Logan's 3rd Birthday Dino Party

I love planning parties, especially Logan's birthdays.  His 1st birthday party was a Dr. Seuss theme and his 2nd was Polar Express (which I never recapped on the blog, which is weird).  I used his love for dinosaurs and this fabulous party from Annie's Eats as my inspiration.  I mean, just LOOK at how fabulous her ideas are...I used some of her ideas and them printables from Etsy to throw in some additional color.  

I also had labels for the meat eaters and the omnivores, but neglected to take pictures.

Homemade Funfetti Cupcakes:

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough cupcakes:

Chocolate with chocolate!

Printables from MKKM Designs:

Logan and his best friend, Ian, who is two months older.
Birthday shirt from Three Lulus:

And for his big gift from Mommy, Logan got a Lightening McQueen bike!

Little man wanted a chocolate cupcake with his candles.

And clapped for himself.

Then blew out the candles before we were done singing.

For the menu, I kept it simple.  I didn't have time to overdo it, so this is what I decided on:
-Sloppy Joes
-Macaroni and cheese
-Spinach dip with pumpernickle bread
-Veggie tray
-Assorted chips and snacks

I felt so organized this year about his party, as opposed to the disaster I was with his Polar Express party.  I don't know why, but last year I had a hard time focusing and enjoying his party.  Not this year!  I was able to sit back and watch my buddy enjoy himself!!

North Pole Breakfast 2013

Even though December has come and gone, I have a few things I wanted to recap, including our first North Pole Breakfast and Logan's 3rd birthday party.

As a precursor, I will say it sucks not having a house to entertain in.  I am really quite bummed I won't be hosting Easter this year.

Anyway, on to our first North Pole Breakfast!

I was super excited to try the Elf on the Shelf idea with Logan this year.  As much as he loved looking for his elf each morning, I kind of sucked with the creative ideas and often forgot to rehide him, so it was a last minute scramble most mornings to hide the elf.  Next year, I swear to myself that I will be much more creative.

I set up the table the night before and this is what Logan woke up to:

We had mini frosted donuts (the kid freaking LOVES DONUTS) and "Santa hats" which were a last minute decision and I took out the toothpicks before he ate them, obviously.

So...this was his initial reaction...

He got over it once he realized he got donuts...

...and a present from his Elf!

A new Thomas video!

A Team Santa shirt!

And this super cute book I found at Target called Santa is Coming to Ohio!

Overall it was super cute to see his reaction.  He loves finding Buddy in the morning and I can't wait to be even more creative next year.  God bless my parents for putting up with all my of shenanigans while we live with them!

Easter Recap

Warning: This is picture heavy!

We were very blessed to have all of our kids together for Easter this year.  Last year was just Logan (Jamie was living in Florida and Lexy was visiting), so it was awesome to all be together again.

He found his chocolate bunny.  It was over, lol.

Logan and "Mamie" eating their bunnies.

 We hosted Easter again this year for 21 people.

The table set for 21.

 Our menu:

• Assorted appetizers
• Ham
• Baked ziti
• Scalloped pineapple
• Potato salad
• Green salad with spiced pecans, pears and cranberries
• Carrot cake, coconut cake, Berries 'n Bits, pineapple upside-down cheesecake.

Because I never have pictures of myself!  My Easter outfit!

Our desserts.  I clearly made too much because we had a TON left.

My family.

Logan and my niece, Lilah.  They are 11 months apart.

Pretty sure this sums up their relationship.

Previous posts about hosting Easter dinner:
2010's Easter Dinner Recap
2012's Easter Dinner Menu and Plan
2012's Easter Dinner Centerpieces

Logan's Polar Express 2nd Birthday Prep

For Logan's 2nd birthday, I was really torn. I had pinned all sorts of ideas for an Sesame Street party or a Mickey Mouse party. Then, little man developed an obsession with trains. Instead of going the generic route, I wanted to do something easy this year where I could incorporate trains and Christmas decorations all at once! So, of course, what theme could I do other than The Polar Express! Logan loves the book and now watches the movie once a day, so this is definitely appropriate! The invitation, designed by one of my friends!

The menu (I am keeping it simple, people):

• Hot cocoa bar consisting of:
• Cocoa (duh)
• Chocolate sprinkles
• Peppermint marshmallows
• Vanilla marshmallows
• Whipped cream
• Candy canes
• Chocolate chip cookies
• Cake
• Pinwheel sandwiches (ham and tortilla)
• Veggie tray
• Chips and dip
• Cheese and cracker tray

The decor: 

Keeping it simple.  Our Christmas decorations are up and I have some things I want to do, but we are having the party from 2-5 PM and I just don't have the energy to go crazy with crafting.  We have all been so sick the last week and a half and this has kind of crept up on me!

Jamie's 16th Birthday Party: Recap

I am going to let the pictures speak for themselves, but I need to talk about the stupid cake. I was so excited and then the orange layer collapsed on one side and then I really thought I was going to lose the entire thing.  I had to put SKEWERS in it to keep it together.  I was so sad about it.  So it was my Leaning Tower of Cake.  Jamie had a blast at her party and I was really excited about how it turned out!

Mini Candy Buffet

Laffy Taffy, Skittles, Mike 'n Ike, Gummy Bears, Rainbow Twizzlers

Birthday Banner

Dining room set up

Banner at night

Family in living room

A LIGHT SABER!  

Rainbow cake that almost wasn't

Inside of rainbow cake

Logan and his cousin, Lilah

The girls and their nonna

Demolished cake