Batman Birthday



Martin LOVES Batman and so we invited a few friends over for hotdogs, cupcakes and some play time in the jump house.  Fun times!  

Thanks again Tiffany  http://www.miragreetings.com/.  Everyone LOVED the invites.

Batman pinata from SanAntonio, thanks to Uncle Jorge and Renzo.  The kids took their candy home in superhero cups for their party favors.

Gotham City chocolate cake with super hero and super villian toppers.  Cake Doctor saves me every time!

I bought some old comic books and made the toppers with all the superheros.

The kids wore their superhero costumes which in retrospect wasn't such a good idea for the bouce house.

Lots of superhero toys!

Holy Birthday Batman!

Wow! What a year. I had to go back and read my letter to you last year, because it seems impossible that one person could have changed so much in one tiny, twelve month year. I can't believe that with every year that passes, I'm continually surprised with how fast you guys grow up.  You'd think that after five years, it wouldn't catch me off guard, but sure enough, twelve months later, here I am writing about how shocked I am that you've grown up so much.  This past year, my writing has all but ceased and I'm trying my damnedest to make time for it.  Unlike my fellow scrapbooking and journaling mom friends, I don't have the patience to freeze time on paper.  This is my record, my tribute to every horrible and wonderful moment I want to capture and remember.  And now that it's been three months since I've started this entry, I'm determined to finish it, because, baby boy, I want to remember our moments.  The moments between three and four that helped me know you better, the moments I smile about later while daydreaming, the moments that hopfully I'll remember and be able to retell many years from now to my future grandchildren.

The day you were born, one of the first decipherable sentences that came out of my mouth was, "Look babe, he's like a little old man." You were so long and skinny, but with the face of a little old man. It was almost like you knew what this whole world was about already and you were annoyed that us young folk were messin' with your rest time. I still see this approach to life dominate your personality. I think for the first three years of your life, you've been trying to tell me who you are, but I just didn't hear you.

Look at that little old man face.

Well baby boy, we hear you, loud and clear.  This past year, you've found your voice. You know exactly who you are and I naively have been trying to teach and mold you to function in this world, when I should have been quietly listening to you tell me who you are and how this world will function with you in it.

Your first sleepover with the Hall girls.

Baby boy, you amazing me.  Your unwillingness to yeild to social standards and people's expectations makes me rethink my actions.  Your determination to follow through with a task once you've commited inspires me.  Your clever humor amuses me and your tendenancy to be selective in who you love but not how much you love favors me.  I love you and everything you are.  Happy birthday Martin James. 

"nana-nana-nana----bad mood"

O"fish"al swimmer certificate



Goofy boy



           

Sea Princess (Mermaid) Party

Yay the pictures are in. I think I'm finally getting the hang of this birthday thing. I've gone from parties that were very expensive and wasteful (2 year Nemo) to very handmade and wasteful (3 year Pirate Princess), then handmade, eco friendly but time consuming (2 year Curious George). This year, for Allie's fourth, I was able to reuse the decorations, plates etc. from Martin's Curious George Party and I only had to buy a few things to add to the mermaid theme. We had the party at our pool which was easier and harder all at the same time, but I think that everyone had a good time. The best part of the whole day was when Allie saw her cupcakes and said, "Mommy, THANK YOU!! They are so special to me." How did I get so lucky to have such a thankful child?

Invitations - Again Tiffany did an awesome job! Check her out at http://www.miragreetings.com/ Of course my expert photoshoping takes away from how perfect the invites were.

Cupcakes- I think I might have found my recipe. I made chocolate cupcakes, topped with crushed graham crackers and a marshmallow fondant star. I also made vanilla cupcakes with blue butter cream frosting and a fondant mermaid. Dontcha love Allie's helper?

Table - Once again I took horrible pictures. For the tables I used some white table clothes I had already, fish net and some sea shells. Mi familia.

Food - We kept it simple and had hot dogs, chips, watermelon, veggies and cucumber sandwiches. You know you love my pictures?!?! I just wanted to show you my food covers that I LOVE! Oh and my son's cute head.

Treat bags - I used a candy mold and made some chocolate seashells then packaged them in a bag with raw sugar to look like sand. I thought they were cute even though the picture sucks and I'll never give chocolate as a party favor at a pool party again. Why you ask? Too hot. Chocolate shells that took hours to make turns into a chocolate blob. Duh

Entertainment- The POOL!! Best idea ever.

