Rewind...Sammie's Birthday Party

Sammie had her third birthday right after we left Vegas. I knew that we probably wouldn't do anything big in Idaho for her birthday (mostly because we would be living in a hotel and partly because we didn't know anyone) so we decided to have a little family birthday party for her before we left Vegas.

Finding a theme for her party was super easy. At her request (or screaming demand), we'd been watching 'Frozen' at least once a day (sometimes three or four times in a row) so I knew a 'Frozen' party would be a winner.

I had looked on Pinterest for a few ideas (there were tons), but - to be quite honest - I think that really elaborately decorated and over the top parties for kids are a little ridiculous. I mean really, the kids don't care how "pretty" the party is (do they?). Anyway, if you are one of those moms, good for you - I just am not (maybe it's because I'm lazy). However, simple decorations and games aside, it was a good time and all the kids (and adults) loved it.

Our soon to be birthday girl. She's standing with Sven for our "feed Sven" beanbag toss game. I drew and colored Sven myself. Freehand. I am super proud of that.

What would a birthday party be without a piñata?

The party guests. Aside from our family, we had my sister's boys, the neighbor girls, and the kids of one of my mom's co-workers.

Ah, Sven.

We built snowmen out of marshmallows, pretzels, and candies. I think that more sugar was eaten than used to build with, but that's what happens at a party!

Feeding Sven.

Pizza!

Pinata time! All the kids got a couple of turns and, when it was still uncracked, we let the adults go at it. Pregnant Ashley punching it is one of my favorite shots of the day!

Presents! Sammie's cousins and friends were very generous.

The cake. I ordered it from a yummy local bakery called Freeds. To make a specialty 'Frozen' cake would have been really pricey, so I just had them do a basic cake, and then I bought little 'Frozen' figurines to stick on there. I thought it turned out perfectly (and, the cake was delish, seriously, I want another piece right now just looking at it).

Sammie takes candle blowing very seriously.

It was a fun party and a great way to celebrate our little girl (clearly we were all worn out afterward - notice that every single person in the background is on a device - including Max - ha!). She loved it and I loved seeing her love it. She is such a light and a blessing in our home. I love this baby (even if she's not really a baby anymore). Happy Birthday Sammie!

Vegas Baby!

After Disneyland, we went to Utah for a week (I posted about that before my hiatus when I posted about Clayton's birthday). After that, Justin had to leave us to head up to Idaho to start work. The kids and I would have gone with him, but our house wasn't done yet and we were in no rush to start living in a hotel (we did that once before in Indiana when our home wasn't ready yet - and I still get PTSD when I think about it). So the kids and I went back to Vegas to hang out for a few weeks until we had to get up to Idaho for the start of the new school year.

Our first order of business was some back to school shopping with these three. I can't believe Josie's in kindergarten this year! It was a little crazy for me that she was included in all the back to school shopping this year but she was more than ready for it. We printed out their school lists and got all their supplies at once. It was painless (and actually really fun).

We spent a fair amount of time over at my sister's house where Sammie learned to drive a car.

We also celebrated my nephew Max's birthday with a fun Minion party. Love these little minions of mine!

Grammy and Opa win all the grandparent awards. Not only did they wake up with my kids every day that they didn't have to work (yes, sainthood is imminent), they were constantly playing with them and finding fun activities to do together. I don't know if my kids realize yet that not all grandparents are this hands on and involved with their grandkids, but someday they will and they will realize just how blessed they are to have these two. (Here they are decorating cupcakes for a party that Grammy and Opa were going to throw them "just because".)

The cutest little kitchen helper around.

I also tackled the chore of potty training Sammie. She made it super easy on me. Honestly, she was amazing. After three (really easy) days we were good to go. She has since backslid a little but even that hasn't been terrible. My best potty trainer by far!

This is just funny. When you gotta go, you gotta go. It's just unfortunate when you and your cousin gotta go at the same time. 

Grammy took the kids on a field trip to Anderson Dairy. Anderson Dairy has been around Vegas forever and is a fun little field trip. We all had a great time (and, hey, free ice cream!)

Sweet baby Jared came down to visit. We all got to love on him.

We threw Ashley a baby shower and Sammie helped me make decorations.

 

It was a fun baby shower to celebrate Ashley and Wyatt. We had a great turnout and Ashley got a ton of good loot! (And the food was delish, if I do say so myself.)

