Thursday, August 25, 2011

Max’s Airplane Party

Max’s party and Jensyn’s baby dedication were held on the same day.  My family was having a reunion this weekend, so it was great timing for the out of town family to be included in our special events!

Normally, I wouldn’t share the invitation & decorating ideas, but I had a request from a reader who’s planning to have an airplane party for her son.  She specifically asked me to post this, so scroll right past it if you want to see party pictures! :)

I designed this invitation in Photoshop, using the same graphics that were used to create the airplane tot pack. The idea for this invitation came from some invitations I found on Pinterest and Google Image searches.  Since I already had graphics, it was fun to design my own.  (The airline name in the top left corner is our last name, and the terminal information is our address & phone number.)

max2birthday Beyond that, I kept things pretty simple. I’m not a “go all out” kind of person.  We did make a few fun things, but don’t expect greatness!

This birthday pennant is made from cardstock triangles tied together with curling ribbon.  The middle pieces, if you can’t read it, say Happy Birthday Max and have a border of small stars.

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I printed and laminated a few airplanes (double sided) to hang over the tables.

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Using an ADORABLE idea from Pinterest, we made candy airplanes for the kids…

The Pinterest ones are made with Push Pops.   If you click on the yellow/white airplane picture, it will take you to a page with all sorts of cute ideas that this mom used for her little boy’s airplane party.   That party is MUCH more amazing than anything I would do!

We made ours with M&M minis, as the containers are the same size.  I think the clip on the push pops really helps keep the airplane wheels straight, but hey…you can’t go wrong with chocolate! ;)

The yellow/white striped ones are from pinterest.  Ours are on the right, and the airplane wings say “Max Is Two”.

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Grandma P made this adorable sky cake for us.  Thank you SO much!  It’s a lot simpler than most of the cakes she makes, but that was at my request.  I simply wanted an airplane flying in the cloud-filled sky.  The cake topped has the number 2 on the plane, and the banner flying behind it says “Happy Birthday Max”.  The airplane candle holders are from our local grocery store.

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I love how Max was peeking through under the airplane!

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For food, we didn’t really stick to an airplane theme.  (Well, cousin Kathryn brought a jar of peanuts to share…)  We had mostaciolli, garlic bread, strawberry lettuce salad, blue-sky colored jello, pigs in a blanket, pickled cucumbers, cake, and ice cream.  Our families are so great in helping out with the food, and I appreciate it more than they will ever know.  Thank you, family!

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Now, for the random smattering of party pictures….

It’s a good thing that Max is completely captivated by airplanes.  Max received lots and lots and LOTS of new airplane toys.  I think we’re going to need a new toy bin just for all of his airplanes!

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He also received an airplane cup, airplane shirt and other clothes, a Chugginton book, a steering wheel for our playset, Jeremy the Jet plane airport st, a basketball hoop, wooden Cars toys, a pull-back Lightning McQueen, a Cars flashlight, a bean bag chair, a little toy four wheeler, and a Cars ball.

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Jensyn received a few special girls, too.  Grandma S gave Jensyn her first baby doll, and Jessica wanted Jensyn to have this Cornjerkers onesie.  (Fear the Ear, Jess!)

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Max barely touched his cake, but he sure enjoyed eating the icing that was piped around the edges of the cake.  Grandma P told me later that he ate most of the clouds off of the cake, too!   Oh well ~ it was his cake, right?

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After all of our guests headed home, both of the boys had to try out all of Max’s new toys.  
They drilled airplanes, played basketball, zoomed cars, and had lots of fun.

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After 3 days in a row with no nap, this little man couldn’t even make it through dinner.  He ate the tortilla from his taco, and he was guiding some spanish rice to his mouth when he couldn’t take it any more.  His little head was on the table, rice in hand, and he was sound asleep.  So cute!

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We hope you enjoyed your airplane party, little man.  Happy Two!

Branson, part 1

We didn’t intend to take a big vacation this summer.  We thought we’d take a few weekend camping trips, and maybe we’d also stay in a hotel somewhere for a night or two.

Somehow, a trip that Keith’s parents were planning ended up turning into a big family trip.  Keith’s parents, Kevin & Leanne’s family, and our family spent a fun week in Branson.

We stayed in a beautiful 4 bedroom condo with a pool.  It was perfectly suited for our group!  We rode go-carts, played arcade games, went zip-lining, saw a performance of “Noah” at Sight & Sound theater, shopped at Branson Landing mall, rode wave runners, ate at a few yummy restaurants, and much more.  It was a great family vacation!

