Cooper - Day of Bday

 So this year Cooper's bday fell on a weekday. And we ended up having his party the weekend before. The timing just worked out like that. Usually I take the day of if its his bday. But we were really busy this year opening a new store, etc. And I just couldn't figure it out. But Cooper had a fun day hanging out with his Aunt Kari. When Joe and I got home from work we had a little mini party for him.

I didn't get any pictures of it. But we blew up a bunch of balloons and had them on his floor for when he woke up in the morning. Also we had some streamers in his doorway. Just something fun. I love birthdays!!! We went out to eat, and came home and opened a few gifts that we had saved and not given to him at his party.

 He got Peter Pan the movie. Gotta love the Disney classics. 

 He also got his first real mini basketball and soccer ball.

 Then he got another Octonaut ship and some figures to complete his set. 

 Here is is with the whole Octonaut crew!

We think he had a good birthday. Hard to believe he is 3 yrs old already. He is getting so big!

Cooper's 3rd Bday - Continued...

So I've been meaning to finish this bday post so thanks for waiting patiently.. ha! Cooper loved his Octonaut cake.

 

 Cooper did pretty good with opening gifts. I knew it wouldn't be totally smooth sailing. It was a lot of activity and excitement. But we were finally able to get through all of his gifts.. and with only a few 'mini meltdowns'. HA! He got some really nice stuff!

 He got a  bunch of Octonaut toys which he was very excited about. 

 

The Grand Finale from Mommy & Daddy was the Octopod. Which is basically the main 'ship' or station of the characters. And he got a bunch of the characters. 

Then the 'Grand' Grand Finale was from Grandma Boeckman. She got him a Jeep. Its pretty dang cute. And he loves it!

 

 

 

 

Of course the first test drive was rather bumpy to say the least. But we were really glad he had an older friend at the party, Lily. And she steered most of the time.. ha! 

  

 MISC.

 So I wanted to mention that Cooper loved having some friends at the party. I made this little kids table for them to eat at.

 And we did just a few games. Well one craft. Which I'm not sure anyone completed.. ha! And then this fishing game. Where they eat got to 'go fishing' and get a prize.

Other than that it was great getting together with some friends. Some who we hadn't seen in a while. And most people hadn't even seen our house yet.

Our good friends Kim & Allan and their new baby girl... Taylor!

 Cooper liked meeting Taylor.

  Also Amy and her fiance Tyler. Amy is one of my good friends from college. 

 Holly and Kim. Holly is one of Cooper's many girlfriends.. ha!

 My buddies from work. Erin and Emily.. but Carly had already left by the time my dad made us pose for this picture.

Once the party died down we put the Octopod together. So anyways it was a pretty fun 'shin-dig'. 

Cooper's 3rd Bday Party

Last weekend we had Cooper's 3rd Birthday party. This year we had his party a few days before his birthday since that just worked out better. It was kinda our first official 'party' at our new house. Other than just hosting family for a few holidays. We had a great turnout of family and friends. And it was fun to show off our house to a lot of people that hadn't seen it.

The theme this year was "Octonaunts", which I'm sure your saying. What the heck is that... HA! Well its just a cute little cartoon on Disney Junior. Honestly I just stumbling across it on On Demand one day and Cooper loved it. So after a little research I decided to have an Octonaut party this year.

I love birthday's and I like getting really into it. Sometimes I have more plans and ideas that the time to actually do it. So was the case this year. But I got to do most of my plans. I think it turned out pretty good. What's most important is I think Cooper had a blast. And that is all that really matters.

Since the show is about under the sea adventures. I tried to do kinda an under the sea theme. Since its pretty hard to find Octonaut decorations. I just made some of my own stuff. I made cupcakes and my friend Erin made the cake. Which by the way she is incredibly talented. She just does cakes for fun, for family and friends. 

This is the first birthday party we have had kids at. So I had fun making some little party favors for them to take home with them. 

This was leading into the Dining room. I saw it on Pinterest. Its was suppose to be 'under the sea' like. And I did different shades of blue and white balloons on the floor to simulate water. Below is the kids table. And they actually sat down and ate at it. They were all really good. And Cooper loved having some buddies to play with.

 

 So anyway that was the decorations. 

Lots more to come.... 

30 - the celebration

Well as for the day of my birthday. I really had a great day. Sometimes I take my birthday off, but this year I decided to work and take the next day off (Friday) instead.

I'm thankful that my co-workers are more than just 'co-worker's. They have truely become my friends. And its pretty great working with friends everyday. They helped make my day special by having some surprises for me. A '30 rocks' ribbon to wear and silly 'birthday' hat. We ordered Mexican for lunch which they know is my favorite. They made me 'work- margaritas'.. no acohol.. or you could call them pregnancy margaritas.. ha ha. And they got me a DQ icecream cake. Something I haven't had forever. But in conversation mentioned being a favorite and they remembered. Those girls are really great!

The other awesome surprise I got at work was a beautiful bouquet of flowers... from my two guys. I was totally surprised. I can't lie getting flowers does make a girl feel special!

This year another thing that made my birthday great is that my parents were able to come in town. So once I got off work we had a little celebration. My parents decorated our house.. which my Mom always does something if they are in town. The reason I have the 'birthday bug' of loving birthdays is because my parents (my mom especially) made birthdays so special when I was a kid. Anyway we went to Hodaks for dinner. A famous fried chicken place here in St. Louis. You eat free on your birthday. The food was great and we were all completely stuffed. We headed back to our house to open a few presents and have cake. My Mom made my favorite home-made chocolate sheet cake. And I got some really nice things. Joe and Cooper got me a new set of pots and pans and a gift certificate for a materity massage.. awesome!! I guess I'm am old when I'm excited about pots and pans.. but they have orange handles and are pretty cool.

See some pics below.

'work pics to come soon'

The decorations.

 The cake.

 Cooper was excited about me blowing out the candles. 

 My beautiful flowers from Joe and Cooper.