The Very Hungry Kyler-pillar's 1st Birthday

June 3rd: Mini-Birthday Celebration

On Kyler's actual birthday, June 3rd we began our festivities with him getting to try his first cupcake and opening presents.  He wasn't so sure how to get a present opened but Makenna gladly showed him and he got the hang of it.

Although at first he was way more interested in the paper...

until he saw that sister was interested in the toy that was within the wrapping and then decided that he might like it too.

Then it was on to cupcakes.  He was given help from Makenna in blowing out the candle but after that there was no learning curve needed for this boy.  Give him anything with food and he will figure out what to do with it quickly.  He LOVED his cupcake.

The Very Hungry Kyler-pillar's 1st Birthday Party

Then the big event arrived; his family and friends 1st birthday party!!  The theme for his party was "The Very Hungry Kyler-pillar" inspired by Eric Carle's wonderful book The Very Hungry Caterpillar that Kyler LOVES to read.  Here is the party invite:

I made a little outfit for him thanks to the wonderful ideas on Pinterest.

(...butt he was still hungry.)

I set up a little kids play area in the family room so they would have a safe place to play where they wouldn't get trampled by the bigger kids:-)  Kyler enjoyed playing in that area a lot and with all of his friends that were closer to his size.

We had food inspired by the pages in The Very Hungry Caterpillar book:

And most of our decorations were also crafts or activities that kids of all ages could have fun doing and went along with the the pages of the book.

Leaf rubbings

Sun Craft

Playdough Caterpillars
(Unfortunately the playdough was too squishy to play with)

Butterfly Clothespin Craft

The kids also had fun playing on the swings and jumping in the bounce house outside.  Kyler wouldn't set foot in the bounce house as he didn't like the feeling of his feet not feeling firm on the ground.

Thankfully it wasn't too scorching hot outside and since our patio cover had just been installed it was nice to be able to open it up for people to sit inside or outside.

Then it was time for caterpillar cupcakes.  Kyler again had a wonderful time eating his cupcake and enjoyed sharing a little with daddy too:-)

Then it was time for presents.  Kyler stayed interested for about 2 gift unwrappings and then decided that he had sat enough and went off to go play while Makenna, some of the other kids, and I were left to unwrapped the remaining gifts.

He did come back later after a few gifts had been unwrapped though to play with the toys.  I think that his three most favorite gifts were his lightsaber...

his football...

and the bow that came off of one of the gifts:-)

And a quick family photo with the birthday boy.  We love you so much Kyler and can't believe how fast you have grown.  You are such an energetic, sweet, and comical little guy.  It is so fun to watch you grow.

It was so sweet too, Makenna learned how to "read" The Very Hungry Caterpillar book so that she could read it to Kyler as a gift to him.  Unfortunately it was hard to make Kyler sit still that long, but that was such a thoughtful and sweet gift from his adoring older sister.

Kyler had a great time at his party and with all of the friends and family that were able to attend.  Thank you to everyone who made his day so special!!

Kyler's First Haircut

On June 5th Toby's parents, Beth, Jason, and Wyatt came over to our house to celebrate Toby's mom's birthday.  In addition to a birthday celebration we also asked if Toby's mom could give Kyler his first haircut.  We had lots of yummy food and then headed outside to watch Kyler get his hair cut.

He squirmed a LOT but once he was given the spray bottle he was intrigued enough to sit still-ish for a few minutes.

Zandra did an AMAZING job and Kyler's hair looked so professional.  I am in awe because if I had to cut his hair with all of his squirming I am sure he would have had an awful cut or been missing an ear.  There was no screaming or crying involved for Kyler because he knew everyone and his environment so it was such a wonderful experience.

Then after the haircut was done we sang happy birthday to Zandra and Kyler got in on the action too.  All Kyler really wanted to do was touch the candle flame.

Happy Birthday to an amazing Mother and Mother-In-Law.  We love you so much!!

Knott's Berry Farm

Oh how we love Coke Points!!  We were able to get two Knott's Berry Farm tickets with our points and so we found a day at the end of May to use our tickets.  We were expecting it to be somewhat crowded since a few schools were already on summer break, but to our surprise it wasn't crowded at all.  I think we waited no longer than 10 minutes to go on any ride, but that was probably also because we stayed mostly in Camp Snoopy and most people probably don't come for the kiddie rides:-)

Our first stop was to the airplanes where Makenna successfully flew her plane.

Then we were off to the race track where Kyler got his first ride experience.  He wasn't frightened in the least, although he wasn't really excited either.  He just kind of looked like this...

He really didn't know what to think when the car raced quickly around the corners.  Next, we headed to the hot air balloons, which was the ride that Makenna was most looking forward to.

Then it was onto the little kids train since it just happened to be pulling into the station at the time that we were passing by:-)

Somehow then we were able to convince Makenna to go on the giant skateboard roller coaster-ish ride.  At first she said no, but then decided that she might as well try it.  Unfortunately I couldn't really get a good picture of her because she was on the opposite side of where Kyler and I were standing to take pictures:-( She said that she had fun, and she didn't seem to be scared one bit, but she also didn't have the desire to go back on it again.  But then again, she was willing to try the mini-roller coaster with me too and had no problems there either.  I foresee lots of roller coaster riding in our future...hehe.

We then went to little cars that you have to pump to move.  I loved how they strategically place kids so the bigger ones are in the back to push the younger ones along...hehe.

Then, in no particular order, we went on the school bus...

the tug boat...

and the trucks.

Kyler took a little nap in the stroller while Makenna and I went on the ferris wheel (which was a SUPER long wait) and then she bounced around in the Snoopy bounce house.

We went to the western area and went on the big mine train ride, which Makenna didn't like because it was too dark.  And we also visited the stagecoach where we waved out of our carriage like royalty and discussed how we are glad to have not had to ride in a stagecoach for more than 10-minutes.

We went on the sky cabin, hat dance ride, and then over to the carousel.

Kyler LOVED the carousel and was giggling and neighing as the horse went up and down.

Then we backtracked back through Camp Snoopy where Kyler got to go on the trucks, which by the way was Makenna's favorite ride.  I think it had to do with the noisy horn...hehe.

By then Kyler had enough with the rides so Makenna went back on the cars...

went onto the Snoopy Airmail ride...

And then what trip would be complete without a family photo with Snoopy:-)

This photo almost didn't happen because as we were just getting ready to get in line, Snoopy took off for his break.  Luckily another Snoopy came to take his place otherwise we would have had a very disappointed daughter.  And Kyler was quite thrilled to touch Snoopy's ear and wasn't in the least scared of the big furry dog.

We ended up staying a lot later than anticipated because we were having such a marvelous time.  We had a fun day and look forward to going again in the future.