I’ll break this into a few separate posts, as it’s a bit picture heavy! :)

Jensyn at the condo…

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Arcade and go-carts

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What happens when your niece offers to take pictures with your camera….

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Bumper cars…
Alex wanted to ride with Mommy.  Mommy & Daddy were the only two drivers, while Kevin & Leanne’s family watched our little ones.

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Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Jensyn’s Baby Dedication

This was a weekend of many emotions.  On Saturday, we went to Canaan’s funeral.  On Sunday, we had our baby girl dedicated at church and celebrated our little boy’s 2nd birthday. 

Lately, we’ve had many reminders of why we should never, ever take these little ones for granted.  Thank you, Lord, for  the blessing of three healthy, vibrant children!  They are truly a gift from You!

We’re also blessed to have amazing extended family.  We filled three rows of seats at church with family who came to watch as Jensyn (and three other babies ~ Luke, Ben, and Angel) were dedicated at church on Sunday morning.

The picture isn’t very clear.  I know that my sister has better images on her camera, so I’ll have to ask her to send me her pictures!

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There’s no specific “dress code” for a baby dedication, but the dress that Jensyn wore is very special.  This dress was worn by my three sisters and by me when we were babies.  We were baptized as infants, and this is the dress that each of us (and most of my nieces) wore.  August2011 066

My mom sewed a new pink slip for Jensyn to wear underneath, and she said that she’s pretty sure I wore it with a pink slip, too.  I really should dig through my box of baby pictures so I can scan & post it, but there are pictures of each of us wearing this dress with the skirt fanned out like this.

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Do you see that cute little tongue peeking out? 
It’s Jensyn latest fascination – her tongue!  August2011 068  Jessica made this pretty cross cake in honor of Jensyn.  Didn’t she do a terrific job?
Thank you, Jess!  We really appreciate your hard work!

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Cousin Cailin loved the opportunity to cuddle Jensyn.  I’m pretty sure Cailin thinks of Jensyn as a real, live baby doll! :)

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We had a crowd of close to 40 family members at our house after church to celebrate Jensyn’s dedication and Max’s birthday.  There’s something pretty special about having so many family members who care so much!

Happy Birthday, Max!

Our sweet, mischievous boy is TWO today.  Happy Birthday, Max!

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We love YOU, Little Buddy!

Happy 2nd Birthday!

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Susan W…

I’m so sorry to single you out like this, but it’s the only way I can contact you.

I see that you tried again, but your juno.com e-mail address is still not working for me.  Could you please e-mail me at dschurma@execpc.com

Thanks!

Sunday, August 21, 2011

The Kindness of Strangers

Do you know how amazing you are?  Readers, you are very thoughtful & generous ladies (and maybe a few men?)! 

This blog was never intended to be anything more than a scrapbook for our family’s memories.  It’s grown into more than that, and it amazes me to see how many of you – people I’ve never met in person – have prayed for and donated to a little boy’s family.  This is a family you’ve never met, and you probably never will meet them.  Yet you GAVE, and some of you gave quite generously. 

So far, you’ve sent about $90 for Canaan’s family. 

THANK YOU.

If it means this much to me, you can only imagine what it will mean to John and Julie.  Thank you for making a difference, for making things just a bit easier as they go through this awful time.

Yesterday was a very sad day, as Canaan’s family and friends said goodbye.  I thought some of you might like to see this obituary & video from the funeral home:

http://www.jacksonfuneral.com

Under recent visitations, click on Canaan’s name.  Under his photo, there are several links.  The bottom one says, “View Tribute Video'”.  I sat to watch this early this morning, tears streaming down my face.  His life was very short, but what an amazing blessing this little boy has been.

THANK YOU for praying, for giving, for loving this little boys and his family – even though you’ve never met him.

P.S. I received a donation from Susan W. with a juno.com e-mail address.  When I tried to send you the Wildlife tot pack link, the e-mail bounced back to me.  If you’d like me to send you the link, please let me know your correct e-mail address.  Thanks!

Thursday, August 18, 2011

Jensyn ~ 4 Months

(post written Aug 9th…)

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Jensyn is 4 months old already! She had her well-baby visit on Monday:

12 lb, 8 oz
24.5”
(head circumference was 16”, I think)

At that age, Max was 13.5 lbs and 25 1/4”.  Alex was 15 lbs, 1 oz and 24.5 inches.  So my biggest baby (at birth) is now the smallest baby!

