First Birthday Wish

I love first birthdays for so many reasons. It is celebrating the birth of a child, but that first birthday is also making it through that first year, and looking forward to the growth ahead. It is symbolic of your baby transitioning into a toddler. Since most babies won't grasp the make a wish concept, I ask others to make wishes for them. For each child I have done this a different way, and Keira's is my favorite.
I decided on her birthday wish project because I love looking at the boys' but they are kept tucked away, for them when they are older. People write the sweetest things, and I thought they should be more accessible.
I first decided to cut out card stock into circles and butterflies. My mom and I found this perfect gift box to keep the papers in at the party (see first photo.) I left the box out and asked people to write down their wishes.
I found this great frame with the mat already included. I used a photo from Keira's party, and placed the wishes around her photo. I am so happy the way it turned out! (I have a few more wishes to include... but it was too cute not to share.) I hope Keira enjoys seeing her wishes, and I hope it serves as a reminder of just how loved she is.
If you have a wish for Keira, please feel free to leave one so I can include it.



Here are a few of my favorite wishes

"I wish you always stop to smell the flowers"
"May you dream the dream and live the dream"
"Be very successful"
"... may you find joy in all you do..."
"I wish you a lifetime of happiness and health filled with love and laughter"

On another note I would like to wish a little boy who is very near and dear to my heart, a happy first birthday. Jack, you are such a handsome little boy and you are loved by so many. I wish for your journey in life to be filled with fun and joy.
And check out the new Victoria Dress on my Etsy Shop!

Who Wants Cookies?

As most of you know, my dear friend Sarah, owner of Abigail's Bakeshop
makes quite possibly the most amazing cakes, cookies, cupcakes, and cookie bars in the world. I've dared you before, and I'll dare you again... don't believe me? Try them!!!
She is currently giving away a box of her famous Chocolate Cream Cookie Sandwiches. It's okay, you can go grab a tissue to wipe your drool. I won't judge.
Visit her blog for contest details, and GOOD LUCK!!!

A Great Contest

My dear friend Sarah, owner of Abigail's Bake Shop makes quite possibly the most delicious baked goods in the world. Seriously. Don't believe me? Order some for yourself and try them! Or enter this cool contest hosted by the blog Blissfully Enamored and hopefully you can win some FREE. What in this world is better than free cookies delivered to your door? The best part is you don't even have to share with the kids or snack hungry husbands.

All You Need Is Love

Thank you Beetles and Mastercard, because this song is permanently stuck on my mouth and brain. Although I will say it is fitting for this post.
Yesterday while the older boys were in school, Brody, Keira and I headed to Playtown Express.
We met two very dear friends and their children there. I got to meet the newest addition to one friend's family (who is handsome and gorgeous and just perfect), and she also has a son around Brody's age (who is again, handsome and gorgeous and just perfect, oh and boy can he dance!) Brody, although a bit overwhelmed at first, really loved playing here. My other friend is a former roomie from college and the owner of Abigail's Bake Shop.
Although we don't live super close, we try to meet and catch up frequently, and I have come to really look forward to those times. There is nothing like spending time with an old friend and picking up right where you left off. There is a comfort level that has already been built over the years and that is something that is very difficult to obtain with just anyone. It has been so fun to see each others children grow and change. Sadly (for me) Sarah and her family are moving (but we are wishing you the all the happiness in the world!) I will miss our lunches so much!!!
I came home to finish up some cleaning, and Nathan picked up the boys in the evening to run some errands. I again got to visit with my best friends. I brought Keira to her first playdate with Mr Kai. Although they have been around each other a lot, they have surprisingly never just hung out and played. They. Were. So. Cute. I would now like to take this opportunity to thank my friends for producing a ridiculous crop of boys. I mean maybe I am biased, but I think they are some of the most handsome boys I have ever seen. Keira is one lucky girl!
The other part of our trio (the Summer Sisters we call ourselves, myself, Victoria and Kerrie) joined us, and again, it just feels like home. That comfort that is so tangible you want to curl up in it and stay. It was such a great day, and I truly believe spending time with close friends is sometimes all you need to regroup, refocus, and feel refreshed. It is REmarkable. (I had to stick with the re theme.)
Thank you Andrea, Sarah, Victoria and Kerrie for making yesterday so enjoyable.

My Day So Far

I had a busy morning, but got to see a great friend/former roommate (Sarah) and her kids for a while. We don't get to see each other that often, so I love when we are able to find the time to get together. Then as I went to leave, I could not find my keys, and spent the next 10-15 minutes searching for them, only to find that Brody had stuffed them UNDER the lining of his carseat. Fabulous.
I picked Nate up at school, and one of the girls came up to me and asked me if she could come over. I politely told her today wasn't a great day, but we'd love to have her over next week, and I asked her if that was ok. She then stomped her foot and said it was not okay, she needed to come over today. As I kept promising her next week she'd come over, I got Nate, and she threw herself on the ground, SCREAMING and CRYING, saying "Don't go Nate, hold my hand forever, don't let go!" And she continued to scream this over and over again. When we got in the car I said, I think she likes you Nate. He said, "yeah"
I said "I think she wants you to be her boyfriend"
He said "Noooooooo she's just a friend mommy!"
And so it begins... can girls really be that clingy already?
Then while driving home Nate yells "Mommy what us Keira EATING???"
I gasped, because I had not given her anything, but when I reached my hand back, I pulled Brody's Milano cookie back with me.
"Is there any more" I asked Nate.
"No she swalloed the rest, and she really liked it."
When I took her out of the car I saw just how much she liked it, because her face and hands were covered in melted chocolate. It is only 2pm, and I have another 6 hours to go... at least.

The End of February Vacation

"I think people that have a brother or sister don't realize how lucky they are. Sure, they fight a lot, but to know that there's always somebody there, somebody that's family..."
Trey Parker

This weekend started our marathon of weekend events, going straight past my due date. This morning I went to the Newton Marriott for my friend Sarah's baby brunch. It was great to catch up with old friends, and get out of the house for a while. As a quick update, Brody did extremely well again in his crib in the boys' room last night... only 15/20 minutes before he was sound asleep, and the only crying he did was briefly when he watched me walk out of the room. Is it too soon to think we have escaped the crib transition horrors?
Ty and Nate have been out of control the past few days. I was prepared for this because it is school vacation week, but I am very happy it is coming to an end, and they will have a break from each other during the day. I need the routine of the week to come back into play, because it keeps not only me sane, but the kids as well.
Not much else to report.