Happy Birthday Masyn! Party #1

This last weekend we had a little get together at the house to celebrate Masyn's first birthday.  I call this post Party #1 because this coming weekend the kids and I are going to go up to Oklahoma to have some cake and ice cream for her with the fam up there.

I know I told everyone that we were just having cake and ice cream and it wasn't really a "party" just a get together, but I still need to do a little more advanced planning for these "get togethers".  I was running around like a mad woman.  I told Kent that when his parents got here they must have seriously thought I was on something.  I thought I would have more time during the week to put things together, but of course that's usually when you have a million things come up.  However, everything worked out just fine if you ask me.  The kids were running around everywhere, adults just hung out, I was spaced out dead on my feet, Kent was passed out on the couch, and there was a present free for all.  Perfect.  Just my kind of party!  Here are some highlights.

The Birthday Girl in the outfit I made her.  The cupcake took forever, but turned out very cute.

Somehow it turned into a tutu party.  We tried to get a cute picture of all the Johnson Girls and this is what we go...McKenna is back there somewhere!

BALLOONS!!

The cake.  I'll share my adventures in making this cake on a different post.  No I did not use the cupcake pan.

She's a pretty neat eater.

The family.

Still trying to decide if I should be offended that she preferred to eat the plate instead of the cake I made.

Okay, now she loves it!

Little messy.

All done...headed to the bath.

Checking out her new alligator push toy.

Had to try on her gift from Nana and Granddad.  TOUCHDOWN!

Worn out....

...and not the only one.

Forgiveness

Kent called me on the way home from the football game last night to say, "I'm bringing you home a surprise!"  Translation:  I'm bringing some leftover, sweet, yummy goodness from the game.  Normally this would be awesome.  However, I have been working really hard at eating clean and working out to lose weight (12 pounds last month thank you very much...hold your applause), and I have zero will power when it comes to sweets.  I just don't even really have them in the house.  So Kent says that I've done so well and it won't hurt anything to have just one little treat.  When I'm trying to lose weight this is usually what I tell myself the 6 or 7 times a day that I'm sneaking something!  This logic just doesn't do well for me.  After I talked to him I was so irritated at him for bringing temptation home to me and basically being a bad influence.  Then he walked in the door with these....

...he is forgiven.

I mean this isn't a diet, it's a lifestyle change and I should be able to have little treats...in moderation of course.  I only ate one by the way and it was so worth it!  In case anyone wanted to know that came from The Cupcakery, www.thecupcakery.com, totally recommend!

1st Day of Pre-K

Yesterday was Brayden's very first day of Pre-K!  He was super excited.  This will be his fourth and final year in the Weekday Preschool program so it's a little sad for me.  I remember how shy his was his very first day in Miss Mary's class.  He has never been one of those clingy, crying, won't let you drop him off kind of kids but when he was really small he was awfully slow to get into class.  He only went once a week his first year so it wasn't a daily routine and each week he was a little unsure about going.  The first few days of the next two years were the same.  He wasn't upset about going, but just really shy and kind of slow to go into the classroom.  Since he went 3 days a week both of those years he got over that shyness really quick and it was only like that for maybe the first week.  I guess part of me expected for yesterday to be the same...new year, new teacher, new classroom.  However, he walked straight into that class without so much as a goodbye or look back.  His teacher said, "Okay hug your mom and tell her bye.", but before she could even get that sentence out he was already across the room hanging his backpack on his little hook.  So I told the teacher bye and left.  When I picked him up he was just full of new information and talking, talking talking.   So happy his first day went so well, but a little sad at how big he's getting.  Of course, I don't get much time to dwell of that because we already have to start thinking about what to do with him for Kindergarten next year.  A lot of the schools are starting registration this fall already....crazy.

About to leave for the first day!

Okay I took this picture because we have one like it for every year he has gone to preschool here, and I was going to put this one next to the one from his first year, but I cannot seem to find it...sigh.

It's Soccer Season Again!

Saturday was Brayden's first soccer game of the Fall 2011 season.  Go Scorpions!  This is his second year (3rd season if you count Fall and Spring separate).  He's still on the same team.  I believe all former players returned and they added a few new faces since you can have a slightly larger team for U5.  The biggest difference this year is that they have added a goalie....which everyone wants to be.  However, I think they all came to realize just how boring that job is at this age on Saturday.  I love watching this age play.  It is completely chaotic and unorganized and it is primarily for the entertainment of us adults, but the kids have lots of fun too.

