All Aboard...

Wyatt's 3rd Birthday Express!

And what a wonderful day it was. We couldn't have asked for a more gorgeous day to spend celebrating with a train themed party. I had a blast pulling everything together and it was worth every minute! So come along and enjoy the party too....


What better way to enter Wyatt's Island of Sodor Celebration than with a custom sign and trains galore!

And Wyatt arrived in style driving along his very own railroad tracks (touting his conductors hat, of course)!
I then framed some of the photos Amie and I took during my photography class a couple months ago...it worked perfect with our theme.
A 'happy birthday' sign was also a must to help spice up the fence. (And it gave me a much better background for opening presents!)
Once kids arrived there were many areas around Wyatt's Island of Sodor for them to visit - but the favorite by far was the Waterpark.
(If you aren't familiar with Thomas the Train, he lives on the Island of Sodor.)
And of course there had to be food, so we all dined at the Sodor Sandwich Shop where the menu consisted of hot dogs, chips and fruit skewers.
The last stop (which actually became a stop visited many times throughout the party) was our candy store. We had goodie bags for the kids to fill as a party favor.
Then it was time for gifts, but we tried to keep that short and sweet since the kids just wanted cake...
But I couldn't just settle for cupcakes, I had to challenge myself to master a train cake. It was a blast making it (except for when it fell over half way through the decorating process and I had to scrape off the icing and start over), but it didn't turn out half bad. And Wyatt was absolutely ecstatic about having a train cake made just for him! That was enough to solidify why I spent the time stressing over it. ;)
He even waited until Happy Birthday was completely over before blowing out the candles in one fell swoop. (Gosh he is getting so big!) And of course he had to have a red and blue piece which meant I had to cut the cake right down the center. But it was totally worth it for this birthday boy!
The rest of the party the kids spent running from the water slide to the bouncy to the swing set having a blast. I absolutely loved hearing their giggles the entire afternoon.
At the end of the party (a few kids had already gone home) I decided I should try and get a group photo. I think that was my biggest challenge of the day. To get five kids to sit down for 1 minute for a photo was a disaster, BUT there was one photo (out of 2o) that turned out okay!As the kids left they were able to take a Wyatt & Friends train coloring book and crayons, a train music CD and bubbles. Something they will play with in the coming weeks and remember Wyatt's party! But we couldn't call it a day without getting a family photo, and while it isn't the greatest, I will take it.

What a wonderful weekend we had celebrating three amazing years with this little man. He has forever changed our lives and made us better people! I can't wait to see what a great big brother he is going to be! Happy Birthday Wy-man!

Summer Tradition

This summer I started a weekend tradition (as long as the weather was nice) that Wy-man and I would have a picnic lunch in his playhouse every Saturday. Our first lunch consisted of cheese and crackers and pickles. (Can you tell I let Wy-man choose the menu?!) Complete with a blanket to sit on and fun summer plates, we enjoyed our lunch while Dad-d mowed the lawn.

He couldn't get enough of the Easy Cheese and Crystal Light drink (if you look closely you can see his drink mustache).

I love this tradition we started and we are having a blast keeping it going throughout the summer.

Words of the Week...well Months!

Well I can't believe it has been a months since posting some Wyatt-isms, so I am jumping back on the bandwagon. These statements have been accumulating since January and I can't wait to share them. (Good thing I had these written on a post-it note...)


1. "Gonna go ask my dad-d" - he wasn't happy with my answer to do something, so he kept saying he was going to ask is dad-d. Thankfully this has passed but I am sure he will pull it back out at some point when he doesn't like what mama has to say.

2. "It scared my ears." - Dad-d took Wy-Man to the Monster Truck show and the engines were so loud they scared him horribly. So when I asked Wy about the show he told me "It scared my ears."

3. "I choose what I eat!" - In Feb/March Wy-man became pretty picky about his food. We sat down for dinner and of course he was being picky. So I told him to eat his green beans. He looked as me with attitude and said, "Mama, I choose what I eat!"

4. "Sooo - whatevvvverrrr!" - Not sure where this one came from but it was his favorite thing to say for about 3 months. Me: "Wy it's time for bed." Him: "Sooo, whatever!" ; Me: "Wy it's time to go to daycare." Him: "So, whatever!" And to make it that much more enjoyable, he would throw his hands up in the air while saying it, totally adding to the drama.

