ROAAAAARRRRR'N Good Time

December 14th nicely fell on a Saturday this year, which allowed us to throw his birthday party on his actual birthday.  The theme of his birthday was a lion.  The invitation showed a picture of B in a lion costume (borrowed from Cole), which he didn't end up wearing for the main event.  Guest were encouraged to wear animal print attire.  The guest list included family members and our neighbors, the Smith's, who pretty much feel like our family since we spend so much time together.

Look at me- I even printed up REAL, tangible invitations!

He hammed it up when I put on his birthday outfit.
Outfit made my Daddy.  

I want to make a point of separating Braylen's birthday and Christmas in our house.  Even though Braylen doesn't realize this year the 14th is a special day, celebrating him, I want to start some traditions now about how we are going to handle the two events.  The main one being not decorating for Christmas until after his party.  This was very easy this year since a one year old near a Christmas tree is rarely a good thing.  (The decorations are already at our house, ready to go up tomorrow!)  The decorations were simple this year- a few streamers and balloons.  Set the expectation low when they are young is my motto

Daddy, on the other hand, likes to set the bar high from the start.  After successfully creating a stellar Elmo cake for Evie's 2nd birthday, Daddy took on the cake baking and decorating responsibilities again.  Fine. by. me.  We copied Aunt Jen's lion cake idea from Luke's first birthday (who found it on.....wait for it... Pinterest).  Daddy followed her example of using a round cake for the face, then placing cupcakes around the perimeter to mimic the mane.  He took it up a notch by adding "texture"

Cake preparations begin Friday afternoon

Evie makes cupcakes out of rice crispies and water.  yum!

Finished product!  So proud of his work.  He just
got himself hired to do all cakes from here out.

Texture AND cute little ears. 

To minimize mess in the kitchen the morning of the party, we went out for breakfast.  We were at Beans and Burgundy Bread at 7:25 AM.  (Local friends- check out this new place on route 40 in Ellicott City.)  I had the best breakfast sandwich EVER.  Braylen and Evie were happy with their breakfast platter of sausage, pancakes, and scrambled eggs.

In his bow tie and suspenders for his birthday breakfast

One and already addicted to his phone

Booths with pillows?!  yes please!

After some last minute preparations, it was time to get dressed in our animal prints.

Evie and MeMa matched in zebra prints

Proud of these ladies for coming dressed in theme.

The first thing we did was open a few gifts.  

Braylen feeling a little overwhelmed.

Luckily Braylen had plenty of 2 year old
helpers anxious to open cards and gifts for him

Bring on the boy toys!
(even though Evie is the one playing with all his toys)

While Braylen had some alone time to play, the big cousins and Emily made a lion craft.  Notice our example in front of Auntie L.  Also notice how nicely the 3 girls are sitting, completing the craft.  And how, well, Cole is being Cole :)

Auntie L and Lisa (an elementary school teacher) can handle
the craft table with ease!

I kept lunch simple- chili, cornbread, and veggies.  I suddenly love having a child with a winter birthday.  

After lunch, more gifts!

He showed the most interest in his own name stool.

We like cake eating to be the last event so everyone can take their sugared up children home :)  

I love his expression.  He warmed up and ate
a few bites.

Evie, on the other hand, knows this kind of treat
only comes about 3 times a year, so eat up!

And of course, the obligatory family pictures.  Luckily we had Karl to be our photographer.

Braylen's loving family (minus Aunt Jen, Uncle Matt, and Luke)

I think we correctly grabbed the child that most resembles each of us.
What do you think?

Just as our party go-ers started to pack up, it started to snow!  Perfect timing!  We got one last burst of energy out by giving the 2 year olds the balloons.  

Our two hour birthday party was just right for Braylen's big day.  He started off a little shy (just woke up from nap), but by the end he was a party animal.  Hehe.  

Snow Days!

If you ever have to enter a snow contest and you live in Maryland, the weekend of December 6th is a very good guess for the first measurable snowfall.  Heather's birthday (my roommate from years past) is that day and I remember her telling me it always snows for her birthday.  It has snowed pretty darn close to that date almost every year I have lived here.

