The Canceled Birthday Party

Ok, it really was a canceled party. BUT, we had it anyway. We weren't going to risk spreading chicken pox to the unsuspecting. But, we also weren't going to miss a photo-opp. To this day I am not sure if Jonah had the pox or not. I thought I saw some bumps that could have been...I just don't know. I still feel terrible about the friends that didn't get to come. I'm a big fan of "the more the merrier" and I think this party is just such a case. It could have been LOTS of fun. (we did have our own fun, though)

My mom and dad came up from Arkansas. Mom had done a lot of prep-work (before cancellation). My sister came over from Ozark and we partied like fools. 

 *please note those "birds" on the {angry} centerpiece. my mother did an AWESOME job hand painting some rocks to look like birds. Those rocks truly were my favorite of all the decorations!

 we had birds hanging from the ceiling...

...and roosting atop the cakes.

 setting up the "angry birds" game in the backyard

(you can't see it in the picture, but the balloons have pig features)

...destroyed!

Weekend Update: the Oklahoma trip

This past weekend was QUITE fabulous. It's one for the memory books. EXCEPT I have very few pictures to show for it. So, it's gonna have to be one for my memory banks! (I had my camera...I just didn't use it like I wish I would have). I would like to share some of the highlights with you...one of which I will detail further later on this week.

*Jonathan and I went out of town together

*we stopped in Rogers to drop Jonah with Grammy and Grandpa

Jonah got excited when we turned into their driveway. He started clapping and saying "yay, Gamma's house"

*Jonathan and I road tripped the furthest we've ever driven together. We have gone to Oklahoma before, but we took a longer route this time. Road trips are some of our favorite times to share!! 

*We had a wonderful visit with his brother Daniel and our sis-in-law Riss. We love them. We love sharing their company. 

AND to top off everything....THEY HAD A BABY BOY right before we left town. 

(THAT is the highlight I will share in more detail later on...it's my new favorite story...but I want to get their permission before I share it)

*We got to visit with one of our favorite CollegeGirls on our way home. She was VERY gracious in rescheduling THREE times. We love you, Kaelie. Thanks for being so flexible. Our visit with you was really a treasure.

and now, for a picture. without people. 

(yep, this is where we ate lunch)

Bath with a GLOW.

Well, I just keep thinking about all those birthday pictures sitting in the files, waiting to be uploaded. I still feel overwhelmed by them, so they will sit a while longer! (there are so many good pics...and I haven't yet figured out my "angle" on all of them.) Someday...hopefully before the month is out! 

Anyway...back to the bath. I did something fun the other day. I found some glow sticks on clearance at the store. I put them in a bubble bath for Jonah and he LOVED it. He had so much fun with it!!  Bubbles really make the difference, too. They add to the "glow" factor...spreading the light around! 

(don't worry, I didn't let him put them in his mouth)

And if that isn't enough fun for you...just look at him on this video:

The package came with 10 sticks. I've only used four of them so far (two at a time). To tell the whole truth, I really wanted to put all 10 in there at once. I would love to see it with two packages!!! (I like colorful things).

Sweeping me off of my Feet!

The other day I gave Jonah some graham crackers for his snack. I don't remember if I gave him the package, or if he snuck it while I wasn't looking. Somehow he ended up with the package. And made a mess. 

But, then he did the cutest thing.....

all on his own, without me even asking him to!

Makes me so proud! 

on being two

this is dedicated to my TWO-year-old. the week before his birthday he practiced being two. 

he's good at it:

 

 *red crayon on the wall. (jonah, meet Mr. Magic Eraser)

*shoving dishwasher detergent under the microwave

 

 

 

and last, but certainly not least... the one where he played with mascara.

(jonah, meet Miss Eye Make-up Remover) *

 

Why do I document my child's bad behavior teachable moments?

That was not rhetorical. WHY do I do it? 

I do not know. 

I'm going to have to quit. He's going to catch on that mischief brings out Mommy's camera.

*note, this is not my house. this was the week we stayed with 3 of our favorite people.

Five for Friday: Bible Verses

Well, I've been mulling over what to post today. I'm still not quite ready to post the birthday party pictures. For some reason that feels overwhelming. I don't know why.  It is Friday, so I'll do my usual post of Five things. I can't really think of anything to share other than my five favorite Bible verses. Or five of my favorites...five that stand out to me today. 

In no particular order:

Phillipians 4:8

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.


Romans 8:28

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.


Psalm 119:105

Your word is a lamp for my feet, 
   a light on my path. 


Philippians 3:14


I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.


John 3:16-17


For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. ¹⁷ For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

How about you? Do you have a favorite verse or passage that you turn to regularly?

Happy Weekend. I will be celebrating another couple of birthdays Sat. Perhaps I'll do a big birthday post for next week. 

Cutest litte Cat-in-the-Hat!

Our church has a Kid's fun night every year on the 31st. Well, we like to make it a Family Fun night...cause our family likes to have fun together!

see:

When Jonah was a baby we were given this Cat-in-the-Hat costume by our friend Dawn.

So, I have been planning this dress-up-as-a-family idea all year...knowing the Cat would fit Jonah this Halloween. 

But, as usual, I was scrambling around at the last minute. Why do things have to take longer than anticipated to put together?

But, we made it. And we had a good time!

    Jonah's favorite area was the one with basketballs...

throwing a bean bag to knock down the crows. thank you, mrs. jan for your help!

And he also found a new way to "play" at the duck pond. he re-arranged each duck to a new pond, rather than pick just one to see if it was a winner! they ladies running it thought his idea was a good one!

Oh my goodness....look at this cute cute girl I saw. I have no idea who she is or which adults she was there with...but her dancing brought quite the crowd!

And then, after we got home, he had to sort through his loot. I didn't even have to teach him how to do this!