Ayana's 2nd Birthday - Picture Blog

My baby's 2nd Birthday was on Monday but we celebrated it Sunday. I really do love parties and I especially like to plan them. However, since the number of folks I know here I can count on one hand, planning can be done the day before and not months in advance like I used to do. So, even tho it was "just us" literally, I still wanted it to be nice. I did have one guest,my hair stylist, came with gifts for the birthday girl. It was nice. I didn't realize how much I missed having "company" until she rang my doorbell. (I'ma have to get out and see more folks).

The girls seemed to have enjoyed themselves. Everybody got presents because it's hard to just buy gifts for the one. Altho, the birthday girls ALWAYS gets more. LOL. My hunny bought a few balloons, we had a lil food, cake, and family so what more could I ask for?

That's all folks! Enjoy.

- Lady Alyson


The Birthday Girl


Before the party


Did I tell yall that I LOVE WholeFoods?





Some sweets


More food (ignore the sparkly stuff)





My loves minus one


Daddy loves to open presents too





Love of my life and my love


Just doing what I do, eatin LOL

Birthdays and Awards

Today is just full of love. Why? Well today is my sister's birthday. Seeing that her birthday is just 6 days before baby Sarai's (that's #3) it makes it all the more special. Last year I did a special party just for the two birthday folks because my sis was turning 40 and the baby was turning 1. Don't clown about the age difference, my sister really liked it and the baby was pretty much the only baby there. So she got all the love.

So this year with us being in a "strange new world" there were no parties or party planning. Instead of just sending an e-card (like I was gonna originally do) I decided to surprise my sis with some flowers. 1800Flowers.com has some really cool stuff and you can get alot of their stuff the same day. I picked out theseand I also added a happy birthday ballon. I wasn't sure what time she'd get them today but was hoping it wouldn't be AFTER she left work (yes that has happened before like back in 1997 LOL. Well she called me this morning and was soooo happy about the flowers! She said she showed them to everyone in her office. I figured the "strawberry margarita" was appropriate since she's going to Vegas this week-end. *after thought* . . dayum I'm tellin ALL her business. ha!

My sister is not the only person who got something. I received another award. Yes I did. I can't believe it myself. This award come from the lovely Mamma Lisa who I now refer to as the "popular girl" in school cuz everybody loves her. LOL. Thanks girlie. I think these are the most awards I've gotten since . . . since . . . .well I may have to get to get back to you on that one.

That's all for now. Hollering babies!

*smoochies* Mamma Aly

June's September Birthday

Because we moved from Cali to Washington and had to settle a new home my oldest didn't get a party for her 5th birthday. Her birthday was June 5th. We were only about 2 weeks into our new place and I was almost 8 months pregnant. My hubby bought her a cake late that evening but other than that the day was no big event. My daughter likes parties, like her mommy, and I felt bad that she wasn't able to have one. Especially since I had been planning to throw her a Sponge Bob birthday bash back in Cali with the help of her Aunt. So you know we were gonna do the jumpy, have a huge cake, presents, etc. But we had to move and all those plans just got flushed right down the toilet. *sigh*

Well my baby had been talking about birthdays recently and how much she like cakes so I got the idea in my head to give her a party. I mean who says that you can only have birthday parties only on your birthday? So with that in mind, we set out to have a birthday celebration on Sunday. It turned out really nice. It's amazing what a few simple streamers and party hats can do. I didn't do Sponge Bob because she's so over him. Her new thing is Cars. We have the dvd and she watches that movie at least 3 times in one day. I planned a simple menu because I generally cook on Sunday anyway. So we had some baked chicken, some baked cheese grits (my first time cookin it) and I did what my family likes to call the "poor man's salad." LOL. Which all it is, ice berg lettuce, sliced tomatoes, and some mayonaise dressing. My mother said growing up she thought the only kind of lettuce that existed was iceberg cuz that's all my granny bought. LOL. Of course we have to make it gourmet style by using romaine lettuce and cherry tomatoes and making the mayonaise into a "dressing" before adding it to the salad.

So anyway, I bought some red, black and white streamers and a some of those party hats, plates, napkins, etc from the movie Cars and called it a day. I also ordered a few blow up balloons for the girls with the Car theme (ms. saada got a special elmo balloon). The girls were so excited when they woke up the next morning and saw the streamers that I put up and the party plates I'd put out. All Amira kept saying that day was "it's my party" and how she was a princess. Once the girls put on their clothes and my hubby brought home all the pretty blow up balloons, they couldn't stop smiling. I felt so good that something simple could make them feel good. Amira didn't even care about the present we'd gotten her. Some balloons and a birthday cook, shoot ol' girl was good for the day. LOL.

The day wouldn't be complete if mommy and daddy didn't take pictures or video the event. So here are some pics we took yesterday at my baby's September birthday.

Enjoy! - Lady Richardson


June September Birthday Girl



The cast member



The other cast (who thought it was her birthday too)



A bored participant (who cannot NOT be held at all times)



Our "vegan" chocolate friend (who was too yummy to actually be healhy)



The End!