Birthday and Bourbon

Last weekend we celebrated Stuart's birthday. We started the weekend with a trip to his mom and dad's house for a birthday dinner. It was a nice relaxing evening topped off with cake of course. It is not everyday that you turn 31 and it is not everyday that you get a Nutella Choco Banana cake either. Our ever talented cake lady made it and he was pumped. Okay, we all were pretty excited- and it was tasty. We had cake, sang to the birthday boy and just enjoyed a quiet evening.

The next day we had a distillery date. We left the kids with the Snyders and headed to the Maker's Mark distillery for a tour and a little bourbon tasting. This had been something I knew he had wanted to do and we were happy to make it happen for his birthday weekend. It was about a 45 minute drive from his parent's house and pretty much in the middle of no where. It was a fun little trip with my guy and very well worth it. The campus was beautiful, the tour was interesting- I learned a lot!, we tasted three versions and got to dip our own bottles. All very cool things that reminded us yet again that living in KY is pretty great. Little getaways like this are much needed, enjoyed and of course documented - documented in iPhone pictures anyway.

The birthday boy.

Did I mention the cake was AMAZING?

The birthday boy ready to dip his bottle.

Mr. Snyder mid-dip.

Pre Dip.

Selfie in the MM copper stills.

Yep, we got to taste the mash.

Our taste station. I decided I prefer the Maker's 46 and would be happy to never taste the Maker's White again.

"Nosing" the bourbon.

Taste tasting.

Happy Birthday Stuart. I love you very much and hope you enjoyed your bourbon, cake and low key weekend. I hope year 31 is one of the best ones yet. I know the best one was year 20- you know the one where you met me, but let's hope this one ranks pretty high up there too. Love you.

31 is WICKED.

I have been dying to see Wicked. I feel like it has  been on my to-do list for years and I am sure Stuart is tired of hearing me talk about it. Last year Stuart got me tickets to see it for my 30th birthday. He gave them to me early on our way to the hospital to have the twins as I was crying and in shock that we were going to meet our babies much earlier than anticipated. He gave them to me in hopes they would make me smile and take my mind off the fact that we were headed to the hospital with no bags packed and without my camera. I was happy and excited, but they obviously did not take my mind of the task at hand. But he surely gets an A for effort. We did not get to use the tickets last year sadly though, because we lost Stuart's grandma and her funeral was the same day as the show. So this year Stuart tried again- bless his heart, to get me to the show. It almost did not happen again, but it did. We got there and it was AMAZING!

Yes, we got there. barely. Stuart was trying to do the right thing, he really was but he bought the tickets from some pop up ad company that popped up when he googled Wicked I'm pretty sure. Let's just say we never got the physical tickets. Two days before the show we called to see what to do since he ordered the tickets a month before and they were supposed to come FedEx and they were not even shipped yet. We got put on hold, we got a number to leave a message and we even got an emergency number to call if you were in the same situation e were in. REALLY? This was a common thing for them and that was not very settling. Did I mention these tickets were my birthday present? Did I mention that we had a babysitter willing to watch all three of our wild ones on a weeknight? Did I mention that I have been waiting for what seems like forever to see this show? I was not giving up. We called all the numbers. I left at least a dozen messages. I talked to "Pedro" at the "home office" a few times and FINALLY got word that the tickets would be at Will Call. That should have made me feel better right? WRONG. I was convinced it was a hoax and we would be out the money and I would be sidelined yet again.

My birthday came and it was a good day. I will admit that I was a little nervous thinking about the tickets all day. I called Will Call again and they were not there, but she said not to worry. Me worry. ha! I rushed home from work, got all the kiddos fed and ready for the sitter and we were out the door- headed to Louisville for a night out. Stuart took me to a restaurant where everything was way too fancy for us and way too fancy for a weeknight and I enjoyed it. Loved my dinner and might have loved the wine too! In the back of my mind I kept thinking about those darn tickets. After a lovely meal we walked to the theater with only a few minutes to spare. Stopped by will call and guess what...NO TICKETS! Que the tears. I am standing at will call with no tickets in my hand. I show them the confirmation email that has just the row, she needed seat numbers. So Stuart and I both sit down and pull out the emergency numbers AGAIN.

