Jenn and Brett's Family Blog

Monday, October 18, 2010

September 2010 Wrap Up

I lauched my other blog, This Mommy Loves, in September and while I'm having so much fun writing about crafts, fun activities to do with toddlers, party planning, etc, I'm afraid that my first true blog love has taken the back burner.

Sooooo, here's a September/beginning of October wrap up of all that's happened in our personal lives over the last month or so, and just a warning, it's A LOT!

1) As I mentioned, I launched my public blog, This Mommy Loves. I'm doing this a) because I really enjoy blogging and social media in general and b) wouldn't it be so great to actually make some money by doing what you love :-) We'll see how I feel in a year. I hope I still am doing it and still really enjoying it!

2) Birthday Parties! Since Brenna's birthday party, we have celebrated Ella Kate, Aidan, Jalyn, and Audrey's 2nd Birthdays :-)

Here's a great shot of all of the moms at Ella Kate's Birthday Party

Happy Birthday, Ella Kate!

Keri/Marina and Sonya/Ry Ry (who is Brenna's total crush, she talks abou thim ALL the time)

Up next was Aidan's Birthday Party at My Gym:

Aidan and Emily

Crafton and Brett got to play Mommy for circle time

Weeee! Brenna loved the roller-coaster swing!

Then was Jalyn's pool party with the yummiest Vienamese Food I've ever had (the only Vienamese food I've ever had but DELICIOUS none-the-less). Amy even brought me a ton of leftovers which Brett and I devoured.

Next was Audrey's Ice Cream themed birthday party. I'm learning how to get fancy with picture collages :-)

3) Brett and I were happy to celebrate with Kristen and Robby at their beautiful wedding in St. Augustine, Florida at the Bayfront Mansion on September 25th.

So honored to have been a bridesmaid. Love ya, Kristen!!!

Hello-Florida girls reunite! These were all my coworkers from HF days. Such a great first job out of college.

(Lindsey, me, Monica, Kristen, Kristi, Bridgette, Danielle, and Heidi)

Kristen is the best! Such a fun, goofy, kind-hearted friend.

Brett obviously thinks so too.

Kristen and Robby

4) Last up is Gina and Bill's engagement party at Payzin's Restaurant in Coral Springs. So happy to celebrate with these guys who always have made a special effort to celebrate the milestones in our lives.

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Brenna, All about you at 2!

Brenna, you're 2!!!! You are so much fun right now. You are so talkative these days and love to sing songs, and color, and give big hugs.

Recently we were at Grandma and Grandpa's house, and you saw a picture of Aunt Mandy from her senior picture collection where she had a red feather boa wrapped around her and you said "Aunt Mandy and Elmo!" It was so cute.

You like for Daddy to give you a list of silly options so you can say "NOOOOO" For example, Brenna does a cow say "Ribbit?" "NOOOO" "Does a cow say, ruff ruff? "NOOOOO"

You like to lay all of your baby dolls out on the floor and they each have to have their own blanket while you cover than and tell them to "Go to sleep, Jacob", "Go to sleep, Emma" "Lay down, Colton" This must be what your teacher says at preschool to your classmates.

We just started a Mommy and Me dance class and you love to wear your leotard and tutu. We even wore it to the dentist office and all of the girls that worked there just thought you were the cutest thing in the world. You told everyone that "I'm 2" and that we were "going to Dance Class"

You know shapes: Square, Rectangle, Triangle, Heart, Diamond

You can differentiate between colors.

You like to say "Draw a Picture" or "Make a Dolphin/Cow/Dog/Cat" etc referring to playdough cooking cutters.

You have just recently learned that your full name is Brenna Bloom Epstein.

You go to school on Tuesdays and Thursdays. We go to Dance Class on Mondays, and storytime at the Library on Fridays.

You swim like a fish! You love it so so much and everyone stares and can't get over what an amazing swimmer you are.

You now know that the pacy is only for "the car and the crib." And you tell me that while in the car.

You love all your grandparents and they are all basking in your sunshine. Whenever I ask you who you're going to see, the answer is almost always Grammy.

You also love to see pictures of Nick and Alex.

You give me big bear hugs when I carry you from the bath to your bed to get dressed.

We love you so much!!!

Happy 2nd Birthday Brenna!

Brenna turned 2 on August 29th and we had a big "Pancakes and Pajamas" party at the house. I got the idea from a friend and it was so much fun! The party started at 9:30am and we had a buffet of pancakes with all the topings for the kids and a little spread of breakfast goodies for the adults.

It was perfect for Brenna because:

1) She loves pancakes! And by love, I mean the first thing she does every morning is get out the syrup out of the pantry and say "Pancakes!"

2) Having a breakfast party in the beginning of the day is perfect for 2 year olds who still nap in the afternoon

3) It's a relatively cheap party idea. You can feed a lot of people on pancakes and other breakfast items without spending a portion of your kid's college fund.

4) Any occasion to serve coffee and mimosas is always very much appreciated by adults.

My friend Brooke put together this beautiful collage which I think captured the party perfectly.

I had so much fun planning this party. My mom helped me make decorations and Brett made an awesome toddler size wooden picnic table so that all the kids could sit together on the patio. For favors, I gave everyone aprons that I got at the dollar store.