Dear Baby Girl,

"God, I can't believe she's four!" I've been thinking about what I want to write to you this year, and that's all that echos in my head. You're four today. Four. I find myself just staring at you, hypnotized, more and more these days. It reminds me of our first few months together at home. When your Daddy and I first brought you home, we would just hold you and sigh and stare and smile and then sigh again. Just like in the movies. The staring was because we were just so amazed that you were here and ours. It baffled me that I had this whole little person, who was completely dependent on me for everything and I had no clue about what to do...other than stare. The sigh was because I had to let some of the pure joy out or I would burst. Kinda like when you are lying down and have too much energy, so your body just has to jump! That's where my sighs came from. I was too happy and some of it had to be shared or I'd burst. The smiles were because I had no words to explain the changes that you brought into my life, and I had to do something with my nervousness, so I just smiled. It kept my mouth busy and my heart calm. Four years later and here I am again. I just stare, sigh and smile. You amaze me.

In the last twelve months, you have slowly gone from being my little person to just a little person. Every day you are becoming who you are destine to be, more and more. All the little nudges I give to mold you into the person I want you to be are now met with your own desires pushing back. Lots of pushing back, which usually involves some screaming, crying and maybe whining. Your personality is so full and dominant that I'm slowly realizing that my existence in your life is not to mold you, but simply to witness. When I was holding you inside me and dreaming about your little face, I tried so hard to pick a name that you would cherish the way I do my own name. Finally, one day your name, Alejandra, sang to me. It was just you and I couldn't explain why or how, but it just had to be. Now I know. Your name means "protector of mankind" and I can not think of three words that describe you more fully. Every day that I have the joy of watching you with the friends and family in your life I know they are blessed to have you too. I don't think I have ever known another person in my lifetime that loves more and with their whole being like you. It scares me. You love with your whole self, without discrimination. On the playground, when someone falls, you are the first one there to help them up and offer help. At the store, you bring smiles to lonely or stressed shoppers. At the party, you are the official greeter and entertainer with hugs, kisses, dancing and all. It's almost as if you exist to bring joy to those around you. It amazes me; you amaze me.

This year you became a big sister for the second time and I think I could see your heart swell right along with my belly. When I would cuddle with you during naps or bedtime, you would gently wrap your arm around my belly and talk to your baby with such excitement and he would throw a few kicks to let me know he loved you too. In all the craziness of this year, you have been my sanity many days, helping with Benjamin by just lying next to him and making him smile or coo when even I couldn't. He loves you. I think we all love more because of you.

So today, you're four and in my grown up mind which is always conscious of time, this means that I have one more year with you all to myself, before I have to hand you over to school. I'm a little sad. I'll never let you know this, but I'm going to miss you so much. You have been the biggest change in my life and I'm a little scared to let you go. From the moment I knew you existed, everything I knew about the world and my purpose in it changed. Political issues, environmental issues, creative urges, food ingredients, friendships, family relationships... every aspect of my life is now molded by your existence. I wouldn't change a thing. You are my first born and there aren't enough words to describe how special that is to me. Not more or less than how special your brothers are to me... just different. So in this next year, the year of four, I'm going to try my damnedest to slow time down a little bit more and just bask in all that is you. Alejandra, protector of mankind!

Getting Ready

How about just a picture for today. My first born is turning four soon and we're in the throws of party making. Can you guess this year's theme?

Curious George party

I know this is a little late, but it's been crazy around here AND can you believe that I didn't take one picture during the party???? So I've had to gather some up.

M love Curious George so that was our theme. Before I started planning, there were a few things I knew I wanted to be different. I LOVE having parties, but I hated buying all this stuff just to see it in the trash at the end of the day. So my plan this time was to try and make or buy as many things that could be reused as possible. Another small motivation was that I'll be in newborn-lala-land for A's 4th birthday, so I wanted to streamline this whole process. Here are a few pics and ideas from our Green Curious George birthday.

Invitations - Tiffany (miragreetings) did an awesome job again!! I thought of just sending them via email, but our family really enjoys getting the photo, so out they went.

