Addy's Birthday Party!

We had Addy's Birthday party last weekend and I was super excited to handle all the details myself.  It's really a time consuming thing to do - serving food and cupcakes to 30+ people but I had a blast doing it and saved SO much money... even if I had to rush around like a hyped up kid on too much sugar.  I spent the day before (after work of course) preparing all the food and making cupcakes.  Then the day of was spent decorating (thanks to my sister) and finishing and organizing all the food.  I was tired!  

We had it at a local park which worked out great for the kids.  Addy had about twelve of her friends show up and everyone had a great time.  My only problem was that it was so windy we almost lost all the food and the cupcakes!  You would have thought we had her party in a wind tunnel instead of a pavilion.  But the wind died down and I didn't lose any cupcakes, so I could finally breathe and watch a bunch of two year olds party down.

Cupcake anticipation...

Addy has kind of a thing for cupcakes so she guarded her stash with all the intensity a two year old can muster.  Which was quite surprising.  She refused to leave that spot for the entirety of the party.  I think I've figured out how to make a two year old sit still for an extended period of time.

We are still working on the concept of sharing. 

I take full credit for this look.  Full credit.  

She became very bashful when everyone was singing to her.  It was precious.

Finally!  She got her cupcake.  All is right with the world.  I guess I should also add that her Aunt (my sister) decided to sneak her cupcakes when I wasn't looking.  Talk about a sugar infused ball of crazy.  She was wired!  Next time I'll have to be a bit more strict on the sugar patrol.

She was exhausted after this party.  She had a great time running around with her friends and playing on the slides and swings.  AND she took a two and a half hour nap when we got home, which translated into a two and a half hour nap for ME.  

I'm not gonna lie when I say that I'm kinda glad that it's over.  Whew!  What a lot of work!  But so worth it for that strawberry frosting face above.

Old Saybrook, CT

Although our trip to Old Saybrook, CT was a sad one, I decided to take Addy to the local beach one day for some fun.  I really love Connecticut and can see why Thelma loved it so much as well. 

I wanted to get some shots to hang up at our house for the husband since he grew up here so I took Addy around and we toured some of the local beaches.

This one was actually a private dock in an upscale neighborhood.  The cops showed up as I was leaving so I'm pretty sure someone told on me.  LOL.

This cracks me up.  She was trying to eat the sand before I got to her.

Addy LOVED the beach.  We spent about an hour and a half running around and she would have run right into the ocean if I had not been there to grab her.  The water was freezing but she didn't care.  She threw the biggest fit ever when we left, you would have thought that I was beating her.  She was so mad and COVERED in sand. 

I hope we can go back soon.

Let's talk about Mothers Day

Mother's day this year was sad for us because of the loss of Thelma just days before.  Mr. Lizzyjames was in Florida handling the details with his sister and  I ended up going over to my sister's house to see my mom and really just let Addy take the spotlight.  That is who everyone wants to see anyway.  LOL.  That kid can put a smile on anyone's face- I don't care how mad, sad, or tired you are.  She had a blast playing in my sisters flower beds and just being too cute for her own good.  My sister gave her some adorable tutu's for her birthday so she was able to run around calling herself a princess and feeling very proud of herself for picking the beautiful flowers.  Beware the cuteness it'll burn your eyes.  And she's wearing a dress that I made! 

She adores flowers.  I'm convinced she's going to be a florist.  :D

Thelma

My mother in law passed away this month.  She had been in and out of the hospital with complications this past year and was rushed to the ER with more complications at the end of April.  A beautiful and sassy woman, she always seemed to me, to keep her head up and diminish how bad things actually were or how bad she actually felt.  I never heard her complain.  She touched the lives of many people and had many relationships that spanned over 40 years!  That to me says a lot about her character.  She will be missed terribly by many.  It was nice though at her service to meet so many people who loved her.  Even though it is sad, the service was more of a celebration of her life and who she touched.  I am grateful that I've had the wonderful opportunity to meet her family and friends. 

My husband is taking it in stride, but it's hard.  He misses his mom.   He's very hard to read when dealing with emotion, but I can see how hard this has been for him. 

Thelma "Scottie" McGrath

Hellooooooo

Woah it's been forever.  A lot has been going on!  Ramping up to May is always hectic because it's the start of birthday season!  We have birthdays every weekend and it's so much fun.  Addy LOVES to party.  She loves getting dressed up and seeing her friends. 

But May also means another year older and that makes me sad sometimes.  Time passes too quickly and she's growing way to fast.  She's becoming an idependent little girl with her own ideas and thoughts and I'm so proud of her.  SO very proud.  I'm amazed at her ability to learn and absorb everything around her and how she applies what she has learned.  What an amazing little girl.  Who is going to be TWO.  I wish I had the superpower to stop time. 

Playing in the yard

Chasing the dogs

I've discovered that she has a love for flowers and anything outside so for her birthday this year, our project is to create an outdoor play area complete with swingset and sandbox.  I hope she loves it.