Birthday Bugs

Brayden and Makenzie turned 2 on Friday. This was cause for a buggin' birthday bash!

The Invite

The Guests

All of our guests were kind enough to wear festive bug antennae party hats.

Everyone, that is, except the guests of honor. They kept taking them off and throwing them. And they really didn’t want to sit still for this photo, either. Especially Brayden. He was trying to run away. I guess they were hungry and wanted some food. Speaking of which. . .

The GrubIn keeping with the bug theme, we grilled up some hamburgers and served them with:

• Fried Worms (French fried onions)
• Ants on a Log (celery w/peanut butter and raisins)
• Worms by the Inch (grapes on toothpicks w/carrots)
• Bumblebee Parts (olives and cheddar cheese leftover from the bumblebees adorning the salad)
• Butterfly Wings (Doritos)
• Chips with Cricket Dust (sour cream & onion chips)
• Ladybug Blood (raspberry lemonade)
• Beetle Juice (limeade)

The food was a lot of fun, but also a lot of work. Note to self: next year keep it simple!!

Instead of birthday cake, I made birthday cupcakes for each of the twins. Makenzie got ladybugs marching to make the number 2.

Brayden’s were crafted to look like a caterpillar. They both had candles for antennae.

The HaulAndy and I gave the twins their presents as soon as they woke up. They each got their very own car! Note to everyone: this will not happen on their 16th birthday! They were both very excited. So excited that Elmo ended up face first on the floor, which is unheard of!

In fact, Brayden was so happy that he didn’t even care that I took a picture of him sporting some pretty crazy bed head.

After breakfast, we took them outside and let them play with their cars. They had a hard time “driving” them Flintstone style, however. They could go backwards but not really forward. So they ended up getting out and pushing their cars quite a bit. And Mommy pushed them. And Daddy pushed them. They even pushed each other a little bit.

The kids made quite the haul at their birthday party. They are definitely spoiled by everyone. Here are a few pics of them opening presents.

The After-PartyAfter the festivities were over everyone kept on partying. There was running, jumping, swinging, digging and sliding. There was even a little badminton action.

All in all, it was a fun day. I can’t believe my “babies” are now two-year-olds! Thanks to everyone who helped make the twins birthday a very special day!

Lagoon!

Yesterday, Grandma & Grandpa Rhodes took all of their grandkids to Lagoon. Brayden & Makenzie had a ball riding the rides with their cousin Kara. They don't get to see her much since she lives in Colorado.

After lunch, we met up with the older kids and went on the two rides that everyone could ride: Rattlesnake Rapids and the Log Flume. The line for the Log Flume was soooo slow. Brayden actually fell asleep in my arms while we were waiting to get on. I was debating whether or not to hop out of line and let him sleep or just get on the ride and see if he woke up. I decided to get on the ride. Brayden slept the entire time. . .he didn't even flinch when we went down the big hill and got splashed with water! He was one tired boy. When we got off our log boat, we walked back to the kiddie rides. He woke up as we were getting in line. I asked him if he wanted to go on a ride with Makenzie and he excitedly shook his head yes and started chanting, "Ride, ride!" His power nap was over and he was ready to go.

The first thing Makenzie spotted when we walked into the park was a giant Elmo that you could win by trying to throuw darts. Andy announced he was going to win it for her. Well, $5 and 3 darts later, he didn't even pop one baloon! I decided to try while the kids were finishing up their afternoon snack. And guess what? I didn't win the giant Elmo, but I did win them a small one! As I walked back to the food court, Makenzie saw him and got very excited. "Melmo!" she yelled. Yay for Mommy!

Before we went home, we took the kids on Puff the Magic Dragon one last time. Jessica was kind enough to ride with with Makenzie since neither she nor Brayden are big enough to ride it by themselves yet and I am not supposed to ride roller coasters of any kind. Andy & Brayden got the front, Jenna was next, followed by Jess and Kenzie.

What a fun day! Thanks Dan & Lois!