We enjoyed a fun backyard carnival on this {excruciating hot} Sunday afternoon with our dear friends and family. Million dollar question of the day had to have been: “How are you going to top this for her next birthday?”. And the answer to that is simple- for Tulsi’s next and 1st birthday on May 31st we are going to enjoy a cake and quiet dinner with our family in an air-conditioned home as we count all our blessings in health, happiness, friends, family and goldfish. Thank you all for making Tulsi’s day so special!

After all the fun in the sun today Tulsi played hard, well past her usual bed time, and refused a second nap. If you look closely you will see that Aunties gave her an entire cake ball. I find that to be the reasonable explanation 🙂

Aria having a difficult time convincing Jack and Tulsi to volunteer for the dunk tank.

Our event quickly drawing to a close.

Thank you all for helping us celebrate Tulsi’s 1st birthday carnival.

Cake: Conscientious Confections by Whitney Johnson
Party Rental: Premiere Party Central & Liv by Design
Stationary: Gwynn Wasson Designs
Dunk Tank: Austin Fun Rental
Bounce Castle:  Bounce Around Austin
Entertainment/Clown: Kiwi’s Party

Huge credit to our families and Shirley of Liv by Design Events for helping me orchestrate the big event!

My birthdays, like wine, seem to get better with age. I try to do something different with each passing year so to jump start the last of my twenties, I enjoyed an exclusive painting lesson with some of my favorite gals in Austin. We treated ourselves to snacks, wine, champagne, my favorite-Pimp My Cupcake Bar, and since we were painting an Austin scene I thought we should keep the party favor in line with an Austin Bath Salt Bar. The day was complete after dinner with the family and a mini-happy hour in between.

I happen to be looking forward to 29–last year of my twenties. Work momentum is up, three fun trips on the calendar, motherhood is merely getting easier and that I will soon be pump-free (2 weeks and counting) almost moves me to call on the girls for a post-birthday celebration.

A side, but noteworthy mention, my husband picked out some very nice shoes and his brother thought about getting me a Clarisonic until my sister told him I already had the system. I was so impressed, who would’ve thought I was surrounded by such savvy men. I would ask my daughter what she has done with her Daddy and Uncle but I am the least bit concerned so as long as she keeps them away.

Many thanks to Marta, host extra-extraordinaire, and my amazing husband for his relentless efforts with the cupcakes. Thanks, also, to everyone who helped me celebrate and for all the warm wishes. I felt the love. What a day.

Kids-If you eat your veggies you will grow to be this tall, just like me!

Several days before Tulsi’s first big fall {and in case you haven’t heard resulted in a big boo boo for her and no Mother of the Year Award for me} I found the perfect back drop for a modern vintage themed birthday shoot. As I patiently waited for the boo boo to naturally heal literally the most suitable vintage prop jumped off an Etsy storefront and rocked on over to Austin in time for the big shoot, a shoot big enough to warrant a test session in the stifling heat Monday. I returned bright and early Tuesday morning ready with my suitable prop and willing model, and Internet would you believe it– there were guys tearing down the last few bits of the set. I was a little sad but thanks to my photo motivators, J & A, we improvised at a different location on South Congress.

I am an advocate of alleviating the Hump Day Slump or The Sads with caffeine. Consider this the written equivalent of your favorite expresso… double shot.

Test session on Monday.

Impromptu session on Tuesday