Meet Glitter

The day after Abby's birthday party, the plan was to have a birthday dinner with family. What started as a dinner for eleven, quickly became a dinner for six. Ella came down with a fever the day before and some bad weather hit the area, so anyone who wasn't in town decided it was best not to chance the sickness and dangerous road conditions. We missed Papa, Uncle Cory, Grandma, Casey and G-Diddy, but were thankful to have a quiet birthday dinner with Aunt Cyncy and Grammy.

For her special birthday dinner, Abby requested Sesame Chicken. Sesame Chicken has really become Abby's "thing". I was excited by her unique choice, but quickly realized I'm not exactly an expert in Asian inspired cooking. I didn't have a good go-to for Sesame Chicken, but thankfully the first recipe I tested earlier in the week was a success.  We enjoyed the Sesame Chicken with Fried Rice and salad. After I made cupcakes for Friday and a cake on Saturday, we decided to keep it simple for dessert. Abby went to the store with Joe and picked a cake from the bakery.  Being the fun daddy he is, Joe didn't even try to sway her toward other options like I probably would have. Abby came home proudly carrying her neon yellow cake covered in globs of brightly colored frosting from the grocery store bakery and she loved every bit of it. :) Can you tell?

Grandma couldn't be there in person, but FaceTimed to sing Happy Birthday with us. 

In case you thought I was exaggerating about the globs of frosting...(Can you tell I'm not a frosting girl?)

For Abby's birthday, Aunt Cyncy took Abby to make a Build-a-Bear for the first time. It was such a fun experience. Abby made a colorful panda bear named Glitter. 

 

Ella had a lot of fun enjoying all the birthday celebrations with her sister. We were surprised with how unselfishly she reacted to all of Abby's different gifts throughout the weekend.When Abby opened her gifts, Ella oohed and aahed with her, while laughing and reminding Abby that she had a little sister to share with. By the time Monday morning's trip to Build-a-Bear arrived, it was one event too many for Ella. It's hard to explain to a two and a half year old that she will get a Build-a-Bear trip soon for her third birthday. She didn't complain, just watched as Abby went from station to station making Glitter. Her true feelings were written all over her face when I took a picture of them outside of the store and it broke my heart. I can't wait to see her happy face in July when it's her turn.

 

Ella broke into a smile when Abby let her hold Glitter for the first time. 

Thank you Aunt Cyncy for the fun birthday experience and Glitter Bear!

Abby Turns 5: Frozen Dance Party

As Abby's fifth birthday approached and we started brainstorming ideas, she was quick to remind us that she wants to be a party planner when she grows up, so she wanted to plan her own party this year. I was excited to sit with her and hear all of her ideas. She takes the idea of a theme very seriously...more than I do even in my dreamiest states. The year I decided to simplify planning, Abby discovered Pinterest. Whose idea was that? :) Unleashed on Pinterest, this girl is out of her mind excited by all of the possibilities. Deciding on a theme was the easiest part. Convincing Abby that we would keep it simple and not overdo it with details, that was the challenge.

Abby's fifth birthday was a Frozen Dance Party at her dance school. We LOVE the girls' dance school and their teachers. When we found out that they host birthday parties, we knew it was the perfect place for Abby's party this year. Abby made a list of girls to invite and we included all six little girls from her preschool class. We ended up with 16 little ladies ready to dance and sing about all things Frozen. I was spoiled this year and almost didn't know what to do with myself. All I had to do was take care of the invites, the food and the cake. Abby's teachers organized all of the activities, decorations, goodie bags and moved the party right along. It was the best.

 

After lots of dreaming about cake ideas, I was excited about the final product. Abby said it reminded her of an elegant wedding cake.

The girls danced, played games, had their faces painted and played play-doh.

The snacks were snowy popcorn (a.k.a. white cheddar), Sven's reindeer food (cheese, crackers, pepperoni, grapes), Olaf's arms and noses (carrots and pretzel sticks) and melted Olaf cups  (vanilla yogurt cups).

Our lovely five year old birthday girl dressed as Elsa.

And of course, sweet little sister dressed as Anna.

I'm sad to not have gotten a picture of Daddy. He was faithfully capturing lots of video of the whole event.

We are so thankful for the many sweet little friends our girls are growing up with! It was a blessing to us as her parents to have an afternoon celebrating Abby and watching her enjoy the different friends God has placed in her life.