A Boy-ly Birthday Party and a New Year!

Pin It Now! Ever since our second son made his grand entrance on January 1st -- 3 years ago now-- December 31st has been the boys' birthday party.  We have always enjoyed having our family on this day, and now we have a reason to have cake!  Family + Food = Fun!

The boys wanted a castle cake, so I did my best.  The main cake is our favorite chocolate cake recipe baked in 2 - 9" square pans.  The turrets are 3 cupcakes each of the best vanilla cake recipe I have found.  The girls and Mimi had fun making the flags to decorate the castle.  The boys wanted to add some horses - for the knights in the castle, of course!

This year, I was surprised with a cake of my own.  My sweet husband had secretly picked up a DQ ice cream cake for me.  I wasn't expecting this at all.  He did a great job!

Yes, that is a 40 on the cake.  I'm pretty okay with that.  I will be celebrating all month here by sharing 40 things about me and have some awesome giveaways lined up -- be sure to check back!

Kicking off my posts to share about me, I took this photo of Yoda with my new red gloves.  Red is my favorite color.  I also really like practical things that can be simply beautiful, too.  Sure, plain old brown gloves would keep my hands just as warm, but I smile and enjoy every time I put these red ones on.  My mama knows me well!

This is the day people around the world are changing their calendars.  New calendars inspire me.  I feel renewed and refreshed and ready to make plans -- and follow through with them.  I found this new calendar at Half-Price Books -- antique maps.  I love old maps (really, any maps).  We also have a few we picked up free.  One features barns and the other is agricultural pictures from Indiana.  We have had fun just reading the various special days and information accompanying the pictures.  Do you hang a calendar or use on your phone or computer?

This year, I am wanting to note more of the things everyday that make me smile.  These things are usually my children, the antics of our animals and the beauty I see out the window when I pause and just look.  I am not sure if I will pick back up with a journal like the one I started for One Thousand Gifts, or digital scrapbooking or what.  I will be doing something, though.  

I don't make resolutions, but the new year seems to be a natural time for making new goals.  Last year, I also chose a word to remind and motivate me in working on those goals (Intentional was last year's word).  This year's word is "do".  One of my favorite quotes from Star Wars is when Yoda says to Luke "Try not!  Do or do not.  There is no try."  In the past I would try something, with the thought in the back of my head that I could always quit if it didn't really work out.  You don't as much success if you aren't giving something your all.  If you are just trying at something, you aren't really doing it.  So this year, I will do!  

I had been mulling over new goals and a new motivating word throughout December.  Intentional was good, but I still had goals I didn't even start working on.  I make plans and love organizing things and getting things prepared.  But, I don't always do those things I had such fun planning and getting ready for.  Then, I read on about being a doer on Homeschooling Hearts and Minds..  I knew then, my word would be "DO".  I want to be a doer!