It's SuperCam!

Superheroes seem to be a reoccurring theme in our house. The kids were superheroes for Halloween last year and the boys wear capes weekly, if not daily.

So it was a no-brainer that Cam would want a superhero party this year. In years past, I've had a cookie monster party at our house...

Last year we had a Kentucky Derby party at church.

They took a lot of work but they were well worth it. Don't even get me started on how long those sock horses took me. I normally have it at home or church because I'm so dang cheap but this year with working two jobs, the thought of planning a party on top of all that just about did me in.

This year, I was a total slacker and just had it at a Trampoline park. I literally showed up with a cake and two table decorations and plates.

But Campbell's cake was crazy cute. I could've just had a party all by myself diving into that thing. A teacher friend made it and it was ridiculously good.

Campbell has talked about this birthday for weeks now. He loved having his friends there to share it with.

And his hair was dripping with sweat by the time we left the party.

Little Bit jumped til her pig tails fell out.

The kids Justin loved every second.

 

 

Ok, so maybe we all had fun. 

I can't believe that my Campbelloni is 5 years old now. Cam gets really shy when everyone sings him Happy Birthday. He loves attention but on his own terms.

So the moral of the story is that my kid couldn't care less where he has his party. He smiles ear to ear just the same. He loves it when we have it at the house, church, or trampoline park. All he cares about is that we're doing something to recognize his birthday and celebrate him.

Sometimes, we have to give ourselves a little slack as parents. I read a quote recently that said, "Behind every great kid is a mom who's pretty sure she's screwing it up." Amen.

Pre-K graduation

I don't know what it is that Campbell always seems like a baby compared to Nolan. Even on the same birthdays, Campbell just seems younger than Nolan did. It's some messed up mind game that my brain plays on me.

Nolan is a September birthday and Campbell is a June birthday so Nolan was almost a whole year older than Campbell when going into kindergarten. It seemed like Nolan would never start kinder and with Campbell, it's hard to believe he's already starting.

Campbell is a total ham at home. He's sooooo LOUD....like deafening. Then when he's in a group of new people, he completely shuts down. His birthday is at the end of the month and he's already talking about how shy he gets when people sing "Happy Birthday" to him. He keeps asking if we can just eat cake and not sing to him.

So I was pretty nervous about his Pre-K graduation. I just knew that he'd bury his face in some teacher's leg or run off stage, but my baby proved me wrong...big time.

Check him out! I couldn't believe it myself!

He was up there, no fear, acting like it was just part of his normal routing to perform in front of 100 people.

 

He was even being his usual comedian self with his crazy facial expressions.

Look at how much he changed over the year. I'm a little nervous about this one starting kinder. I think I'll stay close to the phone just in case they call. He spells T-R-O-U-B-L-E! 

I think my brain might be playing tricks on me because forever this little guy will always be my baby boy. He's always been able to make me melt with those eyes and that sweet dimple. I turn into mush.

Soccer mom x 2

We've been fighting it for about 3 years now. Nolan started playing soccer and we'd tote Campbell along to the games and chase him all over the field as we "watched" Nolan play. Campbell wanted to play so badly and we just kept promising him that when he turned 4 he could play.

Wellll.....he's 4.

Dang, that was a quick 4 years. And now that toddler that I used to chase at games is in uniform and holy cuteness he looks adorable in it.

 

We had a feeling this little guy would be our athlete but we didn't expect him to be the first one to score this season and within 30 seconds of the game starting. He scored two goals in his first game and last week he scored six. This boy was on fire and playing some good defense too! 

 

He is living and breathing soccer now. He completely copies what his coach says (who is so wonderful and patient) when he plays soccer at home and can't wait for practice and games.

 

Nolan is playing soccer again as well. Yes, two boys in soccer.  And no, I don't know what I was thinking. Nolan was on the same team with the same kids for years and we were undefeated. Well this year it seems like everyone disbursed and so it's all new team members. I think Nolan and one other teammate are the only ones that have ever played soccer. So I think we're going for the "Bad News Bears" record this year. It's all for fun, right?

Justin somehow got roped into being the coach. You know, because we don't have enough to do.  He feels bad when the team loses that he's somehow a bad coach. But I just remind him that Nolan will have no recollection of his wins/losses, only that his daddy was the coach. Nolan doesn't seem to mind the losing record. He's having fun. 

I've got my trusty crew on the sideline helping watch the games. 

 

After Campbell's game we went on and on about how proud we were of him and he said, "Let's talk about it some more." So as insane as I think I might be trying to work full time, get two kids to soccer practice and having games all day on Saturdays, I know that it's the right thing. It's getting them active, building their confidence and giving us more time together to spend as a family. 

