29 // Birthday Celebrations + Fourth of July 2019

Hello Friends! I hope that you had a lovely fourth of July and weekend! I wanted to share a little bit about my birthday and the fourth!

Why my Birthday & The Fourth are Complicated (aka making new traditions):

My whole life until my parents moved to Arizona we had a cookout for the fourth with family that was also my birthday party, and often my aunt's as well. It was so nice to have everyone together, to share meals, and to set off fireworks. (the city where I grew up doesn't have any restrictions about setting off fireworks within city limits.) Once they moved, KC and I spent a few years traveling for my birthday, and every year I ended up feeling really sad and missing how things used to be. KC's family doesn't really have any traditions for the holiday, so we didn't have an easy replacement for the old traditions. This was the first year in a long time where I didn't feel sad because that tradition no longer happens. It was so so nice, and such a relief. Overall I had a much nicer birthday and holiday than I've had in a really long time. A big big big part of that is KC, his patience, and his planning. It also feels like it was meant to be that our new home happens to have a great view of the city fireworks, and a big enough yard to hang out in. Especially for a girl who grew up thinking the fireworks were for her birthday, and not America's. ;) I felt like we were creating a new tradition and

Here we go!

My Birthday!

This year I turned 29, and KC really spoiled me. We had breakfast at home and he gave me gifts to unwrap before we headed out to a few bookstores, the mall (obviously had a pretzel), and then went to Papersource before getting tapas for happy hour. It was a fun day to spend together doing fairly normal things that I enjoy. It was nice just to be together without any obligations or worries.

 

The Fourth!

On the fourth we had people over for a cookout/potluck/my birthday party. Our house has a really good view of the city fireworks. We had a lot of fun eating, chatting, watching fireworks, and making sparkler art. I was so grateful to everyone who wished me happy birthday! Our sweet neighbor even came over and had a vegetarian only grill for our veggie guests. He grilled the best sweet corn and brought over homemade herb compound butters. So spoiled by his generosity!

Family Dinner:

Then on Saturday we went to visit my mom and grandma. She made hot dogs and mac and cheese which we never have anymore, but was a treat for us growing up. My sister and nephew came and we looked at old pictures which was such a blast from the past. These photos of KC and Darrick kill me. Too cute.

What about you guys?

Do you have any fourth of July or birthday traditions?

I'm really enjoying making new ones. :) 

XO,

Alexandra

Happy Birthday KC! // 2019

Today is KC's birthday! He is turning 28, and we're in full swing of "bday week". :) :) If you're new here, and wondering why we do a WHOLE week... check out the bottom of this post!

Here Are 12 Things You Didn't Know About KC:

1) His hair is currently longer than mine. (read about the man bun saga, here)
2) One of his fave meals is buffalo chicken mac and cheese
3) As a kid/tween his favorite movie was The Matrix, but he hadn't seen it in at least 10 years until last night. :)
4) He has a kick ass 90s pop playlist, which you can find here. (Spotify)
5) He loves his flannel plaid and buffalo check shirts. And his hiking boots. Seriously, I have to hide them in the summer so he won't heat exhaust.
6) He's soooo laid back and that helps keep me calm.
7) He's very good at story telling and world building. He brings D&D sessions to life.
8) He's not a big drinker, but loves a good coffee/milk stout. (Left Hand Nitro Milk Stout is his fave)
9) He started baking bread this year! (Catch the action videos on Instagram Stories from time to time)
10) He often thinks about wing suits.
11) He loves The Hobbit & Lord of the Rings movies.
12) I asked him to read the Lunar Chronicles and he did. hehe (he liked them)

Why We Do A Bday Week for KC:

KC is absolutely the sweetest most selfless human I've ever met. I'm not saying that because he's my husband, I'm saying it because it's true. He'll do things he doesn't want to do when he really doesn't have to. He puts me, his family, his friends, and many others before himself nearly all of the time. He spoils me every day just by being with me. He gives his time and service without thinking. Because he so rarely asks for anything, or to do anything just for himself... I like to make a big deal out of his birthday. It's the only time when I can truly spoil him. I don't expect to make up for it, because he'll keep on being his selfless self... but I like to show him how much I appreciate him once per year. 

