Dylan's First Birthday Party...

This past Saturday we hosted Dylan's first birthday party!  A full year has gone by and our little man is now ONE! I wish I could say that I took a million fabulous photos and the whole party went down like a perfect Pinterest dream, but that is just not the case.  Truth is I barely have any photos that fully document the day and although I executed a pretty hilarious theme, "Pickles and all things that go with Pickles," I don't have much to show for it.  They say that the less photos you take, the more fun you had, so I'm going with that.  Who said that- I'm not so sure, but I think that saying is just perfect for this occasion.

As some of you know, we call my son, Dyl Pickle, or Picks for short.  My brother made up the nickname and it just kinda stuck.  Speaking of my brother, him and his family recently moved to Maryland (BIG TEAR) and they totally surprised me with a visit for the Pickle Party! It was so
amazing!

But let's rewind...when pinteresting ideas for Dylan's first birthday, I started to think of and pin foods that went with pickles.

I was pretty amazed with everything I found.  Gotta love Pinterest! After I came up with ideas, I found a caterer who was willing to go the extra mile for my theme.  I used Peppers Catering located in Northboro, MA and they were great to work with.  They were pricier than I expected and I was a bit disappointed by how much set up I had to do for how much money I spent, but I was prepared for that by my trusty planning coordinator in advance.  I ended up ordering a bunch of sandwiches and wraps, 90 different kinds of sliders that had many different toppings to go with them, an Italian Table Presentation full of breads, assorted cheeses, meats, olives, roasted red peppers, bean dip, etc.  In addition, I ordered a giant cake in the shape of a giant pickle (inspired by the one above) and a Smash Cake.  I also ordered pickle relishes for the pickle bar.  My friend Jamie also made 4 Large Mason Jars full of DYL pickles! I wish I could show you how delicious all the food came out, but I didn't take any food photos! I know! I guess when you're out of the food blogging world, it's easy to forget.

But before I go into too much detail about the party itself, check out my invite.  I found the wording on pinterest, changed it up a bit, asked my friend Meg to draw a "cute, happy, birthday pickle" and then I designed the rest of the invite.

(front)

(back)

Pretty fun (and a little ridiculous) right?

Well, the weather for Saturday was 93 degrees.  Right smack in the middle of a New England heat wave.  Now the last couple parties we've had, it's been raining so I was so happy it was a beautiful day, but I was a little worried that people wouldn't want to be outside.  I love my house, but it is not set up for indoor parties... at all. When people started showing up, everyone was coming inside.  My food was not ready and I was totally worried that my great outdoor party I had envisioned was going to turn into an indoor one. Luckily, at 3 o'clock when the party started (after naptime of course), my backyard is almost always shaded.  We rented a few round tables and chairs for people to sit at and the cutest little kids table with kids chairs.  I also had a large gymnastics mat for kids to play on, a water table, an inflatable pool filled with water and another filled with balls (mini-ball pit), and a swing and a slide.  There was definitely enough to do, it was just whether or not people could handle the heat. No amount
of shade would disguise 93 degrees.

But the kids loved being outside even if it meant the parents were sweating just a bit.

We set up the food in our 2-car garage.  Completely cleared it out and filled it with three large rectangular tables. Aside from the adult food, I also had a kids table where I put out pouches, baby food jars filled with cheerios and puffs, baby sun-tan lotion, bubbles and little toys for the kids to play with.  We also had plenty of water, sodas, and beers.

In our basement, we set up the dessert table. We had tons of cookies, brownies and blondies, the Giant Pickle Cake (totally ridiculous, but amazingly delicious), the Smash Cake, and Hamburger Pops made by Creative Confections by Lauren in Allston, MA.

I totally recommend using Lauren for the Cake Pops if you're local, they were so delicious!

I found these adorable pops on this post  and then starting searching for someone who could make pops like those in my area.  Lauren did such an amazing job.  I ordered two flavors- one with Cookies N Creme another with Confetti.  They were so delicious (and HUGE).

My bff Courtney also made the cutest little Hamburger cookies.  I found the recipe again on this blog, and it was something Court and I planned to make together on Friday.  But then my brothers family surprised me and I just wanted to spend time with them so Court took over.  (You're the best Courtney!) Aren't they adorable?  Made with Nilla Wafers, Thin Mints, Coconut with green food coloring and red and yellow frosting for the ketchup and mustard.

