A Superhero Birthday Party!

May has been an unbelievably crazy, busy month for us. 
Here's the craziness in a list--

Brooklynn's 6th birthday "day out"

Asher's 4th Birthday party

Nate in Alaska for work

Trained...ran...ran...and ran

Ran the Portland Rock n' Roll Half Marathon

Quick girls trip to Seattle for the AdvoCare Womens Alive event

and Joyce Meyer in the Tacoma Dome

Memorial Day weekend beach trip

and hosting BUNCO tomorrow night. 

Whew!  It's been busy and crazy good.

This year, was Asher's first actual birthday party.  We decided it was definitely time to throw him a party, since this year he has been attending preschool and has made some friends of his own.  And guess what?  His class is made up of boys.  Only boys and 7 of them.  It's too cute.

Since Asher has been rocking his 2T Spiderman costume for two years, we knew that this 4th birthday party had to be all about superheroes--and that he needed a new Spidey costume!

Invites via What the Hoot Designs

And there wasn't a better way to start the day then to see
the movie, The Avengers in 3D.

Asher, his friend Koen and the Dads took them in costume to see the flick,
and they were enthralled.

Asher & Koen

Dad even dressed up as Hulk (after the movie)

Sugar Cookies with butter cream frosting--my best recipe!

There was also chips, pretzel rods, Super Sandwiches, Chocolate Dipped Confetti Oreos,

hot dogs and of course,

CUPCAKES!

I found the most divine chocolate cupcake recipe.

So are the cream cheese and chocolate cream cheese frosting recipes from this same site!

And the frosting was a perfect consistency for frosting the cupcakes.

Fantastic paper party decorations via Vens Paperie

 -Favors-

Marvel sticker set & Pez dispenser

(found at Michaels)

It was quite a SUPER day for our little Superhero!

Thanks to all our friends and family for their help and love this day!
Especially Aimee, who cut and glued SO much!

thankful.

I'm beyond grateful.

via pinterest

Late Spring Reads & Book Recommendations Wanted

It has been in the high eighties here in the Northwest, for the last five days or so, and we are seriously soaking it up!  Nothing beats outdoor exercise after months and months of running on a treadmill!

Now that the weather has turned, it makes me want to throw a blanked out back and read under a tree.  I'm just about finished with The Book Thief, and craving another good book.  Something reminiscent, inspiring, uplifting.  You know--something perfect for this segue into summer!

During college, (ten years ago!) my professor recommended reading Dandelion Wine by Ray Bradbury, during the month of May.  I think that's a recommendation that I should complete this year...

What are you reading?

Any recommendations?