Bday week started back in 2012 after we got married. Each day I do something fun for him. It might be a gift, it might be an activity, a meal, etc. It's quite often something that's just his favorite. For example, we go to his favorite restaurants that I don't LOVE. One year I gave him a new board game almost every day. It just depends on the year. :) Some years are "better" than others based on time available, budget, etc. but I do my best to make each bday week enjoyable for him. Last year was pretty epically bad.. you know because my parents got divorced ON his bday... and that whole saga was super stressful anyhow... so this year I'm hoping that he really really really enjoys himself!

Anyhow, happy birthday my love! I'm so excited to spend another great year with you. I hope that this year is your favorite year yet!

XO,

Alexandra

27 // Birthday Recap

Happy Wednesday Friends! I hope that you were able to enjoy a long weekend celebrating the 4th of July (or Canada Day!)! :)

As most of you know, this long weekend was also my birthday weekend. Woohoo! I'm now 27!

I had a great time celebrating with friends and family and of course KC.

Friday night, we had my family over for a book themed costume party. It was Olivia's idea, and it was fun to come up with last minute ideas. I love crafting, so it was pretty fun to use felt and playing cards and ribbons to make myself look like The Queen of Hearts. KC was the White Rabbit. :) Jess was Bella/the Twilight Cover, Darrick was Harry Potter, my Mom was Holly Golightly, and Olivia was Stefano from A Series of Unfortunate Events. We had lots of fun!

Saturday we caught up on sleep and things like groceries. I read Always and Forever, Lara Jean in the afternoon and evening while KC hung out with a friend. It was super cute, and I seriously think there is not a book character more like me IRL than Lara Jean Song. Scrapbooking, costumes, baking, crafts, family, love of old people, even watching Amelie and Romeo + Juliet. Having a crush on Gilbert Blythe. You get the idea. :) I didn't like it as much as the other two, but still enjoyed it.

Sunday we had friends over in the evening so we spent the day cleaning, organizing, and cooking. It was fun. KC made me festive bday pies, bomb pop layer drinks, and kebabs. People brought sides and we played lots of games. It was really fun! :) I got to wear one of my birthday presents from KC, this bomb pop dress! :)

Monday was my actual birthday, so we took the day off work. We had breakfast and then drove out to KCMO to the Plaza. We saw 47 Meters Down, which was not our usual type of movie... but I really kind of liked it. It was fun doing something so different! Then we went to Anthropologie, because we only have a few around here... and I rarely go. We popped in, and since it was the sale weekend, I bought myself a few little pieces of jewelry. We also stopped by Paper Source, which I do enough... but I like to check out this location because they have different things! I got some good sale finds, etc. which will be great for my project life albums. We got dinner at a local Mexican place with KC's family, which was great. I ended up getting really over heated and feeling sick though! Which was too bad. Eventually I left the restaurant and cooled down at home, and then we watched Bridget Jones's Diary.

Tuesday we had lunch with my mom and Olivia and then hung out for the rest of the day. I still wasn't feeling great from the night before, so I decided to take it easy at home. I wrote thank you notes, got my planner ready for the week, printed photos for PL, etc.

Overall it was a great long weekend, I was so grateful to spend it with family and friends! :)

What did you guys do this weekend?

How do you like to spend your birthday? Do you have traditions that you keep?

XO,

Alexandra

KC's Bday Week Recap! // 2017

Last week was KC's bday week! If you follow me on IG then you've probably seen a bit about it, but I wanted to do a quick recap here on the blog. If you hadn't already noticed... KC made silly faces in almost every photo that I took of him! HAHAH

Monday 3/6

KC has been wanting Spotify premium, but refused to pay for it, for ages. While he ran out to get coffee I sent him a gift card for one month. "to start the week off right."

