The Celebration...

Last year, Mills had an awesome first birthday party.   He was lucky enough to celebrate with TONS of guests.  This year, we decided to have Mills' party at home.  The guest list was a little smaller, and our house has very limited space, so guests enjoyed an afternoon outside with overcast skies and comfortable, but warm temperatures.  We are thankful that the triple digit temperatures we have had in the past few weeks have come and gone...for the time being.

I love party planning, although my husband and b/f/fs will tell you that I tend to get a little high-strung when the date gets closer.  That is why I rarely plan parties, but when I do,  I always start really really early.  I took advantage of those nap times and after-bedtime to get things done as quickly as possible.  If I can get things done and get it over with, the less I  have to do on the day of.  This results in a much calmer mommy.

This years theme was none other than Mickey Mouse.  Mills LOVES "Kickey." 

I bought Mills' invite from here.

I started with the mindset of using red, black, and yellow, the number 2, and mouse ears galore.  I wanted to do everything myself this year. Not only did it save money, but I though it would be good for me and give me a task that I would be proud to finish.  I wanted to look back and be able to tell Mills, "Mommy made those"...as if he would care? ha!  So, I did it.  I made all of the decorations myself....with a little help, of course.  Thanks to my wonderful friend who let me borrow her prized possession cricut, (and I will soooo be getting one in December...maybe.) I went to work, and BOY, IT WAS FUN!!!  Mills tried to help me a little bit, and so I let him push a button every now and then.  Now, I am addicted!  I was very mindful to be extremely careful with this borrowed gadget.  It was wonderful and cut the time less than half of what it would have taken me with out it. 

I made this sign to hang on our front door from two canvases, cricut vinyl, and ribbon. Note to self: vinyl does not stick to canvas. Lesson learned.  Thank you spray adhesive. :)

My first project was his cupcake toppers.  Here, I created mickey's hand and shorts, the number 2 sporting a mouseketeer hat with Mills' monogram, and cute Mickey Mouse heads with and "M" for Mills.

From our chandelier, I hung die-cuts of the number 2, and mouse heads with "Mills" on them.

I found the cutest Mickey Mouse scrap booking paper at a scrapbook store, and used it to create his banner.  Plaids, polka dots, stripes, and argyle of black, red, and yellow sat behind the Mickey Mouse font letters, placed on textured card stock of red and black spelled "Happy Birthday Mills."  I used ribbon, jute cord, and card stock that I found in my scrap booking tub in the attic to link the Mickey Heads together, and accented with Mickey's hands and shorts.

Guests were served "hot-diggity-dogs", chips, cake, ice cream, and marshmallow pops with Mickey sprinkles.  Mills' cake was too cute with it's mousketeer hat!

And then, the little ones played in the sprinklers.  Perfect for a hot day!

At the end of the evening, Mills' said thank you,to his guests with a cute little Mickey Mouse tote bag favor.  I found these adorable, inexpensive bags at the Disney Store which made for a great gift for a great price. I thought they were too cute.  I made the thank-you tags with the cricut and attached them with coordinating ribbon from Mills' banner and door sign.

And then it was "time to say good-bye to all his company......"

Who knew that card stock could create such a fun atmosphere?

As everyone sang "Happy Birthday,"  I realize that my baby is two!  Those are tears....leave it to me!

Blowing out his two candles

Yummy!

Feeding Daddy a cupcake

ICE CREAM!

The Gift that Almost Wasn't

I just had to blog about this, because it will be something that I will eventually look back at and laugh.  I hope you have all night...

E and I had always planned on getting Mills a gym set.  My plan was for his 3rd birthday, but being that he has absolutely NOTHING to climb or play on in our backyard, we had decided that this year would be our best bet, especially since he loves to slide and swing.  He is more capable now, than we expected.

Attempt #1:  I had been "eyeing" a certain gym set since last summer. They way it is set up, length and width wise, is more appropriate for our smaller backyard not to mention that it is just adorable.   It is exclusive to Toys "R" Us, and cannot be purchased elsewhere.  I found it on sale in the spring, but had no idea that the sale ended the next day.  I totally missed out.

Attempt #2: Luckily after a few weeks, I just happened to be online and saw it on SALE!   I am a sucker for sale only pricing. My thoughts: I will just order it now by phone, do a "site to store" since they don't have it in stock, and we'll just drive down and pick the thing up!  

Previously,  I had been to Toys "R" Us and talked to someone who explained to me that they did not have it in stock, but it could definitely be special ordered with no problems.  They told me that it would take 1-2 weeks to get it in. 

