Sawyer has been asking for a superhero birthday party for quite some time and while we didn’t make plans for a big, invite-the-entire-population-of-the-eastern-plains party, she wanted to hang out with the “Kruegers and they” so that’s exactly what we did!
A friend of mine had bought this CUTE cape-included shirt for her daughter and when I saw it, I knew Sawyer had to have it for her party; it served as the inspiration for everything else we did.
Super Sawyer!
We made her wrist bands out of felt and foam and attached them with velcro…
We made a little mask, but she mainly wore it as a headband (which I thought looked cuter anyways).
As I was taking pics of her, a special guest was getting ready in the mudroom…
She had NO idea and her face was priceless!
She loves her super daddy!
For the background of the party, we made a foam city scape, sprayed it black and then glued on foam squares to act as windows.
We had the big ‘S’ from a previous project so we added a cape and called it cute!
I hung some star adorned poms from the light fixture and did my best 5 minute free hand of the logo from her shirt…
threw some cute bunting and balloons on the stairs…
and added super Sawyer to the backdoor and called it good!
Sawyer doesn’t really get into cake I made an ice cream sandwich cake…which she also ate none of. She did think it looked cute – that’s half the battle right?!
We made some picks out of paper and foam and stuck them to the whipped cream topping on the cake and I must say I really, really like how it turned out!
We made a few cake pops, adorned with capes, obviously…
and had her favorite pink punch!I was really happy with how everything turned out for as quickly and cheaply as we put it all together. Most importantly, the birthday girl was stoked!
*****As I was thinking about birthday week, I felt the need to amend this post. I was talking to Sawyer about the happenings of this week, I got to thinking about my birthdays in years past and I feel the need to give credit where credit is {most certainly} due. My parents were incredibly good about making us kids feel more than special on our big day.
They gave thoughtful gifts and always had a fun party for us and our friends, even as that morphed and changed over the years. There was always decor and a fun cake and beautiful cards and fun meals and hugs and kisses and “I’m proud of yous.”
They both worked so hard my entire life to make sure that my brother and I were taken care of. In fact, I can’t remember too many times in my life that one or both of them didn’t have a part time job besides their primary career; neither of them were too prideful to work.
I remember driving around town with my dad, lawn mower in the back of his truck, mowing yards for extra income. They’ve cleaned out flower beds, worked at the local landfill, started their own businesses – whatever it took to make sure that we were provided for.
Their work ethic and their love for us kids (especially on our birthdays) is a beautiful legacy in my book of life and one I pray I pass on to my kids.
In case I’ve never said it before,thank you both for all that you’ve done to provide for me. It hasn’t gone unnoticed and is much appreciated. Love you both.*****
Original post:
I love my kids and I love birthdays! The days that they were born were definitely days of celebration; the Lord’s handiwork came to full fruition as they made their way out of the womb and that is something to revere.
Celebrating their birthdays, for us, is a way that we make sure our kids know that they are loved, blessed, cherished and honored. (I don’t want to hear all of the “Valentine’s crap” of – shouldn’t you do that everyday?! Uh, absolutely…but especially as you celebrate the very day they joined your family outside of the womb.)
It’s not all about the gifts or the cake or even the experiences (though we attempt to make those fun and meaningful as well); we use it as a time to lay our hands on them and bless them and make sure they understand that we are so glad that they were born…and this world is better for it.
I saw this on Instagram last night and I loved it.
Indeed…
I have yet to see a kid made rotten in a day…
This week, we did some things that we know would be special to sweet Sawyer; things that are big in her world right now.
Booey got to spend the night in her room…
See her there under the paint cans?
She got to get a root beer in town one day…which brother promptly stole the minute she sat it on the table…
Naughty! 😉
We went to the parade in Imperial…
Making friends…How Wryder kept watching the parade…
We checked out the fair on Friday night and got to ride a few rides and eat a giant pickle!
Taking care of brother…She LOVES the boats!Cute girl!YUM!
She got to watch the Daniel Tiger baby special! She was soooooo looking forward to this. She saw the commercial on PBS and we normally don’t watch DT (because he’s a little whiny for our taste) but we made an exception and she was THRILLED!