I think the biggest reason my pictures are such a disappointment (aside from the fact that I didn't take much) are that I kept my 50mm lens on.  The 50 is great for portraits, but not so great for sharing the whole scene.  Even these pictures I took of the basement only show what's on the table, not the awesome decorating done by yours truly and my BFF Courtney.  Hint.. mainly done by Court.  I'm pretty good at coming up with fun ideas, but not so great at executing.

 (thanks Court)

(instagram: LizzyKC11)

My decorations also included a tree decorated with pickle ornaments.  Yep, you read that right.  No pictures to show for it though. I also had 5 large 20X30 foam core boards printed of pictures of Dylans first year that we hung from the deck.

For centerpieces and to display what foods we were serving, I quickly put together these labels- I just photoshopped it together with the pickle from the invite.  We used skewer sticks and foam board to put it together.  We then placed the sticks in Mason Jars filled with rocks that I had leftover from my wedding (almost FIVE years ago!).

Okay, more party pictures!

Cake Smashing!

The delicious inside of the cake... that would be green fondant, marshmallow filling, marble cake with chocolate mouse.... mmmmm...

Naked Gift opening...

A funny, theme related gift (thanks Kerry!)

Oh... see the screen in the background? I also made a video of Dylan's first year.  It's 20 minutes long and I played it on the upstairs and downstairs TVs on a loop.  I'll spare you the whole video, but check out the end... it makes all those Monthly Photoshoots of Dylan wearing his Monthly Sticker worth it.  Watch my son grow up before your eyes!

And to finish off the day, our only family picture.  Dyl looks beyond excited right?

Happy 1st Birthday Little Man.  We love you Dyl Pickle!

National running day!

Today is June 5th, also known as National Running Day. It's a great day to come back from my blogging hiatus, don't ya think? Dave and I also met 8 years ago today! Crazy! Fittingly, we met at a bar after running the Harpoon five miler. See June 5th really is a special running day! I have a post all ready to go about Dylan's first birthday party so hopefully I'll also get that up this week.

I could sit here and tell you how much I currently love running and how I'm finally back on a successful running routine, but that just isn't the case. I've been competitively running since grade school and I'm currently in one of my lull years. I love running, I think about running, I talk about running especially track, but I'm just not doing a lot of it right now. I know it's common, to have ebbs and flows with something you're truly passionate about, and that's okay because you can't be 100% into any one thing every second of every day!

But I wanted to post today about how my love of the sport culminated last month with being inducted into my High School Sports Hall of Fame. I've talked about my glory days of running track on this blog before but the reality is we really were that good. (It wasn't all talk- I swear!) Even Dave was super surprised/proud when he saw me giving a speech in front of 300+ people at the Banquet. Just to give you an idea- Doug Flutie was inducted last year : )

Our Indoor Track Team I captained along with three of my close friends in 99-2000 went on to go Undefeated in our league, win the State Relays and the State Championship Meet. We set 14 School Records that year, 8 of which currently stand.

Earlier in 2013, we heard the news from coaches that we were going to be inducted on May 3rd, making us the youngest team and youngest individuals ever to be given such an honor. I got together with two of the four captains and we reminisced and planned our speeches. We watched footage that my dad had taped on his big VHS video recorder and we were brought right back. I'm not currently running religiously but I know in my heart I'll always be a runner. I know that when I think about my past and my high school experience, what I remember most is my days spent running around that oval. I remember my black Adidas spikes, the bell lap, the baton and my teammates. I remember finishing a race and running to my coach to see if the time he clocked matched my enthusiasm. I remember looking into the stands and seeing my parents cheering me on. I remember holding up those trophies with my fellow captains and thinking life doesn't get much better than this.

(then)

(now)

On May 3rd, I stood at the stadium at my rebuilt, brand-new high school and gave a speech that I hope to be proud of for many years to come...

(Ps- that's Susan Warnick in the back there- the emcee for the event, also an Alumni of my high school)

I reminisced (see that giant scrapbook!!!) and I tried to show my love for the sport- what it's taught me and what it continues to teach me in the years since competitively running on the track. 

I also tried to tie back to what happened on April 15th, the tragedy that changed Boston and runners forever.  I will someday write about that on this blog, but the right words haven't hit me yet. 

Here's a little glimpse into the ending of my speech.

Running transformed my life and I wouldn't be half the person I am today without it. I still wear my 2011 Boston marathon jacket proudly even though the thought of even walking 26.2 miles scares me.
So on June 5th it's nice to take a moment and reflect back on this sport- it's peaks and its valleys, it's highs and its lows and to know that without it, I just wouldn't be me.

