Milo and his Minions

I can't resist throwing birthday parties for my kids.  They love them and talk about them year-round and really there's way too many cute party ideas on Pinterest for me to pass up.  So when October rolled around and Miles started talking about his party, Minions seemed the perfect theme.

My little shadowed was very "helpful" setting up everything... mostly entertaining me with her cuteness.

Grams and Grandpa came by early since they couldn't stay long.

Come on in!  We're all ready!

First the kids got to cut and glue paper minions together.

Oh no!  The cookie robots have invaded!

There were lots of cute cake ideas but I was just too busy so these twinkie cupcake minions did the job.  Cute and easy!

Once I started scouring the web for ideas I couldn't pass up all these ridiculously creative minions.  Just google image minion characters and you'll get everything from hulk the minion to ballerina minions.

So I made banner- lots of them since I couldn't choose my favorites.

And Taylor brought everyone minions shirts last year when he was away at a law conference so even he dressed up to match the party.

The kids played minion bowling.

And pin the mustache on the minion.

Some decided they'd rather stick them on themselves.

And then we played the carnival spaceship shooter game that the little girls play in the movie.

And then we sang and ate.

12 little cousins, siblings, and friends.  Lots of fun and chaos!

And some mess too!

Here's our 2012 cousin twins Lyla and Isla.

And then while I cleaned up the food, Taylor helped Miles open the presents.

The gift bags turned out cute.

And after everyone left there was a lot of playing.

And some Minion movie watching.

And finally some lego building.  A perfect party and a happy little boy.

Miles the Birthday Boy

This little boy is 4 years old!  Not so little anymore he thinks!

He wanted a smore's cake and also a candy cake.  So this is what I came up with.  Very messy- lots of marshmallow fluff and graham cracker crumbs leaking out, but very yummy.  Even chocolate ganache on top.  And you can never have too many Kit Kats and M&Ms.

Isla thoroughly enjoyed the messiness.

And Milo agrees it's yummy.

Messy but yummy.

We had the family over for the usual Sunday dinner which was good so that cake disappeared in one night.

And then bright and early on Birthday Monday morning, we were all up and ready to open presents.

So hard to let someone else open the presents.

Miles got a few lego sets but his big present was a hot wheels Pinewood Derby track complete with lights and sounds that announce which car is the winner.

So excited!

And so are all the boys!

And later that day Grams brought her own cars to join in on the fun.

And a magnifying glass just to add a little learning to the mix.

Car races and more car races.  What a prefect day for a 4 year old.

Silly Girl

We love this silly girl.  How can you resist someone so tiny who likes to wear clown-sized shoes around.

And how can you resist those adorable jeggings.

Or those little noise blower lips.

And she's absolutely hilarious when she starts dancing with the boys and copies their bum circling dance.

It really deserves a video, but you get the gist.

We love this little pip squeak and she loves her dolly.

Conference Time

It's that time of year again.  And we love having a Sunday off of regular church where we can sit and enjoy our time together.  I've tried lots of pinterest ideas over the years but these folders are our favorites.

Okay so this smile is really the favorite.

Maybe this one.

Okay I can't choose.  Basically each boy has their own folder and as they're listening they get to move the apostle that's speaking to the pulpit and then they get to decide what he's speaking about and move that picture up to the bubble.  And if they listen well and pay attention, then get early-Halloween candy as a reward.

They're pretty pleased with the plan and I'm pleased with how well they listen and learn.