Celebrate that birthday

A few weekends ago I had the privilege of traveling with my mom to Orlando to celebrate my aunt's birthday.
My aunt doesn't get to do a whole lot of celebrating for her birthday usually, so we made sure to give her a wild time.
As wild as we can get . . . which I know by most standards isn't very wild at all.
We did a lot of eating and shopping and eating some more.
When we got there on Friday we did a little shopping in a TJ Maxx.
Don't you always head there first when you are in a new city?
No?
Well, you should.
Many treasures to be found.
After that exciting time we headed to the hotel to check in and get freshened up for dinner.
We had reservations at Opa - Greek Taverna.
It was a really fun place with napkin throwing and belly dancers.

This is my mom and one of her sisters (not the birthday girl).

My mom and I (obvi).

This was Stellios, our waiter.

He was divine.

Great service and lots of fun.

This is the birthday girl and her daughter, also known as my cousin (in case you didn't put that together).

On Saturday we got up and went shopping (shocker).

We hit the outlets pretty hard and then headed to Epcot for the Food and Wine festival.

It was my third time at the F&WF this year.

It was just as magnificent each time.

We ate and ate and ate.

And then got 2 rides in within 30 minutes of the park closing.

My mom even went on Test Track.

I told her it wasn't rough . . . which it really isn't . . . sort of.

Then we headed to Denny's for some more grub and stayed there until 3 in the morning.

I told you we were wild.

Sunday brought breakfast at Cracker Barrel and a ride home.

I did attend this birthday celebration sans kids.

And while I did have a dream of getting sleep while there (which didn't happen . . .hello, 3 in the morning at Denny's), it did not disappoint in the fun department.

Had a blast with these ladies and hope we can do it again soon!

Halloween 2013

This year we decided to "do" Halloween with Tim's side of the family. His sister has an open house type party every year, and we have never been before. Tim had work on the east coast earlier in the week, so we decided to tack the Farrow Halloween party on the end. We went to Daytona on Tuesday and stayed on the beach.

On Wednesday Tim had work, so I took the kids on a tour of the Daytona Speedway.

It was really cool.

I know my kids are a lot of work, but it is always funny to me when someone is surprised that I own all three.

While on the tour the guide asked me multiple times if I was taking all three on the tour by myself or if I had help.

I had to hold Ethan and Lexi on my lap at the same time because they weren't allowed to sit in the seats alone.

Otherwise it was a really fun time, and the kids did great which was a blessing.

Wednesday night we went to Vero for the big party.

It started with pumpkin carving.

My sister in law was kind enough to provide the pumpkins and the tools.

I usually try to get out of the whole carving process because I think it is disgusting.

But, of course, the boys love it, and parents do what kids love.

My boys adore these cousins.

It is so fun to have family as their best friends.

Thursday night was Halloween.

I convinced/manipulated my kids into being FSU football players and a cheerleader.

Thanks to Aunt Whitney and Uncle Peter for the cute costume.

Ethan wouldn't wear face paint.  Surprise of all surprises.

I'm not a huge fan of Halloween.

The scary stuff is always bothersome for me, but it is fun to see my kids dressed in their cute costumes.

I try to just have fun and make it fun for the kids.

I think we accomplished that goal this year.

Loved

We went to the Hunsader Farms Pumpkin Festival last weekend (the 27th).

It is something we try to do every year, and I think we have done it since George was born except for last year while we were in Fort Myers.
It is about an hour away from our current house in Largo.
It is usually pretty hot and dusty.
We usually have to park miles away from the entrance and walk those miles with our children.
It is a pretty large festival with lots of disgusting fair type food.
There are games for the kids that cost a dollar each, so you end up spending quite a bit of money for those exciting tickets that in the end buy more crap that you don't need or want in your house.

So why do we go?
Our kids love it, and we kinda love it too.
Is it a lot of work?  Absolutely.
Are we dead tired when we get home?  Certainly.
Does it build family memories that can never be replaced?  Most definitely.