We also threw a smaller, surprise baby shower for Anisha. We gave her some things that she'd been wanting for Eleanor and took her out to dinner at Macayos (a Peterson family favorite - yum!).

The kids had a ball. It was nonstop playing. If they weren't outside playing or swimming, they were inside playing games. They were going non stop from the time they woke up until the time they fell into bed, exhausted.

Handsome.

 

I got to go on a date with my two favorite men. We went back to school shoe shopping and then out to lunch at Red Robin. It was so nice. We talked about the move and what made them nervous and what they were excited for. It was a great time with my guys.

One of our favorite things to do is go look at model homes. One set of homes we went to was all decked out! They had food and activities and a face painter! The works! Sammie is a purple tiger.

Josie got to be a butterfly.

Noah got a penguin on his arm and was distraught when I told him he needed to wash it off that night. We took the picture so he could remember it forever.

At one of the model homes, Max and Jo set up an impromptu poker game.

Clayton and Noah had their wild bachelor ways tamed by Sydney (Noah's neighbor girl crush). Here, she is teaching these boys the proper way to make jello.

Josie was just in heaven being surrounded by all the dogs. She is my big animal lover and could not get enough of Grammy and Opa's dogs.

Because I keep it classy wherever I go, I taught Sammie how to go potty in the portable toilet in the back of my van. I know, you're jealous.

Crack kills.

Josie also started figuring out how to "fix" her own hair. It took her quite a while, but she figured out how to give herself a sweet ponytail!

We also threw this girl a Frozen birthday party, but that's for the next post. I didn't realize how many things we did in Vegas until I started looking through all the pictures. So, I will leave you in suspense (how did the party turn out? Was the cake delicious? Did someone eventually break the piñata?). Stay tuned!

9!

Clayton was a lucky duck and got to spend his birthday in Vegas. When I'd asked him what he wanted to do for his birthday he had a whole list! He wanted to swim, light fireworks, slip 'n' slide, eat pizza, open presents, and play with his presents. There may have been other stuff in there, but I forgot (nor did I remember to take a picture of his 'birthday schedule' where everything was all timed out down to the minute - this boy man of mine is hilarious).

Tradition is tradition, so even though we weren't at our house, we still had muffins and eggs...

...and a little birthday shirt action:

Then there were a few presents...

...and swimming!

Where he opened even more presents:

When swimming had worn us out, we headed back to Grammy and Opa's for some nap/quiet time while Clayton got to play with his presents. There was definitely a gift giving theme this year: building. He got a lot of legos/k'nex this year.

 

After quiet time it was slip 'n' slide time followed by pizza for dinner.

Then it was time for cake:

 Making a wish:

 Followed by even more presents (holy cow, what a lucky kid)!

Then it was back to the yard for fireworks in pajamas (my firework pictures are less than stellar, which is why there aren't many):

 I sure do love this 9 year old of mine.

 Here are 9 facts about 9 year old Clayton:
1. Nutella is his favorite food. He'd eat it on anything.
2. His favorite sport is basketball. He loves to play.
3. He loves to go for bike rides on his new BMX bike (a belated birthday gift from Justin and me).
4. Right now his best friends are Noah, Landon, and Nile (a neighbor kid).
5. He is still the sweetest, most innocent, naïve (in a good way) kid ever. He's maturing every day but I love that he's still my little boy in a lot of important ways.
6. He's outgoing. He loves making friends and meeting new people.
7. He's a bit jaded about school now that he's going to be a big bad 4th grader. Quick story: I asked the boys if they were excited to start school. Noah quickly answered, "Yes!" to which Clayton replied, "Why? It's just school.". Sigh.
8. He's helpful and obedient. I know he doesn't love chores but he does them when I ask (almost always the first time). He likes being relied on and I love being able to rely on him!
9. He's an amazing older brother. He fits the role perfectly. The other kids naturally gravitate to him. He loves to play with them and isn't embarrassed to be out playing with them in public. I hope this never changes.

Clayton, you are the best firstborn a mother could ask for. We do have our moments (both of us), but I love you way more now than I did when you were born (and I was crazy in love with you then - so that says something) and I'm so glad that I get to watch you grow up and see the person you're turning out to be. I really love him! I think you're awesome in so many different ways and I am so blessed to be your mom! Love you C! Happy birthday!

**Next year he'll be 10! I'm mentally preparing for that now.**