an oreo theme…

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For Bjørn’s 2nd birthday, I decided to do an Oreo theme. I know I probably should have done a Dora theme, like he would have asked for if he could talk… but I just couldn’t do it!

I am so not a character theme person. I don’t love character clothes for my kids (yes, they do have a few pieces but very few!) and I don’t love character parties. Especially the cost!

Now there are some character theme parties that would be fairly simple to throw together without much extra cost. Mickey Mouse for example. But I just wasn’t up to the Dora effort, and since Bjørn loves Oreos, and I have been dying to try this cake pan out…

…I decided that Oreos would be the birthday theme!

We had tuna melts for lunch, with chips and onion dip, and crackers and homemade hummus. Then, out came the dessert!

A giant Oreo cake! (actually a giant Oreo brownies & ice cream concoction!) and of course, lots of Oreos of different sizes, nice cold milk, and two different kinds of cookies & cream ice cream.

I sure had fun putting this all together!! Especially since I suppose next year I will have to start letting him pick his own theme. :o)

starting traditions…

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One of the things I am loving the most about being a mom is traditions. Passing down old family traditions and creating new ones.

I love the classics… like getting a new pair of pajamas every Christmas, & picking your favorite meals on your birthday. But I especially love starting a new tradition with my children that will someday, possibly, be passed down to their children!

This year I decided to start a new birthday tradition. Regardless of when we actually celebrate their birthdays and what they get, each child will get to pick out a special book ON their birthday (which will then be written in the cover by mom or dad commemorating the occasion)! :o)

I have always loved books… and as we bring out our old books for our kids, it’s so neat to open them and see personal notes written to me or my husband on the inside covers! I hope my boys enjoy that as much as we do!

So in honor of our new tradition, I took Bjørn to Costco on his birthday so that he could pick out his “birthday book”. He carefully looked at each and every book I showed him until he finally decided on a small set of Elmo books. He was so pleased with his selection!!

I wrote him a little love-note inside the cover of one of the books, and I hope he one day looks back at that cover and remembers how loved and cherished he truly is!

2 years…

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My sweet baby Bjørn,

2 years ago today, I met you for the first time. I looked into your beautiful big eyes and counted your glorious long toes and fingers. I held you in my arms and prayed that I would never have to let you go.

Today, 2 years later, you are such an independent wild-child that I practically have to beg for you to let me hold you in my arms. I never could have imagined, 2 years ago, that those moments of holding you in my arms and smelling your sweet baby smell would disappear so quickly.

You are becoming more and more strong-willed every day, and you don’t do anything halfway. Stopping or even slowing down is just not something you do. Hugs are few and far between, because it’s hard to get you to stop long enough!

You do still let me snuggle you at naptime and bedtime though… and oh how I live for those moments. Holding you in my arms, feeling your soft breath on my neck, and hearing you ask over and over again for “MO Sus?” (more Jesus Loves Me!) completely melts my heart.

We have our struggles, you and me. Life is not easy when you’re 2, and having a baby brother too small to play with makes things even harder.

You’re not talking much yet, although you are pretty good at getting your point across… and sometimes it is incredibly frustrating for you and for us. But soon enough… soon enough your little brother will be big enough to play with. Soon enough you will be talking up a storm and we’ll have to ask you to quiet down. Soon enough… we’ll wish you were 2 again.

I love you so much, my sweet boy. You are one of the best things that has ever happened to me… You made me a mom.

Happy Birthday little man. We are so proud of who you are and who you are becoming. We love you!

Love, Mommy & Daddy