winnie the pooh halloween

Oh man.  Matt and I went back and forth so many times with what Jonathan should be for Halloween this year.  You see, this is the last year that we'll be able to pick his costume.  We wanted it to be something that reflected this stage and something he'd love. 
At first, we were going to do Mater.  Our boy loves him some Mater.  We were collecting supplies and getting ready to make it and then went to Disneyland for the weekend.  We took him on his favorite ride, Winnie the Pooh, and he got to meet Pooh, Tigger, and Eeyore.  He gave them hugs, called them friends, and was seriously over the moon the whole time.  

While on the ride, Jonathan was sandwiched between Matt and I and pointed to each character, screamed their name, sang along to the music...he was in heaven.  I took one look at Matt over Jonathan's sweet fuzzy head and said, "Winnie the Pooh.  He has to be Pooh."  
You see, the thing is that he is so sweet.  He is a toddler and definitely all boy but he still seems so little and has such a sweet spirit.  I wanted to look back on this Halloween and remember him that way.  We'll have plenty to come where he can do all of the big boy stuff.  

So this post probably seems rather sappy for a Halloween post.  But really, it all felt like so much more to us.  We are trying to soak up this stage with our little guy and my momma heart can't handle the fact that he's getting so big! 

Yesterday I saw About Time and I loved it.  Go see it.  But the theme is totally about enjoying the everyday parts of life.  To see beauty all around you and soak up what matters.  It was beautiful.  And this is so where I am at.  Some things have been hard but I am soaking up this life.  This stage we are in, my amazing husband, my precious boy.  All of it.   

winnie the pooh party

So this whole year Jonathan has loved Winnie the Pooh.  All things Winnie the Pooh.  It started when my grandpa gave him a Winnie the Pooh book and little sound toy thingy.  He loved it.  Then he went on the ride at Disneyland.  He LOVED that and the obsession began.  Books, the movie, a pooh bear stuffed animal, little rubber toys, listening to the songs until my eyes go crossed....we are full on obsessed.  So, as he approached his second birthday, it just made sense to have a pooh bear party.  Little did I know that it was hard to find Winnie the Pooh party stuff unless it's for a baby shower or first birthday.  Darn.  Plan B?  I'll make it all and turn it into a Pooh bear/honey party.   Pooh was waiting at the door to greet guests.  This Pooh is so special because he used to be Auntie Val's when she was a little girl.  Red balloons were placed throughout the house because if you remember the story well, Pooh used a red balloon to float up to a beehive to try to steal honey.  What a little trickster.  :)

Each kid got a red balloon and an adorable beehive cookie as a take away gift.  The cookies were made by Cookies by Heidi and you guys, she's seriously amazing.  The detail in her work is incredible and they were sooo yummy.  If you need cookies for any event (or just make something up because they are that good), check her out!

The spread.  This was a morning party so we had breakfast foods - a couple of egg bakes, monkey bread, make your own parfaits with fresh fruit, bagels, and honeycomb cereal.  That adorable vintage Winnie the Pooh chair was a birthday present for Jonathan from our dear friend Lindy.  She also made that sweet little silhouette of my boy's face.  Thanks, Lindy!! 

We had coloring pages and Pooh bear books and toys out for the kids.  Here is Jonathan yelling, "Cheese!!!" while squeezing Piglet.  I swear to everything good and holy, he is not trying to murder him.  Piglet is a love in our home. :)

One of the joys of having a summer birthday is being able to swim!  So we had the waterin' hole (swimming pool) set up in the backyard and the kids had so much fun.  Such easy entertainment.  

Here are a couple of shots of the birthday banner I made.  All of the letters are sewn on using my machine to give it a more whimsical, handmade look.  It is currently for sale in my shop - click here to check it out.  I'm also making custom banners so if you have a special occasion coming up, let me know!  

Ok y'all, that's all for now.  Now onto planning and preparing for the next party...this weekend!!