The Birthday

You saw the birthday video .... now for the photos!

(might as well blog it up.... at home right now with two sick girls who are - for the moment - fast asleep.)

 Dasha & Grandpa Jack: Thank you for the toddler crayons!  Now I can be just like big sister!

For some reason, she ADORES sister's swim goggles.  Whenever she sees them, she determinedly puts them on .... as a necklace.  I'm convinced she thinks it is beautiful.  Have to dress up for the party. :)

The Party

Thank you Toomeys: both girls love their DAWG swag & the Little People book

 Famous chocolate cupcakes... recipe from my dear friend Brooke back in Bham. Same one we used at Ainsley's first birthday 4 years ago.  I think Addie likes it. :)

That is ONE. HAPPY. GIRL.

A few days prior... on Wednesday (the real bday)... we had a little celebration just for us.  A couple of gifts, ice cream, and messy spaghetti! 

She loves the stacker toys.  This one is her new favorite.

sister love!

While watching her baby sister get a pile of new toys, and seeing all of the hubbub centered around someone other than herself was difficult for big sister -- she doted on baby during her bday week.  She just hugged and hugged her, and was thrilled right along beside her.  She says "I just can't believe she's not zero anymore!" Me either.

Big sister loves dolls -- and baby has been slowly but surely claiming them from big sis.  So, Ainsley wisely bought Addie her very own first real doll.  Addie love-love-loves this doll.  She snuggles her, kisses, her, "talks" with her, and giggles with her.  She won't let me buckle her in the carseat without first reaching for baby doll.  

jake photo bomb

This has to be one of the things that makes me really SEE baby as a bigger girl.  When she picks up a straw cup herself and goes for the swig with those big, serious eyes.  All business when it comes to water. 

The ice cream discovery:

Thank you Nana: I love my new big girl chair!

And a favorite of mom's.... spaghetti!!! 

Time to get messy, people.

Yes, those are loads of laundry in the background waiting to be put away. Always. Like I said - life here is messy, but we are embracing it.  Well, with a quiet wish for a little fairy to come help us out once in awhile. :) Oh right, her name is Maria and she comes this Thursday. Thank. God.

pancake treats for daycare birthday party:

Birthday Bash

She's 4. 

She's FOUR YEARS OLD!!!  How did that happen???  Our angel-girl is a full-fledged pre-schooler with the wits, personality, curiosity, and bravada of one.  Enjoy her PRINCESS PARTY pics!

prepping box-recipe cupcakes for school

 

school cupcakes

birthday morning! (the balloons were the bigger hit at first)

birthday at school - mommy just walked down the hall to my party! :)

blessing before the snack (yes, those nails are blue... apparently little girls remember when their mommies promise they can have their nails painted for their 4th birthday...)

Ainsley and her BFF - reading side by side after the cupcakes

that night -- boxes from the mail!

she could not tear into this one fast enough - and has worn it 98% of the time since.  It's her favorite.  Thank you, Auntie Sawah!

she demanded to wear this that very night proclaiming: "I LOVE these pants!" Thank you, Dasha & Papa Jack!

wearing one of her new princess dresses while testing the twirl factor on her new pink skirt - THANK YOU, NANA!

birthday night treat

Mom's creative masterpiece! 

 After slaving over this cake (completely from scratch: cake, frosting, the works) - my own creation inspired by pics I found on google. Ains promptly declared: "Well, I don't like the way it looks. But I love the princesses on top."  I wish I had a photo, however, of her leading her gaggle of friends to the cake every time the door rang with a new party guest "Come see my princess cake!" They stared at it in appropriate awe and wonder.  Each and every time.  Satisfaction!

can't miss ANY of that chocolate!

 We made princess wands (how did I miss getting a photo of THAT mess!?) andn the kids took over the house.  What a fantastic crowd of friends!  Kids and parents alike.  It made for a great afternoon!

 

the cake moment:

 

4 year old milestones:

• nails painted at a "salon"
• is allowed to chew gum (her favorite part of being 4)
• can dress herself (mostly)
• first bike
• chooses her own breakfast
• hilarious

Christmas! Christmas! Christmas!

First, prepare....
~ with decorations:

unfortunately, Jake swiped half of it that very afternoon!

~ with song:






~ with activity:

Breakfast with Santa.  He came to the big school!  Ains asked for a dolly.  He told her she had a beautiful smile.  She now proclaims that Santa is her Best Friend. :)

train exhibit at Botanic Garden - amazing!

neighborhood caroling with a bunch of moms. Ains a bit cold. and perhaps confused.

 Great Grandma's perfect sugar cookies!!

and the big day!

There was a BUNNY at Jesus' birth!!??

oooo - which one to pick for the Christmas Eve opening???

It turns out - we didn't take many photos on Christmas Day.  We were having too much fun!

adores her new vacuum cleaner with the pull-out duster!  Thank you Toomeys!!

oh. my. Snow White personalized!  Ains sat down and had dad read it cover to cover immediately.

will this toy survive???

that's an affirmative!  Cute Snuggler.

 I cooked up a honey ham! (ok, a little too much for 3, but it's what I could find. Ham, anyone?)

view master with Snow White reel!  (Must put on costume to play) - thank you, Auntie Sawah!

new princess pj's from Grandpa Rex & Grandma Dee - huge hit!

and thank you, Nana and Grandpa Joe, for my new puppet theater!