Anyone who has ever used Wally World's  "site to store" knows the routine.  You find an item online that is not carried in the store, order it, and they will ship it to the nearest store with FREE shipping.  How awesome is that? 

I called T-R-Us, ordered the swing, and did a "site to store" to the nearest T-R-Us.  Later after checking my email, I received a message from them telling me that my order had been cancelled. No explanation.  I had worked so hard trying to get the thing.  Can you see it now?  Steam, rolling out of my ears!  I was curious, confused, and down right...well, mad!  I called the 800 number and asked the nice man why my order had been cancelled.

* Note to self and to anyone else who did not know this:  Toy's "R" Us site store goes like this:  You order the item, pay for it online, and pick it up at the store IF that store has it in stock.  NOTHING is shipped to the store.  What is the point in that?  If it had been in stock, I would have just drove down, paid for it there, and brought it home.  The man then explained to me that I could just order it online and have it shipped to our house.  Newsflash!  Shipping was $369.  Yes, just the S&H.  No, I did NOT order online and have it shipped.  I missed the sale.  Again. 

Attempt #3:  Monday, June 27:  I had been checking online for a sale every single day for the past 3 weeks.  That day was my lucky day.  "Ridgeview Wood Clubhouse Gym set, on sale, 20% off!"  Wooo hooo!  My plan:  After work, we're driving down and special ordering it. This is it!  I called first, made sure it was on sale, and asked if they need full payment or a certain percentage down.  They told me that is was definitely on sale until Saturday, and that I could pay a percentage upon ordering.  Great! I thought.  Then, the nice man informed me that upon checking, the warehouse was completely out of them.  None.  Zero. Zilch.  "When will they get more?" I asked.  He then proceeded to tell me that they would probably be out of them until next spring.  He checked other stores in the area for me and there were none.  He then told me that the online warehouse was completely different than the in-store warehouse and that the online warehouse had several.  I asked if he could get one from the online warehouse and he told me no, but that I could order it online and have it shipped to my home.  Yeah...for $369 extra!  No can do!

The new G'town T-R-Us had one on display and would not sell me the display, but offered to find the nearest store that would have it in stock.  The girl was very kind in telling me that the nearest store to carry the ONLY ONE LEFT IN THE STATE, was in Franklin.  My honest to goodness thought was none other than, "crap!"  In my mind, I am hearing the tune to "Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen."

I got home from work that day and I was beyond frustrated.  Just ask E.  It was not good.  I then decided that I would just pick another gym set.  Well, NONE of the gym sets under $1000 were available anywhere near us.  Franklin T-R-Us' had a few, not to mention the one we had picked out.  So, regardless of which one we wanted, we would have to drive to get it.  I know what you're thinking.  Walmart does have them, but I had been persuaded by a few parent friends of mine to avoid a certain brand.  To us, this was the best for the money.

Oh how sweet, wonderful, awesome, and fantastic the hubby is....

Erik agreed to driving to Franklin on Wednesday morning, IF they still had the gym set and would hold it for us.  I called the next day, they said that they did have one left and would hold it for us only after explaining that we were 3 hours away.  I told the nice man to please write my name in blood on the thing.  He assured me that it would be there when E and his "riding buddy" arrived. I told him that he had just made a very sad mommy a very happy mommy, and that he would not want to deal with E if he arrived there and it had been sold! 

 A tank of gas is much cheaper than $369 S&H, AND we managed to get it on sale.

 I cannot even say that there is a moral to this story.  Minus the 6 hours spent on the road and the fact that I nearly pulled my hair out and bit my newly grown out nails, we came out ahead!  Go us!

Oh the things you will do for your children.  And as Erik would probably say, "your wife!"  I owe him BIG TIME! 

This gift, was from:  Mom & Dad, Nana, Pops & Dee, Gram, Papa B & Aunt Morgan, Uncle Cameron & Aunt Kim

MILLS IS SOOO LUCKY! THANK YOU!





He was so excited! 

Happy 2nd Birthday Mills Oliver!

Our baby boy is TWO today.  I don't know what to say.  Two years ago, we welcomed the sweetest little dark-haired, blue-eyed baby boy into our lives.  Erik and I never knew that we could love someone so very much.  Our active "all boy" little boy is healthy, smart, and loving.  Mills is a ball of continuous energy who smiles and laughs just as a child should.  He loves to tickle, loves to eat, loves to "wide" (ride) on any and almost everything.   He is oh so very active and strong willed, does not meet a stranger, and did I mention that he is active?  He loves to be extra loud in public.   I can only laugh at this, because he is usually loud when he is waving (while yelling) and saying hello to just about every person we see in Walmart.  Hey, at least he's friendly. Right?  I can handle the loud tone as long as he is in a good mood and not throwing a tantrum. ha!