Plates, cups and utensils - I have some reusable plastic plates from Sam's that we used. I'm kicking myself for being so obsessed with having matching themed plateware and not using these more often. I also found some wonderful cups and utensils from Preserve. Their products are made in the USA, from recycled plastics and are BPA-free! Napkins - We have friends over quite a bit and I'm always unprepared because we don't use paper products. We had a small set of 18 x18 in. dinner napkins that we share, but it's never enough for our little friends. So I made a huge set of little napkins. I used fat quarters from our local fabric shop and mix-matched the colors. I cut each piece about 9x9in, double sided them and then stitched a seam on the right side. Here's a tutorial from Sew Mama Sew. Very easy, but lots of ironing and sewing.
Banner - I wanted something bright and fun for birthdays, but I was tired of buying or making one, just to have to start again in a few months. So I made a generic one for all of our parties. Again I used a variety of Fat Quarters. I cut a template out of card stock and used this amazing gadget that looks like a pizza cutter to cut all my fabric!! Amazingly easier than pinking shears. I double sided my triangles and just sewed them on the right-side out. Then I bought two 4 yard packets of binding and strung them together. Very easy. Here's another page of tutorials from Sew Mama Sew. Party favors - I bought some Curious George scrap paper and made some blank coloring books. Very easy. I took 10 sheets of recycled, white paper, one sheet of scrap book paper and folded them together. Trim as needed. Then, I sewed right down the middle to bind it. I put a blank label on the front for their names. Then I paired it with the twig pencils(found here) and some homemade binoculars from toilet paper rolls.

Games - We bought a pool for the summer and decided to fill it with balls for now since it's not quite warm enough for water. The kids LOVED it. We also have a pinata, of course. Cake - I love making my kids' caked for their birthdays.

Happy Birthday M!

My sweet baby boy. I can't believe you're two today. When I look at your sweet little face I can't believe how fast you're growing up. All my heart can remember is the overflowing joy I felt when we snuggled for the first 3 months of your life. Finally after having such an independent and hot natured baby, God gave me you, a snuggler. As you sat in your highchair this morning, which has become sporadic lately, I could still see the glimpse of the crooked smirk you would flash at me while you were still sleeping 18 hours a day on my chest. And I'm so thankful that your infectious and unbelievable adorable giggle hasn't left you in this past year. When you throw your head back and unleash your laugh on the world, all of my frustrations and worries are blown away. I love you for that.

My dear, sweet, baby boy, you have come a long way in one year. This past year you have learned to communicate with short broken sentences instead of hands, teeth and yells. You are one of the most polite two year olds that most people know. You absolutely love and adore your big sister, who has taught you many new words, some colors and maybe a few numbers. You are rougher and tougher than most boys come, loving dirt, cars, bugs, and dinosaurs more than anything else. You've got a mean curve ball and can roar any two year old out of the room. Right now you are a Daddy's boy and I don't mind so much. I miss your cries for me and our snuggling, but I love seeing you and your Daddy form a bond that is unmistakably magical.

Now all the giggles and cuddles aside, I've been know to say that you are full of piss and vinegar, which isn't a total lie, but I guess I wouldn't have it any other way. You're head-strong, full of life and energy and have this amazing old soul in your eyes. I know as the years carry on that you will teach me a lot about myself and I'm privileged to have you in my life. I love you baby boy.

Pirate Princess Party

Yay our Pirate Princess party was a hit! A had the best time and is still asking if we can do it again. Here are a few pics of the the party.

Pirate Princess Invitations - Tiffany did an awesome job again!! More on them here. Birthday Banner - This was just construction paper and left over foam skulls.

Pirate Princess Pinata- We have a local pinata place that custom makes them for TONS cheaper than the tiny ones at party city.
Pirate Princess Decorations on the Table - Michael's and the dollar stores had their Halloween stuff out already.

Treasure chest - I had all the kid's hats (Michael's), beads & rings(local party warehouse) and eye patches (I made these with felt and elastic) in here. Balloons - I ordered these from www.celebrateexpress.com along with the plates. I just filled in the rest with hot pink and black.

Cake - It didn't turn out how I expected, but the kids loved it and I loved that it was done! Party Favors - I made some booty bags and threw in a few chocolate coins. More on these here. Hot dog Pirate ships - I uploaded the instructions on how to make there here.

Super A - My mom make A a cape for her birthday!!
Pirate wench - My aunt dressed up like a pirate and help tatto the kids! They loved it!
Pin the patch on the Pirate - We were all set to play, but it was hot and I couldn't get the kids all in one area so we passed on it. Buuuut my mom and dad did a great job making the poster and we'll save it for halloween!

Fun times... ARRRRR