Running in Place : Happy Two You!

Can we just take a moment to acknowledge the fact that I actually used to update this blog quite regularly? And now? Now, look at me! This is ridiculous.

Anyway, since we last talked, my kids grew up. The end.

Kidding, kidding. Here's the scoop (you'll get the pun in a bit):

Chapter One:
I have big kids. Two of them. I really can't believe it. Their birthday was a great day. We both took off work to spend time with them. We had breakfast as a family and then took them to Build A Bear for the first time. I think they were a bit too young for the process still, but it was adorable to see them dragging their new Dogs ("Dog" and "Hop") around in their Dog houses.

During naptime, we did the unthinkable.... we turned the girls car seats forward facing! I felt very strongly about waiting until they were two to do this and was pretty proud of myself for sticking it out. I'll tell you what though, I'm SO thrilled we turned them. Life is SO much easier when you can actually address your kids' needs in the car!

After the girls (and their dogs) woke up from naps, we took them to the local pumpkin patch and let them play in the kids area.

[Side bar on this "kids area:" Can you say rip off? Seriously, it was $3 a kid for: a pile of dirt, a couple Little Tyke swings, a play shed, and some random balls. I'm not kidding.]

After spending 17 hours in the kids area to make sure we really got out monies' worth, we went home, ate a random dinner and had cake! It was such an easy day and was so perfect. I loved every second!

I spent my post-bedtime free time prepping for the big bday party to be held the next day. See Chapter Two of this epic update for details on this...

Chapter Two:
My big kids love ice cream. Love. So, we decided (as a result of their sweet tooth and the fact that this is likely the last year I'll have any say in the theme), to throw an ice cream-themed birthday party!

I had a blast planning it! The invites were inspired by a set I found on Etsy and my very talented friend brought them to fruition.

The largest project was sewing and hanging a stupid fabric awning in the dining room (what was I thinking??). It was truly a labor of love (read: PITA!), but as long as you didn't really get up close, it didn't look half bad! The Ice Cream Co. sign was created by yours truly and printed by Chris' sign guy. I was SO thrilled when 1. I found out how easy it is to download free fonts and 2. that it turned out so adorable! We had a large one for above the awning and a smaller one for the front door.

I tired to think of everything I've ever loved on ice cream for the sundae bar. You name, we had it (and still do. So stop on by for some sweets!).

And can we cake a quick second to note the ice cream flavors? Van-Ellie?? Choco-Charlie?? Straw-Blandy?? Thank you to another brilliantly-talented friend for thinking those gems up!

The party itself was a blast! We ordered a bounce house and the adults enjoyed it just as much as they little ones. We were lucky to have it at all because the weather was VERY uncooperative (me... planning an event... with bad weather... noooo.) Thankfully, the rain stopped and my ILs lent us a very large outdoor rug to get folks from the patio to the bounce house. Crisis averted!