I said in my acceptance speech that people know where I'm from and that I'm a runner before they know much else about me. And that's not because I look like a runner. It's because when people talk about the sport- marathons, track and field- my eyes light up and you can tell how passionate I am about it.

I know I'll find time for the sport in my life again - but for now I'm going to relish in the past.

Thanks for reading... what does running mean to you?

Happiness

My husband always says I'm going to live a really long life because I'm so happy and very rarely let stress into my life.

I think happiness is a state of mind and if you allow yourself to be happy- to feel happiness, to forget negativity and stress, you'll live better too.

I've been enjoying every second with my son. I've read a few blog posts and Facebook newsfeed statuses that rubbed me the wrong way lately and I just want to say something  plain and simple: having a baby doesn't last forever. You know the expression or is it a commercial jingle? "You have a child forever but a baby for just one year?" Well, when your baby is waking up for no reason or crying and crying, stay calm and tell them you love them. When your baby falls asleep in your arms and you still have a pile of dishes in the sink and a full basket of clothes to fold, take the time to enjoy it. All week I've been having those peaceful moments with Dylan after he finishes nursing and he's lying fast asleep in my arms. I stare at his perfect face and listen to his loud snore and relish in it because I know these moments won't last forever. It take a lot more effort to be miserable.  It's a lot easier to be happy.  Think about it.

I just received this forward from my mom.  I often delete forwards but I loved this one and had to share.... my favorites are highlighted in red...

7% Written by a 90 year old This is something we should all read at least once a week!!!!! Make sure you read to the end!!!!!!  Written by Regina Brett, 90 years old, of the Plain Dealer, Cleveland, Ohio. "To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most requested column I've ever written. My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good. 2. When in doubt, just take the next small step. 3. Life is too short enjoy it. 4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and family will. 5. Pay off your credit cards every month. 6. You don't have to win every argument. Stay true to yourself. 7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone. 8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it. 9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck. 10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile. 11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present. 12. It's OK to let your children see you cry. 13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about. 14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it. 15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye, but don't worry, God never blinks. 16.. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind. 17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful. Clutter weighs you down in many ways. 18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger. 19.. It's never too late to be happy. But its all up to you and no one else. 20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer. 21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special. 22. Over prepare, then go with the flow. 23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple. 24. The most important sex organ is the brain. 25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you. 26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?' 27. Always choose life. 28. Forgive 29. What other people think of you is none of your business. 30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time. 31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change. 32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does. 33. Believe in miracles. 34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do. 35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now. 36. Growing old beats the alternative of dying young. 37. Your children get only one childhood. 38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved. 39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere. 40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back. 41. Envy is a waste of time. Accept what you already have, not what you need 42. The best is yet to come... 43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up. 44. Yield. 45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift." Its estimated 93% won't forward this. If you are one of the 7% who will, forward this with the title '7%'. I'm in the 7%. Friends are the family that we choose.

Happy Friday!

Lately...

Lately...

• I've been feeling like this winter is never ending and my family can't catch a break in the sickness department.  One week my son is sick and the next week, me and Dave are sick.  After 3 ear infections in three months, it seems that Dylan is AGAIN coming down with another cold.  Meanwhile, I'm finally at the tail end of my cold and cough. Is it just me or does it seem like the cold symptoms will never end when you're going through it?  Then one day, magically, it's just gone!  Here's hoping that Spring REALLY is around the corner and today was the last snow storm of the season.

• Dylan's been doing great with sleeping, but this morning I woke up at 4 o'clock and just KNEW he was going to get up.  Sure enough a few minutes later, he woke up and I brought him in bed with me and watched him sleep.  Sometimes there is nothing better than cuddling with your baby and watching them sleep.  Motherhood really is so amazing. Also amazing... how your body can adjust to broken sleep...

• I've been cooking using our slow-cooker for ALL our meals and I've been pretty estatic with the results.  Lately I've made Greek Lentil Soup, Salsa Chicken, Pulled Pork and Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches.

• I've been feeling like maybe the reason I keep getting so sick is because I'm not working out.  And maybe I'm {ALMOST} ready to make time for it in my life.  I tested about half of the fit test of the Insanity workout before having a baby emergency and it felt good to sweat.  So, maybe, just maybe I do miss working out... just a little.

• I went to a get-together at my friend Laura's and I got a glimpse into what life would be like 10 kids.  Not that I would ever have that many, but having ten kids under 5 in one house was quite a sight to see.  I felt bad for Laura because collectively, we destroyed that house in less than 2 hours.  But it was fun!

