There is just something about birthdays that I love. And I love the parties just as much. Maybe it is because my parents always made my brothers and my birthdays so special and it makes me want to do the same for my girls.
And let's be honest, I love an excuse to have a party as well. I love finding a theme and carrying out the party around that. This year, ice cream!
A little trip down memory lane...
Year One, "Whale of a party"
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| Still the best one year old eating cake I have ever seen |
Year two, "monkey business"
Year 3 "Party in the Park"
I thought a lot about what I wanted and after seeing an ice cream truck at a local summer camp, I thought it would be fun to have an ice cream party and surprise all the kids with an ice cream truck. I thought, mid August will be the perfect time for ice cream. Hot and sunny.
Well, not so much. When the weather forecast came out earlier last week, I couldn't believe it. It would be rainy which is no surprise since it has rained all summer but also cold. Like really cold. Like setting records cold. Not ideal at all for ice cream birthday parties. I have to admit that at first, I was bummed about it and wishing I could change the weather. But then, I got an email that changed my entire outlook and I am so grateful. We have a family friend, a little 3 year old girl named Libby Jones who is precious and beautiful and was diagnosed with leukemia this spring. She just received a bone marrow transplant a couple weeks ago and now will spend the next 3+ months in a hospital room recovering. She is doing better but it is a long road and I just happened to get an email update from her parents when I was feeling gloomy about the weather and I realized how silly that it. Libby would give anything to have a birthday party with all her friends and we are so lucky to have a healthy girl turning 4, it doesn't matter what the weather is. So I changed my attitude and yes it rained, it poured, it was cold and you know what, the kids had the best time and didn't mind it at all!
Just like so many partied before, Uncle Court (and Ms Laura and DeeDee and Papa) made the journey up from Georgia to help celebrate the big day with the princess.
The kids (all 23 of them, Ella couldn't leave anyone out!) gathered in the covered patio waiting for the ice cream truck to pull up in our driveway.
Here he comes...
"Buck" the ice cream man made Ella the star of his magic show. She was outfitted with a cape and hat (although she would have preferred to keep her princess tiara on!)
Magician's assistant hard at work
The small wand just wasn't doing the trick, so Buck got Ella the really big wand and ta da...
Oreo the bunny appeared. It was a little cheesy but four year olds ate it up and loved every minute of it.
Next up, ice cream from the truck in the rain. Thanks Papa for holding the umbrella for all the kids.
The princess birthday girl selected a "chocolate popsicle" or fudge bar for her special treat.
Of course little sister wanted in on the action as well. She ate about 2 bites of her popsicle before giving it up which was fine by Mommy, no ruined outfits is always a plus.
One of Ella's main requests was a piñata and thanks to the internet, I was able to find one that actually matched Ella's dress. Much to Mike's dismay, in our house full of girls, we don't own a whiffle ball bat, so we borrowed one from our neighbors. I think I might see a whiffle ball bat under the Christmas tree this year.
Ella was up first giving it a try.
The piñata was actually really hard to break and each child got several turns before Daddy finally broke it open, I mean the kids broke it open! It was wild once it finally hit the ground, candy and toys everywhere were all scooped up in 30 seconds.
It was definitely a party packed with sugar! First ice cream, then candy from the piñata and next up cake, all before 1pm. I wanted to make sure all the kids had an intense sugar high and then send them home to their parents!
Birthday girl's other request was that she wanted a princess cake, if you know her, this would be no surprise at all. This princess tiara and wand cake was perfect.
Making a wish...
lots of wishes...
this is one happy birthday girl!
A little girl's 4th birthday party is usually full of all Moms but these guys came out to celebrate as well. They were all troopers!
Ella with some of her best buddies waiting patiently for the cake to be cut
"Mom, look what DeeDee lets me do? Eat cake sitting on the countertop!" That is what grandparents are for right, spoiling.
I think the wait was worth it, eating up their cake, actually just the frosting but whatever.
It was such a fun party and I really can't believe my little Ella James who was only 6lbs when we brought her home from the hospital is now my big four year old. She is such a sweet, fun, energetic, very curious and something stubborn little girl. Her knowledge and what she picks up on truly amazes me everyday and I love that she keeps us on our toes each day. She loves her friends and family so much and always wants them around. But what I am most grateful for is that she is a happy and healthy girl and I could not love her anymore. Now, stop growing up so quickly princess.
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