5. "Sweet taa-tayta" - For a while there, Wy couldn't quite say potato and Mimi's endearing name for Wy-man is her Sweet Potato. So his attempt to repeat her was too adorable not to mention.


6. "I'll be right back" - Any time we would tell Wy-man it was time for bed, it was time to go to daycare, or anything else he didn't want to do he would tell us "I'll be right back" and hold up is hand (like a stop sign). It was so hard not to bust out laughing. Too bad I wasn't able to capture a photo. He is just too cute.


7. "I'm texting" - We gave Wy-man my old cell phone because we all know kids love electronics. So one day we were going to run errands and told Wy it was time to go. He looked up from the phone and said, "Hold on, I'm texting." Really, he's 2. Guess that means mama and dad-d text too much.

8. "Come on...the Party's Dartin'" - Dad-d got home from work and Wy-man yells to him "Come on...the party's dartin' " meaning (the party's startin'). There wasn't a party going on but Wy sure thought there was.

9. "I can't eat that, it make me sick." - Of course, another picky eater statement. I asked him to eat his pork chop for dinner and he told me "I can't eat that, it make me sick." Where does he learn these things?


10. "I want a burger cheese." - A cheeseburger is one if Wy-man's favorites...but he always requests a burger cheese.

And unfortunately there are a few I am sad to report as well...(darn it daycare).

11. "Shut up" - Wy-man knew this was a naughty word b/c when he would say it, he would do it in a whisper. We quickly nipped that one in the bud.

12. "Stupid" - It's inevitable...kids will say things we don't want them to no matter how well we parent. Another word learned at daycare was 'stupid' but we have had talks and he knows it isn't a word he should use.

A few additional stories that I must capture for prosperity.

13. The other night I was putting him to bed and it was thundering. He asked me what that was. I told him "Someone is knocking on heaven's door." About 10 minutes later it thundered again and said, "Mama, somebunny's knockin' at Kevin's door." It was too cute!

14. Dad-d was bringing Wy-man to daycare and he was dressed in cute khakis and a surf shirt from his good friend Selah. He proceeded to say, "Dad-d, I don't like these pants. I pee on them at daycare so they change them." Seriously? Did he really just say that?! We did make it through the day without an intentional pee.

15. Just two weeks ago I was putting Wy in his car seat after daycare and his excuse so I wouldn't buckle his car seat was "I pooped in my underwear and now I am squishing it!" Seriously? I am amazed at his imagination and he isn't even three.

But man do I love this little man!!!

Zumbathon for Joplin

On May 22, 2011 the entire world changed for my hometown of Joplin, Missouri. And although I have been away for 11 years, the news of this disaster devastated me and I will NEVER forget how I heard the news.

I was in Omaha, NE on the set of a TV shoot for one of my clients when I received a call from my college roommate and best friend. Erica had heard of the news that Joplin had been hit by a tornado and she was wondering if I had talked to my sister (who still lives in Joplin). Of course I hadn't heard from her and tried to call...but couldn't get a hold of her. Erica continued to keep me updated and each time we talked I became more aware that even more of the town I called home for 19 years had been wiped away.

We finally heard Ash, Seth and their 3 boys were okay so I had a small sense of relief, but there were still many friends and their families that I didn't know if they were okay. As the night went on I depended upon Facebook to hear updates. It was the BEST and practically our only form of communication with others since phone service was so spotty.

Mike and I couldn't stand not being there and decided to head to Joplin the next day to help wherever we could. Seeing the damage was indescribable. I just can't believe what I saw...seeing my childhood home with the roof gone, the trees torn up and the pool house demolished - it was devastating. And to think that this was nothing in comparison to other areas that were harder hit in town.
But then the time came after 6 days in Joplin that Mike and I had to come back to Sioux Falls and return to work...but I couldn't stop thinking about Joplin. How could I be back at work enjoying my normal life yet so maybe people I know and love in Joplin are suffering? I had to do something.

That's when I decided that I wanted to use one of my passions, Zumba, to help my hometown. I have been teaching Zumba for almost 7 years and what a better way to help raise money for such a great cause.

I started right away! I worked with the wellness center where I teach as well as Mike's fitness center to team up and put together a great event. All Zumba instructors were completely on board, I designed a logo and we were on our way!

My Zumba class helped spread the word and posters were put up all throughout Sioux Falls.
On event day we had a great turn out! So many businesses were willing to sponsor the event even providing water, bananas and cookies to keep the participants full of energy!

