Paper and Ribbon and Glue, oh my!! (10.26.2010)

The Boy's 2nd birthday party was on Saturday, October 16. The party was so much fun, but it was quite a bit of work leading up to it. I made most of the decorations and food, so I was up until after midnight almost every night during the couple weeks before...cutting, drawing, hanging, gluing, taping, etc. But, I must say, I think everything turned out pretty good!

The party was a train theme. Here are some pictures of the decorations and cake:

   

I got the idea for this banner here.

Cake made by Tiffani Johnson of For Goodness Cake

                                     

The party was from 11am-1pm, so we served a lunch of chicken alfredo with "train wheel" pasta, bread sticks and fruit...Capri Sun, lemonade, water and soda to drink. There was also red and black licorice, plain and chocolate-dipped pretzel sticks, chocolate cake and ice cream. Not too fancy on the food, but it was really good. I read somewhere that the food for a kid's birthday party should be geared toward the children. I liked that idea instead of making two separate meals - one for the kids and one for the adults. This meal was actually good for everyone!

The favors for the kids were pretty simple too. I just wrapped up a few items (small book, train stickers, fruit snacks and granola bar) in fabric that looked like a handkerchief and tied it with a ribbon. I tied on cute little tags made with paper, labels and a train stamp. Easy-peasy! :)

Elk (10.07.10)

Last night, I had another first. The Family and I went with some friends to Rocky Mountain National Park to watch the elk and listen to them bugle. And I must say, it was pretty cool!  First, we drove to a great spot near a little stream where we ate really yummy chili and cinnamon rolls. (D-licious combo, by the way!) The eating and talking and laughter was also accompanied by a lot of chasing and keeping the Boy from getting in the water. Brrrr! But it was still lots of fun!  After we packed up, we drove a little ways to a spot where a large herd of girl elk (cows...maybe?) was being corralled by a boy elk (buck). As you can see, I am not really up on my elk terminology just yet, this being my first elk watching/listening experience. Well, anyway, the boy elk was making this eirie, yet quite beautiful, noise called bugling. The herd was close to us, so we were able to get some cool pictures. I would love to do it again. I think The Boy will enjoy it more when he is a little older. He was just interested in playing in "daddy car" while it was parked on the side of the road. The Girl thought it was pretty cool. Well, at least she didn't cry. :)