Thomas the Train 5th Birthday

Every year we go back and forth on what theme my son wants for his birthday party. This year he had his little heart set on a Thomas the train party. I had been wanting to do a train theme for a couple years so I was excited when he picked it. He was very particular in what colors he wanted we of course made a trip to the party store to pick out some decorations. Of course me being the person I am had to make a homemade banner and I decided we would make a tissue tassel banner as well. He just loves being crafty just like his Mama so he had a hand in the banner making and decorating. This was such a fun bright colored party and I love how it came out.

Photo banner handmade my myself visit Little Sweets and Co. on Facebook

Cupcake stand Party City

Thomas plates Party City

Printable made by myself

Handmade tassel banner made by myself visit Little Sweets and Co. on Facebook

Table decoration Party City

Print made by myself visit Little Sweets and Co. on Facebook

I love to do a photo wall of some of my all time favorite pictures over the years.

I have a Facebook Page I'm just starting, I would love for you to check it out and share with your friends. Check out Little Sweets and Co. Facebook Page here.

Little Sweets and Co. offers handmade banners and other party accessories to help create the perfect look for your event. Perfect for birthday parties, baby showers, bridal showers, kids rooms, nurseries and so much more. Custom orders available and I'm able to ship if you are not in my area. (Shipping charges may apply) Message me on Facebook for more info or questions.

Paw Patrol 4th Birthday Party

Brayden wanted nothing more than to have a Paw Patrol party for his 4th birthday. So, I had to make that happen for my little man. This was one of my favorite parties I have done. I've made homemade birthday banners for all his birthdays in the past and I loved this one just much as the others if not more. The bright colors went perfectly with the Paw Patrol theme.

The Birthday boy and his Paw Patrol party table.

Paw Patrol hanging party decorations can be found here at Party City.

Every year I have done a print with stats and his favorite things. This year I wanted to do something just a little bit different so I ended up creating a questionnaire and then turned all those questions and  answers into this adorable print. He really loved answering these questions.

Hope you have enjoyed taking a peek at our Paw Patrol party.

Sprinkle Baby Shower DIY

I just love any reason to put together some cute party decorations and this adorable Sprinkle I did for my sister is no exception. Its probably one of my favorite parties I've done. The party was very simple and the colors are beyond beautiful together. When I first saw this color combination I didn't think I would end up falling in love with it like I did. Of course, just about anything paired with grey ends up looking fabulous. But that's just my opinion.

This party definitely proves that less really can be more and it does not have to cost a lot of money to have a fabulous party. I mean, I made everything and all it cost me was my time and the actual cost of the tissue paper, ribbon and cardstock. All very cheap and I made sure to purchase the materials when they were on sale. This is a budget friendly party with all handmade DIY decorations.

 Tissue Paper Tassel Garland (pictured above)

Mint, Grey, and Coral tissue from Hobby Lobby

Navy tissue from Meijer (It had to be navy, no other color of blue would do)

 Welcome Banner was handmade by myself using cardstock and my cricut. Paper and polka dot ribbon used were from Hobby Lobby. I should have taken more detailed photos of the banner. The ribbon added the perfect finishing touch.  

Utensil holder is just a simple mason jar with a piece of ribbon tied at the top.

Polka Dot Plates & Napkins were from Party City as well as the grey table cloth.

Small and large tissue paper flowers were handmade and made for the most perfect addition to the food table.

My parents house is terrible for taking photos no matter what time of day so unfortunately a few of my pictures didn't come out the best but I promise you the decorations were perfect and simple.

My sister plans to add the tassel garland and tissue flowers to her nursery for my niece. I can't wait to see how they look. I'll share photos of the nursery if I can get some. If you share any photos please be kind and link back here to this post. Thanks:)

Brayden {2.5+ years}

I haven't done an update on Brayden since he turned 2 over 9 months ago. So, I figured it was about time I sit down and talk about what this crazy energetic and independent little man is up to these days. I've been really awful lately at updating this here blog. I have so much to talk about and several drafts started just waiting to be finished and published. Brayden is my number one priority and always will be so blogging about life has to happen when time and energy allow.