Sunday, December 8th was our first snow this winter.  Braylen and I stayed home from church since he was too sick for the nursery (and needed a nap) while Jason took Evie to Sunday School.  The snow started just as Sunday School was letting out.  As soon as Evie got home, we changed into snow gear and went outside.  I putz around with A LOT of things right now (I blame my mommy brain), but when it comes to snow, you better get out there when the kids are up because it might not be around for long.  

Home from Sunday school and ready to get out in the snow.
She gladly put on her hat and gloves this year!!!

New year, new bibs.

Looking adorable in her coordinated Columbia snow gear.

Yep, no boy snow suit.  Our baby boy is in Evie's 12 month
Hazmat suit from last year.  At least I dug out a blue hat.

My wish came true, two girls!

He could pass for a girl.  It's all about how you dress them
when they are young.  He's a beautiful dude, what I can say?

Sledding with Daddy!

Don't be fooled, he liked it.  Watch the videos and you'll see...

I'm not sure the name of the person who took these videos, but they won't be hired again.  Sorry about the annoying voice and huffing & puffing.
  

After naps, Emily and Lisa joined us for more playing in the snow.  The snow transitioned to freezing rain, but no day but today!

Snow buddies

I couldn't get out of the picture fast enough :)

You think my photobomb is good there... wait until I figure out how to upload Lisa's video.  

Another round came in on Tuesday.  It started at 7 AM right as Jason was pulling out his dress pants for work.  The heavy falling snow made him reconsider- he worked from home :)

In preparation for Tuesday's snow day, I made a huge list of things I wanted to accomplish.  Newsflash!  I am not a 26 year old teacher anymore with the luxury of a surprise day at home.  I am home every day and nothing gets accomplished.  I was still excited for the snow since my best bud in the 'hood, Lisa, was home both Monday AND Tuesday.  I do a little dance when I see Baltimore County Schools are off.  Having Lisa come over and sip coffee with me while the girls play is a luxury.  

Tuesday's snow was beautiful.  It snowed big flakes most of the morning.  I pulled the girls around in our sled and we giggled at how cute they are together.  I am SO happy to have Lisa and Emily.  Friends within walking distance is the best thing EVER.  Another thing that is so great is finally having the energy to play in the snow!  I feel like I've been pregnant or recovering for years.  I flew down that hill on my belly.  I'm back!

Thanksgiving Week-end

The Stefany clan congregated at G and Poppop's house this Thanksgiving.  The 10 of us spent Thursday-Saturday together.  The weather was frigid, so there was a lot of togetherness in the house.  G and Poppop gladly took residence at a traveling friend's house at night to enjoy the quiet avoid early wake ups allow an open bedroom.  I am pulling some strings to be the ones to stay at the "friend's house" next year!  :)

The minutes, hours, and days are exhausting in these little years; however, I am so thankful for healthy kids that run, sing, scream, eat, jump, hug, say "I love you", ask to be held, want an extra snuggle at bedtime, laugh at simple things, love their grandparents, and enjoy playing together.  These little years don't last forever and neither do some of the sweet things they say and do.

Here's a snapshot of the shenanigans special times this Thanksgiving:

In case you didn't know (or forgot), my grandfather was a professional trumpet player.  My mom, Laura, and I all play the piano.  Laura, Jason, and I were all in the marching band in high school.  Jason and I met in the marching band in college (played trumpet and clarinet).  None of us are as good and as dedicated as Poppop, but we were all pretty decent in our prime.  Musical talent is hopefully in our kids' genes.

The baby grand piano was one of the favorite toys of the holiday.  At 7:02 AM while we were all still brushing our teeth, we would hear Cole bang back the cover over the keys and start playing.  Cole took the most interest in the piano and actually played gently.  Evie, on the other hand, liked to bang the keys and sing along.  Braylen took part in the music making as well.

Our budding musicians

This piano is way better than the 4
keyed toy at home

His hands are moving so fast they disappeared!

