Family Fridays {Peanut's 5th Birthday}

On Saturday, March 8th we celebrated Peanut's fifth birthday. I try to keep the decorations and day's events unique to each little, but it can be challenging when the birthdays fall within a week of one another.  Thankfully Peanut loved the festive "partyscape" he found when he awoke.

Peanut beelined it straight for the pile of presents and his new gumball machine. Santa brought Belle a gumball machine 2 Christmases ago and Peanut has eagerly awaited a machine of his own.

The birthday boy requested M&M pancakes shaped like the letter "J" and number "5".  

 Somehow we've created a new tradition of opening birthday gifts after breakfast and Peanut happily dove into his gifts: a new electric motor boat, shark tooth rainbow loom, Avengers yo-yo & the complete collection of Thomas the Train.

Peanut spent some time with Hubby working on his new boat. We also stopped in at Busy Bee for another birthday cake, before heading off to lunch at Red Robin. Peanut tried his hand a few times at the arcade games and enjoyed a birthday sundae. Sadly he declared his grill cheese "gross and not as good as mommy's" so the ice cream also filled in for lunch. 

Back home, we prepared for another family birthday dinner. Peanut requested Little Ceasar's pizza. Since that pretty much tastes like rubber cheese on cardboard, I also made a homemade marinara, pasta and salad (entertaining during lent isn't the fanciest). The birthday boy was happy so that is what counts.

After dinner we feasted on a dessert buffet compiled by Peanut: chocolate cake, ice cream sundaes, sprinkle cookies and fudge cover oreos. Never a shortage of sweets around here.

The evening came to a close with presents and a lively session of Wipe Out on the xBox. This little boy is the sunshine of our family, always full of joy with smiles to spare. It was a pleasure showering him with extra love on his big day.

Peanut was even able to stretch the birthday celebration a bit longer with a school party the following Monday. Little M, Hubby, & I headed into class to nosh on birthday cake oreos (quite delish if you haven't had them yet) and superhero gummies with Peanut and his buddies. I read Peanut's favorite boat book at story time and Peanut received a birthday certificate. It is very bittersweet to know this is the last year we'll be able to celebrate his birthday at school. 

Happy 5th birthday my big boy! We love you so very much!!!

Family Friday {Pinstripes Party}

This past Saturday we celebrated the Boys 5th & 2nd birthdays with a party at the bowling alley. The restaurant provided lunch for all 17 littles along with all the bowling they could enjoy for 2 hours. 

To dress up the space, we went with a blue and red theme compliments of the birthday boys' favorite colors. I created bowling cupcake toppers on picmonkey and placed them on store bought cupcakes iced in red and blue. A few balloon bouquets and monogrammed napkins in blue & white complete the space. 

For favors, I made bowling ball treats out of Little Debbie snack cakes, paper straws and white icing. They were displayed front and center on the dessert table during the party. As guests prepared to leave, I carried the tray to each guest and let him/her remove the treat of their choice.

Peanut requested a special birthday shirt and thanks to the magic of "stitch witch" these were a snap to make. I simply googled an image of a bowling pin, traced it onto white felt, added red ribbon for the stripes & cut the whole appliqué out. The bowling ball was the outline of a wine glass on black felt with 3 gray circles added for finger holes. I am happy to report that these have held up beautifully in the wash/dryer and if it is in the drawer, Peanut wants to wear it….best $3.50 I've ever spent on a shirt.

Once the guests arrived, it was off to the lanes. The party was comprised of preschool, Greek school and family friends. The first two groups received an invitation solely for Peanut's birthday while the family's invites included the baby's name as well.

Between frames Peanut was a wonderful host making the rounds to all his friends and cheering them on as they bowled. We were lucky to be situated in the corner of a private room, so our party of little ones didn't have too far to roam nor the concern of strangers passing by.

Before cupcakes, we had everyone line up in front of the lanes for a group shot that I will include with Peanut's thank you notes. After the littles got their fill of sugar, they bowled a few last frames before packing it up and heading for home.

After unloading the car, we tackled the mountain of presents that included Legos, super heroes and the coolest set of Superman jammies. I'm quite certain he would live in them if I let him, rotating between his new bowling shirt and the caped pjs. 

 Less than 24 hours until he's officially 5!!!

Manor Monday {Great Lent}

Today starts Great Lent for the B family. A time that calls on us to be more mindful of what we eat, how we act & what we think. For the first time in what seems like ages, I am at a point in my life where I can attempt to live the message of Lent. 

I can not fully take on this task without all my resources at hand. So for the next 40 days, I am going to suspend Manor Mondays & Want It Wednesdays as a way to help ground myself in what Lent truly means. I will continue to post on Family Friday as we have so many wonderful family times coming in March & April, but all decorating, instagram/ pinterest activity, and house purchases are suspended for the next 40 days (yikes I better stay out of "impulse buy" stores like Target & HomeGoods).

Wish me luck gals and I do believe I hear Hubby's feet doing a happy dance at the guarantee of no home projects for nearly 2 months.