Doddfest ~ Take I

Just the 22 of us.

Classic oldest to youngest.

Sisters.

Hands to elbows - we support and encourage. 

Our true feelings. 

Little Family Photo. 

George Turns 1 ~ Party Part 2

 

  

Hat from Stell and Livi

George Turns 1 ~ Party Part 1

Invitations from Zazzle

Welcome to George's orange and yellow giraffe party...

I threw the wreath together with ribbon scraps. 

Orange tubtrug chilled lemonade with yellow giraffe picks for all ~ cut with prosecco for adults...

George banner...

The menu was included some of George's favorites:  

ham sandwiches with red leicester cheese and yellow mustard

blueberries (boo boos) and bananas (nanas)

hummus with bread sticks, carrot sticks & bell peppers

cheddar bunnies

m&m's and jelly beans in orange, yellow & brown

Carrot cake cupcakes with cream cheese frosting (made from scratch by George's daddy)...

Pick labels from Etsy Ladybug Labels

The birthday boy liked the cupcakes...

4th of July

We had a fun 4th of July!  The party was a success.  The criteria to be invited was one must be American.  Then wearing red, white and blue was a given.  

On the menu was hot dogs, deviled eggs, chips, watermelon, rice krispie treats dotted with blue and red M&Ms & Cokes.  The rice krispie treats were a huge hit!  Marshmallows are hard to come by here.  When in the US this menu is rather plain and not at all impressive.  But in London our fellow Americans appreciated the taste of home.

First we say Happy 4th of July...

Patriotic Pinwheel Wreath...

Thankfully the weather was gorgeous.  The back garden...

Kid utensils...

Tubtrugs are great find.  Originally (and still) they were used on farms, with equine and in construction.  Around the house we use them for laundry and to hold toys.  They come in a variety of sizes and colors.  For the party we had red or blue ones for trash, dirty dishes, to ice down drinks and watermelon and chips...

Lollipop pail...



The Lollipop Guild...

George with Uncle Andrew, who saved the day!  Andrew, Mary Kate and I filled 50 balloons with helium in record time.  He also finished prepping the deviled eggs, cut the watermelon and ironed the table cloths.  I especially appreciate the ironing because it is one of my least favorite tasks.  He took on lots of Georgie duty too...

With my almost 1 year old baby...

Georgie loved his first go with watermelon...

Next...Georgie turns 1!

Party, Party, Parties

One of my many "things" are:  parties.  I just adore them!  Planning and selecting the theme, invitations, decorations, food, favors - it is so much fun.  I am very excited because we have a party two weekends in a row.  This weekend we are throwing a 4th of July celebration.  Loads of red, white and blue, hot dogs,  watermelon and rice krispie treats.  Invitations set the tone...

tiny prints (& they ship to the UK)

Next weekend is George's giraffe 1st birthday party!

But now I need to finish tying blue bows on 30 of these...

Giant Red Swirl Lolly

11 Months

Georgie is 11 months!  He is changing everyday.  He has 3 1/2 teeth.  So far he has not bitten while nursing.  His favorite food is blueberries.  He eats three meals a day, nurses 4-5 times and has bottle of breastmilk.  He was looking thin, so we are trying to fattening him up.  

He points, waves bye-bye, gives kisses, lifts his hands for up and shakes his head no-no.  When presented with something he is not supposed to touch, he looks at it, shakes his head and points at it.  But then the temptation is too strong and he proceeds to touch it.  He has very sensitive feelings and when spoken to sternly he cries.  He had his first hissy fit - jumping and screaming in his crib. He loves to take off his diaper. 

He has just noticed the stairs.  He pulls up on everything and will hold on with just one hand.  His favorite books are Snuggle Puppy and Hop on Pop.  His favorite song is Snuggle Puppy.  He "reads" books.  He sings. 

He is addicted to the pacifer.  His favorite blanket is a red and white check blanket with pandas on it and satin binding - which he rubs on his nose while going to sleep.  It was mine when I was a baby.  My plan was to take a hard line and not allow him to watch TV until he is two.  I've changed my mind and can not get him to watch TV at all.  

Just two weeks until his birthday!

Boy in a Bubble

First Communion

Mary Kate made her First Communion last weekend.  She was quite serious and prayerful in her preparation.  It was a lovely day.  Aunt Lindsey was with us.  Mary Kate kept her dress on ALL day. 

When You Think...

to yourself...he sure is playing nicely.  You know something is going on.  Emptying the pantry occurs at least twice a day.  Managing to get a container of puffs open and cram as many as possible in his mouth happened for the first time...

Teeth

Open wide...

He makes this face while heavy breathing in and out his nose.  He will do it randomly and on command...it is hilarious...

Stratford-Upon-Avon

Last AUGUST we joined Brent on a work trip to Stratford-Upon-Avon. We drove with him but returned early on the train. It was a TERRIBLE trip.  Thankfully it was ages ago and I'll refrain from rehashing the details.  I came across the pictures on my small camera. Little Baby Georgie...

Two cute girls next to the River Avon.  A lovely french couple was smitten with them.  They talked the girls and took their picture.  

The hotel was not air conditioned and our room was next to the outdoor smoking area. The girls in their funny little bed...

I think it could be a nice place to visit.  Maybe we will try again.

Two Scenarios

When I check on Georgie before going to bed at night one of two different scenarios unfolds...

Scenario #1:  I place my hand on his back or chest and hold my breath waiting to feel him take a breath.  I say a prayer, thanking God he is still breathing.  I pause to admire him.  I calmly walk out of his room with a smile. 

Scenario #2:  I take one step into his room and I hear him stir.  Or worse yet he sits up and makes eye contact.  As I flee from the room as if my life is in grave danger, again I say a prayer or rather more of a chant - please do not wake up, please do not wake up.  Thankfully, 99% of the time he either stays or go back to sleep.