Dr. Brewer suggested that we start feeding rice cereal to Jensyn.  I think a major part of that suggestion was because I said that Jensyn was a spitter. It’s true that Jensyn spits often, but she’s a “happy spitter”.  I’m not concerned about it.

I don’t feel comfortable starting her on rice cereal just yet, so we’ll wait and see.  She may be tinier than her brothers at this age, but she is still at 25% on the growth chart.  She is healthy and happy, and she’s obviously growing. 

We pulled out the high chair so that Jensyn can sit with us during meals.  She looks so cute!

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This little girl has become quite the thumb-sucker.  Now that she discovered her thumb, it’s almost always in her mouth.   I love watching her guide her thumb in with her other hand; it’s so cute!  She’s almost completely given up the pacifier now, as she prefers her thumb. July2011 102

She’s a pretty laid-back girl, and while she isn’t the most smiley baby ever, she is very happy.  Her smiles light up her whole face. July2011 160

Jensyn went swimming for the first time while we were on vacation.  As long as we held her close, she seemed to enjoy the water. July2011 234

Jensyn is no longer a newborn, as she’s enjoying all these big girl toys now….

Bumbo (smiling at her big brothers as the play)

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Jumperoo (no, she’s not clapping…)

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Because she’s got great head control and starting to get some trunk control, I’ve been sitting her up in the stroller in the recline position.  She loves to look around when we take walks!

Jensyn can roll from tummy to back, and she does it from time to time.  It’s not regular yet, though.  I haven’t seen her roll from back to tummy yet, but I’m guessing it won’t be long.

She goes to bed between 8:30 and 9 PM.  When we got home from vacation, I decided it was time to buckle down and work on getting Jensyn into a routine.  As soon as the boys are in bed for the night, she gets a bath.  (She enjoys that bath…just totally relaxes!)  After that, we put her in her pajamas and swaddle her.  I nurse her, and I hold her until she’s nice and drowsy (sometimes until she’s asleep…).  Then I put her in her crib, and if she cries, it only last 10 minutes or less before she’s sound asleep.

She wakes around 2:30 or 3 AM to nurse, and then she sleeps until around 7 AM.  Sometimes there’s a second nursing in there around 5 or 6 AM.  (Today, it’s 8:23 and she is still sleeping…I need to go get her up!  I confess that I’m taking advantage of Curious George’s babysitting service to get some blogging done!)

Jensyn usually naps somewhere around 10 AM for about an hour.  She fusses when she’s ready, and I lay her down awake.  She goes to sleep on her own.  I love that! She naps again around 1 or 2 PM, and generally she’ll sleep for 2 – 3 hours.  It’s still a bit of a guessing game as to when she’ll be sleepy, but it’s getting easier. Often, there’s a catnap in the bouncy seat or under the play gym at some point in the day, too.  She’ll be laying there playing, and next thing I know, she’s asleep!

She makes a crackling “Kkkkkk” sound when she’s talking to us.  It’s so cute!  She has a few other noises, too, but that seems to be her favorite.

Jensyn is reaching for toys.  She loves the birdy on her play gym.  (Really, she just loves her play gym.  It’s her favorite spot right now, I think!)  She also enjoys a fuzzy baby “book” that crinkles when you hold it.

She’s so close to sitting up that it astonishes me.  She’ll balance herself in a sitting position on my lap with almost no support – one of my hands gently against her belly, the other in the air behind her back just in case she tips.  I’m curious to know how long it will be before she starts sitting on her own, since she’s so good at it already!

She enjoys playing pat-a-cake, and loves when I sing to her. 

She LOVES her daddy!  Whenever he’s around, she just stares at him until he looks her way.  Then Daddy gets the biggest grins ever!

She also loves watching her brothers play.  When they run around the living room, she’ll just smile and giggle at them.  I tried to get it on video, but they were winding down.  It sure is fun to watch, though!

I have to admit that I don’t mind the hard work at all .  I never like to leave her, even for 20 minutes.  I have no problem getting up with her in the night.  Her newborn days are disappearing, and she’s becoming a playful little baby.  It’s going go quickly!  I just want to soak up every minute of these baby days.

Happy 4 Months, Jensyn Kate!  You’re getting so big, little one!