Birthday Party #4...Golf!

What an awesome day and a labor of love for all of us since JANUARY. Yes, January. That was when I offhandedly asked what kind of birthday party McKinley wanted this year. He instantly answered, "Golf! I want a GOLF birthday party, with a real golf course and a golf cake and lots of golf balls." Immediately my brain went into overdrive. Honestly, I don't think on the way home (we'd been out for dinner) I was able to think of anything else. I set out to brainstorm and search the internet for unique ideas since McKinley had chosen such a unique theme - which I LOVE. Suffice it to say, I didn't find much. I did find golf ball cake pops and eventually a back yard mini golf course, courtesy of Martha herself. Cary and I discussed our plans and moved forward with them. It was such a joy to create a day like this for McKinley, we were all so excited for the theme and McKinley loved having input on everything! My favorite thing has to be the invitations...I had a vision of what I wanted and was able to execute it with the help of a graphic designer in California. What she put together was exactly what I asked for. I could not have been more pleased. I was so happy in fact that she and I worked together to design the printable paper products (signage, etc) for the party and I'm so happy with how it turned out. The only problem was I was so excited for the entire day that I never took the chance to snap photos of the decor or set up or anything. I'm so upset, but that wasn't the point anyway...McKinley, our friends and family all had a wonderful time. Seeing the smile on that boy's face was enough to make me have a party like that every single day. But, oh, would we be tired...

As guests started to arrive the kids immediately took to the 'make-your-own station' that I always enjoy putting together. This year it was a golf visor...apropos, no? And all the guests were invited to take a guess as to how many golf balls were inside the candy jar. We chose one adult winner (who won the Caddy Shack DVD) and a one 'youth' winner (who won a big selection of toys and games chosen by McKinley). Brent (my Godfather and McKinley's "Papa") won the Caddy Shack DVD when he chose the EXACT number of balls inside the jar! I was shocked when he won because I have fond memories of watching that movie (parts of it...) in my Godparents home on a particular visit. Brent always loved that movie, so I was tickled that he won. Our nephew Logan was the 'youth' winner and was pretty excited with McKinley's little bag of goodies.

We asked Brent to lead us in prayer again this year, it's a nice little tradition and we so enjoy the efforts made by our friends and family to share this day with us, so it's nice for us to be thankful for that as well. We had a golf club-ish lunch of "Club" sandwiches, pasta salad, chips and veggies and dip.

As everyone finished many of our guests - especially the kids - played in our little back yard golf range. We had a putting range and a chipping range and clubs for everyone! While they played we got the piece de resistance ready...McKinley's AWESOME golf cake (that he picked out himself!) and the adorable cake pops that were truly the most difficult thing to find (mold ordered from amazon, turned down by 3 local bakeries, turned down by cake pop maker in Indy, quoted $100 for 12 by a cake pop maker in Memphis, Tn., and finally able to place the order four days before the party with a new cake pop maker in Indy --Sticky Sweet Cake Pops--, shipped the mold to her, had my Godmother pick them up from her home and drive them here! They were NOT $100...Ha!). Cary had been the one to pick up the cake from Baesler's and he could NOT believe the attention this cake had gotten. Apparently the entire bakery had been enthralled by this cake as it was being made and decorated, so much so that they even took photos of it and the owner of Baesler's himself carried it out to Cary's truck. It was awesome, more awesome than I had pictured...when McKinley said he loved the photo I'd found he was certain it's what he wanted. When we walked out with that thing there was no doubt in my mind he was happy. He couldn't stop smiling! He was squealing with delight! It was a good moment...

I think it was the photo booth that really brought out the humor in everyone though. We always enjoy taking photos with McKinley and his guests and I've recently become obsessed with photo booths, so we put together an array of mustaches and other "on a stick" items along with props and a chalk board. I LOVE how they turned out! We have some really creative friends and family!

We sang Happy Birthday and McKinley watched his candles (that I had to continuously light due to the stupid wind...) and his cake with intent. He blew his candles out after making a wish and everyone dug into that yummy cake! Oh it was so good.

Things began to wind down as McKinley opened his gifts and we once again brought a special birthday to a close. It truly is the happiest day of the year for Cary and I - and so worth the absolute exhaustion from the weeks and weeks of work we lovingly put into it.

Fourth birthday party down, one happy, happy boy as a result...and two parents full of love for their precious boy!

So...too early to make plans for #5??????

