Joy and Giving

Alex and Isabella,

Tomorrow is New Year's Eve. I can't believe Christmas has come and gone. But boy, did we celebrate this year! We spent Thanksgiving weekend in Ocean City watching Christmas movies and going to see the Christmas lights and Santa at Northside Park. We decorated gingerbread houses with our neighbors. We made cookies with our cousins. We celebrated at school with pageants and parties. We had breakfast with Santa, and you were both so good that he gave you each an early present. On Christmas Eve, we spent the day at Nana and Pop Pop's and then we went to church where we lit candles and sang Christmas songs. I admit, I teared up a little when I saw your little faces lit up by candlelight and heard your little voices singing Silent Night. After church we spent the evening at Aunt Mela's, where Isabella, you entertained us with your renditions of Jingle Bells and We Wish You a Merry Christmas (complete with hand motions and hip wiggling). When we got home, Daddy helped you hang your stockings and we all piled on Alex's bed and read Twas the Night Before Christmas.

We woke up in the morning to find more presents than I have ever seen before. We spent the morning opening gifts and playing with all of your new toys. Alex, you took your time and played with each toy. Isabella, you tore the paper off each gift exclaiming, "Just what I always wanted! Thank you Santa." And then you wanted another to open. In true party animal fashion, Alex, you asked if we would have a Christmas party for Jesus' birthday, and of course we said yes. Our family came over and we celebrated with lots of food and laughter.

Daddy and I have always loved Christmas. But this Christmas was the best one ever. Alex, our little Christmas baby, you learned the true meaning of Christmas this year. You bought gifts for others and were so excited to give. And I am most proud of the way you day in and
day out gave your sister the gift of love. Isabella, this Christmas you brought us so much joy. You were so excited to see the Christmas lights, to sing Christmas songs, and you just loved everything Christmas. There is nothing like experiencing Christmas through the eyes and wonderment of a child. Isabella your joy was contagious.

Thank you for making this Christmas so very special. I love you both with all my heart.
Momma

PS - They say a picture is worth 1000 words....

Better Late Than Never...

Here are some pictures of our VERY kid-friendly (my son wouldn't allow anything scary) Halloween Bash 2010! We served "healthy eats" to our family and neighbors before heading out into our amazingly fun neighborhood for tricks and treats....

The food...

The craft table...

Outside patio...

Mommy Treats - Monster Mango Martinis

Just a few treats for the kids (monster eyes, rice creepy treats, and s'mores pops)...

Some decorations...

And they are off...

Here are some more pictures of the party - there are some great costumes - take a look...

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=94602&id=1405999744&saved


Our party was featured in Kate Landers Events LLC, Children's Party and Dessert Tables of 2010: Part II.

http://katelandersevents.blogspot.com/2010/12/childrens-parties-dessert-tables-of.html

How cool is this???

Isabella's Garden Party and Alex's Rock Star Party were featured in

Kate Landers Events Children's Parties of 2010!!!!

She also included Alex's Super Hero Party too!!!

http://katelandersevents.blogspot.com/2010/12/childrens-parties-of-2010-part-i.html

What an honor!

(My niece Finley's party is also featured - Sweet Shoppe V)

Alex's Rock Star Party Details

Alex is our little Rock Star - we celebrated his 5th birthday ROCKER Style! Alex greeted his guests as they walked the red carpet. The red carpet was covered with stars with all of the celebrities (aka guests) names written on them.

As Lisa and Mikel of Milkshake, http://www.milkshakemusic.com/ , set up in the basement we passed out concert merchandise - sunglasses, inflatable guitars and microphones, mardi gras beads, and glow sticks. Once the show was ready to start we allowed the kids VIP access. We hung a banner and a backdrop behind the stage where the band performed.


We set up a concession stand in our kitchen and served food just like you would get at a real concert. The pizza, nacho bar and hot pretzel machine were a hit. We served rootbeer is these cool cups (from the celebration shoppe) because that is Alex's favorite drink.