The last few weeks I have really been trying to "simplify" a lot of things.
One of them that I have spent a lot of time thinking about are my parenting goals.
I feel like I can run myself ragged just thinking about the ways I fail as a parent.
I want my kids to behave and obey and basically be perfect, so I can have confirmation that I am doing "my job."
But the real goal should be love.
I want them to feel love unconditionally from me like Christ shows me everyday.
I should be lavishing my love on them.
And going to things like Pumpkin festivals builds our love as a family.
I asked George the other night after his bath if he knew I loved him . . . He said yes, so I asked him how he knew.
He said, "Cause you tell me all the time."
I was kind of offended because I wanted him to give me an action, not words.
But I was also glad that he took what I say seriously.
I love my children so, so, so much, and sometimes I am amazed at the things I am willing to do/sacrifice for them.
It is an amazing picture of God's love, and I hope I can always point my children to that.
And just for laughs . . . here are the four (and only four) family photos we got at the Pumpkin festival.
I can't pick a favorite.
They are all so good.

Ethan's face.

Lexi is trying to out-strength me to get off my lap.

Ethan wants to pick up a pumpkin and George is thinking about something in outer space.

Mommy and daddy are fake smiling to take some of the attention off our screaming baby.

And there you have it . . . reality in the Bettelli family.

Lexi Girl is One

Lexi is officially a year old as of Saturday.   I can't believe she isn't a tiny baby anymore.   She is still tiny, but you know what I mean.   She will be walking any day, and she is full of personality.   Anyone and everyone she meets comments on her smile.   It is so cute.   And still totally toothless.   I can't believe how much I love this little girl.   She is a bright spot in a tough year.   Since we are living community style with my sister in a small house, we decided not to have a huge birthday party for her.   We just did a little family BBQ at my mom and dad's house.   I decorated in pink and pumpkin, and it turned out really cute.  

Since it was just family at the party I set out this little table where everyone could write Lexi a note that she would open on her 18th birthday.  

I saw the idea on pinterest (where else?) and loved it.

I try to think about ways to make my kids birthdays meaningful.

I know when I turned 18 I would have loved to have gotten special notes from my family about me at a year old.

Now I just have to remember where I put them for the next 17 years.

I sanded (and by I, I mean my husband) and painted a wooden high chair I found on Craig's List for 5 bucks.

I also made the little "1" banner attached to the chair.

One other decoration that made the party really special was her pictures over the last 12 months in a frame my brother in law made for Lexi's baby shower when I was pregnant.

I love reusing things like this.

It is so fun to see how much she has changed over the course of the year.

I ended up making her a pumpkin muffin as her "smash cake" because it was the only recipe that seemed easy and tasty without eggs.

One last little piece of her party was this adorable tutu outfit I ordered on Etsy.

It was exactly what I wanted for her.

She looked so precious in the whole get-up.

It was a really special day to celebrate our precious gift from God.

She is such a joy.

I try to write my kids a letter every year around their birthday just to recap some of the small details I know I will forget as they grow.

I am not sure when I will give them their "book" of letters . . . maybe at 18, maybe on their wedding day, maybe to find when I am gone (probably not since I am really looking forward to watching them cry as they read . . .haha) . . . but I love writing the way I feel right at that stage.

I hope and pray they can feel it too as they read these letters.

Here is a portion of Lexi's from this year.

Dearest Lexi Girl,

               You were quite the surprise to our family, but I know that God picked exactly you to fit right in.  This past year has been the hardest in my life thus far.  I know it wasn’t the worst I could imagine, but it was hard and looked hopeless on multiple occasions.  You were such a bright spot.  You were something I could always look to as a picture of God’s grace and love for me.  Your sweet smile is such a gift.

                The day before you were born I wrote you a short note on my blog to ask you to come quickly and as painlessly as possible.  You delivered then and you continue to be an extremely easy baby.  Your daddy always says that he prayed and prayed that God would give us a “go with the flow” kid while our life was so crazy.  He answered our prayers and so much more with you.   

                Lexi, you are such a gift.  I literally thank my God everyday for placing exactly you in my arms 12 months ago.  I hope and pray that I cherish every moment with you.  I know the years will fly by, but I want to make happy memories for you to remember.  You are such a special little girl who brings so much joy to so many people.  Your smile is a light.  I pray you always use it to shine for your Savior.  He blessed you with such a sweet spirit.  I am learning from you already.  I want people to react to me the way they do to you.  It is impossible to be unhappy when I am around you.  You are a blessing to your father, your brothers and me.  We can’t get enough of you.  We celebrate your life.  We love you so very much, precious one.

 I love you, my sweet, sweet smile,
Mommy