Attempt #1

I have very fond memories of my birthdays growing up.  My parents always did their best to make me feel special.  My mom created some really awesome cakes.  And this was before the internet and pinterest folks!

I also love the girls birthday parties.  Love.  All of it.  The planning.  Making their cake(s).  The decorations. The food.  I love how much fun the girls have.  I hope they have some fond memories of them when they grow up too.


This year I decided to make the girls' party dresses.

I might have a problem.


Making the dresses is new for me.  I have actually never made a real dress.  Nothing with sleeves.  Nothing with shirring.  But then I saw this.  And oh my word isn't it just adorable?!

So with some cheering from some very good friends, I decided that sure I could do it!

I bought some ridiculously cute fabric to go along with the birthday theme.  And then I was afraid I'd screw it up.

So....

Attempt #1.  I'm pretty happy with it.  Maybe a few little changes to make the neck not so wide.  Not too tough though.

And bonus.  Nana walked in the Susan G. Komen walk today as a Survivor.  So supporting Nana and many other friends and family.

Cute, right?

With ribbon belt.

Santa?!

My Father-in-law came to visit for the day which was a very special treat for all of us!  He arrived in the morning, just in time to push the girls on the swings and play outside on the gorgeous fall day!

As Big One was running around between the swing and the slide she pointed up to the sky and excited announced that she saw Santa!

Momentary confusion hit my FIL, the Hubster, and me.  Until she pointed again.  This is what she saw:

Santa making his rounds

Clearly that was Santa's sleigh in the sky!  I quickly recovered and agreed that yes, in fact, that was Santa!  And he was checking to make sure that she was making good choices and being a good girl!

Out of the mouths of babes.  Awesome.

The girls were very sad to see PawPaw leave shortly after nap time.  And were thrilled to hear he would be back in just two weeks when he comes for their birthday party!  I think they had a great time though.

Dress up!

Snuggles before hitting the road.

Pretty sure the Hubster had a fun time with his Dad too!

Big One Turns 4!

Hard to believe that four years have passed since BO came into our lives.  Time really does fly and I cannot imagine my life without her in it.

Today she is a beautiful, well-spoken, smart, funny, spirited, artistic four year old.  She makes me smile every day.  She also makes me want to pull out my hair every now and again.

BO was thrilled to spend the day at an aquarium with friends and Auntie.  She loved receiving her Cinderella DVD and plush Disney dolls.  She is a girly girl through and through!

She brought cupcakes to her pre-school class for snack time and was just thrilled to share them!  I have a summer birthday, so I'm vicariously living through her.  We were always on summer break when my birthday rolled around.

I love watching her learn new things.  I love seeing her love for drawing.  I love seeing her generosity of spirit.  I am amazed at her beauty, inside and out.

Big One October 2008 - Brand New

Big One October 2009 - 1 Year Old

Big One October 2010 - 2 Years Old

Big One October 2011 - 3 Years Old

Big One October 2012 - 4 Years Old

I am beyond blessed to be her Mommy.  I cannot wait to see what she chooses to do with her life, but I have no doubt that it will be amazing.