The birthday par-TAY!

So Jack's Birthday Party 2008 (BP '08) had a farm/John Deere theme. For favors, decorations, etc. I centered on red gingham (like a farm tablecloth), Green/Yellow (like a John Deere tractor) and cow print (like, well, a cow). Yes the party had it's own palette. I go overboard. It's what I do.

The invites ... front:


And back:

Created by the lovely and talented Amber at InaBabyCarriage.com.

Some of the guests at the food table:


A close up of the cute tractor tire cups. I'm all about the cute cups:


A couple shots of the picture fence I "built" around the walls of the main hall, living room and dining room to keep people entertained while inside the house:



My nephew Evan and two of our friend's children Ally and Ryder (In two parts b/c I could NOT get them to all look at the camera at the same time to save my life!)



My friend Kiersten, and her beautiful son Jake:

I just love that picture. It oozes sweetness!

Jack and a very special guest:

Yes we had alpacas. That's right alpacaS. Plural. It was part of Michael Michael and Aunt Stephanie's birthday gift to Jack. Michael Michael arranged for a guy who owns a local farm bring over three alpacas and their guide dog for a couple of hours! They set up shop right in our backyard. How cool is that? Just when you thought my party couldn't get any more fabulous - BAM - more fabulous! And by "my" party I mean "Jack's" party of course.

Some of the kiddos checking out the alpacas ... they were all so in awe!






This gives you a better pic of how the Alpacas were set up:


Couple close ups:



They are cute, no? Here is their guide dog, Madison. SO big and SO sweet!



Some moon bounce action:



An unsucessful attempt to get a pic of Michel Michael, Evan, and Jack. Check out both boys trying to break free!

Then our neighbor Michael popped his head out of the moon bounce making the shot even better. Love it!


Jackie on the John Deere Trike Mike and I got him for his bday present:



Aunt Stephanie on her knees giving thanks to God for allowing her to be a part of Jack's third birthday extravaganza. Okay actually I believe she was just talking to Mima.



THE CAKE!!!

A side view:


You: Wherever did you order such a magnificent cake?
Me: I made it.
You: NO!
Me: YES!
You: Seriously????
Me: Seriously!
In hindsight I think maybe I should have put some of the cow spots on the side of the cake. Okay I actually did think of that while doing the cake but my arms were so damn tired from doing the spots on the top plus all the other decorating that I convinced myself that spots on the side were totally superflous and unnecessary.
You have NO idea how many pictures I took of that cake. I was a bit obsessive about it.


Our neighbors gave Jack this horse. He LOVES it. Totally thinks he's a cowboy on that thing. I love it b/c it's so simple. Nothing lights up. Nothing makes noise. Just an old school bouncy horse that you need to move with your own body power and use your imagination if you want it to talk! That is Lily at the reins. She takes horseback riding lessons, so she totally knows what she's doing.


Mike and Jack opening presents.

Looks as tho Mike liked that truck even more then Jack did!


The favor table.

Yes, I made and assembled the favor bags. "Thank Moo for Coming" ... I am SUCH a cheeseball.

Jack hugged every one of his friends goodbye. Saying adieu to Erin ....

Erin sort of looks like Suri Cruise, no?! :)

And that was that!

I'm off to do a lessons learned meeting for BP '08 and start planning for BP '09. I think I've already decided on the theme. Not even kidding. I have issues. At least I'll admit it.

The actual birthday ...

Here is what Jack woke up to on Friday:


When he saw it he said "Blue doesn't say my name. Red doesn't say my name. GREEN says my name!". 3 years olds are smart!

Next Jack headed into Mommy and Daddy's bed for some milk and presents.



That is a "Cars" carrying case. It is made to hold about 15 little toy cars from the movie "Cars". Each space is labled with a sticker bearing a picture of which car is supposed to go in that particular spot. The carrying case comes empty of course - you have to buy the cars seperately. I bought 5 of his favorite ones and put them in their appropriate spots thinking he'd be SO excited to not only get the carrying case but also some of the cars as well! Apparently I'm not thinking like a 3 year old. He was soooo excited to see the case, opens it, pauses and says "HEY! Some are missing!".


