Happy 9th Birthday Allie

For Allie's 9th birthday, we wanted Aunt Keri to face paint again.  This time we choose the snowflake theme for everyone vs. letting the girls pick something themselves.  Keri came over a week before to try out a few things.

 This was Luke's request for face paint.  So manly and mature looking!  He he.

 Marianne wanted to hold baby Wyatt.  It was hilarious because he was nearly her size.

The day of the party we made snowflake bracelets.  We also had a piñata- one that was supposed to look like a snowflake.  I never figured out HOW I was going to hang it so I ended up tossing to the girls to swing at.  Oh the gently falling snowflakes- like a lead brick.

The girls first had to find the piñata by going on a treasure hunt with clues.

Welcome to Allie's party on this fine winter's day.
There's no snow outside you might think it was May.
We need a little snow, the pretty white stuff,
How about a treasure hunt to look for some fluff!

Go look in Allie's room to find the first clue,
and read what it says- it will tell you what to do!

The treasure is waiting for you smart girls to discover,
go look in the boys room (and maybe under a ____)!

You are all getting closer but you haven't found it yet,
trying looking in a place where you can get_____.

It has already rained to day- Yippee!  We couldn't wait!
Perhaps the clue is wet outside (maybe look by a ____)!

You are getting so close, each clue is a teaser,
check the frozen section (go look in the _______).

It's not here, you'll need to go back outside,
look on something that you can take for a ride!

Are you getting excited?!  You have been everywhere!
Now go check the oven, you might find it there.

So close- soooooo close- but it's not in here,
Have you look in the hallway?  Behind the large _____?

You are all so clever, wise and sly like a fox,
what about checking out front- maybe look in the mail___?

Your search is almost over, there is one last place to look,
Go look in the living room, try reading a _____?

Are you ready to find it, are you tired of this game?
Now try the dinning room, that snowflake will not be the same!

 The party girls.  I could not get them all in one shot.

 Post party clean-up.  She is a goofy kid.

The big event for Allie's 9th birthday was that we surprised her with getting her ears pierced.  She was elated!  And a little nervous.

 It hurt but she was brave.

One more reminder that my baby girl is growing up.

Wesley's 5th Birthday

Our kids are at a really fun age where they have realized that anyone's birthday is a holiday for everyone.  Everyone gets cake and ice cream and everyone is going to get a chance to play with some new toys.  We loved  celebrating Wesley in our life!  He is worth celebrating!

I think this was one of my favorite cakes.  It was so fun to surprise the kids with it when they got home from the park with Dad.  I was of course thrilled that they knew what/who it was supposed to be.  It's DARK chocolate (ha ha ha)!

Thanks grandmas and grandpas for the special gifts!
Rachel is always ready to make us laugh!  She eats up the attention.  Uli isn't this your coat?

Love the smart girl look!  These were the Dollar Store sunglasses that I bought for the Darth Vader cake (popped out the lenses).