Really, she was excited…she just didn’t want to stop watching just so I could snap a pic. 🙂
We surprised her on Sunday after church and went to North Platte for lunch and Cody Park fun. The biggest surprise was…
RaRa and PaPa!
They were sooooo excited!
When they saw them coming…Swinging with RaRaWryder was a little tired, can ya tell?!Waiting for their turn on the carousel…Pretty girls!Feeding the llama…and the little donkeys…Opening presents from PaPa and RaRaGiving thanks…
Yesterday we went to work with daddy and checked out the Children’s Museum. It was WD’s first time and he loved it as much as sister. Pics to come…
Tonight, the neighbors are coming over for cake and some super Sawyer fun…
We love you, sweet girl, and are sooooo glad you were born!
My phone just dinged reminding me it was your birthday…as if I needed a reminder. You are in my heart and on my mind every minute of every day. At age four, I see you in your princess dress and cowboy boots waving your little hand off to the truck drivers as they pass…I smell the scent of my body spray (that you helped yourself to the last time you were in the bathroom) mixed with your coconut Barbie detangler…I feel your sweet, soft hands on my arms or around my neck and the matted fuzz of pink teddy since he’s always near by…I hear your voice singing “Let it Go” and praise and worship without skipping a beat…
You’re the neatest kid I know! You’re a little bit of an introvert like your momma, but when you’re with someone you love and trust – you are on! I feel so blessed to be able to know you the way I do…
I do believe you have the sweetest, most sensitive spirit on the planet! The way you care for me and daddy absolutely melts my heart. I love the way you leave water by my bed when you get up in the mornings and you sneak out, so I can have “a little more sleep.”
You care for my heart just as good as your daddy does. So many nights I have prayed with you before bed and begged the Lord to forgive me where I’ve fallen short and to help make me a better mother and you are always so quick to tell me I’m “the bestest mom in the world.”
You’re so forgiving – you get that from your daddy. You don’t have a grudging or vengeful bone in your body. I can recall several occasions where you’ve gone to bed and hours later called us back upstairs because you felt bad about something or were afraid you hurt our feelings somehow or felt the need to apologize about something.
You care for and protect your baby like his second momma. And? He adores you, sweet one. He wants to be just like you, I know it! Daddy and I love to see you hold his hand and help him down stairs and feed him his snacks. He’s a lucky boy to have a sister as wonderful as you.
I love your creative mind! You absolutely blow me away when it comes to imagination and resourcefulness! I love to watch you sort through the trash in daddy’s pickup to find something to block the sun or gather his old pop cups to make a vending machine in your play kitchen or the way you tape a box to the back of your pedal car to make a trailer to haul trash in. Seriously, who does that?!
Your memory astounds me; it is truly a gift! You remember names and places and things we’ve done better than I do. When you tell a story, it’s specific and succinct and accurate. I love that you can get us to Denver (or get us home) almost better than I can!
I love the way the world is drawn to you. You’re like this cute, curly-haired magnet that just sucks people in! I’m sure I’m a bit biased, but I’m also a keen observer and I don’t see this with other people as much as I see it with you; everywhere we go, people want to come make conversation with you or say hi to you or give you gifts. You have the ability to affect the world for Christ just by being YOU…people see Jesus radiating out of your sweet little face, it’s true.
You have the heart of a worshiper; a little David. Some of my favorite times with you are when we just sing to the Lord as long and as loud as we can. I love when I hear you singing in the other room, expressing your love to Him the way you know best. Sugar, He loves to hear you sing…
I love that you love all things girlie; the bigger the bow, the fluffier the ruffles and the sparklier the shoes, the better! But you also know how to work and you definitely aren’t afraid to get dirty. That will serve you well…
You have made the past four years the best four years of my life, no doubt. On your fourth birthday, I bless you in the name of Jesus! I bless you in your coming in and going out; your lying down and your waking. I speak to your future and I pronounce it blessed! I bless you with rich relationships with people who point you to Christ. I bless you with good health and a long life. I bless you with humility and forgiveness and grace and mercy that is as endless as you give it now. I bless you with obedience, that you would follow the Lord all the days of your life. I bless the work of your hands, that all you would set them to would prosper and bring glory to the Lord. I bless you with a continued love for the word of God and I bless you with His abiding presence in every way, in every day.
