VAN'S 3!!!!!!!

Van turns 3 officially the 30th at 6:48PM. Today (the 29th) was his birthday party. And of course it was a Handy Manny theme. The ladies at Paper and Cake helped make it not so Manny centric. Mike and I were a bit overwhelmed with the party goods with Manny plastered all over them, we wanted Manny to look like a guest at the party not be the center of the party. They designed the banner, cup sleeves, dump truck and marker holder along with the invitation and thank yous. The cake is suppose to look like a tool box with the Handy Manny tools inside and the goodie bags were hat hats and felt tool belts.

The neighbors and friends came over to play and have cake. Last year I planned an outdoor activity and it was bitterly cold that day, this year I planned nothing outdoors and it was a beautiful 70 degree day. The kids played and got on the Wii and then opened presents.

Van and Austin coloring

Van and his new Handy Manny tool set

Blowing out the candles, Mike only had to help with the last one

Opening family presents before the party

Handy Manny balloon that is almost as big as Van.

Thanksgiving

A new tradition has started in our household. This is the second year of making a gingerbread creation with Van on Thanksgiving to keep him occupied. Last year we made a train, this year I cheated and bought a preassembled house and bug out any old candy we had.

Mike and Van flew a kite in the morning.

Casey found something funny about dinner.

The boys together.

First Food (?)

I am not sure I call rice cereal food but Casey had his first bites of it this morning. And like Van I am not sure how much of it he actually ate since most of it seemed to come out when he smiled. He didn't fuss he just had a look of confusion.

Sail Away

3 days after getting home we hosted a Disney Cruise Line Party through the House Party.com site. Let me explain. Houseparty.com pairs companies that what advertisement with people like me, someone who likes the product and is will to host a party, through an online application procees. Basically I sent in my application online with tons of others and was picked because I fit into the demographic they wanted, 2000 people who cruised with them before. I really signed up wanting Shutterfly to send me free 8x8 photobook coupons and Martha Stewart to send me 3 Christmas projects, the Disney party was just for kicks. I did not get Shutterfly or Martha parties. So the neighbors enjoyed a night of food and sailing themed fun. The picture is what paperandcake.com helped me do with the decore since what Disney sent me was a bit varied for my taste. (I am now addicted to their website and they are nice enough to be designing Van's birthday decore) As a thank you gift, which at one time they said was onboard credit, they sent my a totem pole. Being very picky about my Disney merchandise we put that sucker up on ebay as soon as possible. I think the biggest hit was the chocolate dipped Mickey rice crispy treats, the chocolate was so good and I had my doubts when I picked up the Quick Dip package at the store.

We were having a nice time and the kids made mini cupcak liner leis and photoframes. And I forgot to pick up the camera and take a picture. SO no pictures of the party. :(

I do have some gift bag leftovers so email my if you want a grab bag of stuff.

Going into DC

Today was Casey's first Metro ride. We went into DC to see the Smithsonian's American an Natural History Museums. First were the newer hands-on exhibits for kids and then the Butterfly Conservatory. Pay the extra money to see the butterflies, where else could a 3 month old stare so closely to a butterfly. Casey caught sight of the butterflies when flying and one landed on Van and my Dad for about a second before flying off. It has been cold and rainy for the past few days so my plans to go stop outside of the White House and take a picture was changed to infront of the Washington Monument, Capital and Smithsonians Castle since you cand do all 3 in one place.

Shared photo book from kaylee

Click here to view this photo book larger

Mount Vernon

National Zoo

One stop we try to make while in DC is the National Zoo. It's the 3rd vistit for Van and 1st for Casey. Van was excited to see all the animals that we watch on webcam at home up close. We walked and walked, its no longer the smooth circle around the park since they strated construction on several projects. We sawthe octopus and the young elephant playing soccer with 2 balls at once and a nice man let me use his large camera lense to take a picture of the new baby gorilla and it's mom. Casey slept through most of the zoo like Van did his first time. Van decided he wanted to become a zookeeper so he could play with the animals, this was after I had convince him that he could not hold a mirrecat or go play with the elephant.

Christmas Picture Try

Cute Casey

Halloween

Friday night Van's Little Gym had a Halloween party. It was cold and rainy so we lucked out and not very many showed up. There was a teacher per kid and Van love the attention. He bowled with pumpkins, swung like a monkey and climbed the rock wall. One of the teachers caught the eye of Casey and flirted her out of the ladybug antenna. Her just kept staring at the antenna trying to figure out why there were things coming out of her head and then just smiled when she put them on his head. Van is now signed up for his next class of team sports ages 3-6 where they teach the basic skills needed for most sports and team playing, it should be an amusing class.

Halloween night we had a pre trick-or-treat party. I saw the cutest print out yourself Halloween party set on Paper and Cakes website and could not pass up the chance to use it. All the neighbors came by to eat mummy dogs, bug cakes, witches broom and pumpkin cheesecake cupcakes. Then work off all that food by trick-or-treating around the subdivision. Van and Casey were Jack Skellington from Nightmare before Christmas. My mom made the hats and I sewed the jacked and overall. Van was in it again this morning play magician running around saying "addition, addition" and "moccous pocus" waving a pencil. No magic happened though.