Lynn

Fourth of July

In keeping with tradition, the Vernon fam, Douglas fam and Semmler fam all gathered at the roof of the parking garage for a cook out, some good times with good friends and a heckuva view of the city's fireworks. Except for one little thing...we couldn't GO to the roof! The new owners decided to close the roof off due to some seriously disgusting behavior. We quickly made do and made our own little tailgate area on the level below the roof. It worked well! We had yummy food, the kids had a blast playing together and the view was just as wonderful as always.

I brought along some glow necklaces for the kids and Robin brought some American flags, the kids loved their little goodies as they sat in the hatch of the Douglas' SUV or our truck bed.

When it came time for the fireworks I took a break and sat in the hatch myself, I needed a little break. I looked at my family and friends and realized just how much our lives have all grown since our first time on the roof. Every person in front of me had a child in their arms! Except me, which I pointed out, because it seemed so funny! Robin quietly reminded me that I DID have a child on my person, just as every one else...he or she just isn't here yet!

That's right, next year we will each have our own child to hold in our arms. How fun will that be?!?!

What an awesome 4th of July!

Lynn

Zoo Trip

Another fun trip to the zoo! This time we briefly met up with my friend Kylie and her two boys. They had a blast in the splash park, which was perfect because it was a HOT, HOT day! When I pulled my camera from my bag I bumped the setting, didn't have time to check because I was trying to capture some real cuteness, so the photos of the boys ended up blue! Honestly, kind of a cool mistake!

Kylie and company left shortly after the splashing, but McKinley and I stayed to close the place down...surprise, surprise! We had so much fun together and even stopped off and had dinner in Plainfield at Panda Express, a favorite of ours. It was great to spend a little time with friends and even more fun to spend such a great day with my boy.

This was the first time since the new Tiger exhibit opened that we had a chance to visit and were we treated with a sight! Several tigers were up close and personal with us, much like the Cheetah exhibit. We even saw a Tiger stretch all the way up (and trust me, it was at least 8 feet worth of stretching...vertically) right beside the viewing glass. Another tiger took a drink from the stream, and another tiger paced back and forth checking out each person viewing. Very interesting, and a little freaky too...

And of course, no zoo trip is complete without at least one ride on the train!

Lynn

The tale of a giant tube

We spent Saturday evening with our dear friends, The Cook Family. It was so wonderful! Easy, laid back, just fun - and exactly what we ALL needed. The boys played, we all chatted, we ate some yummy food then everyone hopped on the boat and headed out for a fun night of tubing on the lake. McKinley wasn't real sure about the tube at first, so The Cook boys went for a spin. As McKinley watched he became really eager to get out there himself. Randy stopped the boat, reeled the boys back in and McKinley and Lisa hopped on too! McKinley had perma-grin for the ENTIRE ride. Later Lisa told us that he was squealing with delight all the way. Randy went pretty slow at first, but several rides later and McKinley was making the motions for donuts, to speed up and to "Rock and Roll"! I'm actually surprised he didn't swallow some bugs, his smile was so big for so long!

Finally, it was time for some dessert after a quick swim at the dock and a dip in the hot tub. Ice cream sundaes? Yes, please! Everyone had some - complete with sprinkles, as requested by McKinley.

The boys were all worn out and plopped on the bed to watch a movie before gaining a second (third? fourth?) wind and playing more.

We ended the night really late but so relaxed having had the best time!

I love summer!!!!!!!!!!

Lynn

Birthday party and a new friend for McKinley

We traveled to my Godparents home for Shelby's birthday party. I cannot believe she is really 14. Not cool. She is so not a little girl anymore, but a sweet young lady...but still, it makes me feel old.

Anyway, we had a lovely time with everyone. The food was great, the company wonderful as always, and the cake? Yum. But it was McKinley who really cut loose and had the time of his life...running after a long-legged girl.

Her name is Clara. She is the youngest daughter of good friends of Shelby's parents. Clara is 4, an older woman.

This was not the first meeting between McKinley and Clara, however it was the first time they took notice of each other.

McKinley had been standing in the kitchen of Honey's house, with his lame parents trying to figure out what he could do to liven up the joint. Then she walked in from the back yard. His eyes lit up. She stopped in her tracks with a stand-offish look on her face. He said:
"My name is McKinley. It starts with M-c-K-i-n-l-e-y"

Clara, still with that look: "My name is Clara, it's C-l-a-r-a"

He'd met his match!

McKinley: "I'm 3 and a half"

Clara: "I'm 4"

McKinley: "Let's go!"

Clara: "Okay!"

and that was the last I saw of my boy, except the occasional streak of two bodies blazing by.