Checking out the toy train that our cat Belle got him:

My parent's have a cat at their house names Lor-e-Lei. When Jack arrived at their place later that morning he walked in, looked at the cat and said "Belle got me a present! Did Lor-e-Lei get me a present?". HA! Lucky for her, she did.


All dressed up in his birthday finest, half-empty car carrying case in hand:



Then it was on to Silver Diner for birthday breakfast with Mommy and Daddy:

I wanted to start a tradition where you get a milkshake with breakfast on your birthday. I thought it would be a little cool and crazy - something you normally would not be allowed to do that is special for just birthdays. So we get to Silver Diner, order our breakfast, and...

Me: "Hey Jack, would you like a MILKSHAKE with breakfast!? That's right, I said MILKSHAKE! With BREAKFAST! Yahooooo it's your birthday!"
Jack: "Um, no. Thanks for asking.".

If Mike didn't actually witness that child being taken from my midsection I'd swear he was dropped off at our house by a pack of wild wolves. How could a child of mine turn down a milkshake? Maybe next year. I now plan to officially start the tradition on my birthday.


That evening after work we had a pizza party for dinner. Meaning we ate pizza. I just turn everything into a party. And then, since Jack doesn't like cake, we lit a candle in his favorite "Snickernoodle" cookie from Whole Foods.

Yes, he calls it "Snickernoodle". How CUTE is that!?!? I swear I get one for him like three times a week just because I love to hear him say it.


And after that it was off to bed to get some rest for the party of the century!

Three years ago today ...

Leaving for the hospital ...

Um - apparently when I heard about "eating for two" I took that to mean "two-HUNDRED"



Hours later ...


Eating then ...


Eating now ...


Bathtime then ...



Bathtime now ...



Jackie Gifford, you are by far the sweetest, funniest, cutest, most caring, most brilliant little person I have ever known in my life. You make each day a little bit brighter for every person you come in contact with. Every moment of everyday is better because of you. I love you with all my heart.

HAPPY THIRD BIRTHDAY!!!!

Happy Mother's Day!!!

And what a lovely Mother's Day it has been. Mine started off with Jack coming into my bed to snuggle. He said "Happy Mother's Day! I love you with all my heart". Awwwwwww! When I asked him what you do on Mother's Day he told me "On Mother's Day you have to give your mommy kisses ALL day. Cause why, you love her.". Awwwwwww to the millionth degree!!!! So about every 10 minutes today(I kid you not) I've been saying "Jack what is it you have to give me all day today?" and he shouts "KISSES!" and runs over to plant one on me. Well, okay the first few times he shouted and ran. By like the 14th time he kind of rolled his eyes and shuffled over without even answering. $20 says that next year when I ask "What do you do on Mother's Day" his answer will be "Um, I don't remember."

So after snuggle-fest it was time for breakfast. I meant to take this picture before eating but - well - have you ever had Mike's breakfast? It's good. Damn good. Once it was set down in front of me all thoughts of picture taking were replaced with thoughts of "Mmmmmmmmm".


During breakfast I was presented with the most BEE-utiful flowers from the most BEE-utiful boy.


My BEE-utiful flowers in their vase (with vase pronounced to rhyme with schnoz. Because we're fancy like that.)


The beautiful carnation plant that Jack picked out all by himself at Home Depot (Mima helped - but only with the paying part).


Jack also made a little something special something for his Granny and Mima! They get the photographic version today and the real life version next weekend.


The artist in action.


My little clean freak was NOT pleased about the paint on the hand.


Now I'm kicking back watching The Travel Channel whilst my most adorable husband cooks me some BBQ ribs. If you thought his breakfasts were good, that is NOTHING compared to his ribs. This is the life. Mothers Day is the best! Okay, truth be told I get this kind of treatment around here a lot. That most adorable husband of mine takes good care of me. Every Mama should be lucky enough to have a Mike. :)