3 Years BIG!

Monday was my little man's 3rd Birthday. I can't believe I have a 3 year old (and another child on top of that), but I was determined to make this birthday special for him. Last year we had just moved in and didn't really know anyone around to invite to a little party. This summer has been super crazy and with Nick being gone too, I just wanted him to know that he's a special little guy. We made the day special from sun up to sun down and I think he had a blast.

We started out the morning with a breakfast surprise. A chocolate doughnut cake! It's his breakfast food of choice, so I thought we'd make it a little more of a fun morning and turn it into a cake.

We blew out candles, Seth wished for daddy to come home (I know ... sad, but so cute! Only a little more than a week and that wish will come true!) He was so excited to eat the cake and open his presents. It was a fun morning. We had to get going right after and head to the pediatrician. Both Seth and Shelby had appointments and I was so glad Grandma was here to help because we were kind of a circus in there all together.

After the Dr. we went to Toys R Us and Seth picked out a bike that grandma and grandpa Wofford got him for his birthday. We had to wait and pick it up a few days later because we didn't want to have to figure out how to assemble it. After a fun day of playing with new toys and such we went to McDonald's for dinner. Seth played with a bunch of kids in the play place and made friends with everyone. There were 3 brothers there that were a little older, but were so nice to play with him and have fun together. At fist they were calling Seth "The Green Baby" that was chasing them. Then Seth started calling the oldest brother with glasses "Harry Potter." It was a crack up, everyone in the place was cracking up. He would yell, "where is Harry Potter!?" lol ...

Then we headed home and had a Mickey Birthday Cake. Seth is really into Mickey Mouse Clubhouse on Disney Jr. I made a really simple Mickey cake and made it look like the Mickey Pants (like the clubhouse) anyway, Seth loved it and was pretty excited about it!

He had a fun birthday, but the party wasn't over yet! Tuesday night we had a little party for him. It was totally last minute and we were so happy his friends were able to make it on short notice. Here is the party food ... I know you're jealous of my extremely attractive air conditioner unit!

Seth is pretty much obsessed with Green right now. So, we went all out and made Green cupcakes, Green popcorn and Green punch. Along with a lot of green balloons and streamers for decoration and even a lot of green in the party favor bags too!

The kids really got a kick out of the Mickey Ears and blow things ... they were cracking us up!

Yummy Oreo pops!

We even had a Mickey Pinata! It was the pull string kind so I didn't have to worry about a bat in my house with a load of little kids! (Plus, if you know my child hood pinata experience ... I didn't want that for another poor child! LOL)

All the kids pulled at the same time and it didn't crack open quite enough, so I pulled the end a little and poor Marin was right under and got a candy shower! But the kids were hysterical trying to get all the candy. A few of the boys were a little older and they were the funniest trying to get all the treats!

Scott was the biggest hit at the party! For whatever reason, the kids all started blowing their mickey blowers at him and cracking up.

Thank goodness for Grandma! She was a life saver and I couldn't have thrown all this together last minute with out all her help watching the kids. (Especially Shelby who has turned into a Diva who needs to be held at all times!)

Opening presents was really cute. Seth hasn't really had a party that he was old enough to get what was going on. So, he knew he was having a party; but when people showed up with presents for him he was shocked and surprised. It was pretty cute.

Marin was the present opening helper! LOL ... her part was the day after and she was getting excited for opening presents too!

Seth had a ball seeing all his friends after being gone for a while and being the center of attention. Even if he didn't even realize he was half the time.

Family Mickey Pic!

Grandma and her little Mickey Buddy!

The last few days have been crazy hot! Seth has been enjoying some of his new birthday movies, and his sweet View Master (so cute!) among other birthday hits! This picture cracks me up. Seth looks ridiculous in his super man shirt, boots with the view master ... and Shelby was just staring watching him trying to figure it all out.

We finally got the bike and it didn't take Seth long to figure it out and ride all around. It's not only green, but also a Toy Story one ... what more could he ask for? He had a little "wipe-out" but we played it off like it was funny and it seemed to work! He's a stud!