YOU are who I want to be like when I grow up…and you? You can stop growing up any time you’d like…
Besides playhouse move-in day, yesterday was also chicken moving day!
Cutest chicken helper I know!
The 100 little hens that we ordered a while back were ready to join the big flock in the chicken house. Sawyer is an incredible helper! She carried two chickens at a time and made about 10 trips with us. They were still exploring their new digs this morning, but I’m betting they feel right at home soon enough.
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On the playhouse front, I had to laugh/grimace/shake my head yesterday. After breakfast, we went back out to play and I had a little mowing to finish up. The kids played in the little house for about 20-30 minutes and then I see them scurrying off……..to the barn………where they played for over an hour. HA! Sweet Tredessa reminded me that the barn was just like a really big playhouse…
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I was talking to a friend last night about some of the struggles life throws at us. She was saying she just felt like she was unequipped to deal with some of the trials that her family has been going through as of late; she felt like she had no strength to dig in and conquer. She felt frayed and frazzled and a little scared.
As I was chatting with her, the Lord gave me a picture of childbirth. When you get into transition phase – right before that sweet, beautiful baby that you’ve been waiting on for nine (long) months physically makes its way into the world – things get rough. The pain is intense, it feels like it’s gonna never gonna be over and you start saying/screaming/yelling/crying “I can’t do this! It’s too hard! I’m not gonna be able to do it!” – the tell-tale sign of transition. Don’t ask me how I know. *ahem*
And lo and behold, you’re able to…you’re more than able to…and out comes this sweet little life that has been knit inside your womb by the very hands of God. And? Every month and day and minute of pain and discomfort was worth it.
Isn’t that how life is sometimes, too? When you’re being held over the refining fire…when the Lord is working things out for the better for you, even if it feels like the worst…when we finally get to the other side, there is LIFE. I’m praying that for her and for you…and for me.
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Sweet Sawyer put on her swimsuit yesterday all by her lonesome!
Front is on the backBack is on the front
I didn’t tell her it was on backwards because she was so proud of herself and I was proud of her, too. Plus, she looks stinkin’ cute with her backwards suit! And in these sunglasses…
Smooch!
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Daddy took Sawyer to the sale barn today as part of “birthday week” and I stayed home with little man to have some one-on-one time with him and to catch up on some housework. I had just sat down with a notebook and pen to make a lit of things that ‘needed’ to be done when I came across this post from Ann Voskamp.
I get increasingly frustrated by moms that celebrate their kids going back to school, not for the sake of the kid, but out of their own selfishness. THAT’S another post for another day…
Ann beautifully captures the order in which things should be. She writes:
What if I want to play more games of monopoly and leave the dishes in the sink more often? What if I want to take you fishing more Saturdays and blow off cleaning up the garage? Why doesn’t someone tell all the homemakers: Cleanliness isn’t next to godliness. Love is.
Oh. My. Heart. I’m crying again just reading it. Let’s just say I haven’t done much cleaning…and I’ve loved every minute. Please, please take the time to read her post…
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I’m off to see if I can catch a nap before WD wakes up…it’ll be all over after that!
My sweet Sawyer turns four next Tuesday. Don’t even ask me how that’s possible. We’ve been so busy this summer that August (and her birthday) completely snuck on me.
We’ve been wanting to get her a real playhouse for about year now. She has a little plastic one in the barn that she plays with all the time, but we were wanting to get one that she and brother could both play in and one that would survive outside.
Growing up, my grandparents ALWAYS had a little place for us to play outside. If there was a shed or garage on the property, my sweet Mema (Alene) never used it for herself – it was for us kids! I can’t tell you how many mudpies and dirty cups of coffee we served at her house but it was a lot. I sure wish she was around to play with my kiddos. I have no doubt that she would think they hung they moon and them feel the same about her.
We knew we could build one, but our time is kind of precious right now. By the time Wrexy gets home from work, spends some time with the kids, eats supper and helps with bedtime, that doesn’t leave a lot of build-a-miniature-house time. We’ve been keeping an eye on Craigslist, this one popped up, we liked it, drove to Denver and hauled it home!
