Birthday Party: Part Two

At the end of January, we had Saylor's third birthday party with family and friends--most of which came from out of town. Saylor had so much fun being the center of attention and opening presents and most of all--eating cupcakes. The child asked about 30 times to eat cupcakes before her party even started.

The birthday girl
with Erin

In her new tutu. The kid lives in a tutu. As you can see in the rest of the pictures, it didn't come off the rest of the night. (Thanks Erin!!)

About to get to eat the much awaited cupcake!

FINALLY!!

Saylor and Ms. Staci

Ms. Staci is one of Saylor's very favorite people. She worked in the nursery at church when Saylor was about 18 months old and before Staci, Saylor cried every time we took her. Probably because Staci spoils her and lets her do whatever she wants, and held her the entire time....but it was such a relief that Saylor didn't cry anymore when we dropped her off. When Saylor turned two she had to go to a new class and we were so sad to leave Ms. Staci, however a few months down the road, she moved into Saylor's class and we were thrilled! In January, when Saylor moved up to the three year old class, Staci moved right on up with her. We love Ms. Staci so much and are so thankful that she loves Saylor, and I guess we'll just have to take her to kindergarden with us in a few years!

And we also have Staci to thank for inviting us to their awesome Community Group (small group) that we are so thankful to be a part of!

Ave and Saylor

with our birthday girl!Saylor and GG

Ok, I'm going to take just a moment to brag on myself. I am the opposite of creative. I would much rather just spend the money for someone more qualified to do these things and avoid hours of work that turns out to be terrible anyways. But after going to look for a ballerina cake and coming up empty handed, I searched online and stumbled across this idea for cupcake toppers. And I ACTUALLY MADE THEM! And I think they turned out pretty cute. It definitely took HOURS. I cut out all the little dresses and taped on tulle and ribbons and then carefully placed the pearl "3"s. But, I actually think it was worth it! (Gasp!) Saylor loved them, so in my book, that is worth every second!

A few of the tissue paper pom poms. I made these last year for her party too. They are so very easy if you are looking for an idea to brighten up a party.

And no get-together is complete these days without a dance off on Wii Just Dance! It has become our new favorite pastime! I won't share the pictures, because I love everyone too much to do that :). (And just in case they have some not so flattering pictures of me doing a dance or two). But I will share one of Averey, because she was proud of her dance moves. She was workin' it!!

We all had so much fun! And we are so thankful for EVERYONE that drove the hours to come celebrate our THREE year old! We love you all so, so very much!

Remembering...

Last Thursday we lost my grandfather, Paul. Even the grandkids called him Paul. I was the first grandchild and apparently I repeated what everyone else called him...and it just stuck, even after attempts to get us to call him a more traditional "grandpa" name.

Thankfully, we went the Sunday before that to say our goodbyes and he had two pretty good days while we were there. He was weak and wasn't awake much, but when he was, he was happy to see us, knew exactly what was going on, and almost everything that came out of his mouth was a joke. He lost his five year battle with cancer, but was Paul until the very end.

Throughout the past few weeks we've laughed and cried over our favorite memories of and with him. I am so grateful that for two and a half years I had the opportunity (I call it an opportunity, they may have called it something different :)) of eating lunch at my Grannie and Paul's house five days a week. I was in nursing school and worked for a doctor that were both just about two miles from their house, so they generously fed me home-cooked meals every day! Occasionally I would show up and Paul would have made me a steak and baked potato for lunch--because he knew that was my favorite. He called me "Tater Head" because I never turned down any form of potato. At the time, those 45 minutes every day didn't seem like anything especially memorable, but today I am overwhelmed with gratitude for those everyday simple moments with my grandparents.

I will miss the sound he made when we hugged him...like it was the best hug ever, I will miss him calling me Tater Head, I will miss him making fun of us for being Okies, I will miss the way he held Saylor in his lap and she would beg him not to tickle her, but when he would stop, she would beg for more, I will miss his laugh. I will miss so much about him, but the BRIGHT and SHINY silver lining is knowing that he's in Heaven and I will hug him tight again someday.

Birthday Party: Part Uno

The week of Saylor's birthday, we had a fun little birthday party for her at Sara Sara Cupcake in downtown OKC. We weren't able to do a big family birthday party until last weekend because Mas wasn't off a weekend until then....but I didn't want Saylor to have to wait 3 weeks to have a party--that's a super LONG time for a three year old! So we did a little party with two of her friends and her cousin! The girls got to pick out a cupcake, decorate it, and eat lots of sprinkles and icing. The parents got to partake in delicious cupcakes and coffee and I didn't have to clean up a thing! :) I think the girls had lots of fun....and quite the sugar high!