My Rebuttal--The Display-Off

Whoa, whoa. Let's back this pony up for a minute. I'm referring to this post.

Crates have always been my thing. As you may recall from this post, I bought this vintage Kraft crate to go along with my 2 vintage Pepsi crates. I had already planned on incorporating them into my fall display.

The truth is I thought I could do a better job making crates than Ashley could just buying them. I spurned her on. I'm not naturally competitive. I just like having a measured account of my success. Hence, the display-off!

Here is my official entry ticket. Please use these updated pictures when casting your vote.

As you walk up the path


To the right

To the Left

Yeah, I don't have an hooty bird available to the gauche masses. But I don't think that people should be rewarded for their unoriginality. I think they should be rewarded for cute overall displays. When you have a set-up this cute, THAT is the piece de resistance.

Here's Ashley's display. Also very cute.

It's safe to say none of Ashley's blog readers would ever a cookie judge at my famous party. They cannot see past their own biased views. "I don't like scarecrows, so Ashley wins. I have hay fever, so hay bales disqualify you. I hate the taste of gourds. You lose." Lameski! You have to be able to put your personal preferences aside, and use your artistic vision. I trust that my enlightened readers will be able to do just that.

As Ashley said, the visitors to our homes are the real winners in all of this. And me, of course.

Beezie Turns One!

Our little nutter turned one year old today. I can't believe it. I know everyone says that, but seriously folks. How did my adorable little peanut.....

.......turn into this loud, curly-locked little lass?

I planned a fun little shindig for our besties, and had a wonderful day. Just like last year, the end of September brought a heatwave. Unlike last year, I wasn't enjoying the air conditioning generously provided by Kaiser. The day before the party it was 92. That's hot for us Bay Area babies. I was running around cooking and baking in our little oven/house. Thankfully,the day of the party brought warm weather and a cool breeze. It was perfect for our little outdoor shindig. Here are the deets.

The Decorations

I got all of my goodies at The TomKat Studio. No, not this Tomkat. This Tomkat. I absolutely love her stuff, and will be using them down the line. My party featured her lollipop line.

The Food

I served up a hearty lunch and a sweet treats bar. For the lunch I did BBQ pulled pork sandwiches, smoky baked beans, coleslaw, and Ashley's famous 7 layer dip.

Bonnie made Beezie's cake. She always makes a bear cake for the first birthday. I got to choose the colors, and it turned out adorable!

I also did a batch of GF chocolate cupcakes with cream cheese frosting. So delish.

We also had an assortment of kid-friendly goodies available in all of my cute jars.

The People

Check this out--Inger totally adopted my famous arm pose. Nice work, Ingie!

The Cake

I purposely kept Blakely away from cake until her first birthday. I afforded her a few nibbles here and there, and would give her a little lick of frosting now and then...but saved the big stuff for her big day.

She was a big fan. She especially loves frosting. Ha! She may be Little Lady Lance, but she's all mine in the frosting department. I see Mommy-Daughter nights in our future where we eat frosting out of a can together while dancing to NKOTB. I love having a girl.

Somebody else liked the cake, too.

Huh?? Me? Nope, wasn't me!

Just kidding! It was. And it was absolutely finger-licking delish. No regrets.

Thanks to everyone who came out and celebrated with us! You made our day fun and special. We look forward to spending many more birthdays with you!

For her real birthday tonight, we hit Pizza Party with a few friends. Then we headed home to celebrate little lady.

We had the Andersens over to eat some cupcakes and help us open presents. Kai happily obliged in this department. As soon as B opened a bag, he shouted out what it was, and then ran off with it. It's good for B to have a little competition.

B got a book of real dogs from my dad and his wife that move, shake, and even pee. She is beyond delighted. She says "ruff-ruff" and pants when she reads it. It's her first animal sound! We are still working on cows and kittens.

She totally caught on that bag=something fun for her. Smart cookie.

Lancer got her a little piano/xylophone combination that she loves. She also got a set of bells and a shaker, which will be put to good use when she shakes her little booty. Which is all the time.


I also got her a set of the wooden fridge food from Melissa and Doug to go with her soon to be completed little wood kitchen. It's about 75% done now, and cuter than I had even imagined!

Your latest gems:

You now know 'yes' and 'no.' I ask you if you want more food, and you shake your head either way to let me know your preference. Once I told you to yes, and you shook your head no. I repeated yes, and you repeated no. And then you yanked my hair. It's safe to say you understand the meaning of both words.

You dance like a fiend anytime music is on, including the grocery store. I love it!

You are starting to show an interest in dolls and stuffed animals. You hug and squeeze them.

You are the most social kid I have ever met. You LOVE people, and assume everyone you meet is a friend to be had. I hope you stay this way throughout your life.

You are also starting to have some separation anxiety. You're like a famous song. Every step I take...every move I make...you want to be on my pant leg. I get a ton done these days. Not really.

You are so funny, and already have a little sense of humor. When I fake sleep on the floor, you crawl over and do the same thing. Then you try and surprise me.

You try and feed me food, and get mad when it's something I can't eat.

You love slides and climbing up, over, under, and on things. You have no fear.

You love rolling balls, and have great hand eye coordination. You catch them on occasion when we roll them to you.

You automatically clap when we say yay.

You try and put everything on your head. We have always placed silly things on our heads to see if you notice. You always did, and now crawl over asap to get the item off our heads. Then you try and place it on your own head.

You do a very funny hula dance where you put your hands behind your head and bounce on your knees up and down. I only wish I had taught you this. It's all you, baby!

You love your preschool, gym, and music class.

You love dogs! You stalk Logan all over the house, and squeal with delight when his tail whacks you. People expect you to be scared of dogs, but you never are.

You can blow kisses, and gladly ruff on command when I tell you to bark like a dog.

You are definitely developing your taste buds in different directions. Current favorite foods are: string cheese, cheddar cheese, little crackers with cheese, pouch food, toast with cream cheese, party meatballs, chicken nuggets, strawberries, freeze dried mango, veggie straws, and graham crackers.

Thanks for taking the baby chute down from heaven. You're our little delight! Happy Birthday! We love you so much!