And no birthday party is complete without cake and cookies- shaped like guitars and stars, of course - and a CANDY BAR! And of course the CANDY BAR had a Rock Star theme! The kids loved taking home goodie bags filled with rock candy, pop rocks, ring pops, and star lollipops. (Thank you Laura of Cupcakes and Lemonades for the awesome candy jar labels.)

Happy 5th Birthday, Alex

Dear Alex,

I am laying next to you in your bed writing this letter. Because you CAN'T sleep. You are my little night owl. You want me to lay with you. Your hand is resting on my arm. I secretly love that you are still a Momma's Boy - sometimes anyway.

You are so excited because tomorrow is your REAL birthday. The day you turn five. I remember having a hard time when you turned two. You were no longer a baby. And I am having a very hard time with you turning 5....You are growing up too quickly my beautiful boy. One day you aren't going to like that I call you that. But I don't care. You are beautiful inside and out. Your outer beauty lies in your eyes...those big brown eyes. They are looking at me now, when they should be closed and fast asleep. You inner beauty lies within that old soul of yours - how you love and protect your sister, how you always think about others, how you are so smart, sometimes too smart, for your own good and for mine.

You have changed so much in the past year. You have learned what it means to be a friend. You have learned the art of sharing. You have demonstrated time and time again what it means to be a good big brother. You are quick to anger at times, but even quicker to say you are sorry - an important thing for a man to know how to do (wink. wink.). You are ornery and you love to say "bathroom words" and wrestle as most little boys do. You are silly and you love making funny faces and doing crazy dances to make other people laugh.

I am so excited to celebrate the day you were born. Actually, I guess I should say continue the celebration. Five years ago this week, I had a sonogram - the doctors wanted to make sure you were happy in my belly. The doctor said, "This baby is rocking and a rolling in there." How cool that five years later to the day we had a Rock Star birthday for you on your fake birthday (as you call it). We had a candy bar with Rock Candy, Star Lollipops, Ring Pops, and Pop Rocks. We had real live rock stars - Lisa and Mikel of Milkshake ( http://milkshakemusic.com/) perform a concert for you and your friends and family. You all rocked out with blow up guitars and microphones. We served pizza, nachos and hot pretzels just like you would eat at a concert. You had a cake shaped like a guitar and cookies shaped like guitars and stars. It was a wonderful celebration of YOU!

Tonight, I was making chocolate chip cookies for your birthday, because you say I make them the best. I was teasing you and said, "Don't you ever forget it. One day when you are married and your wife makes you chocolate chips you tell her that they are good, but that your mom makes them best." You respsonded, "I have an idea. Every year on my birthday, you can make the chocolate chips, because I am always going to invite you to my parties!" I wouldn't miss your birthday for the world. Your birthday is the most important day of my life, my first born. On your birthday, God's purpose for my life became clear. I thank Him everyday for you.

Happy Birthday Alexander.
Love you,
Momma

PS. You are fast asleep...with Charlie at your feet and holding your blanket (the same one I brought you home in from the hospital). You are still my baby.

Brotherly (and Sisterly) Love

I know this post is a week late and it isn't because I am any less thankful this year. In fact, I have even more to be thankful for this year. I am so blessed. As I went back and read my Thanksgiving posts from the past three years, even I am amazed that this is my life. How is it even possible that each year my life gets better and better?

If you are an avid princealexsmomma reader, I don't want to sound repetitive by going on and on about all of my blessings, so I am going to tell you what I am most thankful for this year.

I am most thankful for Alex and Isabella's relationship. I know it may not always be as it is today, but today they love eachother most of all. From the moment Isabella was born (and maybe even before), Alex has loved his baby sister. And Isabella smiled her first smile at her big brother. Their relationship has grown. People stop me wherever I go and comment on the sweet interactions they witness between them. He is her protector. If she is hurt, she wants Alex to hug her and make it better. Alex always watches out for his baby sister. He says to me, "Don't worry Mom, I will take care of her." She is his biggest fan. She misses him every morning when he is in school. She says, "I need my Al-ee." They play together and cuddle and watch movies together. They get into trouble together.

When Alex's teacher asked him what he was most thankful for, he said his sister. When I ask Isabella who she loves best, she says her brother. And I wouldn't want it any other way.