Happy 4th birthday me matie

This year Daxon decided to celebrate his 4th birthday with a pirate party. We originally decided that this year we were going to have something low key, as the last three birthdays were big parties (last year we rented a popcorn machine and a cotton candy machine). But as the day approached, it became clear that was not going to be the case. So began the planning of a pirate party.

Food is always a big thing around our house, you cant have a special event or party without food!! (personally, I think food is what makes a party) So to make it fun I came up with pirate names for all the food.

The veggie tray I called land lovers and made a palm tree for the middle, using a carrot and a green pepper. (I broke the handles off the plastic swords and used them to hold the pepper on the carrot and then used the other half of the pepper as a stand). I cut cheese cubes and called them pirates gold. What's a pirate party with out pirate swords?? So we cut fruit into pieces and stuck them on plastic swords, Daxon was such a big help with putting the fruit on the swords, I think he made most of them! We also served hot dogs and buns, but since I know Daxon prefers his hotdog without a bun, I cut some of the hotdogs both ways, half ways up and put them in the oven for about 10 mins, they curl up and look like squids! This was definitely a hit with the kids, we called them silly squid. We also have a pasta salad which we called treasure salad.

For the party favors, I first made a skull stencil using a picture that I found online and then put it on the front of a brown paper bag, using black spray paint I then painted over the stencil. I printed off tags that said "Thanks for being me matie", using a lighter I then burnt the edges and tied them to the bags with a black ribbon. The bags where filled with a 25 piece Jack and the neverland pirate puzzle, a glow stick sword, pirate stickers and pirate candy
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For entertainment we had a treasure chest pinata, which I made using the steps from this site (I just couldn't justify spending $20.00 on something the kids were going to smash). I was so excited the way it turned out and it actually stood up to a lot of beating. We also had a tattoo station which we named "Jolly Rodger Tattoo" and extra glow swords from the treat bags which the kids had fun playing with.

I don't think we could have asked for a better day and a better little boy (or should I say young man) to celebrate!!

Happy October 31

If you ask Daxon what he wants to be to when he grows up, hes going to say a fireman. I think its a stage all little boys go thru and Daxon has been in it for two years now. So I pretty much knew the answer when I asked him what he wanted to be for Halloween and I was even luckier that he already had a fireman suite. (which he wears on a weekly basis, because hes 3 and he can) So what does a fireman need?? A fire dog of course, which he designated Tatum to be! I was lucky to find a lady who was selling a dalmatian costume which was the perfect size. So there you have it, I had everything planned a month before Halloween, well so I thought. You cant be a fireman and a fire dog without a firetruck. So after some searching, this is what we ended up with!

 The fireman and his fire dog

 The fireman pulling the fire dog in the firetruck

 

 The firetruck, which I made using two pieces of cardboard, that I painted to look like a firetruck and attached them each piece to the wagon with zip ties! 

It was a total hit with everyone who seen it and work out perfect for taking Tatum trick or treating around the block! Daxon loved pulling it. Since she is still so small I took her highchair seat and put it in the wagon, so she could be strapped in.

I cant wait to think of a matching costume for them next year!

30 Weeks

Number of Weeks: 30 Weeks

Symptoms:  Things at this point are starting to get a lot more uncomfortable, just things like putting on socks or shoes. As far as actually symptoms, I'm feeling pretty good, my back has been bothering me a bit more each week, but again, not nearly as bad as it was with Daxon. I think this baby is sitting lower then Daxon did (even my sister mentioned she thought so) and I think that is helping.

Cravings/Appetite:Well I'm happy to say I'm past my slurpee everyday stage (and considering it's getting to -20 some days, it's probably for the best)

Movement: It seems she is really active one day and then not as much the next she must be tiring herself out!

Sleep: This has defiantly become less comfortable, some night I will just keep tossing and turning and cant get comfortable. (I just want to lye on my tummy!!!)

Only 10 more weeks to go!!!

Laila's 1st Birthday

Today we celebrated my niece Lailas 1st Birthday (her actually birthday was on November 13). I must say that I have never seen anyone go as extravagant for a first birthday then my sister (well maybe on TV). My sister did an amazing job and it was an fabulous time. Here are a few pictures of the big day!

 Yummy Cupcakes

 

 The food table (this is where I hung out most of the day)

Every detail counts 

 This is where it gets a little out of hand! The ceiling swag, which looks absolutely fabulous!

Mommy and the birthday girl 

Laila's awesome outfit

The birthday girl and I 

 The cake which Cara also made

Laila enjoying the cake 

Happy Birthday Laila, to have brought over welling joy to our lives over the past year!

Next up Daxon's 3rd Birthday, which is too include a popcorn and cotton candy machine!! Can't wait!

26 Weeks

Number of Weeks: 26 Weeks

Symptoms: Feeling fat!! I guess that's to be expected though! Feeling pretty good over all. I went for a message last week and it felt great! So far this pregnancy has been going much better then the first (knock on wood). My back is starting to hurt a bit more, but nothing like with Daxon as I can still sit at my desk all day, which never would have been possible the first time.

Cravings/Appetite: Slurpees! I think I had one every day last week! (I know its not the healthiest thing, but I crave them so bad)

Movement: Defiantly! She is moving a lot more then Daxon did! 

Sleep:: Can't complain, I have the odd night where I toss and turn, but for the most part pretty good!

The Pumpkin Patch

 Last weekend Derek unexpectedly had two days off, so we decided to head to pumpkin hollow and do the corn maze and the jumping pillow and see the animals! We took Daxon last year for the first time, but I think it was much more fun for him this time. He has so much fun running through the corn maze, we let him pick the way and it maybe took him 10 minutes if that! (last year took us a lot longer with Derek and I picking the path). He also got to ride on the cow train twice, which he was to small to do last year! Definitely will be a family tradition!!

Family picture

 Runing through the corn maze

We made it out!!

Jumping pillow

Jumping with Daddy!

Cow train! I love this picture!

 

What I'm Thankful For

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I thought I would take a minute to reflect on what I'm thankful for. All too often we sometime forget the smallest things make life so wonderful and the greater things that we sometimes take for granted.

-My Family and Friends, especially my husband and son
-The bouncing baby girl in my tummy
-My favourite song that come on the radio on my morning drive to work right after I spilled coffee on my lap and somehow make this little mishap not such a big deal and reminds me that the day is going to be good after all.
-The happy story on the new or in the newspaper, that brings tears to your eyes and reminds you that there are still caring people in this world!
-The sound of my sons voice at 6:00am in the morning on a Sunday yelling mommy from his room, although not so welcomed the for the first moment, it melts your heart that you are the first thing they think about after waking up.
-Lip chap
-Having a reliable vehicle (or three) to get me where I need to go
-My house, maybe not the biggest on the block, but it's perfect for us!
-Modern conveniences like my dishwasher and toilet seats (in Cuba they are few and far between)!
-Being able to provide my son, with everything he needs (and more at times)
-Having food on our table every night (and being able to order in when I don't feel like cooking)
-The Internet and Google, as all the answers to life's questions can be found on google
-Having good jobs that support our family

What are you thankful for this Thanksgiving??