Our Holidays

In our lovely little family, the holiday season truly begins in September.  First there's my birthday, then Charlotte's birthday, then Halloween, then Blake's birthday, then Thanksgiving and Christmas.  And, if someone else in the family decides to celebrate their birthdays, you can throw in my sister-in-law's birthday before Charlotte's and my brother-in-law's (technically after Blake's but celebrated this year before).  If we were in the US, we could trade out my in-law's for my own siblings (and Mom's too!).

This year, all the events seem MUCH bigger.  Granted this is mainly my own fault for going full out with them, but it does make it more fun!  We did take it easy for my birthday, but that's because Blake had his tonsils out that week.  Doesn't make for too much fun, but we did go out and enjoy the evening.

Next up, we decided that since Charlotte absolutely loves animals, a trip to the zoo was in order.  It was a very, very hot day, but we did have fun with only one minor incident concerning a baby toe and a pole.

I decided to keep with the theme and make her birthday cake jungle animals too.

This is actually sculptable buttercream icing found here.  She only ate the head/neck of the giraffe and skipped the cake.  I suppose that was plenty of sugar in a couple bites!  Opening presents was lots of fun (hallelujah she loves the puff quilt) but building her bike with Poppy  was the icing on the cake.  I'll have to get the pictures of that off Nana, but here is pulling out all the pieces anyway.

I can't believe she is already 2!  Where did that time go?  I guess it flies when you're crazy... cough... having fun. :)

Charlotte's birthday was on Wednesday, and then we celebrated Xander's on Saturday.  It wouldn't seem like much of a big deal, except his was a Black Tie Ball.  Although my high school dresses do still fit.... they aren't exactly black tie formal.  After much searching online, I found this pattern.

Looked like fun, so I thought I'd give it a go.  Oh, and without said pattern as it isn't available anymore...  Please disregard my appearance as I recently got out of the shower and still had wet hair and no make-up... :)

It made me REALLY want a dress form and a cutting board/table.  It turned out pretty well considering I was piecing all sorts of other patterns together and guesstimating almost all of it.  I won't point out the flaws though and just let you admire it... :D 

Next up, Blake's birthday BBQ with family and some friends.  With a week of planning, I hope it turns out alright!  Here's a sneak peek at one of the activities.