Party - Party - Party

Been working on a banner for the baby shower that I am helping host this Saturday, and I just finished the invitations to Jett's 3rd birthday party next Saturday. It's just one party after another these days.

I smuged out some of the info. for this web preview, because you can never be too careful these days.

I have been meaning to paint the bathroom closet for 2 weeks, but no luck getting around to it. Since Brookelynn got her new bingo game, we have played a few times...Hey, there's an idea for family date night.  I am looking forward to family date night in the near future (I hope).

We went to El Tapatio for dinner tonight (just the four of us). Our "go out to eat partners" were "under the weather" and didn't get to join us this time.

Brookelynn and I wrapped the Christmas gifts last night that I bought on Sunday.

Well, I guess that is all of my random thoughts tonight. 

Our Day Off

It felt great to get an extra hour sleep this morning. We spent the entire day doing whatever we wanted. Brookelynn and I looked at a few open houses and picked up a few more Christmas gifts. Stroker and Devin hung out around the house.

Brookelynn spent time going through all her new toys and baby doll clothes. She hung out on the couch watching her new "Camp Rock the Final Jam" movie and giving her baby doll a bottle.

Hooty Hooo!

It takes a lot of planning and preparation for 2 and a half hours of party fun.

Since the cold weather set in for the weekend, we had to relocate the party indoors at the last minute. To ensure that everyone got the message, we made a sign for our front porch.

I wanted to make a birthday banner, but wanted something  a little more personal than just the usual "Happy birthday", so this is what I came up with...Brookelynn's past celebrations.

 Here is an up close of the photos...she has grown sooo much.

I made chili (and people actually liked it {grin}).

I made sweet tea to put in the drink server.

I also had chicken strips for the kiddos.

And of course cake, cupcakes and ice cream.

(A birthday party isn't a party without cake and ice cream)

 This photo is brought to you by the number "9"

 There was a table full of awesome gifts.

 We played a game to see who could be the first to sink their teeth into an apple with their hands behind their back.

This game lasted a little longer than I  thought it would. Turns out, it's a pretty hard challenge.

We played "Pin the Beak on the Owl"

 The bounce house stayed full.

  Brookelynn loved ALL of her gifts.

 She has been wanting to learn how to crochet

 Cash is always a good gift in Brookelynn's opinion.

By the end of the party, Jett was hot and tired. I found him taking a break and cooling off at the ice cooler.

He is such a "hoot" to have around.  Always making us smile.

That's it, in a nutshell, for the 9th birthday celebration. Now we are tired and Brookelynn's room is running over with new stuff. Luckily we get to turn the clocks back an hour tonight to help us get some rest. .

Friday's Flashback

Wednesday: After the kids arrived home from school, we all loaded up and headed to Nashville to visit Byrd, April and the baby at Vanderbilt. Tytan appears to be progressing very well.  He looks just like his mommy.
Our visit in Nashville consumed the entire afternoon. We didn't get home that night till 10:30.

Thursday: Devin "unleashed his awesomeness!" (as the TN Tech commercial says).  I had arranged a meeting with Coach Watson Brown after Tech football practice that evening.  It was a total surprise to Devin. He gave Devin a good pep talk and motivational speech. Devin wore a grin on Thursday right up until bedtime. 
I took another look at the weather report on Thursday and decided it would be too cold for an outdoor birthday party for Brookelynn this weekend. Snow flurries were even in the forecast.  I called around and booked the Cane Creek Recreational Center Gym so we can all be inside where it's warm.

Today: Started off normal this morning, even though it was rainy and cold. When I dropped Brookelynn off at school, I went in and talked to one of Brooke's teacher's for a while (over an hour actually). When I got back to the car (and my phone) I seen I had 12 missed calls... And that is where my day got off track. By the end of the day, I had once again changed the location of Brooke's party to the community center because the guy from Cane Creek called to say that he had accidentally forgot and double booked the gym.
During all of my other chaos today, I did manage to take Brooke's class 5 pizzas for lunch for a birthday pizza party and cupcakes for dessert. We had a fun time. Turns out that 3 kids in Brooke's class have the same birthday as her.
Tonight:
We have a tradition at our house. When Devin or Brookelynn have a birthday, they get to choose what restaurant we go to for dinner. Tonight, Brookelynn chose Outback Steakhouse. Dinner was delicious. Afterwords, she wanted to see a movie, so we did.

A Rare Occurance

Around 6:30 this evening I remembered that we hadn't voted yet. Stroker and I loaded up and headed to the polls to cast our ballets.

 I must have been side tracked by the home cooked meal that I was preparing. (Yes, you read that correctly)

I made a chicken casserole, mashed potatos, and corn. Not only do we now have full tummies, but the house is all warm and cozy for bedtime.

The Candy Fairy

Last night as we "trick-or-treated", Stacia told us about the "Candy Fairy". 
Legend has it that if you pick out 10 of your favorite trick-or-treat candies to keep and set the rest out for the "Candy Fairy", the fairy will take your candy and leave you a new toy in exchange.
 Brookelynn overheard Stacia telling the story and wanted to put the Candy Fair to the test.
This is what she woke up to in her trick-or-treat bag this morning.

She said she can't wait to do it again next year!