A Winter ONEderland Birthday Party!
On Wednesday we celebrated our little man’s 1st birthday! Originally I had planned to invite all our extended family to this party, but since we had just had a big “Sound of Music themed” birthday party a few days before for his big sister, and since my mom and brother left for a golf tournament in Georgia on Wednesday, we decided to keep this first birthday party to just our immediate family. It ended up being for the best since I came down with a bad cold. Thankfully I had wrapped his gifts and picked up a few decorations ahead of time, and on Tuesday afternoon I had made a couple of little birthday banners. I made the kids Snowman Pancakes for Breakfast and somehow managed to decorate the cake, but that was going to be it, until my older boys stepped in to take over the rest of the snacks for our little party! They did a great job and everything look so cute… and, of course, I still took plenty of pictures!
When I ran across the cute Snowman Cake made by Bird On A Cake, I knew I wanted to try it for this birthday party.
Mine didn’t turn out as cute as I had envisioned, partially because I was in a hurry and didn’t spend much time making the snowmen, and added all the details first before filling them in with white candy, instead of adding them after. (I used various sizes of this snowman, piping the melted candy onto parchment paper – 1st the hat, scarf, and details, followed by the white bodies. Once they had hardened I peeled them off and put the flat/back side facing out around the cake.)
The first was the darling stackable snowman from his Godparents, who also sent him the adorable penguin hat! After that it was all we could do to take away the new “hammer” and get him to open another gift! Yep, the snowman was a HIT! 😉
{pretty, happy, funny, real}
{pretty}
Our little birthday boy was very happy and excited to show me he could stand up on his own yesterday morning. He has been getting lots of extra hugs and kisses from him momma lately, especially when he says “giggle, giggle, giggle, giggle” (his version, we think, of “tickle, tickle, tickle, tickle)… It is just too cute!
{funny}
We ended up ordering a Wheely Bug for him on Tuesday and since it arrived on Wednesday afternoon, we gave it to him for his birthday. (And we are getting him that cute little chair for Christmas!) It is funny looking but he LOVES riding his little “bull!” I was amazed at how quickly he figured it out, and he has been scooting all over the house today – and when he isn’t his big sister has been enjoying it as well! I’m almost tempted to get her the ladybug, since I still haven’t started that handmade gift I was going to make her… So much for finishing all my shopping before Advent this year!
I’ll be back with some more pictures from our Winter ONEderland,
just as soon as my head clears up a little!
Snowman Pancakes for the Birthday Boy!
Checking it Twice…
As I set out the O Antiphon House and Gifts late last night, and we begin to pray the O Antiphons this evening, I figured I had better take a look at my Christmas list and fill in any gaps while I still have time to place online orders!
I plan to keep the kids away from the computer this week, so I thought I’d finally share my list with you all (since so many of you have asked to see it) and ask for a little advice while I am at it…
Our children receive three gifts each on Christmas from their Dad and I, recalling the three gifts Christ was given, plus they wake up to discover their stockings filled as well. Depending on the gifts, sometimes I combine multiple items into “one” gift package (i.e. clothing, shoes, etc, or various small toys). You can see some examples in last year’s post about Christmas morning. You can also find my 2009 list here: Shh! Don’t tell them….
Even though we stick to “just” three gifts each (plus stockings, plus O Antiphon treats, plus St. Nicholas Day, plus 😉 …) with seven children it can add up quickly! I have found that I have to be creative in order to purchase quality gifts for the children. Some items were purchased on Black Friday sales, some were purchased on clearance, some were even ordered by the charter school (as “consumables” that tie into their history course – i.e. the craft kits for the girls). The rest was purchased with gift certificates and the commissions resulting from all of your purchases from my Amazon and All About Reading affiliate links! I can’t tell you what an incredible blessing that has been this year… Thank you all so very much!
So, now that I have clarified all of that, here is a peek at my list: (Yes, I am going to make those of you who wanted to know do a little extra clicking, just in case! 🙂 Sorry about that!) *Also, while creating the links, I couldn’t believe how much some of the things have gone up since I purchased them… crazy!
Captain: This, This and This
Rascal: This, This and This (We are saving this for his Feb. birthday!)
Twinkle Toes: This, This, and These Kits (Saving the accessories for Easter Baskets!)
Chiquita: This, This, and These Kits (which I’ve seen for 1/2 price at Michaels!)
Snuggles: This, This, and These Wooden Toys (He can decorate the shield for Blue Knights!)
Rose: This, This, and a Handmade Gift (Which I still need to make!)
Bud: This, This (only $20 at Costco), and ___? (He is getting this after all – which is on sale for only $16.99 today, this, this, and some clothing for his birthday.)
Also, to keep the “mess” to a minimum on Christmas morning I try to get rid of as much packaging as possible when I am wrapping the gifts, and I also keep a big box close by on Christmas morning to fill with all the rest of the wrapping paper and trash. I ran across a great idea to actually wrap the trash box and I think I might just have to do that this year! I actually have almost all the gifts wrapped and ready for Christmas Eve. We will be hosting a family get-together and then heading to Midnight Mass!
Now for a few questions of my own… I always like to include a book in each of the children’s stockings. This year I was thinking it would be fun to do an audio book for each of them… I only have a couple and need some suggestions! Here is what I have so far:
Captain: Any Suggestions?
Rascal: Any Suggestions? Perhaps The Hobbit? Which is your favorite Audio version?
Twinkle Toes: Any Suggestions? Maybe Little Women?