 

Brayden's Stats at 2.5 years old (I was a little behind in his 2 year well baby check)

Height-34inches

Weight-26.6lbs

 

Brayden is growing up at record speed and as usual I think I just might be about 10 steps behind him most of the time. Seriously, how is he just 4 months away from turning 3? It just can't be possible. He is such a sweet, energetic, independent crazy handsome little boy. He loves to sing while he plays, enjoys making us laugh and is ALL.BOY! Being loud, making extreme messes, being rough and tough is what Brayden is all about. His vocabulary is out of this world and his speech is so clear. He loves to be Mama's little helper to which really brings out his independent side. He wants to do EVERYTHING by himself and he lets me know it if I have done something he wanted to do.

Favorite TV Shows/Movies

We are still huge fans of Disney Jr over here but he has added in a few new ones into the mix as well.

Mickey Mouse Clubhouse & The Great Clubhouse Hunt (All time favorite show)

Thomas & Friends

Super WHY

Daniel Tiger

Leap Frog

Favorite Activities

{Puzzles}
Brayden LOVES doing puzzles and is so quick in putting them together. We started out with the age appropriate puzzles but he quickly became bored with them and was putting them together in a blink of an eye.

We then came across some really nice 24 piece puzzles with his favorite Disney characters on them to give him a little more of a challenge. They really are not difficult for him to do at all and has them together within a couple minutes tops.

 

He's a little smarty pants!

 

While browsing the puzzle section at Target I came across this puzzle of a Barnyard by Crocodile Creek. Not only did I fall in love with the beautiful picture of this puzzle but I thought it would be perfect for Brayden and a little challenging for him as well.

 

No joke...this kid puts this 48 piece puzzle together all.by.himself.
 

 {Coloring & Other Arts & Crafts}

Coloring is still a huge activity we really enjoy doing on an almost daily basis. We've recently tried water paints and he also loves cutting paper into as many pieces as possible (supervised with safety scissors).

 

 

{Alphabet, Numbers, Shapes and Colors}

Shorty after Brayden's 2nd Birthday he had his colors and shapes pretty much mastered. By the time he was 2.5 he could count to 10 and could sing his alphabet from start to finish.  Not only could he say both his numbers and letters he also recognizes them in any order. With just under 4 months until his 3rd birthday he can now count to 20 and wants to trace over letters. I have one smart cookie, I am blown away at the knowledge he has at just 2.5 years old. I am one proud mama. 

We spent most of our summer evenings sitting in the driveway using chalk. It was probably one of our favorite outside activities to do. Brayden always gives me strict demanding instructions on what to draw or write. Shapes, numbers and the alphabet are always the first things he asks for.

 

We officially turned his crib into a toddler bed about a month or so ago. He is super excited about his bed and talks about it often through out the day but we have just one problem...he won't actually sleep in it. Its definitely a work in progress.

 

Potty training has been in progress for probably a year now. (Potty training post to come soon) We introduced him to the potty just before he turned 2 and has shown an interest in it ever since. It has not always gone smoothly but he officially goes most of the day(and outings) with just undies on now and goes pee on the potty all by himself (standing up). He loves being able to go by himself and is so proud. He still wears a diaper to nap and at bedtime but we are working on it. Going #2 on the potty is a completely different story. He pretty much refuses to go so at this point I do what I can to encourage him to use the potty but I don't force him because then he just freaks out and doesn't want anything to do with the potty. I didn't force going pee on the potty so I don't intend to do that with #2 either. When he is ready he will do it. It has worked for us this way so I am sticking with it. At the end of the day we are buying less diapers and having less accidents so I say that's progress and I am very happy with that.

