Birthday #3 - The Remainders

Here are the last few pictures from the family party on Saturday.   

Our little farmer, Hudson John, ready to party!  

Opening his gifts from Mimi and Bapa Rog, a grain auger and a disk.  

Showing off his new disk, exactly what a real farmer needs.  

This John Deere dump truck will provide hours of fun, both inside and out, from Nana Sue and Papa Eds.   

Singing the Happy Birthday Song, while being served his apple pie with ice cream.  

"This is really yummy, Mommy!"

I made a "Pop Quiz" again this year, giving everyone an opportunity to show off how well they know the birthday boy.  As expected, the grandmas came in first place.    

Roy created a 3rd year video on iMovie again.  He does amazing work and it provides such a fun keepsake.  Plus, Hudson loves watching "my birthday video" and seeing all the pictures and clips of his 3rd year.  

The guests take home treat was "chicken feed" (aka Chex Mix) in a Mason jar.  We also got little combines for the small guests, cousin Clara and Milly.   

Birthday #3 - The Food

For food we went with a "farmer's lunch" theme.  My sister is the "Master Chef" in our family and this was the first birthday she wasn't around to help me with the food preparations, since she couldn't make the trip from Colorado.  I used several of her recipes so there was still lots of "Angela inspiration" at the party.  None the less, I think Roy and I did a pretty good job and pulled off a delicious meal for all the family guests.  And we took pictures of the food, of course….

I encouraged everyone to come hungry.  You can clearly see why.

I baked up some yummy cornbread and served it on this "flatbed" for a farm flare.  

The pork loin was Roy's masterpiece.  He is the meat man at our house.  

A farmer's lunch needed to have mashed potatoes, we thought.  This was a baked mashed potato recipe, which allowed me to make it ahead of time.    

These are two of our favorite vegetable recipes…glazed carrots and savory green beans.  

Roy showing off the spread before everyone dug in.  

Mommy's lunch...

A farmer's lunch wouldn't be complete without apple pie, right?  I baked two homemade apple pies for dessert, and we served them with ice cream.  I did a trial run the weekend before and the presentation was nearly perfect but the apples inside were not completely baked.  So, the 2nd time around I baked them about 15 minutes longer and the edges burnt and the crust got pretty crumbly.  They tasted great but the presentation was lacking.  Oh well, overall I was happy with the taste and none of the guests complained.  Plus, I improved my pie baking skills, which my dad and my husband are especially thankful for.  :)  

Birthday #3 - The Guests

Between our camera and Jenna and Sue's cameras, we captured some good pictures of the "farm folk" who attended.  I encouraged the guests to wear their farm attire and I was quite impressed with what people showed up in.  It sure added to the fun.  :)  

Papa Eds was all decked out.  It was just like another day at work for him.  :)  

Ben and Jenna, looking great in their overalls.  

Papa Eds with his 3 grandchildren…Clara, Hudson, and Milly.  

Future farmer…Clara Naomi 

We are so grateful the Sabetha (Kansas) Swingers made the trip and could join us for the celebration.   

Hudson and his Bapa Rog, who drives red tractors.  

Hudson + Mimi = Buddies  

Auntie Lynn and Miss Milly, coordinating and looking beautiful.  

Uncle Jacy, Auntie Lynn and Cousin Milly can teach Hudson a thing or two about farming.  :)  

Mimi and Bapa Rog

Papa Eds, Nana Sue, and GG Ells, taking a break from the hard work on the farm.  

A family picture to remember the celebration.  

"I'm ready for a ride…where is the tractor, anyways?"  

Birthday #3 - The Decorations

After making the invitations, my favorite part of the birthday party planning process is putting together the party decorations.  They help to create a fun and creative setting, I believe.  I am grateful for Pinterest, and the creative minds of so many working together with my own, is an inspirational combination.  My mom and mother-in-law came in handy with helping me collect some farming "supplies" to use as decorations.  Its amazing what you can do with spending very little money…borrowed items, a bunch of scrapbooking paper from Hobby Lobby, and some barn boards and craft paint.  Love it!  

A WELCOME banner to invite the guests.  

A preview at the front door of what is to come.

Come on in, farming fun is inside!  

 

Ed, Roy's Dad, got me some old barn boards.  I made a number 3 stencil and had some red craft paint in the basement and made 3 3's to display.   

