Happy birthday to my little man!

This post comes more than a month after our little guy turned 2. Whatever. This kid brings so much joy and laughter to our lives that I would happily celebrate his 2nd birthday once a month for the next year, and then his 3rd every month after.

We marked the day with a party at Nini's house. My mom, who doesn't give herself enough nearly enough credit, is one of the most hospitable people I know. She worked for weeks trying to get her house and yard "in shape" for the party. (I put quotes around that because I have never seen her house not in tip-top shape. We are all our own worst critics, are we not?) 

Corrie Ruppel, owner of Something Yummy in Round Rock makes all my kids' birthday cakes. Because my little monkey loves bananas, Corrie made a chocolate cake with banana buttercream filling. Danny and all his fellow monkeys, both grown and miniature, went bananas! (Sorry).

Stay tuned for a separate post all about Something Yummy. (Teaser: She doesn't just do cakes...close your eyes and say "macaron.")

Two-tiered chocolate cake with banana buttercream filling, vanilla buttercream icing, and fondant accents by Something Yummy.

I also made little soapy favors for the kids who attended the party - yellow and blue glycerin soaps with little monkey and banana erasers embedded in them. 

I found the monkey and banana erasers at Terra Toys in Austin.

I found the toy erasers at my favorite toy store, Terra Toys. This is one of those privately-owned, independent retailers that make Austin such a cool place to live. They have everything that you won't find on any generic toy aisle at (enter name of box store here). This awesome store was started by a couple of artists who set out to make their own wooden toys and sell them to retailers. Pretty soon, they decided to open up their own store. Now Terra Toys carries a million different types and brands of toys, but they also have a workshop in the back where they make their own as well. Check them out around Christmas time for a line of toys made on site by a pirate hat-wearing Terra Toy employee named Dave and one of the owners.

And he's off!

Hula hoops! Humiliation to me, but I know a few kids who can dominate this.

Magic crystals!

Mommy's best friend - a bubble blowing bear situated at the check-out counter so that I can take care of my business without losing my child.

Happy 4th Birthday Ayden!!

Whew!  It's been a crazy couple of weeks, but I made it through to the other side and I still have a smile on my face (and a few pictures to share)!

First, have I mentioned yet how incredibly blessed I am to have such a supportive family?  Because I am...I really am.  I'm a stay-at-home-mom who recently decided to learn how to make soap, and with no questions asked, both of my children's grandmothers agreed to help with the kids while I was off learning this new craft.  Then my neck went out and the grandmothers/heroines stepped up their game BIG TIME, taking shifts and coordinating schedules so that I wouldn't re-injure myself caring for and picking up the littles.

I tried to take it easy...I really did.  But it's taking so long for my neck to heal and I was anxious to do something productive and I just so happened to have a bunch of soap-making ingredients nearby and a lovely husband who was willing to do the heavy lifting for me.  (That bordered on a run-on sentence but you get a picture of the frantic voices in my head).  Anyway I had a great excuse...one of my best friend's son was turning 4 (adorable Ayden) and I was doing the party favors!  Take a moment to soak in the adorableness that is this little boy...

I know...those eyes, that smile.  He's too cute for words!  The kids had so much fun at the party.  There was a petting zoo...

...and a bouncy house...

...and did I mention that Ayden's 10-year-old cousin made his birthday cake??  

Now the party favors...each child received a bag with one bar of soap with little farm animals embedded inside, and three miniature bath bombs with water-soluble images melted on the front wrapped up in a pretty little package.

Ninety miniature bath bombs with water-soluble images melted on.  And I really did have fun doing it!  

 Here's a close up of the soap...the kids love them!!

Happy birthday, Ayden!!