Monday, December 7, 2009

Happy Birthday Jelly Bean!


Tuesday December 7th 2004 at 12:14 am you were born. All my dreams came true that morning. You made me a mother. It's the greatest gift I've ever had in my life.
That was five years ago today, I can hardly believe it.

This is you at 10 minutes old... so quiet, so content

9 months old


Our first Family photo with you at 10 months


You at one and a bit, showing me all your teeth!
this picture always brings a smile to my face.


two years old

3 years old- sharing a laugh with the Grabber


Willows Beach- one of your favorite places to play.


4 years old...


Five years later...


Alyssa, you are such a wonderfully brilliant and talented child. You are so thoughtful and loving. I am so very proud of you! Happy Birthday Jelly Bean!

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Surprise for Alyssa

Having a December baby can sometimes be challenging, especially when trying to plan a birthday party. The weather this time of year makes it challenging to do something outdoors and finding an activity that is different but fun for all can be difficult. Alyssa is our December baby and she will be five on December 7th. This year we planned an early surprise birthday party for Alyssa. She had no idea and that made it so fun.
This past Saturday was a gloomy, rainy day and I asked her what she wanted to do. I suggested to her that maybe we should go to the mall. She hesitated but then agreed to come.
Once there, we walked over to the Build-a-Bear store. Then Alyssa noticed a friend of hers in the store, then another and then another. All of a sudden, one of the employees said, "Who's here for Alyssa's birthday Party?" Alyssa seemed a little confused. She knows her Birthday is December 7th, so she wasn't sure what to make of it at first. So here's how things went.
The first thing is to pick your stuffy.... Alyssa picked a beautiful pink Unicorn.


Then each stuffy needs to be stuffed and the kids get to help.


Then all the kids sat in a circle and named their stuffed animals, said something special about it and each one grabbed a heart and made a special wish for Alyssa's birthday. All of the birthday wish hearts were then put into Alyssa's stuffed Unicorn, whom she named "Rachel."
Then it 's time to groom

and pick an outfit .... mmm so much to chose from
and dress them


Rachel "the Unicorn" looks mighty fine in her Wizard outfit!

Each friend , signed a special bear for Alyssa.
It was a special gift to her from all of them


and I tried to get a "little" creative (nothing Martha like though)
I made Bear cupcakes to go

and packaged them all up for each guest at the party

Thanks Everyone for helping us surprise Alyssa! We had so much fun! Everyone got a Build-a-Bear, a cupcake bear to go and a huge smile on their face.
Complete satisfaction!