They chased each other, they visited a nearby coy pond, they swung on a porch swing, the skipped rocks with Cary, they made new friends with the neighbors, they did it all.

McKinley was out of breath trying to keep up with Clara's really long legs, but he was a champ!

They ran and ran and ran until Cary and I were literally at our wits end ready to scream because McKinley wouldn't even listen and the kids were running through neighbor's yards (which was okay with the neighbors but not a common practice for the Vernon's...call us strict, I guess).

The evening ended with two very happy, very tired children.

We had a great time with Shelby and family, and really enjoyed watching McKinley make another new friend.

Lynn

Ticking some Teeth and jumping around

It's Spring Break! That means F-U-N for McKinley! All in one day we packed in the Zoo, a Dental Visit, a Jumpy-Place visit and dinner at a pizza place where a train delivered our drinks. We were all exhausted afterward but what a fun day.

The zoo was good to us as always, and it was so nice to have Nonna along for the ride...train ride! We didn't get to see many animals because we again stood in a very long line for the train, but who cares because it was a beautiful day and our boy was smiling from ear to ear. He insisted on sitting with Nonna during the train ride - precious.

Soon we were back in the car heading for McKinley's dentist. Upon our arrival McKinley promptly headed for the basketball court. Yep...BASKETBALL COURT at a pediatric dentist. Nice. We played together, then McKinley was ready for his cleaning. The dentist called it 'tickling some teeth', which really stuck with McKinley and made him giggle. I'm so proud to report that those sweet little chomps are flawless.

Cue us jumping back in the car to head to the 'jumpy place' where I surprised McKinley by meeting up with Robin, Savannah and Austin. It's a good thing we were at a jumpy place because he was a jumpin' when he found that out!

The kids played (i.e. slid, jumped, bounced, climbed, weaved, shimmied) for over an hour. Well worth the price of admission...and an excellent way to work up an appetite!

Again...back in the car to the pizza place. McKinley officially thought this place was the bee's knees. Train stuff EVERYWHERE. A locomotive and cars were lined up in rows where we would sit and a miniature train brought us our drinks. McKinley was a kid in a candy store. So much so that he could barely eat! Oh well, he had fun.

Soon McKinley will be back at school, so it has been so nice to spend this time with him all week, much like we did every day until he started school this year!

Happy Spring Break!

Lynn

Birthday Party Circuit...round one

In the span of 12 days in February and March we have EIGHT birthdays of friends and family! In the last year March has become THE birthday party month for us. It is always fun to make our plans, shop for gifts and see people we don't get to see very often.

This Saturday the birthday parties began with Lila's 4th birthday party in Crown Point. We had so much fun at the party, it was wonderful to sit and talk to my dear friend, Vanessa (who is expecting Baby Girl #2 near MY birthday!). We live several hours away so it is difficult for us to get together as often as we would like. McKinley and Lila had the best time together running around like 3 and 4 year olds! They chased a bear (Vanessa's Dad in a Chicago Bear hat), had a coloring contest, gave us a concert with their two-child band then switched to a one-man band with a dancer...but the funniest act of the day by far was the impromptu wedding of McKinley and Lila.

Cary and I were sitting near the foos ball table, chosen hide out for McKinley and Lila during this conversation, when we overheard the following:

Lila: McKinley! Do you have a have a girlfriend?
McKinley: Well, Yes! Savannah!

Lila: McKinley, do you love her?

McKinley: Yes, I do.

Lila: McKinley are you going to get married?

McKinley: Well......no, but I have been married before.

Ha!!!!!!!!!! This was news to the Mother & Father of the Groom! I just love preschoolers' conversations.

All too soon it was time to head home, we are dog sitting Mom's two cocker spaniels while she is in Florida, plus we had to get some rest for the next day's adventure.

The next morning we got ready to head to Brownsburg for Austin's 1st birthday! McKinley had a lot of fun playing with Savannah and her cousins and family friends. He was the only older boy at the party among four preschool and elementary aged girls, so he was quite the man. At one point, I peeked into Robin's Mom's playroom and found our son playing Barista to three of the girls who seemed enamored by McKinley's talents. It was hilarious. I couldn't stop watching as McKinley intricately described to them each step of his tea/coffee/beverage making job. He happily served each of them a drink and then had one of his own!

We all sang to Austin and watched as he attempted to sample some cake (which he liked much better after his Daddy began feeding it to him).

Soon it was time to head home from our busy weekend tour of Indiana. We had a great time with good friends and are looking forward to Reagan and Braelyn's birthday parties next Saturday and Sunday!

Lynn

Party Pics: