Project 365 Week 40

October 2 - Playdate at the park with some friends. They brought Capri Suns!

October 3 - Preschool day at the local roller rink. The kids would ride this for the entire two hours if I'd let them. 

October 4 - Gus' birthday celebration.

October 5 - Cricket escaped outside and was quickly caught.

October 6 - Guess a beach ball is the sleep companion du jour.

October 7- Monthly local blogger lunch at I Heart Sushi

October 8 - Floors! Walls!

Gus finally gets his birthday party

I don't think Gus has ever seen Veggie Tales. However since his name is Gus, his nickname has been Asparagus almost since day one. We have my dad to thank for that stroke of brilliance. Asparagus soon turned into Jr. Asparagus after the Veggie Tales character so it was only natural that Gus have a Veggie Tales first birthday party.

He celebrated all right! Just on October 4th instead of September 20th.

The cupcake wrappers are from Koyal Wholesale and leftover from Trudy's Curious George birthday party. The Jr. Asparagus cupcake picks and rings came from a local cake supply shop as did the green cupcake sleeves. The candle is from The Dollar Tree.

Once again I used a yellow cake mix and green frosting in a can. I swear the kids are never going to get actual birthday cakes. This is just too cheap and easy.

What's a Veggie Tales Party without veggies? Bob the Tomato served the pre-assembled veggie tray. You can find free Veggie Tales crochet patterns by clicking the link. Mom Gervens was nice enough to make a whole set for her little Jr. Asparagus.

We served Little Caesar's hot and ready $5 pizzas which make Trudy and Gus happy (and me VERY happy since I didn't have to cook)

Drinks were served in the same milk bottles used for Trudy's party only I bought some green paper straws.

Except for Gus who had his own special cup from Lifeway

My mom found the Veggie Tales gift bag at Lifeway and I found the vegetable gift tags and The Dollar Tree or Target One Spot. Can't remember which!

I didn't know this until the day of the party, but Walgreen will fill latex balloons that you bring in for 50 cents apiece.

Of course Gus had to dress for the occasion with this Asparagus Onesie from Etsy.

He got some nice presents from his teen and adult family members and a good time was had by all. How long do you think I can get away with "no kid" birthday parties?

Ok get ready for a giant pic dump:

This is what is known as the "papa wheelie." :)

Happy birthday, Jr. Asparagus!

Project365 Week 39

September 25 - The chaos in my purse closely resembles the chaos of my life!

September 26 - Did you know you can buy these at the pet store?

September 27 -  We had a mentor forum at today's MOPS meeting. They recommended a lot of great resources.

September 28 - Yummy autumn squash soup from Panera

September 29 - Meet Twinkie. One of "those wiener dogs at somebody's house" that Trudy is in love with.

September 30 - We braved a kid's consignment sale. Mistake to do with small children in tow! I handed my purchases to Julie along with some money and we high tailed it to Dunkin' Donuts before both kids turned into pumpkins.

October 1 - You'll never make steak at home the same way again! Check out the Sweet T blog for the recipe.

I wish I was an Oscar Meyer wiener...or some of Butch's BBQ

Since our small groups fellowship last night, Trudy can speak of nothing else but "those little wiener dogs that look just like Hundley" (Hundley is the lobby dachshund in Curious George for those who don't live in toddlerville.)

Twinkie loves her mama

Charlie Brown loves belly rubs. A little to the left, Abigail.

While I like a dachshund as much as the next person, I'm in love with Butch's pulled pork

Deliciousness like this cannot be bought. Thankfully he's generous in giving it away. Ok, new outreach strategy: We get everyone in the area addicted to Butch's pulled pork by serving it for free in the church parking lot. When they inevitably want more they can have it as long as they "pay" by attending a service. BOOM! We're talking Lakewood Church numbers. ;)

Gus prefers lawn chair. No accounting for taste.

At least he has better taste in fashion

What's a fall yard party without football? Aaron showed us how it was done.

Jordan made her own music

Emma didn't care who was doing what as long as she had her bottle.

Where was Trudy in all of this? Let's just say it's hard to photograph someone who is stuck to you like a barnacle. She clung to me until The Toddler Whisperer showed up. It was like nothing Dave or I have ever seen. After walking Gus around the yard with no complaints from him, Sandy held Trudy's hand, buckled her in her car seat, and listened to her chatter about kitties and puppies as if they were the oldest of friends. Behold The Toddler Whisperer: 

Thank you, Butch and Sandy, for your hospitality! We all had a wonderful time. Trudy wants to "go back to peoples' house and eat with those wiener dogs." We may have to get her a Hundley of her own.