Brynn's Second Birthday Lemon Party!

We had Brynn's party the day before her actual birthday over at The Cabins at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort and Campgrounds. All week the weather was showing rain during her party but luckily it was clear and sunny (and HOT...sorry guests) during her party. We served BBQ pulled chicken sliders, grilled hot dogs, pasta salad, and veggies to our guests. I had lemonade, french berry lemonade, limeade, and water for our guest to enjoy. Instead of serving a traditional cake/cupcakes I went for mini cupcakes, mini lemon cakes, and mini cookie sandwiches which were a HUGE hit with our guests so I'll make sure to keep that in mind for years to come.

We ate, mingled, Brynn {but mostly me} opened presents, and then we let her smash her little cake. So many people raved about her cake and could not believe it when I told them at it was a vanilla mini cake from...Publix that I decorated myself! It turned out so great and the birthday girl snacked on it all day.

I originally picked a citrus theme for the party but then Target came out with the most adorable lemon/lemonade things in their dollar spot so I fully committed to lemons lol! I arranged flowers from Traders Joe's and Publix for the centerpieces and then placed fresh limes, lemons, greenery, and baby's breath in berry baskets to go on the sides of the arrangements. I also shoot for low cost items that I can reuse when entertaining so I'll make sure to provide links for the most asked about items.

We all had a great time and only had one casualty...Brynn's bestie, Nora took a tumble from the new princess carriage and got two bad skinned knees. Now I know to always have a first aid kit at kid's parties! Good news is that Nora is on the mend because she's literally the toughest toddler this side of the Mississippi! The other lesson I took away from this party is that next year I don't care how cheesy and un-Pinterest worthy it is...we're having an indoor, air conditioned...possibly Chuck-E-Cheese party! Here's the photo drop....

Party Supplies:

Tablecloths
Centerpiece Vases
Kid's Picnic Table (Early Birthday Gift from Aunt Maggie)
Entry Table
Yellow Gingham Paper Plates (Used a 40% off coupon on each pack)
2-Tier Cake Stand

Thanks for stopping by and please comment if you have any other questions about the party!

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To My Sweet Two Year Old

Another year has gone by and I wonder if I'll not feel that it was just yesterday that you were born. Looking back at your newborn photos and videos is a recipe for tears but I can't help myself because I need to always remember that time is fleeting and I need to soak up every second because it's so true when I hear people say the days are long but the years are short.

This has been a year of growth for all of us. We have a year under our belt as Floridians and are finally getting into the swing of our life here. We've spent countless days at Disney and you absolutely LOVE meeting the characters. You cry and throw a fit until it's your turn to meet them...but I do need to mention it's only love for fur characters because the face characters give you a big case of stranger danger. 

You are talking more and more every day. Your favorite words include: momma, daddy, Google, RuPaul, Poppa, yes, no, and saying that you are TWO! You are so agile and as much as I'd love for you to be a prissy ballerina I honestly think you're going to be a stellar athlete.You can shoot baskets, run super fast, climb, jump, and swim like a fish. You seriously have zero fear of the water which dad loves and I have crazy anxiety about. 

You still like MMCH but it's definitely on the back burner compared to your love of Peppa Pig, Word Party, Moana, and still Boss Baby. You love to color and draw on you chalkboard table and easel. You are so incredibly sweet...and far more maternal than I ever was...with your Bitty Baby named Vanjie from the Brankamps and mini Cabbage Patch kid doll from Mim. You are totally your mother's daughter when it comes to your sweet tooth...you beg for popsicles every evening. You could be in the worst mood but the second something is present you smile ear to ear...I'm trying my best to teach you moderation with sweets but am failing miserably. 