I can't believe he's 3! Time flies! I think he had a fun birthday and knew it was his special day. So, mission accomplished!

Grandma left this morning and Seth is missing her already. It's been so much fun being with grandma all summer. When I put Seth to bed last night I told him that Grandma had to leave in the morning and this was the conversation.

me: "In the morning grandma has to leave and drive back home."
Seth: "But, I really really love her so much!"
me: "I know, me too ... but she has so go back to see grandpa"
Seth: " Grandpa misses her, but I don't want to miss her too."

Grandma has been a life saver and a good buddy for Seth. He's needed a little extra attention lately with the new baby and with daddy being gone. It worked out perfect with her being able to come up here so much, and us visiting down there for a while. Thanks for everything mom!

Harry Potter Mania

Yes, I'm a Harry Potter fan. Don't even get me started talking about it! I LOVE LOVE LOVE the books and think the movies are pretty great too. I was pretty excited about the last movie coming out, but wasn't sure if I was going to make it to see in the theater because of my crazy summer. I didn't want to have to wait in line all day to get a seat and didn't plan way ahead to buy tickets or anything. It ended up that AMC by my parents house opened up their "fork and screen" theaters a few days before so I planned with Lindsey and we got tickets. We got to pick out our seats, show up 30 minutes before the show started, order food and see the show. It was perfect and fantastic!

I was so excited I even made Butter Beer cookies! They were delicious and you should make them too ... recipe here.

When we got to the theater we were so confused why there were 3D glasses in our seats. Apparently we bought 3D tickets and didn't even know it. It turned out to be pretty awesome in 3D! I know you're jealous of how awesome we look in these glasses too!

We were sitting talking about how with all the theaters showing this movie, we were bond to run into someone we knew. Who better than our pal Megan!? She and her mom and brother sat right in front of us so we snapped a picture and chatted it up. I'm pretty sure everyone was super annoyed around us, but we kept it cool during the show.

The movie was great, the company was fantastic and I was more than ready for bed when we finally made it home.

I'm not gonna lie, I was sad to see it all be over. It's been so fun for so many years; getting excited for the next book or movie to come out. YAY! It was a blast and JKR is a genius!

Swimming!

There was a crazy heat wave at the beginning of the week and we decided to cool off in the pool a few of those nights. We had a blast hanging out in the Oliver's backyard and enjoying the perfect temperature water!

Seth had a fun time playing and splashing around with grandpa.

Shelby and I hung by the side of the pool for a while and Seth decided he needed to join us as soon as I pulled out the camera! LOL

Eventually, we were ready to see how Shelby would like the pool. We dipped her toes in on the 4th, but she wasn't having it. But since it had been so hot and the pool water was so nice she seemed to enjoy getting her toes in this time around.

Here are my cute kiddos dipping their feet in the pool.

Shelby even got a little braver and eventually got a little further in the water too. She was enjoying getting cooled off a little.

Again with Seth worrying he's being overshadowed ... every time I try and get a picture with just me and Shelby he jumps right in. At least he's not camera shy...

Then grandma came over for a dip too. Shelby was loving hanging out on the steps with big brother Seth and grandma.

See ... she was having a ball! The last few days she's really started smiling a lot. Thanks to the quick shutter on my camera I was finally able to snap a picture of one. Cute cute!

Another night we had some of our friends over and dipped in the pool again. Seth and Maddox were playing separately most of the time with a few comical interactions, but me and Jennifer were able to catch up and enjoy a little chat.

Eventually, this became a game they both played. Dumping water in the holes ... doesn't that sound so fun!? haha

We kept trying to get a picture of them together and it wasn't happening. On the way home they became buddies and were holding hands. So, being the crazy mom's that we are, we made them pose for a picture. They're cute!

Yay for pool days!

Kansas City Temple

A few nights ago we went to check out the construction of the Kansas City LDS temple. My church (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints - aka, Mormon church), is finally building a temple in the Kansas City area. It's so exciting! Anyway, we went to check it out and it's the first time I've seen it at all. It looks pretty great already. I guess it's supposed to be finished next spring-ish, and it'll be so great to come and see it when it's finally finished.

