The Wheels on the Bus...

Whew! What a whirlwind of a weekend. October is a big month in our family for birthdays, 6 to be exact. My sister, April, had my nephew a week & a day after I had Natalie. We even have another 1st birthday to go to this coming weekend. (Andy Pant's nephew's son was born a couple weeks after Natalie as well) That's 3 in a row! I have chalked it up to a party month & I have been cramming every chocolate covered oreo I can get into my mouth. Actually the last 3 months of the year are party months. I love this time of year. The holiday season is MY FAV, & October definetely kick starts the festivities.

 Happy Birthday, BOO, Happy Turkey Day, HO HO HO, & 3,2,1 Happy New Year!

(image from google)

 

So we packed up my parents brand new RV & headed up North to the beautiful state of Virginia. Traveling with a toddler in an RV is so much more convienant.
 I can pack my whole house up practically.

Although packing for a toddler is just plain ridiculous. Even if we are going to Wally World to buy groceries five minutes from the house, we have to pack like we are going camping. I just like to be prepared for whatever experience we may encounter, & if you have a toddler you know exactly what I am talking about.
Who doesn't love that perfect timing of a diaper explosion. BLEH!
 

I was so worried about what to pack for Miss Natalie that I completely forgot to pack my OWN pair of jeans that I planned on wearing for the main event: Carson's 1st birthday party. Thankfully there was a kick ACE Target near my sis' house. I know I keep getting off of subject but I am so jello of the selection at her Target then at the one near us. Their FALL clothing choices are killer. I had to make sure I just bought jeans...they were a perfect fit with my boots.
 I was too excited to finally put my boots back on!

We arrived in VA around 6pm on Friday. We fed the kiddos ,
let them run around & destroy play in the house before bedtime.
Once bedtime came for them, a little drinky drinky came out for us.
It was a long day & much needed, don't judge me.

Morning came & the party planner in me got to work. The theme was a YO HO HO, Pirate Party. My sister found some of the cutest Pirate "treasures" to decorate with. We lined the driveway with pirate flags, and set out tons of bandanas, gold clip-on earrings, foam swords, tattoos, & chocolate gold coins any pirate would "kill" to have! She rented a bounce house for the kids & all that was missing was the barrels of RUM for the adults.

Here are some pics of another successful first birthday!

 

 A quick pic of my sis & I preggo together!
Hard to believe we both have just celebrated our babies 1st birthday.

We were able to reuse our little pinterest project we made for Natalie's Circus Party for the Pirate Treat Table too!

I see us using that stand at all our parties!

 

Carson getting some bounce house time before all the kids get there

He loved it!

 

Then it was time to get the party started. My mom made him his Pirate Costume.

Have I told you my mom is an amazing crafter. She should have her own show for realS!

 

 

MOM LOOK! Dad is a Pirate!

 

Cute pics of the Birthday Boy we hung around the canopys!

 

Sista Sista! Rockin' the Pirate hats my mom made.

 

Cute little Pirate ship cake my Mom made as well.

I'm telling you this woman can do it all. I only wish I can learn half of her skills.

 

Natalie looking for treasures.

 

She did not stop moving once the party started.

 

Giving Pirate friend some kisses.

 

She got a hold of my cupcake when I looked away. I have never seen her move so fast.

That's my girl! Outta our way when it comes to chocolate.

 

Then it was time for the birthday boy to taste some of his yummy smash cake. My mom made him a little treasure chest to dive into.

 

THIS PIC IS MY FAV OF THE ENTIRE DAY.

"I pity the fool who tries to touch my cake"

 

The bad girl in me wants to photoshop a little middle finger on that hand. He just looks so hardcore with that little look & his tie on. Love that Face!

 

 

Well, I am finishing this up as we head back home. I like to pretend I am I am pop star traveling in my tour bus. Minus the hair & make-up & and no screaming fans....just a screaming toddler :)

 

 

I know we have another birthday this weekend to attend, but I am hoping we can squeeze in a fun fall trip to the pumpkin patch with our own little pumpkin head. I have always invisioned my own little one running around the pumpkins & through the corn mazes. I. CAN'T. WAIT.

Is anyone else doing any fun FALL trips? I would love to hear what traditions you & your family have!

 

LATA ALLIGATA,

-Melissa

Party Hardy!

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2012

 

Little Miss Natalie is officially 1 year YOUNG!

I can hardly believe it. I took the day off so her & I could get our party on!

Her Aunt Kelly also took off of work to join in on the fun!

 

I decided to take her to the Aquarium. I mean what kid doesn't love big tanks of bubbly water with colorful fishies everywhere.......

 

Well, that would be my kid. Honestly it wasn't that she didn't like it. I just don't think she had any clue what the heck was going on.
It was like she woke up today knowing it was her birthday!

Total Miss Priss Attitude. 

Once I set her down....she would scream if I picked her up!

She turned into a little independent thing.

Mom, I gotta see these Lemurs!

So we crawled in with the Lemurs.

 

 

Mom, now I gotta make a friend!
(that poor boy:she was determined)

 

Back it up Mom, I got this slide!

 

We had probably been in the Aquarium for 15mins.

& she was already running circles around me.

