My Party Planning Obsession

When I started planning Jack's 1st birthday a few years ago I was so focused on making it the BEST 1st BIRTHDAY EVER! Every detail from invitaitons to decor to the menu. I was consummed. Microsoft Excel was my best friend- my family consitently mocks me for my overuse of Excel spreadsheets, but its the only way I can keep all the details in one place. The birthday planner was on the verge of overtaking the wedding planner. For some reason there's just so much anticipation around that first birthday- in my head I was setting the tone for birhtdays to come.

Three years after that party, I find myself in the mist of planning another 1st birhtday party....and nothing has changed! Ella's first birhtday is in 8 short weeks and I can't stop looking at all the ideas out there. I am determined to settle on an invitation within the next two days. Thankfully, I have my spreadsheet template from Jack's parties, so now its just about the details.

Happy (Surprise) Birthday Grammie

WE DID IT! My father-in-law, Jess and I pulled off the impossible......we suprised our mother-in-law or Grammie as she is known around these parts with a suprise party to celebrate her 60th Birthday! She was so surprised---it was PERFECT! We had dinner at Jaspers, cupcakes from The Cupcakery and got her a lovely 3 stone ring with the grandbabies birthstones. It was a great family night!

Mall Bunnies....

Typically I like to take pictures at Easter with real bunnies....however this year we just couldn't swing it. Between work and trying to juggle two kids I 'm just slightly disorganized. This year we ended up at the mall on Holy Thursday.....Ella was great and Jack was a little scared. They are cute none-the-less. My goal next year is to re-enforce (sooner rather than later) that the Easter Bunny and Santa are not the same.

A Tisket A Tasket Beautiful Easter Baskets

Blessings

Whether milk is spilled or the dog is fed fruit snacks I always try to remember this. Parenting is the world's hardest job (long hours for no pay) but a the same time it is the most rewarding.



My Boy

Between the innocence of babyhood and the dignity of manhood, we find a delightful creature of a boy.

He is silly and sweet, thoughtful and curious, gentle and tough...he is Jack Ryan. The day I met him, he changed my life in the most profound way. I am still in awe, nearly four years later, that I had anything to do with this little miracle.