You are so sweet 90% of the time but man do you have a raging temper the other 10%...I have no idea where that comes from lol! My favorite part of my day is when I get home from work and you bolt to the door to greet me with the biggest hug, kiss, and pat on the back. Two years ago I was scared and felt so unready for you but that's the great thing about life...it gives you exactly what you need exactly when you need it. Thank you for making me a mom and for teaching every day how to be a better person. I'm so glad you entered my life exactly when I needed you. Happy Birthday Mouse, I love you. 

All photos courtesy of Faison Anne Photography

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1.5

You're halfway to your second birthday (brb crying) so it's time to document how life is right now...

You start each day by dancing to the MMCH theme song usually followed by Let It Go.

I taught you how to shake your hips side to side and when I say "I'm Brynn. I'm Brynn" you do it along with your classic "yasss girl" arm wave that you learned from RuPaul's Drag Race.

You wake up your Mim every morning by running to her room and knocking on the door...even if it's early it makes her day.

You are completely obsessed with Moana and Boss Baby. You watch them almost everyday which is a nice break from your other favorite the Mickey's Campout singalong.

You are getting over your first ear infection and boy did that stink. The doctor said it was probably from your two days of back up care. We thought it was just a cold but after a week of you not getting better and crankier by the day daddy suggested a trip to the doctor.

You absolutely love your Uncle Mario and Uncle Jason's dog Lilly. You pet and hug her so much when we are at their house.

Your favorite foods are: puffs, blueberries, bananas, strawberries, grilled chicken, and popcorn.

You love your slide, Minnie Mouse bus, and Minnie Mouse ballpit.

You can say Mama, Dad, Jay, yes...and are trying your hardest to say water and Disney.

You listen to instructions very well and are very tactile. When MMCH ends on the DVR you run and find the remote and give it to one of us to put it on another episode...you also bring us our phones if they're ringing.

You make the funniest little face where you scrunch up your nose and breathe through it like you're a mad bull or something...regardless it's hilarious and you know it always makes us laugh.

You can tell us when you want more milk and when you're finished eating with sign language.

You love when we take walks with you in your trike and when we play in the back yard.

You can throw and catch a ball which makes your daddy incredibly happy.

You are above the curve for height for you age...how in the world did that happen?!

You are becoming so independent which is bittersweet but fills my heart with pride.

Here's to more memories made and fun times together! Love you Mouse!

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Eleven Months of Brynn

This month we felt like you went from baby to big girl and here's why...

You now can identify and call us by "Mama" and "Dada".

You now understand how to be gentle while petting your dogs.

Vanilla and blueberry puffs are your favorite snack.

You can play a mean game of "Where's Brynn?" also known as peek-a-boo and...

YOU STARTED WALKING ON YOUR OWN!

With that being said things are definitely more eventful around the house especially for your Mim who watches you. While your walking steadily is still a work in progress you are a super fast crawler and can make it to your favorite toy, the dog's water bowl, before any of us can jump up and grab you.

This month also brings a very big change for our family because we are moving from Atlanta, GA to Orlando, FL. I, Momma, make the move down first and at the end of July right before your first birthday you and Mim will move down. At the time being Daddy is staying in GA for the fall semester and he will be very missed but hopefully he will be able to make visits often and we will all be together before we know it.

We honestly can't believe that almost a year has gone by since you came into our lives. We love seeing you grow and are so proud to be your parents. We love you Mouse!

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Nine Months of Brynn

You are officially "out" longer than you were "in' and we can't believe it. This month was filled with so much fun and new things for you so let's get right into it.

 Your "9" is made from golf balls since you made it through your first school year as a coach's kid

This month the night before we traveled the Nashville you said your first word which was...MAMA! I was so excited and daddy was only mildly jealous. You love to gab all day with your Mim and you like to "sing" songs from The Little Mermaid with her. You absolutely LOVE music! Your favorite songs are "The Hot Dog Dance" from Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and the "I'm a Little Teapot" that's on a commercial...you will stop whatever you're doing to watch that commercial. Sometimes you try to "tip" over during it or once the song is done. This month brought your first tooth completely popping through. It's on the bottom in the front and now the tooth right next to it is making it's way up. That one little tooth has brought a love for food including hummus, mashed potatoes, peas, beans, and organic puff snacks...which you can feed to yourself!

