I haven't forgotten my blog. Truly. It doesn't seem to matter how caught up on my to do list, it just keeps getting longer. But, we are enjoying life and making the best of each day. I thought I would skip ahead and share Anna's birthday party. She had her first friends birthday party this year. As has been the case with my other children, she spent the last six months planning it. She sat on my lap and pointed out what she wanted on Pinterest. Especially the vanilla polka-dot paw print cupcakes.
That morning Gianni, Frankie and Anna had the best time decorating them. I loved watching them work together, and especially Gianni's precision about how the chocolate chips were placed. They showed amazing restraint as they decorated, avoiding eating the Junior mints until all the cupcakes were decorated.
Until Dan mentioned it, I hadn't quite realized it was our last three year old birthday party. Oh. It stopped me in my frantic party-preparing tracks. I reflected on how excited I was just three years ago to have her join our family. My husband knows me so well. I was grateful he pointed that out. It made me really focus on enjoying the day.
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| Her photo wall. She chose the Dalmatian photos, she insisted on equal Pongo and Perdita pics. |
It was a simple party with our friends. Light snacks, cupcakes and of course our new fun, snow cones. We played two games and set up our slides and pool in the backyard. It was blazing hot. The kids just had a great time splashing around and swinging on the rope swings. The pinata was great, as always those $5 pinatas from our local dollar store are super sturdy. It made it through all 20 kids and I still had to tear it so that she could kill it.
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| Presents arriving at our home |
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| Note her sweet little ruffled swimsuit, she picked it out at Target |
When the time came to open her presents, she jumped back in the pool and told me, "I am just going to open them tomorrow." But shortly thereafter she got out and opened them. She received the cutest things, we are so grateful for our family and friends and the lovely things that they gave her. She was adorable as she opened her presents. Everything was so exciting and she was so thrilled! She gave her friends hugs and everything went to church on Sunday. I missed the photo opportunity, she wore her sweet new outfit and her wonderful bunny slippers. She brought her new toys as well. She loves to use her sweet little princess hair kit to do our (hers and my) hair.
Happily our last friends didn't leave until around seven. The party started at one. We are so happy in our home and we love that our friends enjoy being here too!
She is so dear, in the midst of the party she ran up to me, gave me a giant hug and said, "This is the best Dalmatian party ever, thank you Mommy." It was worth the sleepless night on Friday. The stress of getting it all together. All the chopping and preparing. The streamers that didn't seem to want to stay. Every little second. I will gladly do it at least 15 more times. What a joy to be her parents. We are so grateful for her.
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| Slip n Slide |
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| Gianni demonstrated his Slip n Slide Technique |
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| Our Little Water Park, slide into a big pool |
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| Pin the Tag on the Dalmatian |
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| Frankie's Turn |
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| Her Frozen Pinata |
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| The boys, being over Frozen were super excited to kill the pinata |
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| Blowing out her candles |
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| Not sure how this gif was created, but I am so glad it was! |
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| Dan's Snow Cones - He is so excited to have a snow cone machine. And all our friends love it too! |
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| We found a new joy, giving Anna presents she was so excited about each one! |
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| Singing Let it Go in her Elsa dress |
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| She was so excited to see what was under the sheet...a foot snuck out and the gig was up |
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| Naming him Tumbleweed |
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| A very Happy Three Year Old, Dan was stopped in the Costco by our friends who told him he was the best dad ever for getting this for Anna. |
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| She was so enamored that she spread her blanket under the horse and laid down to go to sleep. |