Everyone repeatedly tells us that they will grow up too fast.  "Speed of light" seems like more of an appropriate term.  In no time, we will be deciding on which back pack or lunch box to get for school.  I am not ready for that.  I just want time to slow down a bit.  Waaaaaaay down.

Dear Mills,
You are the most amazing little gift that we have ever been given. Your bright blue eyes light up the skies.  We love your sweet little lips, your head FULL of blond hair, and your sweet little square feet.  Oh those feet!  The best feet for playing "piggy went to market."  You love it!  Your sweet kisses, Eskimo kisses, hugs, and pats on the back (you get that from your Mommy) just tickle our souls.  You are getting to be such a big boy, Mills.  Mommy doesn't know how much longer she will be able to carry you, because you are as solid as a rock, even though you are losing your "baby fat".  Daddy and I love it when you scream our names with excitement.  Its the best sound we've ever heard.  Seeing you run for your daddy, when he has been at work all night, makes me smile.  Your daddy loves to see you too!

We are amazed at how fast you catch on to things.  Seeing you grow and learn is an awesome experience.  You show or tell us something new every day.  There is still so much for you to learn and experience, and we pray that God will bless you each and every day.  We pray for your protection, your wisdom, and for the decisions that you will make as you grow up. 

We still look at you in awe, just as the day you were born and cannot believe that you are ours.  You are one of God's many miracles, and we feel so blessed that he gave you, our miracle, to us. 
Happy birthday sweet Millso!  We love you to the moon and back!
Love,
Mommy & Daddy

At two:

• Height 34.5" (65%), Weight: 30lbs (75 %), Size 2T clothes, shoes 5.5 and 6.  You checked out in the awesome category at the doctor yesterday, just after going around the waiting room and literally giving every one there a high-five, but did not like having your finger pricked.  Poor little guy!  Mommy hated watching you go through that, but you loved Dr. O!
• You can finally acknowledge "yes" by either saying "okay" or nodding your head.  We were wondering about that!?
• For some reason you have started saying, "Awwww, wass wong?" (what's wrong?), and "What happen?" (happened) in the most adorable tone ever.  You are talking up a storm, Mills!
• You went to your first real deal movie, Winnie the Pooh."  You were afraid of the dark theater at first, but came around when the previews started. You just sat there in awe, as quiet as a mouse. Then we had to take you out several times, because you would not sit still, wanted to crawl in the floor (yuck), and no matter how many snacks we packed, you did not want any of them.  Popcorn cured the matter.  The movie was too cute and you watched most of it,  but I think it will be a while before we go back.  We should have known. ha!
• You have become quite the little helper around the house.  No matter what mom and dad do, you always "On do it!"  (Want to do it). I caught you trying to clean my wood blinds the other day with the swiffer duster.  It would have been great, but they are a bit to fragile for you yet.  Just wait, I'll be BEGGING you to clean house in a few years.
• Bedtime and nap time are getting harder by the week.  You do not want to go down and get very upset.  This is a major turn around for you.
• Potty time:  you are still not quite ready for potty training, even though you have went in the toilet a few times.   Some times you tell us that you have to go and run to the toilet, only for us to find that you have already done your deed in your diaper.  I think you know that there are M&Ms in there as a reward, but we are strict to not give them unless something goes into the toilet.  Most of the time, you just go in your diaper like normal, but we are finding that your diapers are at times starting to be dry after nap time.  Go Mills!  ***Potty training advice is strongly welcomed from any of you moms and dads out there!  HELP!***

Our Surprise "Plant"

A month or so ago, I was "weeding" our front flower beds, and underneath one of our crepe myrtles, I spotted a few mysterious looking leaves.  I gasped, and thought....could it be?  Oh yes! I believe it is!  Wow!  This mysterious looking plant just happened to look like a pumpkin vine.  I was not 100% sure, so I left it alone just hoping that we might have our very own VERY small pumpkin patch.  I didn't care where it was, I just thought it was too neat, and didn't want to touch it. 