You will not sit still for anything. You want to move, move, move and we love it! You are a super fast crawler, even though you always keep your left leg popped up with your knee to the sky. You can pull yourself up on anything and can even stand a few seconds by yourself. You've learned how to open drawers and cabinets so it's time to baby proof everything because you will be walking before we know it. This month you went to your first class at The Little Gym and had so fun! We are planing on signing you up for the summer session. Your doctor said you're growing exactly how you should be and that you are in the gifted bracket when it comes to motor skills and development. She thinks you might be walking in the next month which is absolutely crazy!

It's hard to believe that the planning for your first birthday is already underway. You have your joint early birthday party next month with Stella and then we will travel up to Cleveland to celebrate your actual birthday with our family there. We love seeing you grow and become a strong and independent little girl but we wouldn't mind it if you slowed down just a little. We love you so much Mouse!

This month's top items: Baby Pool // Minnie Mouse Walker // Alphabet Puzzle Floor Mat

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Eight Months of Brynn

I know I say it every time but I can't believe how fast time is flying! This month feels like the most you've grown and here's why...

You've gone from kind of crawling to full blown crawling like a champ
You are far too active for your swing and it has officially been retired
You are pulling yourself up to stand every chance you get
You love jumping in your JOEY JUMPER and now ever know what the word jump means
Your teeth are finally popping through your little gums
You love eating baby food and can hold your spoon (and bottle) all by yourself
You recognize the "Hot Dog Song" from MMCH and start dancing when it comes on

and my favorite...

You are so close to saying your first word which sounds a whole lot like "Momma"

Even though you have some amazing toys you prefer playing with the baby wipe box, tv remote, and "petting" your dogs. We got you your own BABY PHONE but you would rather play with the real phones. You celebrated your first St. Patrick's Day and I think you're going to be the life of the party because we tried to put you down for bed at your normal bedtime and you wanted to stay up and play.

Your "8" is made from bows made by momma. This month we opened our shop TheBraveBow Company and if it wasn't for you there would be no shop! You are becoming such a big girl and I can't believe we're already starting to make celebration plans for your first birthday! I can't wait to see what new things you learn to do next month. We love you so much Mouse!

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Seven Months of Brynn

How in the world are you seven months old already?! I feel like we just came home from the hospital yesterday and now I have to start thinking about planning your first birthday party.

 This month you haven't stopped moving. You're rolling, crawling, and taking steps when you hold our hands. You have a new trick that shows how smart you are but is super scary for me. You, with the encouragement from your daddy, have learned how to roll and slide off of the couch to stand on the floor. It's hilarious and terrifying all at the same time.

 Your new favorite toy is THIS JUMPER. I think we all have as much fun watching you as you do jumping in it. It's made you want to jump all the time. Sometimes we pull it up and swing you in it which you LOVE! I think you like to feel the wind in your hair.

 As far as foods go...your parents finally busted out the BABY BULLET and made you some fresh, homemade foods. Your favorite by far are sweet potatoes and you're a fan of pears, banana, and prunes.

This month brought a visit from your Aunt Kac and your first Valentine's Day. Thank you for being so funny and sweet. We love you so much Mouse!

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Six Months of Brynn

How in the world have we been your parents for half a year already?! Time is flying! You are becoming more and more active and you have the greatest little personality.

This month you have truly found your voice. When you're happy for squeal at an octave only Mariah Carey can hit and your laugh is contagious. You "talk" to us in the mornings and tell me about your day when I get home from work. On the other side of the spectrum your new cry is rough. It's incredibly loud, high pitched, and heartbreaking. We do everything we can to keep you in a good mood so we don't have to hear it.