I think Evie will be more into singing than instrumental music.  She broke out in song throughout the day with her top performance being at Thanksgiving dinner.  While most of the adults conversed, Evie sat in her chair belting out Jesus Loves Me.  Hysterical.  You really had to be there to get the full effect of her sweet voice hitting the high note for Bible.

In addition to her serenading, Evie was a big helper setting the table for Thanksgiving dinner.

Getting a lesson in utensil etiquette from G

Uncle Sam and Auntie L seem to be the only ones aware
this picture was being taken

The three big cousins literally ran circles around G and Poppop's first floor.  Parker got in on the action too.

When things got too rowdy, we put one of them in the crate :)

These three pictures tell the story pretty well.

Riding the "train" (AKA Uncle Jason)

Just being squirrels together

And Braylen being so adorable and sweet.  He sat and
watched the show zoom past him most of the time. 

We took the kids to an indoor bounce house on Friday morning.  We were waiting with other vans full of amped up kids at 9:55 AM for the doors to open at 10 AM.  It wasn't nearly as nice as the one by MeMa's house, but the kids enjoyed it

Not one picture in the bounce house, just pretending to drive cars

Our plan weeks ago was to attend the Christmas tree lighting and tuba Christmas in downtown Lancaster on Friday night.  The 20 degree temps made us reconsider.  We went up to Elizabeth Farms instead.  It was a perfect outing for us.  The 25 minute drive through Lititz and other small towns put me in the holiday spirit.  The houses were festively decorated, the Christmas music was pumping in the van, and my soul was at peace looking over the little bit of farm land that still remains.

While at Elizabeth Farms, we braved the elements for about 5 minutes total walking to and from the van.  We said "hi" to a few donkeys, walked through the barn, looked at the train display, Cole & Hannah got a candy cane from Santa, took a few pictures, then piled all 10 of us illegally in the van to drive through the outdoor light display.  Again, the holiday music was pumping, the windows were steaming up from all the hot bodies in one vehicle, Braylen was pounding on the window and squealing with delight at all the lights... it was perfect.

Inside the barn

No one was there at closing so Hannah walked right up to Santa

Cole Bug says hi too

This was Evie's reaction to Santa

BRRRR!  Braylen had the warmest spot in the group

Love

Piled in the van for the light show

As with most Stefany gatherings, we played cards, ate snacks galore, laughed at the silly things the kids do, spread cosmetics all over one bathroom sink, used more towels than needed (with all our type A personalities, how can't we get a system down so we don't use a new bath towel every time?!), and reflected back on the good times we had at Nana and Poppop's house.  I think Hannah, Evie, Cole, and Braylen will talk about holidays at G and Poppop's house for year to come.  I am so thankful for my family.

Month of Being Thankful: Wrap Up

We wrote 30 leaves of things my family is thankful for.  We even took our baggie of supplies with us to North Carolina and Lancaster and hung those leaves there, not to miss one day.  Most of the leaves were sayings encouraged by me.  Evie had a few of her own- "Milk", "Turkey", and "Pizza" were three of them.  Funny how food came up multiple times from our darling with a weight gain issue.  

Our 30 leaves fit perfectly!

We were also thankful for "sweatpants!" (! included), "books to read", "a voice to SING", and grandparents (visits to and from).

Another leaf said "making crafts with Mommy".  Lisa, Emily, Evie, and I made turkeys one afternoon before Thanksgiving.  

I traced Evie's hands, Evie colored the plate, and I assembled
our turkey-lurky

I am so thankful that Lisa and I motivated each other to do a craft since Evie didn't bring anything home from preschool (she's still on the wait list), like this gem

Please note the clothespin used for a leg

Yes friends, that turkey has been around close to three decades.  I don't know the exact year it was constructed, but my Nana kept that fine masterpiece of mine for many years before passing it to me when I moved to Maryland.  

Gobble-gobble

I, however, will not keep Evie's crafts to pass on to her.  BOTH turkeys made an exit stage left after this picture into the trash.  Thank you modern technology for allowing me to document the wonderful crafts I make with my children (and thus making me feel less guilty when I put them into the trash).

Evie will find the Elf on a Shelf tomorrow morning!  It's time to switch gears to Christmas crafts and traditions!