the birthday sleepover

To celebrate Cameron's 10th birthday, he decided on having his first sleepover. Side note..... I can tell I am pretty much finished with the "theme" parties for Cameron. I guess "ten" is the magic number when you go from "little kid parties" to big boy sleepover parties!

The birthday boy's two requests were a doughnut cake (yes, a cake made out of Krispy Kreme doughnuts!) and a Nerf gun war! I am not a huge fan of guns, even Nerf guns. But, when it is a birthday boy's only request, you have to give in!

So, last weekend we turned our backyard into a Nerf gun war zone and let the boys "have at it." Even little Noah wanted to join in on the fun. And if you are wondering, yes there were hundreds of Nerf bullets all over our backyard!

After the "war," it was time for make-your-own-sub night at our house, or "Cameron's Cafe" as we called it. And then, the doughnut cake! It was not the prettiest cake ever, but the boys LOVED it!

Happy Birthday Cameron! Our little boy is TEN!




*adorable and "perfect for a ten year old boy" invites can be found here at Daninotes.com*

double digits!

For most people today is celebrated as April Fool's Day. But, in our house, today is much more special. Today my oldest "baby boy" turns TEN! How did this happen? How can I be the mommy of a child that old?????

Yes, ten years ago today, at 11:25 am to be precise, our first born entered the world and Doug and I were were completely smitten. I can still vividly remember Cameron's birth and what I thought the very first time I looked at him. OK, maybe the second thing I thought when I looked at him, because the first thing I thought was "oh dear God, he's blue! I have given birth to a baby smurf!!!!! However, once he cried and breathed a bit, he turned a nice shade of pink!

So, today my "baby boy" awoke to a floor covered in balloons (a recently started tradition around our house!) and then breakfast in bed of blueberry pancakes. And, tomorrow is the big sleepover party!

Happy Birthday Cameron! Happy Tenth Birthday!!!!! We love you so much!!!!!!!!!


****photo credit Melissa Tsao*****

spring finds!

It is no secret that spring is my favorite season. Perhaps because of the fact that two of my three children were born in the spring, perhaps because of the wonderful blooms and blossoms, perhaps because of the color palette, or perhaps because the Easter bunny visits!

I thought I might share a few "springtime" finds to get you in the mood!




I love the colors in this pillow as well as the whimsical octopus design!
find it here.




And for those cool spring nights!

find them here.








Swoon.... my favorite! This little yellow clutch just screams spring to me!

find it here.


And for your spring cleaning....


find it here.

go heels!

In honor of March Madness, thought I would share a couple of random photos taken last weekend in Chapel Hill after church Sunday morning.

Three brothers on their way to the Old Well on the campus of UNC! What could be sweeter???!!!!!

Go Heels!!!!!!

another first

It was two year old versus the sharp corner of furniture in the bonus room. Can you tell who won?


A first (of many black eyes, I am sure) in the Koehler household!

Glad the birthday photos have already been taken!

spring has sprung!

Welcome spring! Oh, how I do love thee!

noah's kite party details

Once upon a time, on a sunny, blustery day in March a little boy named Noah Alden celebrated his second birthday with his family and friends! Noah was a very lucky boy to have special friends and family surround him on his special day.

We could not have asked for a more perfect windy March day for a kite theme! Noah and his friends played in the back yard with bubbles and balls, ran around under the sun and clouds, colored kites and enjoyed time together as friends. Noah's mommy wanted to do a "kite parade" with our handmade kites, but the children had other plans! Noah's mommy also had a "pin the tail on the kite" game to play... and forgot!

After playtime, we all enjoyed snacks of cheerios, orange slices, popcorn, goldfish, marshmallows and cantaloupe cups. Then, it was time for yummy cake. Decorated just like a kite themed party cake should have been, it was fabulous! Little Noah's favorite part were the fondant kites which he ate off the sides of the cake while his friends sang Happy Birthday!

After blowing out the candles it was more playtime and then opening gifts with his big brothers.

As the party was winding down, we handed out the party favors of fluffy "cloud like" cotton candy with spinning pinwheels attached to each of our guests. Then we bid farewell and shared final birthday wishes!

Happy Birthday Noah!