1630 See Saw Lane
It’s in really good shape and I love the siding and how everything’s trimmed out. All of the windows have screens, we just need to put in windows before winter. The inside was unfinished, so Wrexy hooked up our spray gun and painted it all an antique white. Then, we went to town making it homey.
The only things we bought new for this project was the rug (it’s completely vinyl/plastic so it can be washed with a water hose), some hooks to hang utensils and the flower on the door; everything else we just repurposed.
I covered these cans in cute paper and then affixed them to the wall for her to store utensils and things in.
We’ve had this old bank sorter for a while and I had originally wanted it to organize homeschool worksheets, but it just wasn’t the right size. We turned it on it’s end and made into a little shelf for dishes.
For curtains, I wanted something that wasn’t going to get absolutely filthy and have to be washed a lot. I decided to use some vinyl tablecloth fabric I had, that way we could just wipe them down if needed. We made faux cornices by wrapping a board with said fabric and voila!
And how cute are those mustached dog prints?! They’re my favorite!
Wrex mad a drop down table so that when she wasn’t serving a meal ;), she could fold it up and have a little more room on this side of the house. (It’s deceivingly small).
We wanted to put a little chandelier over the dining table. I used embroidery hoops and wire to make a form (well, actually, Wrex did) and then I hung these old marquee letters from each hoop. I think it’s adorable!
We got some little records hot with an iron and folded them up to make little pocket shelves that she could store her linens in. We hung bunting on the east and west windows because it seemed too cluttered to add another “curtain.”
All in all, I was completely pleased with how it turned out, I just keep reminding myself that 1) it’s a PLAYhouse 2) it’s outside 3) it IS gonna get dirty!
Sawyer got to see the finished product this morning and her response made my day! She loved it!It wasn’t even 8:00 and she was already cooking breakfast for visitors!I have a feeling that there will be lots of memories made at 1630 See Saw Lane…Happy birthday week, sweet girl!
The family got together this weekend to celebrate him and I had the distinct honor of supplying a little decor. I was inspired by a roll of newspaper print paper I picked up at a garage sale for a buck, so we went with a black and white “theme” of sorts.
I used the newsprint paper as a table covering and then set it with black and white ware. We used old records as chargers, I painted the silverware to match (remember that?!) and we found these black and white dishes at the good ole Dollar Tree.
I filled old soda bottles with baby’s breath, green hydrangeas and some black and white feathery balls.
We made paper fans for each guest, which came in quite handy during set up!
I used an old record as the “guest book” for the party. We used a paint pen and everyone left the birthday boy some good wishes!
By far, our favorite piece of party decor was the picture timeline we put together.
Grandma had previously given us some pictures of Grandad growing up. We enlarged them and had them printed, in black and white, of course. We then wrapped them around foam and made faux canvasses.
They turned out AMAZING (if I do say so myself!) and served as the thank you gifts for the party goers, as well.
Everyone was a trooper and wore black and white. We had the guest of honor wear red so he stood out on his special day!
The birthday crew
It was such a fun night to honor a very worthy recipient.
I think he liked it! 😉WD and WDFour generations of Phipps men
Happy birthday, Grandad! We love you so much and are so proud of the legacy you have left (and are leaving) this family. You are one of the world’s true cowboys; a genuine stockman who knows the reward that comes from the work of your hands. Thank you for instilling the importance and love of production agriculture into your family. Thank you for serving our country (and looking good while doing it – just ask Grandma)! Thank you for raising some of the finest people I know and for loving the same woman for 59 years. You are a treasure. We can’t wait to party at number 90!
I’m thanking the Lord for that cozy weather we had yesterday. I don’t know what it is about clouds that make me productive but they do. I got my flatware project done – yay! – and today I’m gonna show you how simple it really is.
I’ve done this before for a baby shower I hosted for my sister. I used hot pink for that event and I absolutely loved how they turned out.
Adorbs, yes?!
This time, I chose a matte black paint; maybe not as exciting as electric pink, but I think it’s gonna go well with the rest of the decor.