Life Lately

Life seems to be moving at an incredibly fast pace these days and I find that there are just not enough hours in the day  to complete everything I want to do, as usual. I'm sure this is the story of almost every ones day. I try hard to just roll with the punches and enjoy the days but often find myself feeling a little defeated and exhausted at days end. I guess that is just part of life. Although, we some how find ways to push through and make the most out of these precious moments with the little ones. This is how most of our days are spent... 



Playing with chalk is one of our most favorite things to do while outside.  

Bath time has been either a good thing or a horribly bad thing these days. He either enjoys it and wants to stay in forever or he throws a giant fit. We have found that bubble baths make bath time so much fun.

 Just sippin on my juice.

I am usually the one taking the pictures so I am obviously not in very many. I am trying to include a few more mama & son selfies.

This kid is pretty serious about his coloring and we often get them out a couple times a day. 

This kid has my whole heart.

Being a Boy Mom

From a very young age I can remember wanting to be a mommy. One of my favorite things to do was play "house". I always had my baby dolls and loved dressing them up in cute little dresses and taking them where ever I went. I suppose that could be the reason why I always thought I would be a girl mom or maybe just have a little girl first. I never really saw myself as a boy mom or even truly "LOVE" it as much as I do. I of course knew that I would love being a mom but nothing can come close to explaining how crazy amazing it is to be a "mommy".

"Sometimes the smallest things take up the most room in your heart" -Winnie The Pooh 

via pinterest

I am pretty sure that every little boy needs to come with a very detailed book describing all the absolutely crazy wild things that little boys are capable off. Boys are messy, loud, energetic, rough & tough. ALL.THE.TIME. Seriously!

There is NEVER a dull moment around here and to say he keeps me on my toes is an understatement. Its almost never quiet with the exception of nap time and I am convinced that his mission is to completely destroy as much as he possibly can. I wouldn't trade all the craziness and insane amount of energy that he has for anything in the world.

He is always trying to climb on me and tackle me down to the ground like a pro linebacker. He also climbs on the arms of the couch and jumps into the couch like its a ball pit. Lets not forget his love of being loud, he jumps around the house, literally jumps from one end to the other while belting out Old McDonald had a farm as loud as he can. It don't wish these days away even if they are a little loud. He will not be this little forever, so I try to embrace his wildness and enjoy it.

boy, n

 a noise with dirt on it 

This is the MOST PERFECT definition of a boy. If you are a boy mama, you know EXACTLY what I mean. It is SO TRUE. I wouldn't trade being a boy mama for anything though. If I am blessed to have another child there is part of me that secretly hopes it will be another boy. Heck, a house full of boys would be ok with me. Don't get me wrong, I would be completely overjoyed to have a girl. Cute girly clothes and bows and headbands and shoes to match everything. I am sure every mama dreams about that, at least I do! It's a true blessing no matter what.

In those rare moments when he is not trying to tackle me to the ground or emptying every basket of toys onto the floor or attempting to climb up on the counters he can be the cutest, sweetest most loving kid EVER and can melt my heart into a puddle on the floor in an instant. I can't help but melt when he walks up to me and says "I hold you mama". When he lays his little head on my shoulder and wraps his arms around me while softly patting my back and whispering "Its Ok Sweetie", my heart bursts.

Kissing his "ouchies" and snuggling up on the couch watching a show or doing whatever it is that HE wants me to do is what being a mommy is all about. The days are loud and sometimes long but seeing that adorable smile on his face and receiving those sweet hugs and kisses makes being a mama the BEST.JOB.EVER!

Friday Photo Dump

I am jumping back into the swing of things here on the old blog. I have several posts sitting in my drafts just waiting to be finished and published. I also have a few things in the works that I can't wait to share.

I thought I would start out with a Friday Photo Dump with a recap of our week. We are definitely enjoying the summer like temperatures we have been having this last week and taking advantage of the pool. We are hoping to maybe hit up our local pool sometime next week for toddler swim. Brayden is going to LOVE that. In the meantime, we were busy learning how to ride our trike, coloring, doing puzzles and hanging outside.  

 

 

 

Happy Friday!