We call. We leave voice mails. I text the company's owner. He is on hold when the nice lady from will call comes out to the lobby. SHE FOUND OUR TICKETS. They were listed under the purchaser's name and our name was in the bi-line. We got the tickets. We ran to the door (literally) and made it to our seats (that were in the very last row, in the middle of the balcony- as far back as you can get...) minutes before the curtain raises. I was about to pee my pants, sweating from nerves and tear stained but so excited to actually be there. I cannot even describe how thrilled I was to see this show. During the first song I had to run out to the bathroom and run back to my seat. I know the older ladies working the doors got a kick out of me. Anyway. After that emergency bathroom break I don't think I moved from my seat the whole show. It was AMAZING. I loved it. I loved the story, I loved being there with Stuart and I LOVED the music. I was so glad it lived up to my expectations and all that stress was worth it. What a way to start my 31st year- minus the crazy ticket debacle.

 

 

Two things for you to take away from this story:
1. Run, don't walk to see Wicked if it comes your way.
2. When you do get tickets to your next show, please do not buy them from a pop up ad company.


We are going to see Beauty and the Beast in a few weeks, but we are using Stuart's parent's season tickets. This is already proving to be a less stressful date. However we do work well under pressure and it would not be true Snyder style if there wasn't a little drama.

Thanks again Stuart! I loved it so much and love you more.

1st Birthday Bash!

Last weekend was the big day. It was the twins' first birthday bash! Not only was it a day to celebrate their first year of life, but I felt like it was also a celebration that Stuart and I survived their first year of life. ha! I am not going to lie, this year was WILD. It was the fastest year of my life and I have been thinking about how we were going to celebrate for quite sometime now. I have been googling "b/g twin first birthday ideas" for quite sometime. I found lots of Mickey and Minne, Pink and Blue and so many other cute ideas, but not what I was looking for. I eventually narrowed down the first birthday theme to The Very Hungry Caterpillar (which I found TONS of ideas for) and Raggedy Ann and Andy (which I found very few ideas for). I was in love with both ideas, but I wanted to do something a that I had not seen before so I chose Raggedy Ann and Andy and I am so glad I did. It was so much fun and it turned out great.

I will say that usually I plan things in my head and then they never turn out just as I imagine and I am a little let down. This party was different. I was not let down. I loved it so much. It all looked great (in my opinion), the babies were so good, and we were surrounded by people we love.  I thought about the theme a lot and had some ideas, but really did not get a chance to work on any of the details until Friday night and the party was on Sunday. So I packed it all in Friday and Saturday but I work best under pressure I guess. It was a wonderful day and I am so happy to be able to share some pictures and details from the day. I know they will not remember it and I might not either so I am glad I was able to enjoy the party enough to snap some cute pics along the way.

So without further ado...
The Raggedy Ann and Andy 1st Birthday Bash in pictures:

The guests of honor and their friend Andy.

 

Some of my favorite parts of the decorations.

I made the bunting from a deck of cards I bought on Etsy and the Ann and Andy I bought in a set on Ebay. I punched holes in them and strung them on ribbon. I just attached it with a tape runner. They took about 15 minutes and could be done with any theme.

I borrowed all the Ann and Andys after a facebook plea to my friends. My friends had the cutest stuff! The red chest is from Clark's room and I made the picture banner out of fun yarn from the Christmas section at Michael's, their month by month pictures and some card stock. It is still hanging on my mantel by the way! :)

This was in the entry as you walked in. I got the letters from Michael's. The books are borrowed from friends. I filled two jars with candy sticks from Cracker Barrel. The Ann doll and the game came from Goodwill and the cookies were made by Rebecca Maupin. She made the cakes and cupcakes too! She is OUTSTANDING!

My sweet kiddos pre party!



The smash cakes and cupcakes. Love them so.

The only picture of the food table I got and it was before it was all done.

 

A quick shot of the drink station. Loved the straws and mason jars!

I just added this game board as part of the table scape. This was the game I picked up at Goodwill the day before. Major score.

I was surprised there was any lemonade or straws left before the party began thanks to this guy.

 

 

 

The only shot of all of us from the big day.

 

 

These boys found a quiet spot to enjoy their cupcakes.

 

They did such a good job opening and not getting lost in the sea of tissue paper.

 

 

Just a few of our loved ones who came to celebrate.

 

WE WANT CAKE! WE WANT CAKE!

Yes, they ate that much. They were not messing around.

The proud parents and our sweet ONE YEAR OLDS!

