Birthday Extravaganza number 2!

Weekend number 2 of our birthday celebration's!!!

We headed down to Airdrie on a Thursday evening.  Friday we got to visit some friend's that we haven't seen for a long time!  Clay's sister Candice and her boyfriend Dustin came out too and hung with William.  As all aunties do she totally spoiled William!

We held a birthday bash for William for my side of the family at my Mom and Dad's place in Airdrie.

A simple party with decorations, cake, food, presents, family and a couple of crazy 2 year olds!

He got so many wonderful gifts!  Thanks to everyone who spoiled my son!!

After gifts we did cake!  William knew exactly what to do this time!  Hunter and Stetson enjoyed the cake too, although Stetson wasn't suppose to have any, he snuck a taste when his mommy wasn't looking!  HA HA.

William enjoyed hanging out with his cousin's and especially liked playing with Mac.  William insisted on playing "Hockey" all day with Mac,  Mac was exhausted!  But it really took the pressure off of me and Clayton!  Thanks KIDDO!

Although maybe not as elaborate as the first weekend , everything was wonderful!  Thanks to everyone who came out these past weekends to celebrate this 2 year milestone in our little boy's life!  We are grateful for all our wonderful family and friends!

A family Picture from the weekend...

 

 

Birthday Fiesta!

It happened, yes its true... My little baby boy has now officially hit the big number 2!!!! 

For me It doesn't feel much different then when he turned 23 months, but it feels WAY WAY different then when he turned a Year old!  He's SOOO BIG NOW!  So many changes happened over these last 12 months... We moved from Walking to RUNNING, babbles to simple SENTENCES, and tears to Full blown TEMPER TANTRUMS! 

Like a true eccentric TYPE A personality that I am I went totally wild with the party planning for my baby's 2nd birthday.  And because of logistics opted for 3 different parties on 2 different weekends...

A friend 'Explorer' party, Clays side and My side party.  This past Sunday we held a Casual 'EXPLORER' friend's party and Clay's Family party at our place in Whitecourt.

However the party's were not the only celebrating we did this weekend, as William's actual birthday was on Friday. 

The morning of William's Birthday He woke at 7am(ish) to a whole lot of BALLOONS!
which didn't leave his hot little hands until bedtime that night.

Goofing around on the day of his birthday with an Early birthday present he received the day before... This is Williams "House"  a good place for 2 year old to hide balloons and other contraband.

The infamous BALL PIT! This MAGICALLY appeared on William's Birthday.



Birthday Gifts from Mommy and Daddy- Picnic table and Dora of course!



I had to work the Friday evening of William's actual birthday so we did CAKE on Saturday for William.  His reaction to the sparkler. 

Friday and Saturday was pretty low key and William enjoyed the simple pleasures of a birthday, a few gifts, cake and lots of singing "HAPPY BIRFDAY!!!"


But on Sunday William Woke to a DORA The EXPLORER WONDERLAND!
(Dont judge... Yes I know that Dora is mostly considered a 'Girls' thing, but my Son ADORES her, and watches her show everyday.)

The Theme was an EXPLORER PARTY

MAP- First you go through the Jungle, then Across Crocodile Lake to get to William's Birthday FIESTA!

 The Jungle with the Swinging Vines

Crocodile Lake with Dora's Pirate Ship

 The Birthday Fiesta!!!

 Swiper made it too...

And Tico and Benny!

More Balloons and a Happy little boy!

 Went Big on Decorations this year and Opted for an easier cupcake option.

The birthday craft- Decorating a "Back Pack".  Even the big kids like it! 

A couple of "back packs"

 Birthday Cake #2.

 William and His best Friend Joey... can you tell they hang out together a lot? lol!

William and Joey opening gifts

Awww, Look what you got Clay! 

Kaidyn and Tristian playing with the cool Diego gift they got William!

After this awesome fun morning William had a good nap and Clay's Family Arrived for the 2nd party.  All Clay's Grandparents made it out along with his Mom and Dad and Auntie Meagan and Uncle Matt.  We had a great visit, some supper and of course more CAKE and Presents!

 Opening Gifts with Baba

He totally Knows what cake is now! And Even Blew out his Candle by HIMSELF!


A long and fun day!  The only draw back is that I'm pretty sure William now thinks that his birthday will always be 3 days long, as he has had special things each day this weekend, and continues to sing the Happy Birthday song each day to us.  Teaching him birthday celebration limits will be difficult as we still have one more celebration to do next weekend... Oh well!

 Playing with his train set at the end of the long day!

NOW HOW AM I GOING TO TOP THIS NEXT YEAR?!?!?  LOL! 

Halloween 2010- Spooky Dec's, Candy, Screaming and Torture!

Halloween night was sure a spooky scary night in the Russell house this year.  Complete with spooky decorations, candy, screaming and torture!  We had about 65-70kids this year come up our spooky walkway to threaten the traditional TRICK OR TREAT!  The screaming and torture was endured inside the house this year!

As i mentioned earlier we were having a Family Halloween Party this year instead of trick or treating.  In total we had 6 kids and their parents attend the appetizer buffet, and kids free play.  It worked out well people stopped in while they were on there trick or treating routes, had a bite to eat and let the kids wear off some energy before heading out again or going home.  We dressed up in our costumes (minus William who refused to put on his, most likely due to a major distraction that is discussed in more detail later), and enjoyed the HALLOWEEN SPIRIT! 

(SIDE NOTE- Clay is Suppose to be BABY JAGUAR from GO-DIEGO-GO, I have no pictures of me as ALICIA Diego's Sister, and as mentioned William refused to wear his costume on Halloween)

Earlier that day Clayton and I decorated the outside path and with our limited resources and time I think we did a really good job!

For next year Clayton already has many gruesome Ideas to decorate outside!

Now the TALE of the Torture and Screaming.

As may of  you know I love hosting party's and organizing events!  My wonderful husband does a good job of helping me prep, set up and host the evening,  My son still oblivious to his mothers joy of entertaining has not learnt the joy of hosting, yet.  And unfortunately at this Halloween party the screaming and torture was supplied on behalf of William.

 I was partly to blame. Balloon's were my first mistake.
(SIDE NOTE=My son is a balloon enthusiast.  If there is a Balloon in a 5 mile radius he will hunt it down and secure it for himself.)  I went to our local dollar store and purchased 12 balloons.  Because I thought it would be FUN!!!  Well the instant William saw these balloons he was on a mission to have them for his very own.  And once the balloons started leaving (with each child)  the temper started brewing!

My second mistake was not force feeding some REAL food in to my toddler.  Candy, chips and juice does not sustain an active toddler (who once distracted by the all mighty balloon) refuses to eat. 
Thirdly, In my hostess exuberance I did not take an active approach to mediating my son's behaviour, and "laughed" at his inappropriate behavior, suggesting my husband deal with it.  Hindsight 20/20!

All though Halloween 2010 was full off scariness,  I must look at the positive side,  at least our decorations looked cool!

 
(A couple of the Kids that attended-  I didn't get pictures of everyone unfortunately)

The Balloon Aftermath, MORNING AFTER!  As you can see we didn't learn anything!