We also had so many wonderful door prizes donated to give to our participants.

There were 7 wonderfully talented Zumba instructors that participated in the 2 hour event. (And it's a good thing there were so many of us...we were exhausted by the end.)

We took turns out in the crowd to keep the energy up...

...as well as spent time on stage leading the routines!

(Check out how sweaty we were...I lost 2 lbs just in sweat during those 2 hours.)

We had such a great turn out...check out how full the gym was!

And a few of the Sanford Wellness Zumba die-hards even stuck around for a group photo after the event!Two of the three television stations came out and covered the event event as well. That gave us even more coverage and more importantly donations as we accepted donations for one week after the event took place. All in all this wonderfully successful event raised a total of $3,242.44 for the Joplin Schools.

I couldn't be more proud to say I was a part of organizing this great event. This was just a small way for me to give back to such a wonderful town that has given so much to me!! I love you Joplin, Mo!

Gone Fishin'

Lovin' the sun.
Lovin' life.
Lovin' time fishin' with Dad-d!

Bakin' Cookies

Well, I am getting back into the swing of things - now I'm able to write more than once a month! This mama is super excited!

Yesterday, Mimi picked Wy-man up early from daycare and they had a blast making cookies. Thanks to my mama for sharing these moments with my little man. He sure had a blast!!

Once the dough was mixed, Mimi went to grab the camera. And look what this ornery boy was doing when she came back...dipping his finger into the batter. He was caught red handed!
And yet he tried to look so innocent. (But do you see the trace of batter on his cheek?!) Then, he must have decided to embrace the camera's presence! (What a cheese ball!)

Mimi's other mistake was giving Wy-man the chocolate chip bag and asking him to put in the chips. He would put a few in and then eat a handful. When Mimi told him to dump the rest of the bag in but he refused since that wouldn't leave any left for him to snack on. But when the chips were thoroughly mixed in, Mimi even let him put the cookies on the cookie sheet - she sure was brave!

But here's the best part - he got to lick the mixer.

While the cookies baked, Mimi took him outside to play. (This crazy kid would be outside even in negative temperatures.) And when he came in, they enjoyed a nice snack.

He worked hard on his thumbs up for this photo opp but then decided it was time to drink his milk and enjoy his cookie!

Thanks Mimi for spending this quality time with Wy-man. He loved it!

Easter Adventures

For Easter this year, we took off and headed to Wichita to visit Nana Margaret and Papa Randy. Wy-man had a wonderful time exploring the farm and seeing the family. It was a quick trip, but one with lots of great memories for him!

Day 1:
He sure thought Papa Randy was pretty cool stuff - they played balled, checked out the cows, and Papa Randy watched as Wy rode his new 4-wheeler.
We spent time visiting with Great Grandma Lola - and while Dad-d checked out family photo albums, Wy-man enjoyed maneuvering 'Grandma Wowa's' walker. But we were able to get a couple great photos of the two of them that we will cherish forever! He also enjoyed spending quality time with Nana.
And before leaving, Wy-man even doled out some hugs and kisses!
Day 2:
The Easter Bunny came a day early in Kansas and Wy-man was pumped. He loved all the candy and his new baseball bat!

We then enjoyed the Derby Easter Egg hunt. It was great. The only hard part was waiting the 20 minutes for the hunt to start. At first I wasn't sure if Wy-man would understand the concept (since he started running past all the eggs), but then he totally figured out it. So much so, he realized that if he sat his basket down, he could pick up handfuls and bring them back to his basket. (He's one smart cookie!) And of course we had to end the day with some photos...something Wy-man wasn't too excited about (but we were able to bribe him with a little candy). ;-)
Day 3: Easter Sunday
Before heading out of town, we got all dressed up and headed to church in our Sunday best!

And after service the weather was nice enough we were able to take a couple photos outside. He wasn't too happy since he wanted to go eat a 'burger cheese.'

But once we got him to forget about food (he is his mama's son), he decided he wanted to be a cheese ball and ham it up for the camera.

This is my favorite photo of the bunch! His expression melts this mama's heart!After church we headed home on the 8 hour drive and found that the Easter Bunny also made it to South Dakota! Wy-man scored a new shaving kit, Cars big boy undies, Thomas clothes, but most importantly his very first Bible! The Easter Bunny was great to him!

And he ended the night with some cuddle time with Dad-d checking out his new CD and reading his Bible.

What a wonderful weekend. We are truly blessed!