Gaines's Third Birthday Party

As much as I love hosting things, I am perfectly fine with my children wanting their parties at other locations! Gaines loves the gymnastics center at our church and wanted a "Lego Party." Thanks to a great staff (and supplies from Oriental Trading!), it was easy to pull off!

Morning of his party

Almost all of his friends

(Please note my niece, Hollon, pouting)

So cute!

Their daddy got them these sweet tracksuits

Mae Stanley was workout ready

"What do you mean these presents aren't for me!?!"

I don't know why Woody was making this face, but the harder we laughed, the meaner he looked.

I thought they looked so cute, so we wore the tracksuits the next week to school!

Dear Gaines...Three Years Later

Dear Gaines,

Three years.
36 months.
156 weeks.
1,096 days.

But I remember it like yesterday. I was about to bring a baby boy into the world. I wish I could whisper to the me on March 6, 2014, "Life is about to be way more awesome than you ever imagine."

It is no surprise that your favorite song is "Everything is Awesome." Because with you, it is true. You have taught me so much in three years. Patience, kindness, boldness, humor, and a very special unconditional love that show.

In three years, your funny little personality shines a little more each day. You love bigger than that gigantic head of yours. You are the love bug of our family. You always ask us if we are happy, and you will cry if you think anyone is sad or mad. You are smart. You can figure out the coolest way to make a bridge or build a tower. You love to take a toy apart to try to put it back together again. You are hilarious. You love being the center of attention, and we can usually count on you to put on a show. Sometimes you are shy. It makes me laugh because it is a total phony act that you can't keep up for more than two minutes. You are stubborn. Bless your stubbornness....it will serve you well as an adult (although it drives me nuts now.) 

So much about you was a surprise and unplanned. But the world would not be as great without you. Our family would not be complete without you. I couldn't be momma without you. You are my Gainsie Guy, my Peepers, my Gippy, my Gaines Alton. You are my laughter, my fun, my dancing partner, my big blonde head, my cuddle bug, my baby boy, my love you too.

I am so thankful for you Gaines. I am so lucky to be your momma. Happy Birthday.

Love,             

 Your Momma 

Happy 4th Birthday Woody!

So, my precious first-born turned four a week and two days ago...and I am just getting around to blogging about it! I don't have a great excuse. I usually blog after the boys go to bed, and lately, I have been going to bed as soon as they do!

The night before his birthday he was still pretty pathetic from the tonsillectomy. He climbed up in my lap a little after 6:00pm and quickly feel asleep. I rocked and rocked him. Brooks kept asking if I wanted him to carry to bed, but I didn't want to let him go. I knew the next time he woke up he would be four, which just seems so much older than three! (Sweet moment spoiler: He had a night terror at 11:00, so I still got to hold him again before his big day!)

Woody is just such a neat kid. He has a sweet, sensitive heart, and yet is very independent. He likes what he likes, and doesn't seem to care what is cool. It is truly Woody's World, and we are just living in it! It is such a precious age, and I dread the day he tries to fit in with the crowd. I pray he always stays his wonderful, unique self. 

He kept insisting that he was only three, and it wasn't his birthday

But he cheered up when I told him he could pick out some toys!

On his actual birthday, we actually didn't do too much. Since he still wasn't feeling great, we just went to his favorite toy store and Target. 

Despite the fact that it was his brother's birthday, this one somehow went home with that "tiny" firetruck 

The next day he was supposed to have his party. I was nervous, because right before his party, he fell asleep. I was nervous that he just wasn't going to be up to going to his party. He struggled getting out the door, but once we got there, he was so excited!

One hour before his party

I had his party at Catch Air again. When he said he wanted to have it there, I didn't fight him. I don't mind hosting at our house, but in the summer, our house gets so hot with a lot of people. I figured I would just get to make something cute and crafty for the party room at Catch Air. Well, between playing nurse and little sleep the weeks before, I made NOTHING (except assembling goody bags.) And guess what, Woody didn't care! That is what I love about him. We could have just had cake as a family, and he would have thought it was the best thing ever!