Evidently, one of the pumpkins that we carved last fall, lost one of it's seeds.  The seed must have found it's new home in the flower bed, and so, here we have it.  I hope it will produce a pumpkin or two.  If I would have planted the seed on purpose, it probably would have never come up.  You know how it is.  You try to grow something and it never grows.  However, this little accident may be one of the coolest little accidents we've had.  I will continue watching this thing in hopes that we'll have a few pumpkins by fall.

This vine has now grown to about 3 feet.

Day 2: More Land Preparation

We ventured back down to the land this evening.  It was so hot!  Mills didn't "hang" as well tonight, so our short trip was followed by a quick trip home for bath and bedtime.

Everything is looking great.  Wade is doing a fantastic job, and it looks better than I could have EVER imagined.  When I look around, I don't see a bunch of dirt, but what will eventually be there in the days, weeks, months, or even years to come.  We are so thankful for Wade!  He is pretty awesome and is absolutely wonderful at what he does.  No doubt about it!

Mills and Drew trekking across the dirt

Everything looked a lot different today...so impressed!

Wade thought he hit gravel, but no such luck.  Bummer!  That would have been NICE!

Gunner, Sherry, and Chris also came for a "tour."

The land sits on a natural spring.  This little "pond," if you will, has been there for as long as I can remember.  The water is crystal clear, and full of tadpoles.



That's a lot of brush back there!



Pops, Dee, Erik, and Mills walking down our future driveway that was cleared this week.

Its HOT!...and Mills needs a drink!

Day 1: The Beginning of Our New Home

You may remember a post several years ago, stating that our house was for sale.  Well, it still is.  The market is bad, economy is horrible, and God has led us in the direction of just....being patient.  That is all we can do. 
This post will be the first of many to come, but we know that the rest will probably come a LONG time from now, unless God decides otherwise.

So, with that being said, today, was "Day 1" of our new beginning.  We must do a little at a time, to prepare for our move.  Our move could be 3 months from now, or it could be 3 years from now.  Who knows?
Erik, Mills, and I will be making our new home, at my childhood home.  We can't wait.  We have big plans for that place out there, and today made me more excited about it. 

There are a lot of decisions to be made.  Today's decisions were not difficult.  We chose where our "shop/apartment" will go, which will actually be our home for a few years, before building our house, and even decided on where the house will be. We will not build a monstrosity of a house. Three people do not need a huge house, and so we will love every minute in our cottage style home.  We have been thinking about the future, and in all honesty, when all is said and done, we both know that one day, it will be just the two of us again.  The last thing I want is to have to keep up with a lot of square footage.  Who wants to clean all of that?  Not I.  There is so much more to enjoy, and a roof over our heads is all we need.  We will be building this house for us.  Just us.  I'm not going to think about how many people can fit in my living room if I am going to entertain, or whether or not there are enough bedrooms for guests.   If I had my choice, we would build on one story, but it is always cheaper to build "up" instead of "out."  Plus, Mills may want his upstairs privacy when he gets older.  This is just our TEMPORARY HOME, as we won't be taking it with us when we "go" one day.

Both "pads" were started today, and A LOT of dirt work was done. We had a blast, even in 95 degree heat, we just walked around admiring the landscape,  amazed at the progress. It looks like a bunch of dirt right now, but it's the prettiest dirt I've ever seen. When all is finished, it is going to be absolutely beautiful out there. A lot of land, and a lot of privacy equals one happy mommy and daddy. The "kids" are going to love it. We are taking things very slow. The house will come much later, a few years after we get out there. Goal #1: Get the dirt "settled." Goal #2: Sell our house. Goal #3: Build our shop. Goal #4: The building of our FINAL home. I will be so happy when I can say that we will never have to pack up and move, ever again!

Mills is inspecting the work done today.



Mills and Wesley playing in the dirt...that's what boys do.  Right?





Who lets their child roll around in the dirt?  I do!





Nana, Mills, and Wesley walking over those huge muddy tracks.




You can't tell it now, but there will be a driveway right where E is standing.





Measuring the pad for the house





Wesley is hard at work!

  

23 Months

This pic was taken by my sister's good friend, and my new friend, Tiffany Sharp

In one month, we will be celebrating Mills' 2nd birthday.  I cannot believe it.  I have always been told that the older I get, the faster time will fly.  I believe it.  Having a precious little one and keeping up with his busy body, makes time go that much faster.  I would love to make it slow down.  It seems like we just took our Christmas decorations down, and in 5 short months, it will be here again.  Mills is no longer a baby, but a little toddler boy.  Wow!  Terrible, but awfully sweet twos are in full swing.

