Sprinkle Showers Bring...Babies

Last weekend a good friend and I threw a baby shower for my sister.  Or a sprinkle shower/meet and greet as the focus was on meeting her newest cutie pie rather than soliciting gifts...lol

It was a lot of fun, colorful, simple and for once actually turned out as good as it did during the planning stage in my mind. (That is a scary place my friends...in my head that it.  Not the party.  That wasn't scary at all)

 For as much scheming and plotting I put into the decorations I didn't take any pictures.

But, I did of the important part - the people.   Although I did miss a few sneaky guests, and a few I took off guard pictures so they didn't turn out. Oh, and little boys who were too busy to be bothered with a baby shower played quietly in the next room...away from my camera.

(I promise not to post unflattering pictures of friends and family on my blog)

 Two of the sweetest women I know.  

The one of the right will be given her first grand baby by the one on the left :)

 Baby girl did so great, she got passed around for 3 hours and never fussed.  She must have been feeling the love.

We rediscovered my grandma is the biggest baby hog in the world...but really it shouldn't have came as a surprise.  Anyone who gave birth to 16 kids obviously likes babies.  And as a cousin and I also discussed, by the time you have 85 grandchildren, you have earned as much time holding a baby as you want.  My grandma's motto is always "don't worry, I'll give her back when she crys"

My favorite project is actually the post shower project.  I am making custom thank you cards for my sister, that will include a picture of each guest and our sweet little princess :)  Possibly a picture of my sister opening their present...if it wasn't one of the ones I caught her in a weird angle with a half open mouth and looking slightly possessed.

***Bonus Question(s):  Are you honestly a fan of shower games?  I am not, so we did a door prize...and thats it.....and we got compliments for not having silly games.  Are we a fun hating somber bunch or normal?***

The Big THREE

The Toddler has been all about birthdays.  Especially after attending his Cousin's last month. He really looked forward to that one, he counted down with eager anticipation.  He even proposed instead of buying her a toy that we should bring her "lots of birthday cakes".  Yes plural, birthday cakes.  We had to call my sister so she could reassure him that she had indeed recognized the importance of a birthday cake and planned two confections for the party.  She also promised to call back and let him know if  more would be indeed be needed. I guess it just isn't a party without cake, you gotta get the basics covered.

He was also excited about the Circus, September was all about asking if it was time to go to the Circus...puhleeeeeeese! I thought it would be the perfect theme.  The grand day was the beginning of October, so it would still be fresh in his little mind by mid-month and his birthday.  I figured I could get some fabric or colorful plastic and drape it from the ceiling and down the walls.  Make it feel like we were inside of the Big Top.  Thread some balloons for quick and easy garland. Popcorn served in red and white paper cones.  Try out my new icing decorating tips on a plethora of cupcakes...I was getting excited for this theme. Plus with the plan to decorate with bright colors, most everything would be reusable for parties down the line! Score!!

Then one day as we were cuddled up on the couch and he was asking me if it was his birthday yet.  I told him not yet, but we are getting closer.  I spent a few minutes trying to convince him he would be moving up to 3 instead of back down to 1, have you ever tried reasoning with a Toddler? You just can't argue with logic like theirs! Especially on the heels of practicing counting down.

He began lamenting about missing his cousins, and his aunt and uncle who had just left for home an hour before.  So thinking he would list them off, I inquired who he would like to come to his birthday party. Instead I got:

Toddler: Lightening McQueen and Mater! 

Me: Anyone else? 

Toddler: Lightening McQueen and Mater! 

Me: We'll see if we can get them to come, what about your cousins? Or Aunt B and Uncle D? 

Toddler: Okay. 

Me: What would you like for your birthday? 

Toddler: Cake, Lightening McQueen, and a Birthday Cake! 

Me: Would you like a Circus theme maybe?  Remember how fun the Circus was? 

Toddler: No, I like Lightening McQueen.

...alrighty then.

I changed directions of the party. I think we did just fine.  Little man had a great time. Also the guests of honor came and are in his position.  A careful look at his hand below you should spot Lightening McQueen.

We had some pretty cute party guests.

Giving Uncle K a big big hug

More party guests.

The Hubby used FaceTime on the IPad to join the party.

Thank you technology!

Uncle N

The Toddler was sooo excited for this particular little friend to come to his party!

(I was excited to get to visit with his beautiful momma!)

Sadly his wishes won't be coming true...
it took him a few tries to get all the candles blown out.

Messy mustache kisses!

(She received extra love because she delivered and cut the cake!)

Opening presents!

Another future tabloid cover, who wore it better:

The black cowboy hat edition.

Awesome camo pop up tent!

The Big D doing some quality control tent inspections.

Great Aunts and a Grandma

My Sisters family...they keep their kids on a short leash. 

A short but fashionable pink leash in fact.

Grandpas!

Lining up the new with the old.

Masquerade

Sunday was my niece's 8th birthday party.  She wanted a masquerade theme after being tortured watching the Phantom of the Opera with her captor my sister.  It was the perfect party, the kids had fun decorating their masks (which were provided all ready to go, but when you have the option of glue, glitter, jewels, and feathers...and you are a child - more is always better!)

The locale was at the park, just a few blocks away from the birthday girl's house.  The kids ran around, played hard,  and burned off energy.  They only had to be corralled to eat cake and ice cream and for the opening of the presents.  Adults could actually visit, kids could actually have unrestrained fun and no worries of indoor voices. Goofy masks about for years of funny pictures...it was perfecto!

The kids intensely supervising the lighting of the candles

The Toddler was pretty excited she got them all blown out!

What a minute...where did Grandma go?

The less festive guests (parents and littles were less inclined to mask up)

Check out the cute little blonde in his transformers mask!

 Opening gifts and hearing little voices "I can't wait until my birthday!" 

 Proud Dad about that present!

 

 You know its a happening party when both Batman AND the Phantom of the Opera show!