Author: Allie Zottola

Sadie’s First Bee Day Party

Now that it’s been six months since Sadie’s first birthday party, it’s about time I blogged about it!

First birthday

My parents graciously offered up their house for Sadie’s party and they really helped make the day so special! We celebrated her big day in late September, the weekend after she turned one, and couldn’t have asked for better weather or company!

I thought it would be fun to have a bee-themed party, so we took that and ran with it, haha. We called it her “bee day party” and even found these adorable invitations. My sister lent us a bumble bee dress her daughter had been given (I called it a hand-me-up since Sadie is older than Caroline, lol) and I had an absolute blast making cupcakes and treats.

Bee cupcakes

Bee themed chocolate covered pretzels

My mom and dad full-out spoiled Sadie by having a bounce house and games at her party! It was truly so much fun for the kids and adults. There’s just something about bounce houses, you know?

We grilled up hamburgers and hot dogs and had all sorts of picnic-y sides like pasta salad and chips.

Bounce house and skee ball

We invited our families and church family and just spent a few hours enjoying everyone’s company, agreeing on how fast Sadie’s first year went, and watched her eat cake and open gifts.

It was such a special day that I’m going to cherish forever. Writing this post has me smiling all over again when I think about what an amazing day it was ❤

Baby with stuffed bumble bee

First birthday

Mom and baby at first birthday party

Baby at first birthday eating cake

Bee themed first birthday cupcakes and chocolate covered pretzels

Family photo with bounce house

Lately: COVID-19

Hey! I hope this post finds everyone healthy and as calm as possible. Everything that has been going on with COVID-19 has been pretty wild. I think it’s safe to say everyone has been impacted in one way or another.

It was crazy to go to the grocery store and see the shelves bare and completely out of stock of things I usually take for granted like toilet paper, canned goods, bread, and cereal.

Empty shelves at Walmart during COVID-19

I know a lot of people are out of work or working from home and facing really difficult situations. We have been praying for everyone who is impacted in any way. As always, if I can pray for you, send me an email or leave a comment. I would be more than happy to pray specific prayers for you 🙂

Our church had its last gathering for at least the next two weeks on Sunday morning and it hurt my heart to think we won’t be with our church family, especially during a time when we need each other the most. Technology to the rescue, though! We’ve been able to watch our church’s sermons and lessons on our TV via Facebook live and try to keep things as normal as possible in that regard. 

Sermon on TV

The extra time at home and absence of busyness has helped me to draw closer to God, dig into my Bible, and spend more time in prayer. He is in control, He loves us, and is with us. Always.

One of my blog friends, Nicole, wrote an awesome post on everything that’s going on from a Christian’s perspective. Check it out here if you’re interested! She truly has a way with words and I found her post both real and comforting, which is tough to achieve these days. 

In an effort to keep as much normalcy as possible in our day, Sadie and I filmed a vlog yesterday! 

Other happenings have included walks around the block, texting our neighbors to see if we can help, Facetiming (<– is that a word?!) with our parents, lots of baking, cleaning, hand washing, and enjoying our time together.

How about a few pictures?

Walking down stairs with toddler

Prayer journal

Toddler licking spoon while baking muffins

Well, I better get going. I hear Sadie starting to wake up. Her sleep has been all over the place lately and we’re hoping it’s not because her ears hurt.

She has been having ear infection after ear infection and we’re praying she doesn’t have another one now because we really don’t want to expose her to any extra germs at the doctor’s office and also don’t want to add extra work onto the doctors who are already so busy. Fellow parents, what do you do when your child has an earache?

Alright, I really better go! 

Is there any way I can pray for you?