 This little party animal! He enjoyed singing Happy Birthday to his brother and trying to go home with every momma there!

 Sweet Birthday Boy!

 The party guests we could convince to take a picture. The "Buzz" was a little scary. Lucky for us, Gaines was ready to attach at any moment.

Woody wouldn't dance with Buzz. He preferred the bubble machine and watching Buzz from a distance.

 Happy Birthday Woodfin James! Even though you may be four, you will always be my (big boy) baby!

Gaines's 2nd Birthday Party

Even though Gaines actually turned two on March 7th, I didn't have his party until April 2nd. My official excuse was that my father-in-law was in Korea for March, but in reality, I was procrastinating on the party planning. 

Normally, for parties, I rely on my sister to take pictures. The Friday before the party, her husband's truck got broken in to, and they took all her stuff! (Read more about this story here.) I felt horrible (welcome to Atlanta everyone!) So there is a small lack of photos of the actual party.

My friend, Tippi, did the cake, cupcakes, and cake pops. She is seriously amazing. If you can believe it, they tasted as good as they looked! She is starting a baking business on the side called Whisked. If you live in and near Atlanta and are intrested in her info, please contact!

I didn't get a picture of the back deck, but we had a crawfish boil for the adults. I love how the crawfish and corn coordinated with the party's colors! (#psychopartymom)

Also in coordinating colors, was Gaines's outfit. However, he got soaked eating ice on the back deck, so Mimi changed him before I got a picture. He had red bubble shorts with a yellow cardigan. It was cute people.

Happy Birthday, Gaines! 

Woody's Third Birthday Party

Like I said, Woody had a very low-key party this year, but fun and full of memories nonetheless! He adores Catch Air, and they were great in helping me plan the easiest party ever. They took care of almost everything except the cake (which my talented friend, Tippi made.) I made a small banner and the gift bags, but Catch Air can make you gift bags as well (I had to craft a little bit.)

Seriously, how cute!? Tippi is amazing. It tasted as good as it looked too. (If you are in the Atlanta area, hit me up for her info! She make a mean cheese straw as well.)

The inside of the cake

My contributions

The inside was mostly full of generic, non-Pinterest worthy junk...except the bubbles. Those were cute bubbles.

Woody was so excited for his birthday party. He kept asking, "Is it time now?" (His brother was not in a great mood and got sent home early.)

Woody's buddies telling him "Happy Birthday." Obviously, he was overjoyed.

The next are blurry. Basically, Mickey came out to dance with Woody, and he lost his mind. Then he realized no one was on the slide and ditched the mouse. 

That face! I cannot wait for Disney World!

Isn't his shirt cute? My sweet sister made it.

Trying to get a picture 

The kid second to the right of Mickey was photo crasher.

Almost everyone...

Singing Happy Birthday

Appreciating the banner I made him...or spelling his name for everyone

On Saturday, Brooks's parents stopped by in the morning to spend some time with us. Jim had just flown in from Hawaii, and Pam had spent the past two weeks with her mother. It was so kind of them to come over, especially with how tired they were!

After the boys took a nap, my parents, sister, brother-in-law, nieces, and nephew came by. We ate cupcakes and went to dinner together. We attempted a photo of the grandkids (cue laughter.)

Since that went so well, we ventured outside to get some picture with my mom and dad. We actually got some decent shots.

We met back up on Sunday because my parents were taking the older three grandkids to Stone Mountain, and the boys and I decided to tag along. I didn't last long, as I thought that at any moment I would pass out from the heat. I don't know how my parents kept up with the kids and stayed all day long.

The kids loved the train!

I have to give my parents one last shout-out, because after all that, they came by Monday morning and kept my boys while I went to the doctor. Thank you, thank you!!