SMASH

I am finally back to tell the story of a little girl and one delicious cake.

She has always been a very messy eater.  I thought I would get the best SMASH cake pictures.

Instead of smashing…. she decided to use her manners and eat as dainty as possible.

Little stinker.

A photographer and mother; aka mother photographer, dreams of the day when she gets to take SMASH pictures.  There was no smashing.  There was only picking.

The kids decided that maybe they should help.

First, they helped her blow out her candle…

…and then they got their faces dirty.

We decided she might get a little messier if we just gave her a piece.

We were right.

 

….and now she decides to play with her food.

That’s my girl!!

…and then a few gifts were opened.

Each one of the kids took the time to wrap her something.  Stella gave her one of her babies.  Isaac a car, and Jex one of his stick horses.  I thought it was so cute of them to give something of their own.

OH Mae Mae.  Where did the time go?  Every moment with you is so wonderful.  You are the best gift.  The most wonderful addition to our family.  The little part that we didn’t know we needed until you came along.  I love little one year olds, and if there was a way to bottle you up I would.  I want to keep you this way forever.  Every day is a new adventure for you.  You learn something new every day, and this my favorite part about having you.  I love watching you learn.  Your mind working, and a smile when you figure it out.

I love when you crawl over to me, pull yourself up, and stick your head between my knees.  I love when you crawl over to me and tickle me.  I love when you lay your head on my shoulder and snuggle.  I love when you say, “Mama.” 

This year has been magical because of you.

It was certainly worth celebrating.

How did you do?… and PARTY!!!

I just got back from a run.  It felt great.  I finally feel like I am back to my old self after our vacation.  So to all you challenge doers; How did you do this week?  What were your strengths and weaknesses?

Strengths: eating; I ate really good this week with the exception of one meal at a party, and a two cookies at my daughters one year old birthday party last night.

Weaknesses:  strength training.  I had hoped to get in two days of lifting, but I only got in one.  I am so addicted to running that it sounds so much more fun, I always pick running.  I think I enjoy getting out of the house without my kids.

This week I hope to do some more toning.

Did you have success?  I am very happy.  I lost 3.5 pounds this week.  WOW!!

I never ever loose that much.  I think my body had a good detox, and I also started weaning my daughter which is always a time of big weight loss for me.

You should feel great with 1-2 pounds.  That is always my goal.  1 pound is progress so keep it up.

I hope you had a good week!! Please keep going with me.  I can’t “weight” to see where we are in four more weeks.

I also can’t wait to show you pictures of the party I threw this weekend.

My baby turned one on Friday.

I spent the day decorating for the big weekend.  Jonathan was on call on Friday.  Saturday would be the big one year old cake smash, and Sunday we would have family and close friends over to PARTY!!

I am warning you now that this is picture overload, but I thought you might enjoy seeing the details.  Plus, I put a lot of time into the details.  That’s what women specialize in; DETAILS.

This is what the house looked like on Friday in honor of her birthday.

I hung this old vintage sheet because my walls do terrible things to my pictures.  I also love how it adds to the whimsy of the party.

Yes, I know you recognize those I plate stands.  I told you I would be using them for Tessa’s birthday.  At her party, they had cupcakes on them.

I found these painted owls at Hobby Lobby and just had to use them.  The branches came from the back yard.

I added the pink ribbon.  The owl cookie jar came from a friend; she let me borrow it.  Along with a candy dish.

I covered the table in pictures of her, and fun frames that I had around the house.

Of course, I used pom poms from parties previous, and I stole Krysta’s idea of an old book chain.  It made the décor complete.  Thanks Krysta.

 

My favorite part was the banner that I made out of fabric and pom poms. Then I added pictures of her from 0-12 months.  It was the true meaning of celebrating one year of Tessa.

I also made a little table runner, and a party hat.  I am hoping to turn the table runner into an apron for me, as a little reminder of how bitter sweet it is to have a one year old.

Then Saturday arrived and Daddy was finally home to celebrate as a family.  I could not wait to watch her dive into that cake.  She has always been the messiest eater so I knew this would be good. Stay tuned to hear all about it.