What you’ll need:
Flatware – any and all; doesn’t have to match (I prefer it not to)
Painter’s tape
Spray paint that adheres to metal. (I prefer a model car paint put out by Krylon but maybe there’s some better options out there??)
Clear acrylic top coat
Acrylic coat and spray paint
Step 1: Prep and clean your flatware.
A few spoons
I ran these through the dishwasher this morning and then got busy taping.
A few forks
I wanted these to be painted at differing heights but the possibilities are endless.
Step 2: Paint the back sides of the flatware.
Face down
I always start with the backs because I’m usually half-way in a hurry when I’m doing all these projects and if any side is going to be less than perfect, I’d prefer it to be the back. This model car paint dries to the touch really quickly so after I let them sit for about 5 minutes, I flipped them to do the fronts.
Step 3: Paint the fronts of the flatware.
Step 4: Repeat steps 2 and 3 with the clear acrylic coating.
This was something I did not do with the pink set of silverware. They’ve held up pretty well…there are a few nicks here and there…so I thought I’d try adding this step this time to see how they fare. I’ll let ya know…
Step 5: Let them dry for 24 hours.
A very important step, obviously. Put them on a flat, dry surface that they won’t stick to – ie – no paper.
Old records work well…
Step 6: Pair your flatware with some killer dishes.
That worksBlack matte
I love this project because it’s cheap and easy AND it’s one of those details that can totally make a dinner party. Scourge your local thrifts, find some cheap flatware and funky it up!
Gracious words stream from your lips. God himself has blessed you forever. Put on your sword, O mighty warrior!
You are so glorious, so majestic!
In your majesty, ride out to victory,
defending truth, humility, and justice.
Go forth to perform awe-inspiring deeds!
Your arrows are sharp, piercing your enemies’ hearts.
The nations fall beneath your feet.
Psalm 45…a word the Lord gave me regarding you many years ago. I pray it over you still, especially on your birthday.
You are a tremendous man of God and the fact that I get to spend my life with you humbles me daily. I don’t know of anyone more loyal, gentle, loving, kind, forgiving, selfless, gracious, merciful, hard-working, even tempered, servant-hearted, encouraging or capable than you. You are the glue that holds our family together. You keep us grounded and rooted in the Lord and lead us in the ways of righteousness.
I’ve known you for 13 of your 32 years and am so proud of the man that you were, are and are becoming. On this birthday, I bless you with health and vigor – 32’s not that old! I bless you with boldness to shine the light of Jesus in dark places; boldness to be ok with being so different than the rest of the world (it’s a great thing). I bless you with obedience, that you would continue fulfilling the Lord’s call for you and I pray that you will see the fulfillment of His promises regarding you. I bless you with a sound mind and strong hands to do the work of the Lord. I bless our marriage, that it would fulfill you and honor you and bless you right back. I bless your coming in and going out…with the presence of Jesus in all that you do.
I love you, sweet husband of mine. Happiest of birthdays to you!
Our sweet little Wryder turned one last week and we celebrated his birthday with family while we were in Nebraska this weekend. Wrexy’s parents allowed us to raid their home (thank you!) and all of the great-grands made it in, along with Uncle Waco, to celebrate with us!
This was one of the smaller little parties I’ve thrown but, by far, one of my most favorite!
I designed this invitation and then went from there…
I love lots of color and different patterns and textures and I was really pleased with how everything came together.
We took the little bunny from his invitation, blew it up and then cut it out of foam board.
I knew I already had a lot of bunting going on but I knew I wanted a series of 13 pictures that showed him every month from birth to one year. I knew Robin had this little tree in the corner of the dining room, so I printed the pictures and then hung them on the tree…
My friend Stephanie (fantastic name, yes?!) makes delicious and beautiful cakes! How cute are these?! She went above and beyond my little instructions…girl after my own heart!
I also made “carrots” (candy coated pretzels) in “dirt” (crushed Oreos).
For thank-you’s, we got each couple a photo book of Wryder’s first year – they were a hit!
We drank fun soda (Bunny Beer) and ate…
Hoppin’ Ham Sammies
Funny Bunny Fries
Garden Greens
Fuzzy Fruit Skewers
Cottontail Carrots and Ranch
The little guy had as much fun as we did!