Brayden got to be a captain.  He also scored the first goal for his team.  Well, we count it as a score, there was a mass of kids at the goal and when he kicked it hit the post and sort of rolled in, but it was very exciting!  He also played goalie for a little while.  He did get scored on, but by one of his own team members so we're really not going to count that either!

I have to remind his coach to be very literal with the boy.  When he was on defense the coach asked him to scoot up a little and Brayden happily obliged...moving about 4cm.  After the coach asked him several times totaling about 3 inches he finally pointed to exactly where he wanted him to stand.  And stand he did for the rest of the quarter.  Unfortunately, the coach forgot to tell Brayden that he could still go to the ball anywhere on that half of the field and didn't have to wait for the ball to come directly to him.  If the ball came to him then he would kick it and then go back to standing in that spot looking very proud of himself for that contribution.

Kent didn't get a chance to go to the game so when he asked Brayden how the game was his response was, "Great!  I gotta snack!".  Of course, THAT was the highlight!  Looking forward to watching him the rest of the season.  They're so cute right now.

Warming up.

     

Captains

Of course Miss Masyn was there to cheer him on.

Goalie!  He is currently growling at the other team...nice.

On the run! 

After uploading these pictures I've decided that I definately need to get a much better camera if he's going to continue playing sports.  So if anyone is interested in contributing to my "Better Camera Fund" let me know!  Haha!

Check Her Out!

I'm a slacker, I know.  I thought I'd be a little better at posting, but such is life.  I've got a bunch of different stuff to post so I will do that over today and tomorrow, hopefully (depending on behavior of children!).

Anyway, we have a new walker in the house!!  She just takes a few steps (I think 12 is the high count now), but mostly she likes to celebrate herself!   Let me see if I can add video.

Please disregard the mess....we are currently in the middle of a much needed toy purge!!

Tutu Cute!

Cheesy title...I know.

Yesterday I was hit by inspiration to make some tutus with some leftover tulle from Masyn's bow holder and some other tulle that was on clearance.  So here we go...

The first one I made. 

I used more tulle on the second one so it's a bit more fluffy.  I also made her hair clip.

She loves it!

Brayden also approves.

Weekend Fun

I know it's Tuesday and I'm just now posting about the weekend...oh well.  Overall it was a fun weekend.  Kent's parents were in town for our niece, McKenna's 3rd birthday party so we went over to his brother's house Friday night to visit.  Then Saturday was McKenna's party.  They had the party at The Fields which is FBC Carrollton's new sports complex with park and spray ground.  Lots of fun.  The playground area is covered (fabulous for such hot days) and the ground is covered with turf instead of woodchips, rubber, or any other flooring they put down for playgrounds.

Brayden enjoying the spray ground.

Thanks Uncle Kirk!

And enjoying some cake....the best part of all!

Sunday we decided to invite everyone over to our house since Kirk and Suzie provided dinner both Friday and Saturday nights.  I'm not sure what it is but anytime we try to do something like this things always seem to go awry.   Kent decided he wanted to smoke some pork for pulled-pork sandwiches and have coleslaw, potato salad (finally remembered the potatoes!), beans, and watermelon.  Sounds like a super yummy menu, right?  At least until he opened the pork shoulder I bought and the thing still had the skin of the pig on it!!  

Ew!  Wasn't expecting that!  How on earth did I not notice this when I bought it!  Well, the other side didn't have skin and that's all I looked at.  We quickly realized that we did not have enough time to deal with this and I ran out to the store and bought a tenderloin instead.  A much safer choice.  Currently Wilbur is in our freezer and we'll deal with him another day.  

The finished product.  Now doesn't that look so much more appetizing!  It tasted great too!

The day also included swimming in our super awesome pool...kids only.  Kent also made a Kid Wash that I had seen in Family Fun magazine.  They were more interested in getting in the pool and only went through it a few times, but I think it's pretty awesome!  

Kid Wash

Brayden and Brooke enjoying the wash before getting in the pool.

You can find the free directions to make this here FamilyFun.com/funshop.  You just click on their free instructions and pick the June/July 2011 issue.  It's great for them to run through when we can't be out to supervise the pool.  

