Monday, March 14, 2011

Not so fast, partner...Austin turned 3!

For Austin's 3rd birthday party this year, we decided on a Toy Story theme because he loves the movie series! I was hoping that Jill from Peas & Thank You's could design the invitations and decorations like she did for Austin's cookie monster party last year! Thankfully Jill agreed to the custom design! We went back and forth for weeks with ideas, and I was beyond thrilled with the final product- what a masterpiece! So I'm just telling you now, if you ever want a spectacular party.. get in touch with Jill! :)

FYI- you can click on each picture to view it larger!

The invitation (pardon my editing, but I didn't want my personal info out there for the whole world to see!)


Such cute fonts!


We had the party on the Saturday before Austin's birthday! My mom and her friend, Linda, arrived the day before and helped me with all the final details! We arrived about an hour ahead of time to decorate- thankfully Austin was entertained by the indoor playscape (the main reason we selected the location.) We had the party at Austin's preschool (which is also one of the satellite locations of our church.)

The birthday boy (in his super cute shirt from etsy.com)


Playing while we decorated


Welcome sign on the front door (balloons out of picture)


The party room.... during those last few minutes of decorating!


The party table (I wasn't a fan of the loud background in the room- only because it didn't match the party theme, so my mom helped me cover a piece of plywood in coordinating fabric- I think it really pulled everything together.... along with the fabulous banner!)


Cupcakes


Close up of the toppers


Jesse & Woody


The birthday cowboy


Brownie covered oreos (recipe here)


I made sugar cookies and added these amazing fondant toppers by EdibleDetails on etsy.com. LOVED THEM!




Drink station- iced tea & cups (stickers by Jill at Peas & Thank You's). We also had canned sodas iced down in a cute metal tub, but I forgot to get a picture!




Water bottles (I still giggle when I drink out of one of the leftover bottles!)


A better pic of the adorable design work!


Food station (before pizza arrived & fruit was put out) Loving the Pizza Planet sign!


Pizza is here!


Kids tables (each child got to take home a cowboy hat, bandana, and sheriff's badge... along with their favor bag.) I also made the table centerpieces.




Placemats I made for each child


Centerpieces




Favor bags




Amazing details


Another picture of the birthday boy & candy for the ride home!


Now on to the important stuff- the people!!

The party throwers


Beth & Jason


Sam


Scott


Sydney


Jack


Seth


Austin & Uncle Mat


Evie


Austin & Reid


Kristen, me, & Meredith


Austin with Papa & Gran


Me & Beth


Shane, Shanna & my inlaws


Meredith & Alex


Our family


3 years old!


As for the party, the kids enjoyed playing on the playscape & in the arcade while we waited for the pizza to arrive! After eating, we enjoyed dessert & then attempted to open presents. Austin wasn't interested, so we finished doing that at home! Then more playing and goodbyes! A very fun & successful party!

The little kids eating


Singing Happy Birthday & blowing out the candles


Everyone enjoyed the cupcakes








Scott wanted more than just a cupcake!


Gigi helping the birthday boy


The games weren't just for the kids....


Learning to play air hockey


Kevin is a good teacher!


Everyone visiting


Eating lunch


He wore that cowboy hat almost the entire party!


Driving (he's a VERY GOOD driver like his mommy)


Two crazy cowboys riding their horses (fyi- all the kids got Toy Story tattoos... evidently Austin got 3.)


Opening two presents at the party


Opening presents after we got home


Playing his new guitar


Austin with Papa & Gigi


And even though this pic doesn't have anything to do with the party, I wanted to show one last piece of Jill's work- the thank you notes! Love how everything coordinates so well!


And I'll end this post with my favorite picture! Happy Birthday sweet boy- we love you!

Saturday, March 5, 2011

Painting party

Today we went to Sydney's 3rd birthday painting party! It was a lot of fun! When we arrived, Austin picked out a dinosaur to paint! He only lasted about 10 minutes, as I expected- but I managed to finish painting the rest. The kids were also able to play & watch a movie in another part of the store if they chose. After painting we had cupcakes & opened presents... I loved seeing all that cute girl stuff. Overall a very cute party- her mommy (and my friend), Meredith, did a wonderful job planning!

The birthday girl, Sydney


The cupcakes- adorable idea!


Austin decorating his cupcake


Showing off his dinosaur when we got home


This is what he does when I say "smile & say cheese"


Hanging the dinosaur in the playroom

The new "big boy" haircut

Last night we decided to get Austin a new "big boy" haircut- I was a little worried I wouldn't like it & then we'd have a million pics of him with it at his upcoming birthday party. But I love it! It's actually quite versatile- but this is the crazy look. No worries, grandparents- he can still wear it down & look like that sweet little boy you remember!

Showing off his new do at Home Depot (can you tell he loved riding on the cart?)




Random

A few random pics/videos I wanted to post- so why not post them all together?

Love these guys- they just follow me from room to room


Austin playing with Jack


Now for Max- here is one of him playing with the laser (love Austin's laugh)


Can you tell someone has a new love for powdered donuts?


Nothing special about this video- I just love his facial expression at the beginning


Riding the gator:

Chasing Shane- hilarious


Such a good driver... like his daddy :)

Springtime weather is here!

We've been enjoying some beautiful springtime weather lately- temperatures in the 70s & 80s! So we took advantage a few weeks ago & spent the morning at the park! We did our normal walk on the trail & then played on the playground! A few pics from the day~

Checking out the fish with daddy


Austin & mommy


Walking the trail


Going down the slide together


This is his new favorite thing to do- and it scares me to death because he does it all by himself.


And now the video....