from a lovely, magical, and busy trip.
We came home with a two year old
and to no internet. But it's back
So, I'm a little behind on photos, blogging, a to-do list that now includes printing Disney pictures, putting together a birthday video, and the always fun commemorative photo book.
And our big girl mattress arrived today.
All that being said, we've got lots to share
and with Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas all on the horizon
I think this family of three will stay quite busy until we become a family of four
(plus two furry babes)
While planning our Disney World dates, we quickly realized we had a bit of a scheduling conflict. Matt was planning to attend the Engineering Career Fair at Iowa State. After discussing options, some of which included my 7 month pregnant belly flying solo with Lauren {nah...},
we quickly realized that Lauren and I traveling to Iowa with Matt was an option.
A really good one.
One that allowed us to get an extra visit in with our family and friends
and maybe even a little birthday celebration.
So, the planning began.
We went with a Minnie Mouse theme, decided on a park in Ankeny, and began preparing as much as possible from home. I shipped a couple of boxes of party supplies to Matt's parents house and we spent Saturday running around Ankeny crossing additional items off of our list.
While we weren't sure how well a two year olds birthday party
in late September Iowa weather,
planned from Texas would go over...
it couldn't have been better.
We had beautiful weather, the perfect venue, and so many family and friends,
which made for a truly perfect celebration for our sweet little birthday girl.
Since it was a Sunday morning party we went with a brunch theme for food,
including bagel bites and mimosas
{because who doesn't want a mimosa at a toddler birthday party?}.
We tried to put little Mickey & Minnie details throughout the party,
on the party hats, drinking straws,
and at the Mickey Mouse cookie decorating station and Mickey ear decorating station.
One thing I learned about preparing the day of the party,
start earlier than you think you need to...
even when you tell your husband what time you want to arrive to the location and he looks at you like you're crazy and tells you a new time which will allow plenty of time.
It's not enough time.
Enough time allows for complete set up before guests arrive and the opportunity for party detail pics and birthday girl pics.
You will not see any of the above.
Lesson learned.
It was an absolutely lovely little party and the perfect way to celebrate our Lauren. We felt so much love from all who attended and Lauren had a precious smile on her face throughout the day
{except when everyone sang Happy Birthday... that was pretty serious}.
That perma-grin gave way to this before we reached the first stop sign...
But somehow by the time we arrived home,
she was ready for a cake pop and skipped her nap all together...
... I think we may have a party girl on our hands.
Highlights from the rest of our Iowa adventures:
Babies, Babies, Babies
From cousin Miles at home, to Baby Benjamin at her birthday party, and a little playdate with Baby Roslynn, Lauren got her fair share of baby introductions.
And she liked it.
She requested to hold Miles, cried when I took Roslynn away from her, and appeared to be interested in all things baby.
I'll take this as a good sign for her upcoming big sister role.
Cousins
Lauren got to spend a whole weekend with her cousins, which is always fun.
She adores playing with Hayden and it's fun to see their interactions change each time they are together.
This time Lauren showed her bossy side and had a few lessons about sharing and the word 'mine'. Also good practice for that upcoming sister role.
Apple Orchard/Pumpkin Patch visit
While dad was working, Lauren and I went pumpkin picking at Center Grove with Grandpa & Grandma McQuinn and enjoyed an afternoon of fall activities.
It was the perfect visit.
The perfect amount of beautiful fall weather.
The perfect reason to get together with friends.
The perfect way to celebrate with family.
A perfect kick off to our little Lauren Elizabeth's golden birthday...
and it's not over.
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