Happy Birthday Miss Priss!

Finally... Miss Priss' birthday recap post! My inspiration was the Little Miss/Little Mr books by Roger Hargreaves. Y'all know the books... Little Miss Bossy, Little Miss Sunshine, Little Miss Chatterbox, etc... I didn't want to do a "theme", so I used pink, purple, and orange to tie everything together.

Her invitation used the cover artwork of the Little Miss Birthday book
I made the birthday banner for the mantel

Paper lanterns and balloons made the cupcake table festive. The kiddos decorated cupcakes for the activity and I personalized aprons so they wouldn't get too messy.

Food set up on the bar

Close up of the utensils

Pink, purple, and orange Juicy Juice for the kids

Miss Priss checking out all the presents!

Loving opening her presents! I made a t-shirt that said "Little Miss Payton" and the artwork from the book and invitation.

You can see one of the aprons on Reese... in purple trimmed in pink of course!

LC and I bought her a Cozy Coupe and she was THRILLED when LC rolled it into the house. It was quite the popular gift... all the kiddos wanted to ride.

Happy birthday sweet girl! The last two years have been the best of my life. You made the biggest dream I ever had come true when I became your momma. I love you!

Big B

Last week, P, Aya and I headed south for Josh's graduation... Well, Aya for graduation, P and I just to visit since graduation didn't start until 8 (bedtime).

Wednesday night we went to dinner with Nonnie, Deeda, Tod, Josh, and Josh's girlfriend Jinah. Deeda was poured the fullest glass of wine I've ever seen poured at a restaurant!

I'm sure I'll be getting this look a lot when she's a teenager!

Running around with her favorite coasters

Putting "bebe" night night

and then laying down with her.

Helping Nonnie and Aya go through the cabinets... Nonnie and Deeda are moving soon.

Watering the ferns

and the grass

and trying to water Momma!

Lifesavers!

Our realtor is coming tomorrow to photograph the house, take measurements, and have us officially sign the papers to list our home.

LC and I still had a ton of stuff to do, so my dear, sweet, lifesaving parents offered to take P to their house for the afternoon. I seriously have the best parents in the world! We're so blessed to have them close and WILLING to take P!

In less than 3 hours, the yard has been scalped (LC found a crew in our neighborhood to do it today!), the carpets have been cleaned, toys have been organized, laundry has been started and our shower has been recaulked.

Aside from a few accessorizing issues I'm having, we're ready for photos!! Elaine, Mr Fix-It, and the kiddos are stopping by tomorrow before pictures to see what solutions they can offer. If you live in our area and want to stop by to offer your opinion, please do so! I don't want to spend any money, so I'm shopping our house and trying different things in different places. The problem is I don't like what I'm coming up with... I think I'm too close to the issue!

Play Time

Yesterday morning, P and I met YaYaNonna (P's creation) at a local mall, so Payton could run off some energy. It was a dreary day and I didn't want to be cooped up in the house. I love this play area because 1. it's not very crowded and 2. the toys and the floor are squishy so the kids can't really hurt themselves.

Playing peek-a-boo with YaYaNonna

Climbing up the salt packet

Sliding down the big plate

"Licking" the ketchup. This girl loves her ketchup!!

BFF

I'm working on a project for Christmas and hopped on my sister's myspace to see if she had any pics of P that I don't have in my files. I happened to see a blog post Allie wrote yesterday:

I Miss That Little One
Current mood: sad Category: Life
I love that kid so damn much! Ugh I hate that I'm not there. I've been with her since she was 2 weeks old. We were so close it was scary! It just breaks my heart that I can't see her when I need a Payton fix. If you're reading this Court, give Miss P a hug & kiss from me please.
Love ya'll,Auntie Allie

Tears are still dripping all over my keyboard!

Allie moved in with Momma and Daddy while Michael was in Iraq...2 weeks after Payton was born. I have no doubt that if Michael wasn't about to leave for 15 months, she would've been at the hospital when I had P.