Thankfully it was a early Wednesday morning, & we were practically the only ones there.

We may need to return this package!

 

 

 

Ohhhh ARE WE BORING YOU?!

 

Hanging out in a nest with Auntie Kelly. 

Look what I can do!

 

I finally wrangled her back into her stroller. Cheerios always does the job!

 

We are always prepared!

My heart will Gooo Onnn!

Do you see Any Sharks Natty-Pie?

 

 

 

We took her outside on this boardwalk to let her get the last bit of energy out!

The weather was Perfect.

 

...and then she was D.O.N.E! Down for the count.

She wore herself & her momma out. She was passed out before we even got out of the parking garage. It was perfect because Aunt Kelly &

 I were able to enjoy a nice lunch while she snoozed.

 

DUN DUN DUN....THEN THE KRAKEN AWOKE!

 

We just finished up so no worries.

 

HOW OLD ARE YOU NATALIE?

ONE!

(we gotta work on that)

 

....AND THEN IT WAS TIME TO GO!

WHEW! WHAT A DAY BIRTHDAY GIRL!

 

YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW MUCH I LOVE YOU NATALIE.

 I AM SO PROUD TO BE YOUR MOMMA!

XOXO

 

 

 

I had to sneak this guy in here. He was just too cool not to share!

 

LATA ALLIGATA!

-Melissa

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CIRCUS PARTY!!

 This past Saturday was quite possibly the most perfect day. We celebrated our daughter's first birthday, CIRCUS STYLE! We have the best group of family & friends! Everyone that came really has no idea what it meant to us to have them there. I literally was in tears at the end of the night, because the love I felt from everyone was so special! Ok, I am sure you are just waiting to see some pics! So, let's get right too it!

 

STEP RIGHT UP, DON'T BE SHY!

 

 

My mother made my dress, & Andy Pant's Ringmaster jacket.

Natalie's dress is from Cracker Barrel (random I know)

She is standing on an ice bucket that I bought at Lowe's for 5 bucks. It was already white & I just painted some red triangles on it -BAM perfect photo prop!

 

I am going to have to have this picture framed!

How great is our friend Carlos' strong man costume-him & Andy have been friends since middle school. He is my hero. He had no shame going into Goodwill to purchse some women's shirts to make that top!

We made his weight bar out of a stick and two whey protein jugs. I painted the 500lbs on the side of them & his costume was complete!

I can't stop laughing every time I see Andy Pants with that ridiculous MUSTACHIO on!

 

 

Nat's outfit was a size 2T, but it looked great on her! It also came w/ Lady Bug wings-maybe we can make her that for Halloween! BINGO!

What do you think of my bumper bangs?!

 

I got the idea from this KICK ACE youtube tutorial..

 

i heart youtube!

 

I purchased her bloomers off of Etsy!

Love that lil' bum!

 

 

 MY CIRCUS GIRL!

 

 

Remember my friend Julie I mentioned in the previous post? Well, this is her man, Jeremy, one of my besties actually. I know Julie b/c of him. He was hilarious with this "strength test!"

 

 

 

My Momma made the cake, & I actually made the elephant cake topper! It took me a couple of weeks! It was quite the process. It started with some newspaper, then some paper mache, then clay. She looked just adorable sitting a top the cake in all her glory! I am damn proud of her!  I made a mini-version of the elephant for her smash cake as well. I hope Natalie understands that she will see her sitting on top of all her cakes for every birthday!

Large Cake Topper in the Works

Made the Baby Version on my Lunch Break at work.

 Finishing up the Cake Topper Duo!

 

 

 

 

 

I made her cake smash backgroud from some old curtains I found at Goodwill. The red strips were from an old women's skirt from Goodwill, & the blue strips were an old sheet from there as well. I cut out the words CIRCUS from foam board.

Her Grandma (my momma) made the cake & the party hat!

 

 

We rented a double lane slide for all the kids! By the look of my face I wasn't the biggest fan of it! I can't stop laughing everytime I see this picture!

 

 

She barely touched the cake! I was shocked. She had a few bites of frosting, but her left hand actually never even got messy! Prissy little thing we have on our hands!

 

 

How beautiful is this pic of her and her Aunt Kelly?! This one is a must frame as well!

 

 

Like any fancy girl should have, Natalie had a wardrobe change!

Her Granny (my step-mother) picked this out for her & it fit the party perfectly!

It is a MUDPIE dress.

 

We will be going to VA this weekend to celebrate my Nephew's Pirate Party. He was born a week & a day after Natalie. Another 1st Birthday & another Cake Smash we get to see! So EXCITED!

 

Also, Super excited to see all the changing leaves for FALL! I am thinking I can knock some of my Fall Bucket List out while I am there! CANT.WAIT.

 

LATA ALLIGATA,

-MELISSA

 

 

 

ALL PARTY PICTURES DONE BY THE TALENTED

AMBER ELLIOTT PHOTOGRAPHY

GO LIKE HER ON FACEBOOK @

www.facebook.com/AmberElliottPhotography

 

IF YOU ARE STILL READING THIS & WANT A GOOD LAUGH, HERE IS A QUICK VIDEO OF KELLY & I ON THE SLIDE AT THE PARTY!

ENJOY!