• Mills, your communication skills have sky-rocketed in the past couple of weeks.  Words that I didn't know existed are leaping from your lips.  I cannot even begin to keep up with "new words," because we have officially ended with that phase.  You know so much, and I am amazed.  You are speaking great sentences now, and can now tell me what you want.  This makes things much easier around here.  You are singing and dancing and copying moves on the television.  We love watching and listening!
• I am going to write about this, and I actually contemplated on doing so, but hey, I've ready other mommy blogs, and they post ALL of their child's accomplishments and milestones, so I will too.  Mills will hate me for this one day...DETEST me!     

    A couple of weeks ago, after putting him in the bath tub, Mills looked at me, and said it..."poo poo."  You pointed to the toilet, and said, those two little words.  So, after asking him if he wanted to go in the big boy potty, I put him on it, and lo and behold, he did not want me to hold him up, he wanted to do it all by himself.  Well, expecting "nothing" out of it, he proved us wrong.  Yep, teeny tiny, but it was worth a big cheer, applause with jumping up and down, and a bunch of excitement.  I showed you your "achievement," while daddy ran and got a treat.  We were surprised!  I showed you that you should then flush the toilet, and after doing so, you proudly waved it good-bye, saying, "bye bye poo poo."
Seriously? Did I just write that for the whole world to read? Yes, I did.  Oh well, right?  Since then, it has happened one other time.  We are no where near tee-teeing, or full blown potty training, but at least he knows where it goes. 

• Bedtimes:  Our super easy bedtimes, have gone a little crazy this month.  There have been nights of protest, which is surprising to us, because we've never had a problem in the past.  We are still on the same routine, but when putting you in the bed, you says, "no! no!"  Usually you will cry for no more than a minute and then it's off to dreamland.
• You still  enjoy the same favorite books.  The other night you grabbed Brown Bear, Brown Bear, climbed up in my lap and opened the first page, then proceeded with, "Bwown Beah, Bwown Beah, what do you tee?  I tee a wellow duck ookin' at me!"  Wow!  I was surprised.  You have memorized that, of course, but it was still amazing. 
• You are into tickling now.  You love to tickle, mommy, daddy, and Joey too.  You say, "tickle-tickle-teeee!" over and over again.
• You are a big fan of Mickey Mouse, Little Einsteins, and your new love...Toy Story.  This week, you walked to the remote, said, "Mama, Toy Stowy!"  Daddy and I discussed this morning about taking you to your first movie at the theater.  It is worth a try, if it doesn't work, then we can always leave.
• You are finally calling all of the grandparents by name.  They love that!

Mommy and Daddy love you to pieces.  You make us smile 24/7!  Well, almost 24/7.  Did I mention terrible twos?  I believe it did!

Fourth of July 2011

Our Fourth of July was rather uneventful for most of the day.  After a busy weekend, sitting around was just what we needed. 

I found this "colossal cookie" at the grocery store.  We enjoyed it!

We did go over to our friends, the Cranford's, after supper for fireworks.  We had debated going to Munford for their annual display, but decided that since Mills' bedtime would be greatly surpassed, it would be better to stay closer to home.  We wanted to spend some good quality time with our friends, as well.  We have missed them!   

The boys played and played.  Mills loved riding the gator with Ethan.  I am sure there will be a gator, if not something similar, in our future!

Thank goodness we stayed here instead of wasting gas to go to Munford.  Our little man, who just LOVED the fireworks display at FBC last year, was absolutely terrified of the fireworks that E and R set off last night.  He didn't scream, or kick, or throw a fit, but after the first one went off, which was rather large, he turned around grabbed me and said, "No!".  We honestly thought that he would get used to them and realize that everything was okay, but then the second one landed itself in the air and Mills was clutching me saying, "No! Okay! No! Okay! No Okay!"  So, Mills and I perched ourselves inside and watched in the dark, through the kitchen window.  He did fine with the quiet ones, but the loud ones, not so much.  Maybe next year?!

Mills was amazed!

Weekend at the Lake

We just arrived home from a fun-filled, exhausting weekend at KY Lake.  I think I could sleep for days, but we all know that Mills won't allow me to do that! ha!  I am having trouble uploading some of my pictures, and have been having trouble for a week or so.  Some will upload and some will not.  I keep getting a "security error" message.  If anyone reading knows how to fix this, please let me know.  I have tons to add to this post!

Aunt Kimmie, Ava Cate, and Camille enjoying the tube!

The rougher the water and the more we bounced, the more Mills liked it!