8 Is The Magic Number

I finally found the cord to my camera.  Yeah.  It had been THAT long since I uploaded pictures.

So,  word on the street is Lael turned 8.  How the hell did that happen?

Also, Kobi is 18 months today.  Seriously.  I know.  I haven't posted a picture of him since he turned one.

Sorry.

He is really super cute though.  And a busy body.  And did I mention cute?  Just checking.

So remember when I had planned to take Lael to the American Girl store in New York for her birthday?  Yeah, probably not, but follow along anyway.  So I was supposed to but then something very much so cooler happened.  They opened one her in the DC area.  I immediately made reservations and had been keeping it a total secret the entire summer (the very busy summer which I will catch yall up on soon). 

We got snow on her birthday here in DC.  On October 29th.  Seriously.  We couldn't believe it either but I sure didn't let that stop the birthday festivities.

We got to Tyson's Corner Mall which is where the store was and she was super annoyed that her big surprise was going the mall.  It was hilarious.

As we were walking along she noticed a few girls carrying American Girl bags but still didn't put two and two together.

I swear, that place was the cutest thing I've ever seen.  There was so much pink and sparkle I could die.

It was also very pricey.  The grandparents were all generous enough to pitch in so I was able to easily pay for our birthday lunch package, get Lael a new doll and many accessories.

Here are a few pictures from our festivities.

It was a wonderful day.  Afterwards we went bowling here on base were Lael ended the night by winning the costume contest and getting an iPod Shuffle.  I know.

Halloween post to come soon!

So Now He's 1

Kobi turned 1 on the 14th. I am still having a hard time grasping the concept. I remember being pregnant not that long ago wondering how I would ever love a baby as much as I love Lael.

Somehow your heart stretches. You don't love one child a little less to make room for another. Your heart just gets bigger.

On the morning of his birthday, the girls wanted to have a little private celebration before all the guests arrived.

Even with bedhead they manage to be adorable.

The party was supposed to be at a picnic area but of course the weather didn't cooperate.

Of course I didn't let that stop our celebration. I rubbed the house down with Magic Erasers and sent everyone a notice that the party had been relocated to my house.

I made this photo garland that was a big hit. Thanks to my friend Beth for writing a quick tutorial post for it.

Because I wanted his party to be extra special, I also stole and idea to make his birthday banner.  It came out much better than I expected.

This is the cake that I had orginally ordered. Originally I ordered a photo cake that had the same picture as his invitations. I was a little annoyed the machine was broke but I got over it.

Kobi had his own little cake. So cute.

He loved it!

One of my neighbors came over and brought her two little girls. At some point she asked me if I wanted her to do facepainting. Sure I said a little confused.

The last time I checked she was in home daycare provider. Apparently the week befor she taught herself to facepaint from YouTube. Who knew.

Kobi had a spiderweb and spider. I mean seriously. How cute is he?

Even though his party wasn't as I planned it turned out better than I could have ever imagined. I am so proud to be his mama.

Happy 1st Birthday Kobi Dobi!