Kanin's 8th Birthday Party, Part 1

This year Kanin couldn't decide what kind of birthday party he wanted.  Last year he had his first "friend" party and he wanted to have another one this year BUT he couldn't decide what he wanted to do so time got away from us so we decided that I would make a couple of his favorite dishes, order a cake, and have our family come over.

Kanin got some great presents from his Mama and Papa, aunts and uncles and his almost aunt Sue.

Ali and Aidan (cousins) each made him their very own birthday card.  They really put a lot of time and effort into them. 

Finally, it came time to open Mommy and Daddy's present.  I really wanted to wait until his actual birthday (today) to give him his gift but Scott had early cases and wanted to be here when he opened it so we gave it to him on Saturday.

Yes, this was a hard one for me to swallow.  Kanin does love the St. Louis Cardinals but he also likes the Yankees.  I've ever been a Yankees fan but I guess that doesn't mean that Kanin can't be.

Anyway, the Gaga talked me in to getting Kanin a Yankees jersey for his birthday. . .

This is an "excited face" for Kanin.

Since he has gotten so in to baseball this year, he wanted a baseball cake.  We decided just to order a cake from Costco. 

(Side note:  If you have never had a Costco cake, you are missing out.  We actually served Costco sheet cakes as our wedding cake.  We had a small decorated cake made for pictures and to cut in front of people while all of the guests received Costco sheet cakes that the staff cut in the kitchen.  People raved about our wedding cake when really each sheet cake only cost us $17-ha!)

Happy 8th Birthday, Kanin!

8 years ago today, this tiny 6lb 1oz, 19" little boy entered into the world and my life has never been the same. 

Who couldn't fall in love with those tiny hands and kissable lips?  Kanin Joshua Riley, you were so small that I had to roll up the sleeves on the preemie outfits you wore.  I can still feel and smell this little outfit and how soft it was with you snuggled up next to me. 

8 years ago I couldn't see this far into the future to imagine what you would look like or what your personality would be. 

You are smart, inquisitive, stubborn, athletic, dramatic, strong-willed, helpful, sweet, rambunctious, and independent all rolled in to one package.

  You like to make your own decisions and to figure things out on your own.  You like to get attention, in your own shy way, and every once in a while I see little signs of that baby I held so long ago.  Those are the moments that I cherish.

Laying in bed holding hands.

Listening to what happened at school.

The goodnight kisses each night.

I know you will change even more in the next 8 years.  I am sad that my little tiny baby is becoming a distant memory but I am excited to see the kind of person that you will become. 

Happy Birthday to my Sunshine!

Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body. ~Elizabeth Stone

Camouflaging a Turkey

Kanin came home Friday with a family project.  We had a blank paper turkey that we were to disguise as something else and then write a letter to the all farmers letting them know that this was not a turkey but a . . .whatever we chose to disguise it as.

Kanin knew right away how he wanted to disguise his turkey.  He wanted his turkey to be Jason Motte.

Source

As in most of these "family" projects, it ends up being the parents trying to figure out how to do things.  How in the world were we going to make a white paper turkey into Jason Motte?

First, I downloaded and printed out the St. Louis Cardinal logo and the STL hat.  Then, I realized that I had a paper from the weekend after the World Series.  I found a picture of the Championship trophy and we cut that out.  Lastly, Kanin just had to draw his uniform and his face with the lucky beard.

Here's what we ended up with:

Here is the letter he wrote.

Dear Farmers

I am not a turkey.  I am Jaso Motte.  I saved Game 7 of the World Series for the St. Louis Cardinals.  Please don't cook and eat me.

Your Friend,

Jason Motte

Ha!  It was so cute!

Look What Mommy Got in the Mail Today

Last week I saw this ad pop up for a shoe/bag/accessory site called Just Fabulous. 

Here's how it works: 

Go to Just Fabulous and take their individualized style test.  They will show you a gallery of shoes that fit to your taste.  When you find something you like, the shoes are only $39.95 INCLUDING taxes/shipping/handling.

I was a little worried about ordering shoes online but with Just Fabulous, it isn't a problem because they have such an easy return policy that I didn't feel like I would be stuck with a pair of shoes that didn't fit or that I didn't like in person. 

So . . .this afternoon this is what I received . . .

H-O-T!

The shoes even came with a fabulous protection bag.

Love, Love, Love them.  I will definitely be ordering from Just Fabulous again.  I figure that I would spend way more than $39.95 at any other store and not have nearly as large of a selection or get unique, fabulous shoes and boots that most people won't be wearing, as well.

Veteran's Day at Kanin's School

Today was the Veteran's Day program at Kanin's school.  A few weeks ago, he brought home a form in which I filled out my name, branch of service, and military job and attached a picture of myself.  The school took those forms and hung them throughout the school and taught many lessons about patriotism, Veterans, and sacrifice.

When I showed up today, there was a lounge area that had several tables and chairs.  The students at Kanin's school made tons of cards and they were laying all over the tables.

Our student walked us into the gymnasium where they held a ceremony.  The children sang songs and read poems.

Each Veteran's name was called along with their branch of service and both the Veteran and their student stood up to get recognized.  They played a medley of service songs and as each branches song played, those respective Veterans stood up.

"The Army Goes Rolling Along" came on, I was proud to stand up.

When the ceremony was over, the Veteran's and their student went back out into the lounge for some baked goodies and to chat for a bit before the student heading back to class.

I'm happy that I got to attend the Veteran's Day ceremony at Kanin's school.  He was proud of his Mommy and I was proud of my time in the Army.  It was a very sweet program and it made me happy to see so much respect and honor from the staff and students at Kanin's school.
 

A Turkey Recipe and Looking for Recipes

Thanksgiving is only a short three weeks away and I am starting to think about what to serve.  I have had Thanksgiving at my house for the past 3 years and I've made the turkey the last 2.  If you are scared to make a turkey, don't be!  I've been told that my turkey the last 2 years is the best they've ever had.

Want the recipe?  Check out my recipe: 

Turkey with Cranberry Glaze

Do you have a favorite Thanksgiving recipe?  I am looking for side dishes that are a "must have" for your family. 

Email me at: awesty2 at yahoo(dot)com with your favorite recipes and I will feature them on my Meals For Real blog and link back to you.



Puppies vs Babies contest

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Puppies vs. Babies for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Every mother thinks that their baby is the cutest thing in the world.  They are so quick to show pictures, tell stories, and post videos about their little munchkin.  We like to dress them up, take their pictures, and brag to our friends about what our baby has learned.  We show them off and try to get them to do their "tricks" all because we think they are so cute!

You know what?  I'm not just talking about human babies, either.  Many dog owners think of their pet as their baby and they are just as convinced that their baby is cuter than any human baby out there. 

Puppies vs. Babies, which is cuter?

From now until November 23, you can vote on which is cuter in the Puppies vs. Babies online contest.  The winning puppy or baby will receive $5,000! 

Do you think your fur baby is cuter than an actual baby?  Enter the Puppies vs. Babies online contest and tell us why. 

Both babies have so many similarities:  they both slobber, they both whine, they both are happy when they see their Mommy, they both get fat, and they both give lots of love. 

What makes your baby the cutest?  Leave me a comment and let me know and then go check out the contest!