I remember Allie was so nervous and scared to hold Payton the first time... she thought she was going to drop her! She was a pro in no time! Mom and Allie came over every week day for several, several months... literally my life line when I was dealing with post partum depression (thank you zoloft!).

Allie and Payton have an indescribable bond. I truly believe they are each other's best friend. I hate that I don't get to see Allison on a regular basis and it makes me so sad that Payton doesn't get to see her Auntie Allie at least once a week anymore. I'm SO ready for Allie and Michael to get here for the holidays! Only 10 more sleeps!!!

Halloween 2007. Allie could put P in the Bjorn and she'd be out in seconds!

Yum! Cheez-its.

Having so much fun together!

Absolute adoration for one another

So sad to leave.....

Thanksgiving 2008

My first pecan pie! Delicious!!

Conner pulled Payton in this wagon all afternoon

Payton opened her Christmas presents right after Thanksgiving lunch (don't ask me...) Her favorite was the American Girl Itty Bitty Baby

Playing outside

Rockstar baby before bed

Thankful!

We're leaving for Alabama tomorrow and won't be back until Monday morning.

Payton had a Thanksgiving Feast at school last Thursday. They made these shirts for them to wear... the body of the turkey is her foot print.


I have so much to be thankful for this year! I have been blessed beyond measure.
~ my amazing husband who continues to surprise me
~ the light of my life, Payton Elizabeth... my heart swells more and more with each passing day
~ my parents who are there for me all.the.time
~ my sister who is such an incredible friend
~ my friends who keep me grounded, laughing and loving my life

Rocky Top Tennessee

I'm currently in Tennessee with my mom, helping my sister move back to Ft Campbell AND getting to experience Michael's homecoming from his second tour in Iraq. We left on Sunday morning, stopped overnight in Jackson, TN and made it to Clarksville yesterday afternoon. We've unloaded the 3 cars we drove down, and helped Allie unpack as much as we can without knowing where she wants everything.

Payton is home with Daddy and my mother in law. I'm missing her like crazy and trying not to cry every time I think about her.

These are from Michael's R&R in May. Michael is smitten with his niece and P LOVES her uncle Michael. He's super bummed Payton isn't here for homecoming.

All By Myself... Don't Wanna Be... All By Myself

Lane left this morning for a pheasant hunt in Kansas. He should be home late Sunday afternoon. My parents and my sister are in Huntsville for my mom's best friend's daughter's wedding (say that 3 times fast).

Payton and I are holding down the fort with Scout and Reesie (my sister's mini-yorkie). Say a little prayer for us... that my patience doesn't waiver and Payton is a well behaved toddler.

I know that so many women have to do this all the time, but when you're not use to your husband and your "second string" being out of town at the same time, it's a tad nerve racking.

ONE-ders of the Sea!

It was a little warmer than forecasted but it was still a great party!

The food was set up along the bar in the kitchen. Allie and I came up with cute names for the different dishes, and I made little cards with the details.
The menu:
octopus stew (bbq weenies) (cocktail weenie with the bottom cut twice. when you boil them, it curls up, making them look like little octopi)
sea snails (deli rollups)
clam shells (chicken salad croissants)
sand bar shrimp (shrimp cocktail)
raspberry coral (raspotle and cream cheese)
sand dollars (chips and crackers)
crab claws (red apple slices with apple dip)
crustacean crudites (veggie platter)
blue kool-aid
sweet tea
water
Malibu with pineapple juice (mommy juice)

The cupcakes with under the sea picks were set up on sand colored tulle to make The Desserted Island (kitchen table). The frame is my Mother's Day present... (Lane ordered all the pictures and filled it until May)... pictures of P from every month!

Lane's air compressor wasn't working, so they had to blow up the small pools by hand.

We put the small pools and chairs under the awesome tent (thanks Doug and Mere!) so the little ones could play in the shade.

We borrowed the huge slide from Lane's sister. It was a hit with all the kiddos!!!

I also made apple juice pops with gummy worms... once they were frozen and turned up, they looked like little jellyfish!