photoblog

theo’s fourth birthday: a lego-tastic celebration

Posted on by mommyinthemidwest

The celebrating started two days before Theo’s birthday, on Thursday March 6th.  His Montessori school has a neat birthday tradition and invited us and Theo’s grandparents to attend.  My mom even drove up from Tennessee the night before to be there in time.  We were quite the crowd in his little classroom but I loved it and wouldn’t have had it any other way.

Here’s Theo’s teacher, Ms. Holly, talking about Theo and asking me what Theo was like each year of his life.  I made the scrapbook page with one photo of him from each year.  Theo got to hold the globe and walk around the sun one time for each birthday so far.  They sung a couple of cute songs as well as the traditional birthday song, then we went outside for treats – Theo asked for chocolate muffins so I made enough brownies in a mini muffin tin for the class and teachers.  
Not wanting to take time away from that brownie to pose for a picture with Ms. Holly. 
Friday was extra nice – the first time in many years that I just spent a day with my mom. We sent the boys to the sitter to get things ready for Theo’s small party on Saturday.  It was nice just hanging out, shopping, eating lunch, and talking without the constant distractions from my sweet little energetic, talkative, attention-sucking boys.  We picked them up, let them play outside for an hour or so, then continued working on party stuff. 
First time the grass got mowed in 2014. 

Making minifigure cups and gift bags for our guests.

Saturday – Theo’s 4th birthday! Party day! Swim lessons and so much stuff to do! 
Dexter helping Grammy with the lemon bars.

Aunt Chelle and Pop Pop are ready to party. 

Some of Theo’s favorite foods: assorted berries.

My mom made the awesome banner!

Even though it’s not a Lego, Ryan and I decided Theo needs a bike. It wasn’t the most popular gift and we were prepared for that.  He’s such a homebody – he loves to play Legos, games, read books, etc. so we wanted to do something to encourage him to get outside this spring and summer.  He liked it.  I wouldn’t say he looooved it.  Don’t worry, we also got him a few little Legos.

Three minifigures and two small sets to be exact. 

Create your own Mini-fig table.

Lining up for that tasty food.  We had:
-Cocktail Meatballs-
-Mini Corn Dogs-
-Assorted Veggies & Dip-
-Queso & Chips-
-Berry Salad-
-Lemon Bars-

Fun with punching balloons

Not too sure about this.

Of course, one of the best parts of the day was seeing his excitement as he opened his gifts.

At Theo’s request, Nana made him a chocolate cake with chocolate icing. It was delicious. I found the cute Lego cake topper (that was not technically a cake topper) on Amazon. 

Our “not-really-a-party” that turned into a little bit of a party was so much fun. We were so happy to have all of our guests in attendance at our little bit of a party. 
Salazar Family
Weir Family
Nana and Pop Pop

Grammy
The Beals/Jeffries
Too bad little buddy was done-zo with pics by the time we got around to attempting …
Sunday, coincidentally, Brickworld was going on at the State Fairgrounds. What better way to round out this little guy’s Lego birthday bonanza than to surround ourselves with MORE LEGOS?

45,000 square feet of massive Lego displays. The boys were in heaven.

It didn’t hurt that they got yet another mini-figure. I mean, at a place like that, how could we say no?

Loved the look on Dexter’s face when he spotted me watching him from outside this madness. He was so excited to show me his tower. It was funny, there were several kids in there his same age and they were all building the same things…towers. It’s a start to the Lego addiction!
It was a really great weekend and birthday celebration for my FOUR year old boy – that still sounds weird! 
Dexter is already talking about his Batman & Robin party so the bar has been raised…the expectation is there. Here we go again!
xo,
~C~

catch the moment: week ten

Posted on by mommyinthemidwest

Week 10 proved to be a fantastic week!  The weather is warming and we celebrated our big boy’s 4th birthday. I’ve yet to get his party post up yet but did write his love letter before time got away from me. I’ve got so much to write about but am struggling to find the time to blog lately. Thank goodness for this project – it definitely keeps me coming back, even when I’m feeling stretched for time.