Anyway, here are a few photo's I snapped on our visit.

Seth was more interested in the construction site than anything, I think. He ran all over the place.

Shelby was checking it all out too ... look how chubby she's starting to get!

I'm really excited for the temple to be completed next year and can't wait to come and check it out at that point.

If you want more info about my church or temples check out this site.

T-Rex and Weekend Fun

Before Chelsea and Bryan headed back home for Utah, we decided to take Seth to the Legends and go eat dinner at the Dinosaur Restaurant, T-REX. It was pretty fun although, the food was questionable and a few of us may not have felt that great a few hours after eating it?! Why is that with all themed restaurants?! Anyway, Seth wanted to run all over the place by himself, which wasn't going to happen. So, it was a little crazy, but over all we had a fun time.

Shocker - Shelby slept the whole time! lol ... I guess growing big takes a lot of sleep!

Chelsea and Bryan awaiting their food.

It was fun even if we all had to take turns chasing Seth around the joint!

This weekend we had a "Sycamore Sorority" luncheon. It was fun to get together and chat with our family friends again. Anyway, Shelby finally fits into this adorable outfit that the Oliver girls sent her. It was just too cute and she was definitely the best dressed at the party!

Sunday night we pulled out a few sparklers, pop its, and small fireworks we reserved for Seth to see up close. He thought it was pretty fun! We actually found a ton of sparklers left over from last year too, so we did a million sparklers and Seth was pretty happy about it!

Yay for Summer fun in Kansas!

A Perfect Day At DeAnna Rose

The Day after our crazy 4th festivities (see post below), we decided to take an outing to DeAnna Rose. I've posted us going there on previous trips, but it's a petting zoo with tons of fun outdoor activities, playgrounds and animals to keep the kids entertained. They keep expanding the place and it's fun to take my kids there, because I used to LOVE going there myself as a kid. (Wait, does that mean I'm not a kid anymore....?)

Anyway, here's the funny part. Because we're driving back to Toledo we didn't think we would have room for the huge stroller that the car seat clicks into on this trip. So, I didn't bring one and we figured we could borrow one if we needed it one day. It turns out our neighbors the Oliver's had the perfect one for us to borrow. However, it's intended to be used for a pet. LOL ... it's never really been used and once we padded it with blankets and made it cozy, it was actually perfect. It's small and cute and I can't tell you how many people commented on it. I just hoped they didn't see the sign that read "FOR PETS ONLY" on the back! Anyway, we've used it actually a few times now, and it's perfect! Shelby doesn't seem to mind either! lol

Seth thought the desks in the school house were pretty fun. He tried out a few of the little chalk boards and was having a ball.

He also found his "most likely to be seen" place in a school house. In the corner in the DUNCE chair. What a character!

The little tractors are always a big success with Seth ... although, if I remember right this time it ended in a traffic jam and a fender bender.

Seth was loving feeding the little baby ducks ... until the stupid Canadian Geese came over trying to free load and snatch all the snacks. Who invited them into our country anyway? They are so annoying!?

We stopped off at the general store and Seth wanted to pick out a candy stick. He went with Green of course, that's his favorite color in case he hasn't already told you! :)

Aunt Chelsea was helping push Shelby around in her cute little stroller. She napped the whole time since she could just lay flat and enjoy the breeze.

Snoozerella!

This picture is pretty much hilarious. Everyone looks some sort of ridiculous ... but, such is life!? We all took an ice cream break while Seth played and played on the playground making friends.

Then we found the water pump, which was a huge draw for Seth. I honestly don't remember what we had to tell him to get him to move on ... he could have stayed there all day! It was a big crowd pleaser back in my day as well! :)

Who knew he had his own Turkey Coop at DeAnna Rose!?

Here we are our little family, minus daddy. You can tell Seth was playing hard, he was drenched!

It really was the perfect day to go. It was over cast and there was a nice breeze. The heat wasn't that bad and it was super crowded either. Perfect, perfect, just the way we like it. The last several days here have been miserable with the sticky heat, so we lucked out making it out there before the major heat wave!

- more Kansas fun to come -