Happy 5th Birthday Lily!

We're having so much fun celebrating Lily's 5th birthday!  We started the celebrations on Sunday evening.  We went to Chattahoochee's homecoming that morning (always a fun time); when we got home, Liz had cleaned everything up amazingly well.  What a fantastic surprise!  We were all able to rest during nap time which was very needed.  That evening, my parents, Meme, Wayne, Molly and Zac came over.  The four kids had a fantastic time playing together; they always do.  Ryan grilled up some hot dogs, and we also enjoyed some chips, fruit salad and baked beans.  It was a very low-key evening, but we all had a nice time. 

The kids sat together to enjoy dinner.

 Lily and Mia had fun helping me bake a cake for her.  I had planned on some really cute pink icing decorations, but unfortunately the "Easy Squeeze" icing was not easy at all.  Will not be buying that anytime again soon.  Anyway, I had to get Ryan's help, and he drew out these sweet designs.  I put some sprinkles on too and the candles on the side.  Not exactly what I envisioned, but thankfully, Lily loved it.  Then again, she loves anything with pink on it!

 The girls were ready for some cake!

 Excited to hear "Happy Birthday" and get her cake.

 Blowing out the candles.

 All the kids enjoyed their dessert.

 Ready to open presents!

 Lily was in awe of this stable with horses that Bama gave her.  She absolutely loves it.  As I put her to bed later in the evening, she said "But Mommy, I can't get to sleep.  I'm too excited about my horses."  I know there will be many hours of fun with this.

 Lily has been asking for a jewelry box for a couple of months now, so she can put her precious Chuck E Cheese jewelry someplace "safe" from Mia.  She was very adamant that it be a princess jewelry box with a princess who does ballet on the inside while music plays.  Luckily, Mom found this Cinderella one; she filled it with mints which are some of Lily's favorite treats.  Unfortunately, the box didn't work quite right, so Mom is exchanging it.  Lily is looking forward to getting her new one!

 Lily was very excited about the new little books (Olivia, Berenstein Bears and Fancy Nancy), movie (Barbie and the Three Musketeers) and game (Berenstein Bears) that we gave her.  It's fun to see her get so excited about all these fun new presents.

 We had that celebration on Sunday evening, but today is actually her birthday.  She came and cuddled up in bed with us for a little bit this morning which was really very nice.  She is so sweet.  Mrs. Worrell allowed us to bring in cupcakes during snack time today which made Lily so happy.  She, Mia and Ryan made and decorated the cupcakes last night.  She wanted some with pink icing and some with orange icing; she topped each with princess decorations (little red apples, yellow tiaras, white pearls and blue glass slippers).  Once in the classroom, all the kids sang Happy Birthday to Lily, and then she handed out napkins to everyone.  Mia was able to sit next to her, and everyone enjoyed their cupcake.

 Mrs. Worrell came by to see how the girls were enjoying their cupcakes.

 While the kids finished the snacks, I read the book "Fall" to them which was lots of fun.  I love reading to them!  What a fun treat all around!

 This evening, Lily wanted to go to Atkin's Park for dinner because she likes that they give the kids books to look at while waiting on dinner.  It was a beautiful night out, and we enjoyed a nice evening.

We also were able to Skype with Grandpops and Grandma Jan which was a wonderful treat.  Lily couldn't wait to thank them for the amazingly awesome Leap Pad Explorer they gave her.  It's like a little iPad.  In fact, she calls it her iPad, so if you hear her say she got an iPad for her birthday, this is what she is talking about!  She absolutely adores it, and she is having so much playing on it.

We have a little bit more celebrating to do on Saturday, but so far, we're having a blast celebrating our sweet 5 year old!