Festive Festivities

Growing up in Suriname, my family would do Advent activities every year. As children it would be simple things, like singing Jingle bells, or taking someone cookies. When we were older, we got together with a few other families and would do a weekly Advent thing, involving a Scripture reading, activity, and food. I have so many good memories of these times, and Ryan and I wanted to create those for our kids, as well as helping them walk through the Scripture foretelling the birth of Christ, and the months and days leading up to His coming.

This year, we had a reading every day as well as something to do on the majority of the days. These ranged from opening a Christmas book, to watching a Christmas movie, to making cookies, to going to someone's house.

We made pancakes and decorated them with whipped cream and strawberries, in an attempt to get them to look like Santa.

We decorated sugar cookies another night.

Nate looooooves to participate. But he wasn't sure about the frosting. 

We decorated "gingerbread" houses with our friends, the Sortores. It was pretty much a "one for the house, one for the mouth" scenario.

Nate is turning into a serious ham.

For a two year old, Tristan did a GREAT job.

A cupcake-y, pink, fluffy, baby shower!

Last month I was honored to host and throw a baby shower for one of my very best friends. This is the tale of that event. Ready?

   There were about a bajillion mini-cupcakes. (Which was okay, because they were yummy.) Chocolate with mint frosting, and Snickerdoodle.

Carrot cake with cream cheese frosting.

Mini-quiches and tortilla pinwheels.

Cupcake stand of party favors! Shout out to Gail for assembling the candy in the cups, wrapping, tying, AND adding cute paper inside!

The tulle is so fluffy!

Cake table, which it shared with the activity and a game. 

More food! Dulce de Leche cupcakes, fruit, and sausage balls.

 

Are these not the cutest things ever??

Clotheslines for decoration, and we decorated the clothing on them for Renee.

So so so glad Renee's mom could be here for the shower!!!

 Renee's baby, Elsa Mercedes, was born about a week or so prior to the shower, so she got to attend as well. But did I manage to get any pictures of her??? Noooooo. And do I have pictures of Renee and together?? Noooooo.

At least not from the shower, anyway. But I digress.

  All in all, lots of lovely ladies attended, fun was had, yummy food was consumed, and gifts were opened and appreciated. 

Not pictured: baby Elsa; the massive amounts of tulle hot glued to my living room ceiling; all the guests; all the food; and probably other things I forgot.

Ain't no party like a Spiderman party! ...for preschoolers!

A while back Elisha decided he wanted a Spiderman birthday party. This was after he changed his mind several times, of course. Would you expect anything less from a 3 year old?In fact, I think he may have changed his mind in the days preceding his party as well. To that I said "Tough bananas."

Isn't this a fun balloon banner? Love it. And not just because I made it. And also not because the balloons were STUPID HARD TO BLOW UP. Good gosh.

 A fun ceiling web, spider added by Elisha. Even a confirmed spider-hater admitted to it's coolness.

What's a party for preschoolers without a craft? They made little spiders out of Styrofoam, pipe cleaners, and googly-eyes.  

Then we searched for pieces to Spiderman puzzles that had been hidden around the yard. 

Didn't get pictures of the puzzles being put together, oops.

But, after all that, we ate! 

And opened presents! Elisha loved ALL his gifts, and is still enjoying them today. Lots of cars, craft items, a Spiderman hat and mittens, more cars, and hey, guess what! Cars, LOL.

We also sang and had yummy yummy cupcakes, but, once again, no pictures to prove it. Guess you'll just have to take my word for it.

I haven't forgotten about you!

There has been soooooo much going on around here, I have NOT had any time to load pictures and post. I know I promised you Elisha's birthday party pictures, and they ARE coming. Just not today. Maybe tomorrow. We'll see.

And now, to bed! It is 11:46 pm, and I'm starting to get tired.

Later!

Happy, happy birthday, from all of us to you (Elisha)!!

How old are you, Elisha??

Elisha turned four this past Wednesday, and boy did he have a great day!! It started with Daddy staying home from school to spend the day with him, his choice of breakfast, and fun at the park. (No pictures, sorry!!! We took a friend and his kids with us, so we were still out-numbered. Also, Max did not stay home from school- it was pajama day in her class, and there was no way she was missing that!)

He got hot dogs for lunch, then after naptime (which was a nap-less time, sigh), Sister was home and he got to open presents. What four year old (or any child for that matter!) doesn't like presents???

Victoria had chosen a pack of cars for him, which he loves!

How happy is he?!?!

And his present from Mommy and Daddy... what could it be??

 Superheros??? No way! 

 I'm not sure who was more excited, Elisha or Daddy...

After a yummy dinner of homemade pizza, then cupcakes and singing, the birthday boy passed out, very happy, and very tired.


Stay tuned for a post with lots of pictures about his birthday PARTY!