He got lots of fun boy toys…
His little cake was a hit, too! Remarkably, he ate like such a gentleman!
It was a wonderfully exhausting weekend celebrating our sweet baby boy! Now, great-grandma is home with us for a week…more posts full of fun to come!
Oh, my sweet little Wryder Roo – I really, really, really can not believe that you are one! Where, oh where, did that year go?? Too fast, my love…
I loved you the minute I laid eyes on you. You looked just like your sweet sister, which didn’t hurt anything, but despite even that, you already had my heart.
Isn’t he the cutest?! He was about 5 hours old here…
From your first minutes out of the womb, you’ve been giving your momma grey hairs…or at least increased adrenal fatigue. 😉 You had low blood sugar and had to keep getting bottle fed to bring that number up, you cried A LOT our very first night at home and “schedule” was not in your vocabulary.
How can you not love this face??
After a few months, we got it all figured out and life got easier. You LOVED to eat (still do) and the only times you cried were when you were starving (or so you thought) or overly tired. I am so thankful that you have always been a good little eater and sleeper!
Soooooo cute!
You are a ball of energy, constantly on the go! You’ve got lots to explore in your little world and you do it with gusto! You keep momma on her toes, that’s for sure. Seven o’clock comes and I am beat…but it is time well spent.
Let’s go!
You and sister have a sweet, sweet relationship. Anywhere she is is exactly where you want to be. I pray you two will always be the best of friends..
My sweet tooties…
You have always been a happy, smiley, outgoing guy. (You’re a lot like your dad like that). You know nine real words and a LOT of (currently) unintelligible ones. You melt my heart every time you say ‘momma’ or smile at me across the room, and when you race towards daddy when he walks in the door it delights us all!
Ham!
You are all boy and I love that about you! Granted, it’s taken some getting used to, but it’s a good thing. You hate wearing clothes, you hate having your face washed, you hate having to slow down for anything, you eat everything in sight (good or bad), you bang on everything in sight and the higher/faster/scarier things are, the better!
Yee haw!
You’re a big guy! You weigh 26.9 pounds and are 30.5 inches long. My arms and back can attest to this… You have eight teeth and if your behavior tonight is any indication, you have more on the way.
So handsome!
I love you, my sweets! This has been one of the best years of my life all because you were in it. It’s amazing how the Lord multiplies a momma’s love as more kiddos come along and He has done just that with me. I was so worried that I wouldn’t be able to love you as much as I did Sawyer and boy-oh-boy, there is no question that I do.
Sweet boy, on this first birthday, I bless you in the name of Jesus. I bless your strong will and head strong personality and I pray that you use them to further the Kingdom of God. I bless your hands and your feet and I pray that they serve the widow, orphan and alien and that they only take you down paths of righteousness. I speak to your future and I pronounce it blessed; that your days would be easy and that you would never stray from Jesus. I bless you with safety and protection and good health. I bless you with rich relationships that will encourage you and exhort you and push you towards the Lover of your soul. I bless you with endless stores of love, kindness, self-discipline, forgiveness, humility and generosity. I bless you with the presence of Jesus in all that you do.
We made a little mask, but she mainly wore it as a headband (which I thought looked cuter anyways).
As I was taking pics of her, a special guest was getting ready in the mudroom…
She had NO idea and her face was priceless!
She loves her super daddy!
For the background of the party, we made a foam city scape, sprayed it black and then glued on foam squares to act as windows.
We had the big ‘S’ from a previous project so we added a cape and called it cute!
I hung some star adorned poms from the light fixture and did my best 5 minute free hand of the logo from her shirt…
threw some cute bunting and balloons on the stairs…
and added super Sawyer to the backdoor and called it good!
Sawyer doesn’t really get into cake I made an ice cream sandwich cake…which she also ate none of. She did think it looked cute – that’s half the battle right?!
We made a few cake pops, adorned with capes, obviously…
and had her favorite pink punch!
I was really happy with how everything turned out for as quickly and cheaply as we put it all together. Most importantly, the birthday girl was stoked!
I love her to pieces!
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