It was an amazing day. I thought about it a lot, but I did not work too hard and thanks to my mom, dad and sister for coming a little early to help with the final touches.  It was a great day celebrating the duo and a BIG thanks to all of our friends and family who came out to celebrate. Also, a special thanks to all of you who took time to wish my babes a happy birthday. Happy it was.

 

 

Credits:

 

Adorable Shirts were made by my friend Hillary at Mint Julep Monograms.

She had the Andy applique designed  just for me by Applique Market (AM is having a 30%off sale NOW).  

Find them HERE and HERE.

 

Cakes, cookies and cupcakes made by Rebecca. Local peeps you can find her HERE.

 

Cupcake liners and straws from Etsy HERE.

 

Anns and Andys thanks to my friends Resa, Roxana, and Debbie. Thanks gals!

 

Old school candy from Cracker Barrel.

 

Jars borrowed from my friends Stephanie and Tarra. Double thanks!

 

Cute babies and sweet boy made by me! 

 

 

You are 4.

Dear Clark,

I honestly have no idea how this happened. How did you get so big? I am not exaggerating when I say that you do something daily that makes your daddy and I ask each other that very question. You are such a sweet boy, such a great helper, and a loving big brother. You have quite the imagination, love superheros, watching movies, and building castles and dinosaurs with Legos. You order by yourself in restaurants and your order of choice is macaroni and cheese with chocolate milk. You are a great diaper fetcher, paci getter, and toe tickler. You want EVERY toy you see on TV but are happy to have glow sticks from the dollar store or a gumball from a machine. You notice and hear everything. You ask lots of questions and remember everything. Here are some other things about you these days:

ALL ABOUT YOU.

Height/Weight:
You weigh about 39-40 lbs. 7% body fat in case you were wondering! ha! You weighed your self on daddy's scale. We think you are about 39 inches but we will fin out next week at your 4 year well visit to be sure.

Your Interests:
You love all things boy. You love cars, trucks and swords. You love dinosaurs, puzzles and water guns. You love to wrestle, sword fight and swing golf clubs with daddy. You are pretty interested in states and capitals right now and excited to go to preschool in the fall.

Favorite Foods:
You are a creature of habit and could eat the same thing everyday. However, you are starting to try new things and realize there are more things on the menu than mac and cheese.
You LOVE:

• Mac and Cheese 
• Strawberries
• Grapes
• Fruit Snacks
• PB&J
• Chips & Salsa
• Chips of any kind
• Cheese
• Waffles
• Peperroni Pizza
• Popcorn

Sizes:

You wear a size 12 shoe and 4T and 5T clothing. You have long legs and a small waist so we have to buy bigger to get things long enough. 

What you LOVE to watch on TV:

You LOVE to watch movies and much to my dismay you think you are too big for Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and Fresh Beat Band these days. You want to watch things like Batman, Tom and Jerry and Power Rangers. I think these shows are too violent but you LOVE to watch and put up a good fight.

Other GREAT things you are doing these days:

1. You are a puzzle master. You love putting puzzles together and you have been very into your puzzle of the US map lately- which makes your daddy pretty proud. I must admit I have been brushing up on my states and capitals due to this puzzle. 

2. You are better than daddy or me on iPhone games like Temple Run and Angry Birds Space. If we let you you would be attached to a phone all day. (we don't let you by the way)

3. You are soooooooo funny. You make jokes, you are sarcastic and your laugh is infectious. 

4. You are into jumping. You love jumping over things and off things. Last week while we were in FL you even mastered the jump off the side of the pool and go under water trick. It was a little scary at first but by the end of the week you were a master. Can't get over how fearless you are when it comes to this.

5. You are the best brother around. You are a great little brother to Barney although you beat up on him sometimes and you are a great big brother to your babies even though you beat up on them sometimes too. ha! You are loving, kind and gentle. It is my hope that you continue to be a good example for your siblings.

Days before you became a BIG BROTHER.

This list could go on and on. Yes, you have your moments. Yes, you can cry on demand and throw a good fit every now and then, but you are such a sweet, sweet boy. You have an amazing smile and we are so glad to call you ours. It has been amazing to watch you grow from a little flickering heart beat on a screen to a 40 lb. little man who is headed for preschool all too soon. You are a bright spot in our lives and make our day to day much more entertaining. I know you are going to do great things and I hope you do it with the zest and excitement you do today. 

1 candle.

2 candles.

3 candles.

4 candles.

We love you so much today and even more tomorrow. 

Happy Birthday little man. 

All my love,

Mommy