Super Hero Hunter Turns 4!

My boy turned four. It feels like yesterday that he was a small toddler running away from me in a hysterical fit of giggles as I chased him through school, parking lots and our kitchen.

I know he’s a boy now. How? When I say, “Please stop Hunter”, he stops, turns around and looks me in the eye. I’m thankful those days of chasing are behind me (for now) but I ache a little thinking about how quickly they grow.

Hunter had been talking so much about Super Heroes that the theme felt perfectly suited.

We used our Super Hero chalk drawing as the invitation and when guests arrived we wanted them to know they were at the right place.

Based on inspiration from Pinterest, we created a city skyline perfect for photo ops or Super Hero flying. 

 (Black tablecloth from the $1 store and buildings made from cardboard boxes taking up space in our basement, spray painted black with square pieces of vinyl tape added for windows.)

(My little guy never once complained about his mask. He wore it with pride. Yup, he knows where his bottle comes from.)

(This Dad got in on the fun wearing a Superman T and press badge 

with his name: Clark Kent.)

Fun Super Hero décor and activities surrounded the guests inside.

 (Super Hero books, Spider Man glitter playdoh, tattoos, and make your own Super Hero mask.)

 A photo collage in the shape of the number four as a homage to our Super Boy served as the backdrop to the food.

The menu consisted of; Super Hero Sandwiches, Catwoman Claws (Bugles), Bat Pellets (chocolate covered raisins), Spider Bites (Ritz crackers with peanut butter and pretzels), Super Cookies in Disguise (white chocolate covered Oreos with black icing mustaches), Kryptonite Punch (green fruit punch) and Power POP! Punch (blue Gatorade that changed colors and popped when Pop Rocks were dropped into it).

(The idea for the Spider Bites came from this adorable blog.)

While some of us opted to stay inside, 

Daddy led the kids through an outdoor Super Hero Obstacle course. They had to jump into rings, walk a zig zag balance beam, defend each other against a Green Shirted Monster, practice their water gun aim at a Super Hero mask tied to a tree, and, finally, break through a wall of giant boxes. These guys and gals are definitely ready to defend any bad guys that come their way!

(These two little guys stick together. The third wheel is Hunter’s suitcase that goes with him just about everywhere.)

(One word: gorgeous.)

(We did not stage this shot but it sure looks like it!)

After every last box had been crushed we went inside for cake and more fun.

(I made the little guy’s Super Hero outfit from an old onesie, iron-on felt and leftover fabric from Dave’s childhood chair for the cape. 

He looked SUPER cute.)

(How cool is this gift wrap?!?!)

When our friends left we gave them a super cool Super Hero band to say thanks. 

 

(These adorable bands were made by the super talented and sweet Brandi from MyFamilyTies on etsy.)

When all is said and done and the Super Hero masks come off, it's the power of his smile that gets me every time.

 Happy Birthday beautiful boy. You are the sunshine to my rainy days, the sprinkles on my chocolate ice cream and the music to my dance. I love you Buddy!

“Your birthday is a special time to celebrate the gift of YOU to the world.” -Anonymous

7 Months & Christmas Baths

Can you believe it? He’s already over seven months. 

Although it feels as if it was just yesterday he entered into our lives, it also seems as if he’s always been a part of us. He fits perfectly and we can hardly remember life before him.

With three little elves running around its been challenging to do all of the activities I have swirling around in my mind. Pinterest has only fueled my creative juices and I seriously lay in bed awake at night excited about all of the new ideas I’d like to try in between toddler meals, chasing babies and changing diapers. 

Just before Christmas I decided to surprise the kids with a Christmas bath. It took less than ten minutes to throw together during nap time and they loved it.

-Peppermint scented water colored with red food coloring
-Holiday window decals from the $1 store that we already had (has anyone else thought to use these in the bath tub? Genius!)

-Shaving cream to make Frosty the Snowman

-A string of colorful lights 

-Scented pine cones I’ve had since last year and never used (my kids love exploring with their sense of smell)

-A bowl of shaving cream I colored with green food coloring and small spoons

-Red and green balloons

We talked and played for a full hour before the hitting and hair pulling started….it gave Mommy an easy segue to talking about keeping the Christmas spirit. 

We finished off with an easy snack idea I found on Pinterest.

Unfortunately, the kids claimed they didn’t like it although neither tried it. 

Fortunately, this worked in my favor—I mean, what woman won’t say yes to leftover spreadable cheese? Especially when it’s paired with crackers and a side of vino.

Here’s hoping the remainder of your holidays are warm and bubbly, colorfully festive, laced with peppermint-and-iced-snow smells, and free of hair pulling and hitting. 

 “Sorrow can be alleviated by good sleep, a bath and a glass of wine.” – Thomas Aquinas