Linking up again with our hostesses, Mindi (Simply Stavish), Sarah (Nurse Loves Farmer), and Stephanie (Behind the Camera and Dreaming).

Without further jibber jabber, here are week ten’s photos:

64/365: March 5th. I found this love letter in Theo’s back pocket after school. Apparently he made an “all diamond ring” for his favorite teacher.

65/365: March 6th. This was the day of Theo’s birthday celebration at school.  It was so super cute (and one of the things I need to include when I write about his birthday party) but this photo is grainy because I had to zoom in to crop out other students in the class.  

66/365: March 7th. Our first day in 2014 playing outside!  It was in the 50s, which felt just about like the 70s considering the long, cold winter we’ve had. You can see the snow still in the background, even after many days above freezing. 

67/365: March 8th. Theo’s 4th birthday. I felt lucky, loved, and happy to have so much family around to celebrate Theo’s special day. Especially my mama!

68/365: March 9th. Theo playing with his new Lego Movie trash chomper set. A gift from friends, of course! 

69/365: March 10th. Monthly dinner date with my friend that lives too far away. Hello fresh-made-at the-table guacamole! And tequila sunrise!  I think I have a new favorite restuarant. (Locals, it’s Adobo Grill downtown, have you been there??)

70/365:  March 11th.  Had to pull off to the side of the road on my way to work when I saw the beautiful fog rolling across the field with the sunrise in the background — see? Daylight Savings Time is good for something after all! 
So, I just realized as I was putting this post together that it was very THEO heavy, which makes sense since it was his birthday week.  But there was this photo from Day 70 that almost made the cut. I just have to share it since it almost looks like Dexter moved out: 
70/365 (BONUS!): March 11th. Second time playing outside this year and I treated the boys to their first ring pops.  Theo’s was gone in minutes and we ended up throwing Dexter’s away hours later because he couldn’t seem to figure out how to eat the whole thing. It was a glorious 65 degree day that has me excited for more Spring weather! 
SOOOooo the weekly question for you — which photo was your favorite? I love the genuine smiles on my mom’s and Theo’s faces on Day 67.  I’m also in love with 69, 70, and 70(bonus).  Sorry — I can’t pick just one this week!  What? I told you it was a great week…
xo,
~C~

catch the moment: week nine

Posted on by mommyinthemidwest
Week nine: done. This project is not getting any harder – In fact, think it’s actually getting easier. I’m just accustomed to carrying my camera around with me and looking for things to take pictures of. My next photography goal is to stop being a wuss and start taking pictures even when I know people are looking at me like I’m crazy!  Sometimes I shy away from pulling out the giant camera because I know people are thinking I’m one strange lady. 
Linking up for week 9 with Stephanie @ Behind the Camera and Dreaming, Mindi @ Simply Stavish, and Sarah @ Nurse Loves Farmer for Catch the Moment 365.
57/365: February 26th. I tried to get an up-close shot of this church in week 6 but was scared off by someone in the parking lot.  I don’t know a lot about architecture, but I just love this kind of historic building. 

58/365: February 27th.  A lotta TMNT going on in this photo.
59/365: February 28th. Friday morning stop for tea at my favorite spot.
60/365: March 1st. An after-dinner trip to Target and just one of many photos from my “Day in the Life” post. 

61/365: March 2nd. Sunday morning craft project – I made this little page for Theo’s birthday celebration at school.
62/365: March 3rd. Monday afternoon Lego time. 

63/365: March 4th. Mr. Dextie Bear was being such a cutie in the car on the way to the sitter.  
I’m enjoying the project so far and like all of my pictures this week for one reason or another, regardless of their artistic quality or depth. I think my favorite is day 58 for the rich colors. Which one is your favorite this week? 
xo,
~C~