Thomas The Tank Engine Birthday

the table setting using pre-existing toys to decorate

red presents were requested

even little brother was shocked by the balloons 

a pretend camping set was this years pick it came with a pretend swiss army knife. He was in heaven 

books are always a present must 

my first real attempt at cake making. 

my parents Skyping during the cake cutting. Also note the fact that W spilled water on his back, a talent he alone is able to do. The front of his shirt was totally dry. 

I think my cake made the cut

As I mentioned before I gave up on avoiding an actual character birthday especially since Bear has been asking for a "Thomas cake" since the talk of his birthday even started. His love for trains has not yet subsided and for the second year in a row a train birthday was requested. (you can see his last birthday based on  1,2,3, to the Zoo HERE).

Since we just moved and don't know very many people here yet I wanted to make our family birthday extra special but knew I didn't want to spend a lot on decorations since it was just going to be us. I asked Bear if he had any special request and slowly the list grew. Here are a few  things he mentioned.

1. pancakes
2.red presents
3.a Thomas Cake
4.balloons
5. shapes on the wall

Although the last item left me a little confused the list seemed manageable enough that I was able to fulfill the whole list. The night before husband blew up a ton of balloons and we lined the hallway and living room with them for a morning surprise. The shapes on the wall I translated to triangle bunting, strawberry pancakes were made first thing in the morning and  his presents were all wrapped in red paper. I even tried my hand at making a bake from scratch using THIS recipe. Frosting isn't easy as I expected but I added a few trains to the top and some sprinkles and it seemed to make the birthday boy very happy.

The "party" was split in two. The morning was opening presents and a pancake breakfast before papa left to work and when papa came home we ate hamburgers (per the birthday boys request) and cut the cake. We even had my parents Skype while he blew out his candles. I love technology. Overall I think he had a great day full of love and a whole lot of attention. Calls from relatives came in at different times of the day and it made me realize just how loved these boys are despite the physical distance between them and family.

The best part for me was that since we based his party on something he already owns decorations were practically free. Besides the bunting and plates everything used were things we already had. The track on the table, the trains used as cake toppers were all toys we owned. It just goes to show how resourceful you can be while still making something look cute and festive. Now to start prepping for Wolf's birthday which is next month.

Happy Birthday Little Bear

I can't believe my little first born is already 3. I know I have probably said this a thousand times but it is so bittersweet watching them grow up. It feels like I just brought him home. And look at him now, such a personality, so full of life (and opinions). I am so, so lucky to be his mama. 

 The day he was born. 

 His first beach trip

  His first birthday party, that also went along with....

 His first real sugar

 His second birthday ....

His zoo- train scavenger hunt

 The three year old in all his glory.

 And yes we indeed had a train themed party for the second year in a row. This time I gave up avoiding actual characters and went with Thomas. More pictures from our little family party to come.

Oh sweet Bear, happy birthday your mama loves you so.

Pumpkin Patch

Sorry for the ridiculously photo heavy post. I will count this as a blog birthday present. That's right I am officially one year older and had one of the best birthday's ever! I got to spend the afternoon at the pumpkin patch with my little family. This was extra special considering the fact that this was the first pumpkin patch I had ever been to! In fact it was a first for everyone but husband. Can I just say how special it is as a parent to get to experience these memories and firsts with your little ones. It means so much for our little family to do these type of things together making traditions together. 

Okay enough with the mushy talk. I must be getting softer with my old age. After our pumpkin adventure we ended the night with a sushi dinner. Sounds like a win all around. Can I make this a birthday tradition? 

*p.s. Bear could not stop pointing out all the pumpkins and telling me they were "orange circles" looks like our pumpkin lesson plan sunk in. *

Bear's Birthday Part 2 : 1,2,3 to the zoo

The Plan: Being that a straight train  ride was out of the question this birthday we settled for the next best thing. The train ride at the zoo. It's about a 30 minute ride which I though would fulfill this boys need for a train ride. When we decided to go to the zoo my first idea was 1,2,3 to the Zoo by Eric Carle. Animals and trains combined in one perfect package. I Spoke to my MIL  and she mentioned doing a toddler friendly scavenger hunt where they identify a few animals and get treats along the way. BRILLIANT! Here is my interpretation of that.  

1. I looked up the type of animals that were at the Oregon zoo that matched the animals in the book. I printed pictures of these animal (polar bear, lorikeet, asian elephant) and lastly the picture of the train that we would we riding at the end. **confession** I forgot these at home but I bought postcard at the zoo gift shop that worked just as good. These would be the 1,2,3, animals that we were on the look out for. 

2. The gift bags: Each time we would find the animal I planned to give them a goodie bag. I wanted easy things and since it was just B and one friend my budget was a bit more than  if a had a party of 5+ kids. (also a MIL tip I like, only invite the amount of kids of the age your child is turning it makes things a bit easier *ex. if they are turning 4 I would have no more than 4 kids including the birthday boy at the party.) 

The gift bags were no more than sandwich bags with sticker of trains amd animals that I combined to look like the animals were riding the train. 

The first bag had a few snacks. We went to the zoo right after nap I knew that if we didn't feed them this would not be a happy trip (not pictured a water bottle) .

The second bag was a Little People elephant. 

The third bag had a few stickers and a Thomas whistle (not pictures a train conductor hat for our friend) B has one that is a staple in his wardrobe :)

 There were two baby sibling along for the ride and I wanted to give them something too. An organic baby food pouch, a baggie  of puffs and a stroller book was their treat 

 Lastly when we got on the train they were given a larger gift bag to put their loot in as well as a copy of 1, 2, 3 to the Zoo
 for our guest and Thomas and the Hide and Seek Animals (Thomas & Friends)
 for B.


3. How it played out. It could not have been a better day. We didn't make it to see the elephants so we combined one of the bags but other than that the kids were so thrilled each time they "found" the bags (husband would walk ahead of us and conveniently place them in front of where we were heading.

B finding his first prize in front of the polar bear tank

Looking at the monkeys where our second prize was hidden ( a switch up from the lorikeets since I didn't find a postcard of them)

Lastly the train ride was the highlight of the event for our birthday boy! He even sat in a seat in front of us all by himself most of the trip. He sure is growing up fast! He imitated the noises and laughed every time the whistle would blow. I could not be more happy with the results and judging by that big smile I think he was too. 

Bear Birthday part 1

 The night before B's birthday is I decided to do the ever present on Pinterest  decorate the doorway idea. And I am so excited I did because  boy was he so excited about it. If I had just stopped there it would have been enough. It took him a few tries walking through it to realize that punching, pushing and pulling balloon was super fun but when he did those balloons didn't have a chance. Even little brother got in on the action. 

Birthday morning would not be complete without his favorite breakfast. Eggs, homemade waffles and the biggest helping of strawberries and rasberries he has ever seen. Since there was no cake on the agenda he blew out his waffle candle.  Then on to presents. He "read" his birthday card first like a polite little boy. (it helped that it had a Tonka truck on it and stickers) Then he opened his gift. His very own dump truck! He was so thrilled. We spent the rest of the morning with husband slightly weepy eyed gawking at our children adoringly and wondering where this time has gone. While the boys played until their nap time. They needed a lot of rest for our next birthday adventure. Just when B thought he couldn't get it any better.