Hudson had fun setting up the miniature farm equipment around the house. 

The tables set for lunch.  

We served the beverages in Mason jars and I added a little #3 attached with twine.  The jean pockets held the napkin and silverware and also held a name card.  They were recycled from our wedding rehearsal dinner.  We set some "farm stuff" down the center of the tables for decoration.   

We collected enough farm caps and bandanas to have one at every spot.  

Farmer Hudson's lunch spot.  I made my own birthday hats by just covering up old party hats I had at home with some scrapbook paper, a touch of twine at the top, and a #3 attached.  

I usually set up a little "display" on the buffet that connects with the party theme.  My mom helped me put it together and it was fun to use a combination of my brothers old farm toys and some of Hudsons.  

We have so many pictures of our little farmer so I printed out about 2 dozen of our favorite ones.  I used some old barn boards and a hot glue gun and got to work.  I made coordinating clothespins to attach the pictures on with.  It served as a fun conversation piece for the guests. 

And we must not forget…the annual birthday banner!   

Birthday #3

Since before Hudson's 2nd birthday I was planning to do his 3rd birthday as a farm theme.  Mostly because it was be his "golden birthday," I held off a year with the hopes of doing something extra meaningful.  Since both of our dads, Hudson's grandpas, are farmers, it felt appropriate to celebrate "farm style" for year #3.  

Every January involves lots of birthday preparations at our home.  Its cold outside so what better is there to do than get ready for Hudson's birthday?  I love to host, party plan, create decorations, and most of all I love to celebrate life, so its an all around fun time for me.  I like to go "all out" but we figure its ok, you can do that when you enjoy it so much and only have one child.  :) 

I am going to devote several posts to the two different birthday parties Hudson had.  I mostly share all the details and pictures for myself, as a way to document and remember the events.  We had a family party on Saturday and a friends party on Monday morning, his actual birthday.  Hudson had a blast and we are confident he felt loved and cared for, which really is the point of it all.   

Even though I am sad about "my baby" growing up, I am so thankful for the blessing of him.  He has made my dream of being a Mommy a reality and I thank God for the gift of Hudson John.  When I hug, snuggle, play, and laugh with Hudson I feel loved by God.  I recognize His deep love for me, His child.  I am confident God created Hudson just for us to love, cherish, nurture, and train in His ways.  I am beyond grateful for Hudson and treasure our days together.  They are not all beautiful and wonderful, but my heart still overflows with thanksgiving.  And I believe with all my heart that he deserves to be celebrated!  So here it goes...

A Champion

Having transitioned to a big boy bed, with the holidays behind us, and just a few weeks before his 3rd birthday, we knew the next thing we had to do was potty train Hudson.  Yippee!  :)  Hudson has always been a great kid, transitioning through each developmental milestone and adventure with confidence.  Therefore, I anticipated a positive experience with this too, but never had I expected it to go quite this well…

I have been calling Hudson, "my potty training champion."  We are so proud of him!  Hudson has been going on the potty for months.  Initially he sat on it just to get comfortable, but eventually started going consistently a few times a day (before nap, before bed, before bath time).  He proved to be both comfortable and confident.  We had plenty of new underwear in the drawer and had read lots of books from the library.  For the month of December we prepared him a little more, saying after Christmas it was going to be "no more diapers."  In the meantime, I did some reading of resources I had received from friends on doing "potty training boot camp."  I had cleared our calendar for the week and was going to "go for it."  I stocked up on a few treats (frozen yogurt for going poopy, jelly beans for potty, and videos for extra incentive) and felt prepared.  Hudson noticed I was reading a book and asked me about what I was reading.  I continued to explain to him that it was about potty training and he needed to help me with making sure his "potty" and "poopy" went in the toilet, not in his diaper anymore.  Diapers are for babies, like his cousins Clara and Milly.  :)  At that moment I think it clicked.  That is literally about all that it took.  He got it, understood it, and took it on himself.  From that moment on he started telling us when he needs to go, can hold it for long lengths of time, is getting more comfortable going in public settings, and has only had 4 accidents during this first month.  We never did "boot camp" and he has taken it on with confidence and excellence.  Once again he proved himself to be a big boy!  We are so proud, and grateful!  :)