Here she is in the center of it all:

…and here is her cake.

…more pictures of her eating to come on next post. 

After we did cake and presents we let the little one wind down for the day. 

I didn’t want to much stimulation for little Mae, so we spread it out over a few days.

We invited the Bradfords and the Smiths up Sunday after church for Chili and homemade bread; and of course this little spread.

Do you see the adorable little shirt I made?  I think I went a little overboard.  What do you think?

We had cupcakes.  I made the toppers.  The little owl that I used for everything came from this little Etsy Shop.

Then I designed everything in photoshop, and printed them on my printer.

…the cupcake wrappers even have owls on them.  It was such an easy theme this year with it being fall.

…and smores owls.  I call them smowls.  I found the idea here.

…and owl sugar cookies.

…and you can’t forget a drink.  I covered basic water bottles with this little logo.  Then I provided Crystal light single serve packets with several flavors to choose from.

The kids and I even made a pinata.  This is a horrible picture, but it is all I got.  Hey, I can’t do everything.

We had such a great time.  I can’t wait to share more…next time the pictures will be all about her.  I still have a little editing to do so stay tuned.  Thanks for being a part of our little owls celebration.

We had a HOOT!! “wink wink”

Thoughts

Just a few weight loss thoughts.

Are you drinking enough water?  I noticed yesterday that I wasn’t.  I was really grumpy by the end of the day. (just ask my hubby and kids)  Water makes a huge difference.  It will also make you fill full faster if you drink it with your meal.

Remember how I said that I love those 100 calorie bagels.  Well they are really 110 calories.  Check out this site for some great healthy recipes to use with them.  I can’t wait to try the Southwestern Bagel.

What is your favorite music to listen to while you exercise?  I have been loving The Lady Gaga playlist from Pandora on my iphone.  It is that get up and get you going kind of music.

I hope it is going well for you.

Keep it up. I know you can do it.

South Padre- The Beach

This will probably take me a few posts to share about our vacation.

For those of you who don’t know, we went on vacation a few weeks ago to an island just off of Texas.  The island is called South Padre Island . It was beautiful, and so wonderful to be back near the ocean.  It felt like home.  I couldn’t wait to get out in the water with my body board. 

It took us 14 hours to get there but it was well worth it.  The kids did so great on our the drive.  I have decided it is easier to take a 14 hour drive with 4 kids then it is to take a 2 hour flight.

Our vacation/ The Beach

I will let the pictures tell the story:

 

We spent the majority of our time on the beach.  It was so much fun to be so close to the ocean again.  The home we stayed in was beautiful and just a block from the beach. They provided all the beach toys, chairs, and umbrella.  It was so nice to leave that stuff at home.  I had enough to pack.

The ocean and sand are the most amazing combination.   Not just for children:

The kids could have played all day… and the adults.

 

Who are those extra kids?  Jonathan’s sister, husband and four kids flew from Utah to meet us.  It was so much fun for us to spend time with them, and for the kids to see there cousins.

It was fun to watch the kids re-connect with the beach.

…and so exciting to watch the other two experience it for the first time.

I even felt a little bit of nostalgia as I watched Jonathan playing with the kids. When we lived on Saba he did not get a lot of free time.  We spent any free time we had at the beach.  Jonathan really took the time to play with the kids on these days.  I saw that child like look in his eyes once again while we were in Texas.

except this time it was Ike and Tess instead of Jex and Stella.

…and another flash back happened as I watched my son participate in my favorite past time:

…Body Boarding

Okay; only a few more pictures.

One morning, we paid to have Sandcastle building lessons.

It was so much fun, and well worth it.  It was so informative.

We all pitched in, got our hands dirty, and started following “Sandy Feet’s” instructions.

I think the adults enjoyed it more then we thought we would.

I was addicted.  That little creative girl that is always pawing to come out was set free.

Can you believe that we built these?

We went on vacation for the beach, and it was most certainly the most memorable part.  Next time we go we can build sand castles.  I hope there will be a next time.  We will definitely visit South Padre again.

More on our vacation to come in the next few days.