Milestones

Also in my recent absence, I celebrated another birthday! We LOVE birthday celebrations around here. My children gave me a lovely little party. They selected Cilantro Enchiladas and Amanda's friend sent me a beautiful carrot cake. It was a wonderful little party! We had a terrific time!

Thank you, my sweet babes.

I loved this shot of all the preparation of the cake and Quincy capturing little video clips. I just had to share it here.

Sweet Sixteen

My beautiful Daughter, Kaitlyn, turned 16 last week. I was between computers and have just now finally had time to share some of the pictures with you here. Her friends and I all worked together and in less than 24 hours, we created a fun, little surprise party for her.

Kaitlyn wears the silly birthday crown I made for her! She didn't wear it long because she said it made her ears stick out.

We gathered 'round the good stuff!

Kaitlyn and Siv met when they were in preschool at the tender age of two! They've been friends ever since. We invited Siv to Kait's third birthday party. In one of the pictures, you see Siv taking a big inhale because she is ready to blow out the candles. Kaitlyn was too slow and Siv got the candles. Kaitlyn turned around and glared at Siv. So what you see in this picture is a slightly hilarious re-enactment.

I made a few tissue paper flowers for decorations....Amanda decided they looked better on Kaitlyn's head!

Look at all those BEAUTFUL smiles!

A Little Celebration

Rachel celebrated a birthday last week. I've driven by this shop so many times. I was dying to try it...so I surprised her by stopping by. I was so curious to see the inside of this shop! Better yet...I couldn't wait to sink my teeth into some cake!


Do you see us in the reflection?


The decor is very girlie! The walls are very soft pink and .... well, Parisian! I loved it! It was very comfortable.

This is our cute little table. I absolutely loved how the sun streamed through the windows. I think Rachel did, too, because we both kept exclaiming, "This place is SOOOOO cute!" or..."Oh my GOSH! I JUST love this little shop!"

We each ordered the Chocolate Cherry cupcakes. The cake was perfectly moist and the density was perfect. The icing was delicious. The cherries were reported to have been imported from Italy. It was the perfect blend of yum. And just look at the adorable dishes!

Here is the birthday girl with her giftie from me...I wonder what it could be?

Why! It's MITTENS....handknit, in Rachel's favorite color of blue, of course!

YAY! She told me she really hoped she would get some mittens.

Rachel had never had french press coffee before. It was time she was shown the ropes. After letting the coffee steep for 5 minutes, she pressed them to the bottom of the carafe and filled her cup.

Not bad, eh?

We lingered for a while after our treats were gone.....and sipped sparkling mineral water
(another first for Rachel).

It was such a lovely afternoon for both of us. I was so glad to be part of Rachel's special day. Thank you for letting me share in your day! I hope your day was extra special, Rachel!

A Good Little Party

My mother and step-dad celebrated their birthdays last week. Jim on the 19th and my mother on the 23rd. To honor them, my sister cooked a lovely spaghetti dinner. We gathered together and enjoyed each other's company and had a good time.

There were decorations. (Windows colors, perhaps? HA!)

We ate declicious food.

Danielle lit the candles on the birthday cake.

Mom and Jim made a wish and blew out the candles.

We presented gifts.

They liked them.

My gramma used to always say after we'd have a little gathering like this, "That was a good little party!"

And it was.

Another March Birthday!

Quincy wanted cupcakes. So I made some pretty green frosting and we placed them in the cupcake tree. He was so thrilled with them. He helped me put the sprinkles on them.

Each year, for Quincy's Birthday, I get him a new stein for a collection I started on his first birthday. It seemed a fitting collection for a person who has a birthday on Saint Patrick's Day.

Quincy actually wanted white frosting, but I talked him into green. It almost seemed sacral!

Okay! Now...I know some folks might have an issue with this, but my little guy specifically asked for a doll. He was even clear on certain features. He wanted his doll's eyes to open and close and the eyes were to have lashes. How could I resist?

Quincy's Grampa Jim and Gramma Margie joined us in the celebration!

Happy Birthday, KaitieBug!

Gosh! Do we love a birthday celebration around here....

Kaitlyn turned 15 on Monday. She requested a zebra themed cake...a cheesecake. Well, this was what we came up with. I made her a special birthday dinner, too. Gramma Margie and Grampa Jim were here, too. We all had a great time.

Seeing GREEN!

His birthday is on Saint Patrick's Day. He will be four. He is practicing holding up four fingers on his little hands. He's made a wish list...and has even requested cupcakes on his special day.

I wanted to knit another sweater for him to wear on his special day.

Everything lined up for a special birthday sweater...why not make it GREEN! My skills and confidence were stronger during the knitting of this sweater and I really enjoyed it.

The best part is...this picture was the result of Quincy putting the sweater on and buttoning it up all by himself. Capturing the photo was the most difficult part of this post! How 'bout THAT?!?

Homespun Birthday Love

My kids actually complained that there was too much frosting. NEVER!




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Happy Birthday, Alex!

Gramma Margie baked a chocolate birthday cake for Alex!

Happy Birthday, Dear Alex!




Gramma Margie and Alex

Alex and Quincy


YAAAAAAY! Yahtzee and birthday money!

Dear Alex,

It's so hard to believe that eleven years ago, you were just a tiny little peanut who'd just been placed into my arms. Even though you were the biggest of my newborns, you were so tiny and red. You had the biggest blue eyes. I loved to hold you and just snuggle you. I held you so your heart was next to mine. Your little head resting on my shoulder; I could feel your breath on my skin.

You were such an easy baby. You quickly filled out and had the cutest little round cheeks I'd ever seen. When you slept in your cradle beside my bed, you'd suck on your middle fingers and ring finger. It was so cute. I used to love to watch you sleep.

You have become a wonderful young man. I love your sense of humor. You amaze me with your love and enthusiasm for sports. I am eager to watch you play basketball on a team. I know you will have fun with that and I will proudly cheer you on from the stands!

I am so glad that of all the Alexes in the entire world, I get to be YOUR mom. I love you so much. I am really proud of you.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ZIGGY!

Love,

Mom