Chiquita: Any Suggestions? I’m leaning towards Little House on the Prairie…
Snuggles: Blessed Miguel Pro – Codename: “Cocol” — Undercover for God (Brand New!!)
Rose: Cat Chat Vol. 5: A Christmas to Remember
Bud: One Night in Bethlehem (Board Book)
The girls have a lot of the American Girl Audio Books, and the boys never get tired of listening to The Chronicles of Narnia, Enemy Brothers, The Winged Watchman, and the various audio books by Regina Martyrum Productions. What are some of your family’s favorites?
I also still need to possibly purchase one more gift for Bud, along with some stocking stuffers. Does anyone have some favorite suggestions for 1 year old boys, who have plenty of hand-me-downs from older siblings? I’ve been considering one of these chairs, but not sure if it’s worth the expense… They have them at our Orthodontist office and my little ones all love them! Thank you in advance for your help!
My Favorite Things :: A Sound of Music Birthday Party!
Yesterday our sweet little “Rose” turned three years old… She just loves watching the Sound of Music and reading the My Favorite Things picture book she found in her Easter Basket earlier this year, so I decided to give her a “My Favorite Things” birthday party!
It had been a busy week, enjoying a visit with friends and celebrating feast days, but everything fell into place for her party. The boys and Sean arrived home from the Lego competition around 6pm, just as the rest of our guests (my parents, four of my brothers, my sister-in-law, and niece) were arriving. I’m pretty sure this birthday will be remembered as one of her own favorite things!
The kids all enjoyed coloring (including the “whiskers on kittens”) Three Little Kitten Coloring Pages. I realized that we don’t have a copy of this book! We had the Golden Book when I was a child, but I couldn’t find it online. Which is your favorite? Maybe the one illustrated by Jerry Pinkney or the one by Paul Galdone?
When I went looking for a copper kettle, I quickly discovered how expensive they can be! Yikes… I was very excited to find this little vintage miniature copper kettle on ebay. She will love having it for her play kitchen!
Rose opened one of her gifts before her dad and the big boys left for the day. She was so excited about the little toy guitar I found for her on ebay!
The Buckley Deer Family, Clothing, and a PINK doll (purchased from Magic Cabin with a gift certificate) from Daddy and Momma. A beautiful card and money from Grandpa & Grandma G. Adorable pink “Beaver” pajamas and play balls from Grandpa & Grandma M. And the cutest slippers and mittens from her Aunt, Uncle and Cousin.
Whew! And it’s not even Christmas yet… I’m not sure what I think about these December birthdays… For Christmas she will be receiving another special doll, the Grimm Wooden Fairy Tale Village Blocks, and a homemade gift from Momma (if I have a chance to finish it, otherwise I will wrap up this stocking stuffer).
Rose loves her big brothers stick horse, so when I ran across this “cream colored pony” for a few dollars on Black Friday, I had to get it for her birthday! She spent most of the day (when she wasn’t playing her guitar) galloping around the house!
I had forgotten to purchase Apple Streudel at the grocery store, but the homemade version I made ended up tasting so much better! Yum!!
I’m just curious…
The Birthday Girl
Santa Lucia Day in the Morning {Our 2012 Celebration}
Celebrating the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Happy Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe!
We have dear friends visiting from out of state for the rest of the week, but I wanted to hop online and share a few pictures from this year’s celebration in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe! In addition to reading the two books pictured above, we enjoyed another Tea in Honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe. The kids helped set up everything while we anxiously awaited their arrival this afternoon!
Our Lady of Guadalupe by Carmen T. Bernier-Grand
Our Lady of Guadalupe Pop-up by Francis Serrano
All ready and waiting for our guests to arrive! 
(not quite) Mexican Hot Cocoa (but it is organic!) 😉
Remembering the many innocent lives that were sacrificed by the Aztecs
.: St. Juan Diego :.
Gingerbread Marshmallows for our Mexican Hot Cocoa
.: St. Juan Diego’s Sombrero :.
Pringles with a little round of string cheese
.: Tepayac Hill :.
This year I decided to skip the food for this item and create “Tepayac Hill” with an upside down bowl, some Our Lady of Guadalupe Fabric, and a statue of Our Lady as a centerpiece for the table.
.: A Woman Clothed with the Sun :.
2 cans refried beans, topped with 1 package cream cheese mixed with 1 cup of sour cream and 2 tablespoons of taco seasoning, and then topped with cheddar cheese. Surround with chips to create the sun’s rays. (Before serving, I did pop it in the oven to melt the cheese.)
.: A Crown of 12 Stars :.
Peppermint Dipped Pretzel Snowflakes Stars
.: Crescent Moons :.
Crescent rolls
.: Supporting Angels :.
.: Praying Hands :.
Praying Hand shaped tea sandwiches
.: The Tilma of Roses :.
Tortilla and Cream Cheese with Tomato and Turkey Roses
.: Bishop Zumarraga :.
.: Crushed Serpents :.
Prayer to Our Lady of Guadalupe
Our Lady of Guadalupe, mystical rose, intercede for the Church, protect the Holy Father, help all who invoke you in their necessities. Since you are the ever Virgin Mary and Mother of the true God, obtain for us from your most holy Son the Grace of a firm faith and sure hope amid the bitterness of life, as well as an ardent love and the precious gift of final perseverance. Amen.
Hold the Bridge!
As I was pulling up our driveway, after dropping the boys off at their Lego Robotics class this afternoon, I noticed something just off to the side. After parking the van I grabbed my camera and walked back down for a closer look… I took a few pictures to share with you all!
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