special day you were taking many steps all around the house. Rarely did I see you crawling anywhere because each time you fell down you got back up to try again. It was one more sign that I new my baby was turning into a toddler and growing up way to fast.

Another Year....

Well today I get to notch another year of my life under my belt. Looking back at this past year I had some really great things happen and some very sad things happen and I felt I would share some of those things that have happened in my life this past year.

Not much after my birthday last year my son Thomas was born October 26th. I can’t believe he is going to turn one real soon. This year has gone so fast. I got to enjoy 4 months of maternity leave last year and that was wonderful and I will forever be grateful for such a great employer for giving me that time off and paying me also.

March first I returned to work and that was really hard to do especially after having all that great bonding time with Thomas.

In June my husband and I celebrated 10 years of marriage. That was amazing and we dated for 5 years before we got married so we have been together a really long time. I pick on him a lot but we get along so well I couldn't imagine life with out him.

We also took an amazing summer vacation to Destin Florida. My son Luke loved it and would spend all day at the beach if he could. The kid doesn’t want to learn to swim and yet he is like a fish that doesn’t want out of the water. Go figure…

A couple sad things happened where my cousin’s husband died in an auto accident and he left behind his wife, three kids and one on the way. She has tough times ahead for her but she is such an amazing person and seems to be doing well. Another cousin of mine died from bone cancer and this was also tragic. Both of these young men were in their 30’s and that is just too young to die.

My son Luke started kindergarten this year. I am just blown away that he is already five and will be turning six soon. He is learning so much so fast in school. Already writing sentences and reading a little bit. My first baby has grown up so much….

I recently got to change my work schedule and cut out 10 hours a week. I really want to be a SAHM but it just isn’t going to happen so I am hoping this reduced work schedule will give me more time with my boys.

A wonderful friend of mine called to have the radio announce my birthday and they did it yesterday by mistake. She was so mad but then they corrected it today. It was pretty funny!

I have to say it has been one really amazing year and a lot of really good things have happened this past year. I hope between now and my next birthday I will have another great list.

As for today I work until noon, off to play with Luke for a bit then I will pick up Thomas at the sitter. Eric is bringing home take out for dinner so I don't have to cook. Something tells me it is going to be a good day.

Birthday cake dilemma….

A couple years ago I found this wonderful lady who makes these amazing birthday cakes. She doesn’t cost any more than buying a cake at Wal-mart or Kroger and it is a much better cake.
Last year I missed her for Luke’s birthday because his birthday is right after Christmas, I waited to long to order it and she was too busy for the holidays. I was mad but found somewhere else to get a cake that wasn’t nearly as good. Well Thomas’s first birthday is coming up in a couple weeks so I am planning ahead and calling early. I am not missing my opportunity for another good cake. I call her to see about getting a cake. Darn my luck she will be on vacation that week in Florida. Now I have to find someone else to do his cake. WHY, WHY, WHY…..

Anyone have any suggestions for a first birthday cake theme idea? I did Whiney the Pooh for Luke’s first birthday and then Thomas the Train for the next three birthdays. I want something different for Thomas’s first birthday. I thought about Elmo but I am just not completely sold on Elmo probably because I don’t want a cake full of red icing.

What have you done for your little ones first birthday parties? Did you go big or small, all out or did you keep it simple with just family?