• Oh and lastly, after finishing all five seasons of Friday Night Lights, I went on a search for another great series to watch during my commute.  I've started Parenthood and I like it, but don't love it.  I also started Girls and got so hooked that I've already finished the first 2 seasons.  After the first few episodes I didn't think I was going to like it, but it's just so well-written and intriguing that it draws you in and you can't look away.
• Edited to add- another random thing to add... I've been totally inspired by one of my bff's Stephanie and all the DIY stuff she does at her two homes.  And lately, her latest endeavor- re-doing her kitchen at her Cape house, has led to us thinking (and hopefully acting) about doing the same.  Go check out Stephanie's blog- better yet, add it to your reader... err... FREELY and get inspired!

What's been going on with you lately?

Tuesday Things....

I've been wanting to write on this blog but haven't found the time and when I do have the time, I lose the motivation.  So this post will be so random. Random Tuesday Things!

But at the end, I promise I'll have a recipe!

• We hired a cleaning lady, finally, after living in our house for nearly 6 years.  It's the best investment we've ever made!  I was sick of spending every weekend during naptime running around the house trying to get all my cleaning done in a short amount of time.  I don't enjoy cleaning (AT ALL) so now it's nice to know I don't have to do it!  And now we can enjoy Dylan's naptime as a family.  Twice this weekend, we took Dylan out on a walk during his normal naps.  He looks all around until he just passes out...

And when we're not out and about during his naptimes, we like to take naps as a family in bed.  It's the best!

• I still feel like a superhero for everything else I get done even if I'm not running around the house during his naptime.  Over the weekend, I did four loads of laundry and got it folded, Grocery shopped, menu planned, cooked dinner for us, cooked food for Dylan, took a million pictures, edited a ton of photos, visited with friends and family.
• Speaking of friends and family, it was my sister-in-laws birthday Saturday so we celebrated at my moms.  I absolutely love it when we get the boys together.

• My dad used to live in track suits when I was growing up so seeing the boys in these made me smile.  Made me feel like my dad is still with us...
• We also visited with Dylan's bff Dane who is a month and a half older!  And a lot stronger, as he totally tried to beat up my son...

But then would try to kiss him right after...

Dylan wasn't so sure about the kissing...

• In other news, Dylan started eating little chunks of food and I've found the easiest appliance to cook all his food in is my rice cooker.  We got a rice cooker for our wedding (almost 5 years ago!) and sadly, I had never used it.  But now I've been using it weekly to make softened apples and apple sauce and to steam carrots and sweet potato. It's as simple as peeling your apples, coring them, chopping them up and putting them in the rice cooker with water.  At the same time, you can dice up some sweet potatoes and carrots and steam them on top.  And Dylan's been loving it!

• Other random things... Dylan seems to always get sick on Tuesdays.  I got home from work yesterday and he looked absolutely miserable.  We went to the doctor this morning and sure enough, another ear infection.  My poor baby.

• I've been getting an insane amount of spam on this blog- anyone else having issues with Blogger and Spam?

• Also, I've started to plan Dylan's first birthday.  His nickname is Picks, so let's just say it will definitely be Pickle themed! If you have any amazing pickle-themed recipes or dishes that go great with pickles, please send them my way!

• Okay, enough rambling for one post... want a recipe?  How about an easy Slow-Cooker recipe that sounds really weird but tastes really good?  Pretty much everything I've been cooking lately is with my slow-cooker. My friend Kerry recommended this to me and it was so good!  I changed a few things but for most part, kept the recipe the same.  Kerry got it from a Slow-Cooker recipe book.

Kielbasa Chickpea Slow Cooker Stew

Ingredients:

1 large can of chickpeas or two 15 ounce cans

10 baby carrots sliced

1 medium onion, chopped

1 red pepper, chopped

1 green pepper, chopped

1 teaspoon of dried thyme

1 teaspoon of dried basil

1 teaspoon of pepper

1 package of turkey kielbasa, sliced (or sausage would be great)

2.5 cups of Chicken Broth

1 container (8 ounces) of hummus

1 can (6 ounces) of tomato paste

salt to taste

Instructions:

Throw everything in the slow cooker except the hummus and tomato paste and cook on low for 10-11 hours or on high for 4-5.  Once ready to eat, add in the hummus and tomato paste, mix well, adjust seasoning, cook for 10 minutes more and serve.

The easiest kind of recipe!

Happy Tuesday!