You still love your "office",dogs, frozen pacifiers, and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. Your new loves include your feet, your Belle doll we got at Walt Disney World, and eating solid foods, which is what your "6" is made of! Sweet potatoes are your favorite followed by apples, mangoes, and prunes. You like baby cereal as long as it's mixed with something else. you like drinking your two ounces of apple juice every day and even hold the bottle by yourself.

You're rolling over, pulling yourself up, and sitting on your own. You're starting to crawl and I feel like this time next month you will be on the move!

You are growing so well and we are excited that we get to be apart of it every day! We love you mouse! 

And a fun little bonus...this is a picture of momma at six months old and a picture of you at the same age in the same dress!!! You look so big!

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Five Months of Brynn

This has been a month of moving and shaking! You are growing so much and looking like such a big girl. You have mastered rolling over and do it any chance you get. You are starting to not love your swing anymore, except for your morning swing time during Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. Your new seating preferences are your high chair and exersaucer, which daddy calls your "office." You have a whole new love for your Baby Einstein Play Gym now that you have figured out how to play with all the toys on it and I even added some of these links to give you more things to be able to grab on to.

Teething has hit you pretty hard this month. We feel so bad that you're hurting and holding out hope for the end of this stage. In the meantime we are giving you frozen pacifiers and poor Sophie the Giraffe is earning her keep.

You are all about your pup brother and sister nowadays! Mulligan is your buddy and he gives you kisses on your cheeks and feet anytime he can. Caddie has finally warmed up to you and will give you little nudges when mommy is holding you. They both love to watch you play and we can tell they're eager for you to get bigger so they can play with you.

This month our home became a bit fuller with your Mim making the move down to Georgia to take care of you while mommy and daddy work. We are so grateful to have her taking care of you because we were so scared of putting you in daycare as a little baby. You two have bonded quickly and you've made sure to let her know that you are running the show. Your Uncle Jay is living down here too for a few months while he is playing in his first professional golf tour here in Georgia and Florida. We are so excited to go watch him play and watch daddy be his caddy when he can.

Your "5" is made from some of your toys that you got on your first Christmas!

Each month as you grow we get busier and busier (which is why this post is late...again) but I promise to try better next month! We love you so much Mouse!

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Four Months of Brynn

It seems like each month passes faster and faster as you continue to grow and our family is getting busier and busier which is why this post is late. We're doing our best to savor each moment with you while we fondly remember "how things were" in the beginning and celebrate all the new "how things are" with you. Here are some things that happened this month...

You have started to eat less times each day but eat more during each feeding.You are still waking up one to two times a night to eat but I feel like pretty soon it's only going to be one time a night. Daddy has gotten you on a solid morning routine which consists of you seeing me off to work, swing time while you watch Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, eating, then morning tummy time and walks in your stroller. You are now big enough to ride in the stroller without the car seat portion which will come in handy next month at Disney! Speaking of Disney, this month you watched your first Disney movie which was Beauty and the Beast. You took to the skies again for your third and fourth flight up to Cleveland where we spent your first Thanksgiving with daddy's family.

You're developing such a cute little personality. You love to smile, laugh, and "talk" to us. You are a huge fan of Queen Elsa and watch the Let It Go video at least once every day. Mulligan and you get along great and he gives you kisses any chance he can, Caddie on the other hand is scared of you but getting more comfortable with you as time goes on. Whenever we want her to get off the couch all we have to do is lay you within 3 feet of her and she's gone!

You're still crazy about your "bunnies" (pacifiers), tummy time, being held, and your swing but now you try to slide out of it so we have to buckle you in which you are not crazy about. You are drooling like crazy because you are starting to teethe, so now we are having to bust out the bibs or you go through multiple outfits a day. Daddy has discovered that you like to have the window cracked in the car because you like the breeze. I'm hoping this means you will really love the open air rides at Disney like Dumbo.

We can't wait to see what new excitement next month brings! We love you so much Mouse!

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