Our New Addition

We welcomed our little Ryder on November 15th. After much praying and faith we were blessed with our second child (and last one at that) :) Parker is such an amazing big brother. I feared the years between the two boys, but as we go along I don't think I would have it any other way. Ryder is growing steadily, even more than what Parker did. We look forward to making memories with our now extended family.

Parker's 4th Birthday

Wow- my baby boy is 4! All boy! All of 4 years old! He makes my day, his laugh is infectious, his words are both amazing and funny, his life is my life! Love is only infectious when around him and missing him when he is not around! So this year... Cars 2 he says... of course there is not much out there for ideas, so I set out to discover and create. No games or activities this year, just a HUGE bounce house and a pinata. Kids got fantastic oversized bags filled with sandwich holders, a cup with straw, candy (Cars themed of course), tire yo-yo, Cars top, and more (found objects at the 99cent store or Dollar tree) Cup ordered through Birthday Depot along with pinata. We served Race track-like food... nachos with all the topping, popcorn, cotton candy, hot dogs and more! What a day! I made the cake half chocolate and half french vanilla myself. Then cake pop- all so popular right now!

Florida Sneak Peak

Trying some Butterbeer at the Three Broomsticks

Can words even describe how much my boy is to me??? Nope!

Sooo excited to have experienced Harry Potter!!

Some Sweet Things

Rocky Road and Peanut Butter Cup Cupcakes

Crayons=  Chocolate covered Pretzels for Back to School

Spice Cupcakes

Mint, Orange, Oreo, & Chocolate Truffles

White Chocolate covered Twinkies

BLaH! Blah! blAh!

Perspective... I know that is what it is all about. Faith... a MUST! I do not see how any sane, conscious, being could survive without it. Faith no matter where you pull from is essential. Myself... God first, knowing all is possible through Him. He is the beholder and has a plan. This I know, despite being confused sometimes as to what that plan entails. Faith for the strength to forgive, faith that everything "truly will be ok," faith that the baby thing whether it happens or not, faith in doctors for a upcoming surgery, faith in direction and organization in work life, faith for family, faith in being the best person I can be.

I genuinely am blessed, this I know... with family, friends, work, well-being, and so much more. Just sometimes, why do I feel like being such an emotional girl? Really? The cry on a pin drop kind-of thing. Crazy!!! Yet, the faith becomes evident when I see one of my blessings that brings that quiet smirk and smile to my face. The infectious laugh of my dear boy (or just anything about him really :)); my handsome hubby's touch, call, text; a "at-a-girl," a look around at what I do have, pictures (which I admit I may take to many of; even an occasional browse at blogs I love and friends that mean the world whether they truly know or not. :) Smile on face!

Parker's 2nd Birthday- Handy Manny

So, here I am again... I am going backwards, this I know. However, in order to not only celebrate my boy I also want to share any ideas that may help anyone plan for their child's birthday. Last year, Handy Manny was the theme. Here are some ideas and pics... please enjoy.

I made character decorations from a projector and colored them in with Crayola markers. Due to the fact that there were no Handy Manny decorations at this time. :) Kids entered only to stop by Kelly's Hardware Store to receive their hard hats (Oriental Trading) with his/her name, for example "Handy Parker." They then went to decorate and "fix" their own backpack (purchased at Michaels for $1.00 each- what a bargain!:))different stations:

Kids stopped by to make a sandy necklace

Decorated sugar cookies- what fun!

For other decor, I had balloons coming out of red construction cones, the Handy Manny banner purchased at a party supply store, and of course balloons everywhere- including punch balloons for every child. Party bags included a set of play tools, bubbles, and some fruit snacks. :)

DISNEYLAND!!!

We are official Disneyland lovers and take every chance we can to go. Going yesterday, I will for sure go to "Family Fun Weekends" again! I wish I had gone to the previous ones. This weekend was celebrating the Lunar New Year... character were dressed for the occasion and though I wasn't all impressed with the "demonstration" martial arts "show" it was definitely worth seeing the special things they had going on and if nothing else CHARACTERS!

Parker actually was tall enough to go on his very first roller coaster at Toon Town too! So exciting- he laughed and laughed, but when he got off he told Grandma he was scared. We went to Bug's Life across the way after we enjoyed fireworks at Disneyland. Wow- what a perfect time to go. We just walked right up to all of the rides that he was able to go on all of them now! So great!