Brindle's First Birthday Party

Brindle's birthday fell on a Monday before I was supposed to work a Walk to Emmaus Thursday through Sunday. Mom was going to come up and keep B for me during the Walk so I decided to have the party on Wednesday afternoon so that she could be there. It actually worked out good because having it at lunch meant I had time to clean up and finish packing that night. And then we had another party at church that night! Brindle likes to extend her birthday like I do ;)

I decided to do a "little Indian" party. Native American stuff is big right now so I knew I'd have a lot of inspiration to look at. I went pretty simple, though.

I had been really wanting to buy Brindle a teepee for her first birthday but have you ever looked at how much those cost?? Close to $150 for a decent one. No, thanks. So I found a tutorial online on how to make one and Kanyon said we could do it. We finished it at midnight the night before but we loved how it turned out. We're keeping it in storage for some fun sleepovers in the future since it was way too big to stay out all the time. We don't have a playroom so maybe if we do in the future, we can.

I made a white chocolate two-layer cake with lemon buttercream frosting. I really have no idea why I chose that except that she had lemon ice once and loved it. It turned out really good!

She wasn't so sure about making a big mess, especially with everyone staring at her...

I think Kanyon ate more of her little cake than she did.

I decorated with fringe banners in the kitchen, they turned out so cute! And so easy to make.

We had lots of friends and family there to celebrate with us!

Brindle got lots of great presents, too. Here she is sitting in her present from Nana and Papa (Kanyon's parents)... unsure of where to put her hands because of the tutu :)

She loves that chair... Grandma and Poppy (my parents) got her a beautiful play kitchen that is a big hit with her and all the kids that come over.

It was a great day celebrating her first birthday!

Catching Up a Bit.

I guess I've become that person who only blogs every couple months now... Oh, well.

I've been busy getting used to being at home full time, creating a schedule, etc. I'm really loving it. I feel so much more balanced, like I'm able to finally give myself fully to being a mom and a wife and taking care of a house. Even though I was working part time, I never felt like I was able to be fully present wherever I was because I was thinking how I needed to be the other place. I don't know how full-time working moms do it.

Brindle is approaching 17 months and is changing so much! Although her weight hasn't... She is a petite little thing, only growing in height and head circumference. She is 19 pounds and still in her infant car seat. Facing backward. 

She is really exploring the world, loving being outside and into everything. She wants to be wherever I am and doing whatever with me. She is learning new words every day. Just this morning, she learned how to say "moon" to the one on her nightstand. I'm constantly amazed by every new thing she learns.

Kanyon has been really busy getting some new land that he took over this year ready for planting, working a Kairos, and is about to start team meetings for a Walk he is working later. He and Brindle are best buds. They have several minutes of funny faces that they make at each other and giggle over before bedtime every night.

Brindle is constantly jabbering these days. My favorite words are "oof!" (ouch), "cuck" (milk, drink, water?), and "pu-ppeee" (puppy, said like its two words). The first thing she says when she wakes up is "Pu-ppeeee?". She loves her Zeb. They have a strange relationship. They've only ever touched each other by force. They get so excited to see each other, run to the other, but as soon as they get to close, the excitement is too much and they run the other direction.

Okay, I'm going to go actually get something done while Brindle naps. Have a good day!

P.S. I just realized the post about Brindle's first birthday party never got published, its still labeled "draft"! Oops. I'll finish that one and publish it.