First day of Pre-K

Monday was Campbell first real day of Pre-K! I gotta say that it's been the easiest year so far with the transition of school for him. I think it's really helped that he's been in the same place for almost three years. I saw an idea on Pinterest have them say what they want to be when they grow up on the first day of school to see how it changes. This year, he wants to be a blue jockey, of course.

Nolan was the sweetest big brother the first day of school posing with him and getting him all set with his stuff in his cubby.

Let's hope that all this excitement about school continues. I love that both my boys love school.

Meet the Teacher for Pre-K

I can't believe that school is almost starting. I love the routine of school but absolutely hate the START of school. It's so stressful and overwhelming as a teacher and mom of three until we get our routine figured out. But it's coming, so I better just build a bridge and get over it (as I lovingly tell my students).

Campbell's meet the teacher was today. Luckily, he already knows one of his teachers. He had her last year for half of the year and so did big bubba, Nolan!

We went ahead and brought his backpack with his naptime turtle and blanket. One less thing to worry about the first day on Monday.

As soon as he saw his classroom, he started playing peek-a-boo with his teacher.

And he didn't waste one second to start doing a puzzle with Ms. Sherry.

Here is he with his two teachers.

Campbell misses school so much. He loves his friends and being the class clown. Hmmm, wherever did he get that?!

Moustache Monday

I recently ordered some iron-on vinyl and saw something like this on Pinterest and I'm officially addicted. Oh the possibilities that I can do!

I used my Sure Cuts a Lot and Cricut. The important thing you have to remember is to cut everything backwards so it will iron on correctly.

Here is the tutorial I followed at Imperfectly Beautiful. And you can purchase iron-on vinyl for a good deal on Expression Vinyl.

I'm going to start brainstorming some more cute t-shirt ideas!

Happy Derby Day

Ok, so maybe it wasn't exactly the Derby when we took Campbell for his 4th birthday to Lone Star Park. But in the eyes of my 4 year old, he completely thought it was THE real Kentucky Derby.

I have never seen Campbell more excited in my life. He took every second of it in watching every move of the horses and jockeys.

Campbell's lifelong dream is to be a jockey. I haven't broken it to him that his daddy is 6'4" and his chances are slim. So we were excited to finally get a picture of him with a real jockey except Campbell held on to me like he was Santa Claus or the Easter bunny. I felt tall for once in my life.

We made a bet on #4 on Campbell's 4th birthday. Good thing it was a $2 bet because he came in dead last.

Nolan was a good sport and enjoyed it but he seemed more enamored by playing with his sweet Landry Kate. "I love her to the last star." -- Nolan Case McDonald, age 6. I think the feeling is mutual, Nolan.

We like to teach gambling young.

What a fun memory. I think this is one that Campbell will never forget. He's still talking about it and wanting to go back.

Kentucky Derby party

It all began when Campbell saw the Kentucky Derby on TV when he was just 2. Not exactly Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, but he stared at the TV for hours, which for a 2 year old is a miracle. He begged for a horse party but I already had his Cookie Monster party planned for his 3rd birthday (which he loved by the way) but I promised him we would do a horse party for his 4th party.

Well, his request for a horse party became more specific over the year. He wanted a jockey party. Since I get all of my ideas from copying other people I had NOTHING! Then I thought about going with the Kentucky Derby theme since my husband is from Kentucky. I knew he would know more about it than me. In case you're clueless about the derby, I'll give you a quick run down.

Each jockey has a silk from a farm so this is our silk representing our "farm".

There wasn't much to get ideas from since all horse parties seem to be western so I just starting winging it.

These horses were my husbands when he was young. Good thing he's a hoarder (never thought I'd say that) because these have been well loved by Campbell and they made some great table decorations.

Campbell was decked out in his jockey costume that my in-laws found for him. Can you tell he was giddy with excitement about his party?

And here were the party favors. They were almost the death of me but I think they added a cute touch and we used them for a stick horse race later. Some of the poor guys looked like they had the mange or some kind of equine disease but the kids didn't seem to mind at all.

The ONE thing I did find was a printable poster for Pin the Jockey on the  horse from Hostess with the Mostess. Justin added Campbell's face to the jockey. It looked hilarious.

After that we had our own Kentucky Derby stick horse race.

There was some serious galloping and I think even one or two that were thrown from their horse. Guess I should have put blinders on those horses.

I found this tutorial for the cupcake stand on Pinterest. It involves soup cans! Hey sometimes you have to get creative for these type of things.

The cupcakes seemed to be loved and a few messes were made.

But probably my favorite part of the whole party is that all the girls wore their big derby hats. Is it bad that's my only reason for wanting to go see a real Kentucky Derby is to wear an obnoxious huge hat?

I say when it comes to hats, the bigger, the better.

For not having a plan and not much to go off of, I'd say the party was a hit, but I'm always so glad when they're done because they're a lot of work!

But to see him smile, I'd say it's worth all of it!