Who needs toys when you have empty food containers!

Random picture, but it was also from the weekend and I thought it was cute.  So, that's it.  That was our weekend!  

Tall Guy In A Little Pool

Okay you need to read the title of this post to the tune of "Fat Guy in a Little Coat" from Tommy Boy.  But anyway....

Since it's about a bazillion degrees outside this year I decided we should get one of those above ground inflatable pools.  I didn't want one that was very big because I still wanted plenty of yard space for the kids to run around (and we already have a garden and storage shed that take up room).  I also didn't want one that was really deep because the kids are 5 & under and there are four of them and only two of us so I wanted them to be able to stand on their own.  Well, at least two of them because obviously we wouldn't put Masyn in the pool expecting that of her.  So, I looked at what there was to offer and chose the smallest pool that there was thinking that it was still big enough for everyone.  I'm apparently terrible at judging the size of things because Kent spans the entire width of the pool!!

The good news is that although we still need to be outside when the kids are in the pool, all three of the older ones, can stand in the pool without us.  Oh well, maybe next year.  By the way we'll have a pool for sale at the end of the year if anyone is interested!!  

Ruffled Bubble Romper

Another outfit on my list to make Masyn.  This is the Ruffled Bubble Romper made from a pattern by Tie Dye Diva.  I decided to use this pattern to make her Fourth of July outfit.  I must say it came out rather cute.  The pattern was super easy to follow and this was very quick to make.  Of course, as Kent would point out, it would have been a lot faster had I not sewn one of the pieces inside out and backward the first time.  Thank you Lord for seam rippers!!  I think I've decided I like using patterns and tutorials from online much better than the more traditional patterns.  I won't stop using the more traditional because I still have some I need to use and there are some things I can only find this way, but I'll probably look more to the internet for patterns.  My obsession, and the site I got this one from, is youcanmakethis.com...obsessed.  Of course my WishList is much longer than my purchase list of one.

Ketchup, Mustard, and Ranch...

Brayden will eat anything if you put some ranch on it.  I know it sounds terrible.  I do try to feed him healthy food, but sometimes he eats things a lot better if you let him decide how it's prepared at least.  Most of the time I'll ask him what he wants on something and he'll tell me, "Ketchup, mustard, and ranch."  Okay, if it means he'll eat it, sure.  However, the other day he took me by surprise when I asked him how he wanted his ham sandwich.  You have to see to believe.

 You are looking at the beginning of his ham sandwich with ketchup, mustard, ranch, and....jelly...yuck!

 Then he was very specific that he wanted it to go ham, cheese, ham.  If that jelly dripping down the side doesn't just wet your appetite for one of these then, well, I'd have to agree with you, doesn't look appetizing to me at all!

 Taste test....

It's winning!! 

And he ate the whole thing....more power to him!

Watermelon Dress

When it comes to sewing I am an amateur.  I got a sewing machine last year for Mother's Day after we found out we had a little girl on the way.  Kent thought I should learn to sew her cute little things instead of blowing half his salary on them.  So, I got the sewing machine and since I had never sewn a thing in my life (except a few things by hand) proceeded to teach myself how to sew.  I'm not gonna lie there have been a few disasters and I don't get to practice near as much as I would like to.  I'm terrible at reading patterns and most of the time need Kent to help me translate and understand them.  I made a list of projects that I would like to complete and am finally getting around to them.  One of the first things on the list was to make Masyn some cute little summer outfits.  I went to JoAnn and got a few patterns when they were on sale.  I found some cute Watermelon fabric at Wal-Mart (they are bringing back their fabric on bolts by the way) and I used Simplicity 9784 to make her this cute little dress.  Like I said I'm not a seamstress by any means and there are a few mistakes, but I think it out pretty cute.

 Such a pretty girl!

 I decided to make some buttons with same fabric.

 Loves her new dress!

 Had to get a shot of the bloomers.  This was my first attempt at bloomers and I think I did okay.

This is the pattern I used.  I thought it was very easy to follow, which is saying something, and I would definately recommend it to a beginner that's looking for something cute and simple to make.  

Going To Try This Blogging Thing

I'm a few years behind, I know, but I've finally decided to blog.  Talk to me about Twitter another day.