Mother's Day Weekend!

This Mother's Day was wonderful! Last year, Logan walked for the first time which made my day! This year, he ran everywhere we went. We spent the morning cooking up some nice brunchy foods and played outside until my parents showed up. We had a great time just talking and enjoying the yummy food!

After lunch, the guys went out to play frisbee golf and we headed to the park. This photo just about kills me! What a handsome face! And with my mama...ahh so happy!

I don't think slides are nearly as fun now as they were when I was a kid! Super bumpy but Logan loved it.

His new favorite thing to do at the park is the teetor-totter (or see-saw...what do you call it?!). We love it!

Another handsome face! He has really gotten into wearing hats and will FINALLY wear this scally cap that his grandparents gave him for Christmas.

Overall, I had a wonderful day! That evening we saw B's mom, brother and his wife. We had a great dinner and chat. So wish we could see them more often! Then B and I had some wine before bedtime and I went to bed a very happy, appreciated and loved mama.

Birthday Cupcakes

In less than 2 days, Logan will be two. TWO!! Can you believe it, because I sure can't. The day I went into labor feels like yesterday. I can recall most of that day and his birth with such clarity that I really cannot believe that two years ago, he entered our world. He's made our lives a million times richer, brighter, happier and exciting. Pinterest has been a great help this year as I conjure up special ideas on how to enhance his day. I know he's only two and won't remember it, but we will and I want to be able to tell him one day all about his special 2nd birthday.

I love baking. Last year, I made THESE cupcakes. Tonight, I used the same recipe, minus the zest and plus the baking cocoa powder. For your mouth-watering enjoyment, here are some photos. Since we're not having a big party this year, I split the recipe in half and made twelve perfect cupcakes.

Mixing in the cocoa powder.

Logan licking the whisks, my most favorite part when I baked with my mom.

Ready for the oven (hint: 1/4 measuring cup was PERFECT for diving out the batter).

I wrote down the adjusted recipe...on a paper towel. Oh and since I've been lactose/dairy free, substituting almond milk has been made no difference in baking. I've used it in pudding, pancakes and waffles and all have turned out super yummy.

Logan watching his cupcakes rise.

DONE! B and I split one to taste--so good! I'll decorated them tomorrow night.

A BIG Birthday Post

>I have not been this busy in so long! Last week was awesome and I apologize for my lack of posts. I really hate when I can't get a post up everyday, let alone a week! Here is a giant recap of Logan's 1st Birthday in pictures. I will have a few other posts up later today so keep checking back! Enjoy!

We started our day off with some yummy pancakes! Logan LOVED the sweet treat I added to his. 

Nom nom nom!

Big boy and his monkey at 12 months old! This was the only photo I got of him actually kinda smiling. 

We went to a playhouse in town and had some fun burning off energy! It was barely 10* on his birthday! BURRR!

Friday night we had a party! Here is the table we set up. I have a post coming on those delicious cupcakes!

(Okay blogland, why is my picture not orienting correctly?? I can't figure it out!)

Logan did not disappoint! He dove right into his colossal cupcake and loved it!

We opened presents and Logan was on his last leg. He was so tired and barely made it through all the gifts! Some of his favorites have been a giant bag of legos from his BFF, a see and say from Gma Mac, and lots of books! 

I have some advice for those of you whose babes are nearing the one year mark and I'm sure you're franticly trying to pick a theme, the menu, and decorations out. 

1. Lower your expectations: I started out with HUGE expectations, thinking that we would have 50 people and tons of kids. I sent out invitations about 3 weeks prior to the date and quickly got "I have other plans" type of responses. The wind in my sail quickly disappeared. So I moved the event to my parents house and tried to think as minimally as possible.
2. SEND REAL INVITES! I thought it would be more 20th century of me to send evites. Everyone I know has email, it's free and there are really cute designs out there. I think I sent them too early and not even half of the people I sent it to even gave any kind of response.
3. It's a FIRST birthday, NOT his 21st. We said no alcohol. This was not a problem, although after I spent a few hundred on decorations, food, balloons, gifts, etc I was ready for a drink. Especially when people who RSVPed did not even show up. Of the 50 or so invites I sent out, about 12 showed up.

There is more, but these are the important points. I wish I could say I was 100% happy with how things turned out, but I'm not. I was a little disappointed about some of the above things and it was hard to ignore. I am very proud of how much fun we had, despite any issues, and Logan seemed to love it no matter what. That is what counts.