That night we had to run an errand out-of-town so we did that and then grabbed Baskin Robbins.... because we don't have one here! haha

This was all before we went to see The Fifth Element at Alamo Drafthouse. You guys, I swear they don't pay me to advertise for them... though I would!! (HA) We just love that they play some of our favorite movies on the big screen. This was another "movie party" so we had props (a cap gun, a temporary tattoo of the elements, a book of matches, and a sticker..) In addition to watching a fun movie! This is one of KC's ALL TIME favorites, so I knew that we had to go! I also don't usually feel like watching it, because even though I really like the movie, sci-fi is not my favorite genre. I'm so glad that we went! (as an aside... our state was filled with tornadoes that night, previously the weather man had called it an chance for "frisky storms") - LOLLOLOLOLOLOLOL - understatement.... Some of the state raged in fire and had tornadoes, luckily none touched down near us. It was all calmed down by the time we left the movie near us anyhow.

Tuesday 3/7 - KC's actual bday!

On Tuesdays I'm off work. So I got a bunch of secret groceries for the week, and also the groceries to make pie. This is his favorite cherry pie, so that's what I made.

We had lunch out at a great local pasta place. KC has been getting the sandwiches. He loves that Parks and Rec bit where Tom is shortening everything. "Apps and Zerts" LOL. So he snapped me this:

I gave KC a copy of a fun game called "capital lux", we played it a bit before dinner. Before dinner we also tried out the harnesses we got for the cats. I was surprised... Scali did not like it, but Duchess did... how backwards! We'll try again sometime soon!

KC's mom made his favorite meal, chicken fried steak and mashed potatoes and gravy for dinner. It was delicious as always, and nice to eat as a family.

We then did a little round of D&D. I'd been refusing to play, but figured saying yes would be a good bday week present for KC. He loves coming up with the adventures and the all the details!

We played as a family, it was actually more fun than I thought it would be, and I think KC had a really good time! (which is the most important part! hehe)

We finished the night off with pie and ice cream! :) I also gave him a Mouserat t-shirt ala Parks and Rec. It needed washed, so I figured I'd get it to him early in the week.

Wednesday 3/8

On Wednesday KC usually has D&D guys' night. So, he did that again. We went to Terrebonne, a local Cajun place for dinner. He loves it and I don't usually want to go.. but it was good. Their poutine is amazeballs.

Thursday 3/9

On Thursday KC and I went to grab lunch at his favorite sandwich places, and then after work we went over to our friend Rachel's house to play games and have Chinese with her and her husband and their foster kiddos. It was really fun as we had not seen those friends in a while, so it was really good!

Friday 3/10

KC really likes that movie What If, with Daniel Radcliffe. It's offbeat and funny, so I planned for us to watch that with his parents. If you've seen the movie you'll probably remember the giant "Fool's Gold" sandwich that Elvis was obsessed with. They talk about it a lot in the movie.

It's basically a huge PB&J loaf with bacon on it. It's served hot. KC has wanted to try this ever since he saw the movie. So I figured we'd better share. It actually turned out really well, it was pretty tasty, and I'm glad that we did not have to eat it all on our own! It was a fun night. I gave him another game afterward and we played that. It was one we had played before, but still did not own!

Saturday 3/11 

We basically spent most of Saturday unpacking and cleaning for our Sunday game night. We did take a break to get brunch with my mom and Olivia and also later in the evening to start Miss Fisher's with my in laws. It was fun watching the first episodes again. :) I did give him the last of his games... but sadly we didn't have a chance to try most of them yet. Hopefully this coming week! Of course with severe weather ("frisky storms!") on Monday, we ended up with snow on Saturday. LOL.

Sunday 3/12

We spent part of the day prepping (and making more pie), for KC's Pies and Ties bday party/game night.

tiny bowtie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sisters with their babies. LOLOL Cat lady for lyfe.

It gave us an opportunity to see some friends, it felt like it had been forever! Jess & Kalor came and brought the baby. In his tiny outfit complete with a tie. :) So cute! We had a great time! Plus I mean... pies!! Our friend Mariah made a bête noire. It was SO good.

Overall, it was a great bday week! I had a lot of fun treating KC to some of his favorite things and other things that he'd been wanting to try for a while. I'm not sure what my favorite part was, but I'm really glad that I got to spend it with him! :) I think that giving him games without time to play them was not the best choice on my part... but that's ok!

Last thing... here's the throw backiest picture of me and KC. 10 years ago. We had JUST started dating a few months before this. Drink that in. LOL

What did you guys do last weekend? 

How did you spend your favorite birthday?!

XO,

Alexandra