Grace's Birthday Party

Grace wanted to celebrate her birthday with a tea party.  A tea party was a fun theme for the party.  Though with the number of boys we invited, it was not exactly a dainty and girly affair.  I didn't take many pictures because I really wanted to spend time with our guests, so here is the short version.

 We enjoyed some chicken nuggets from Chick-fil-a, green beans, chips, veggies, and fruit.  After some food and rowdy play time for the kiddos, everyone sang to our birthday girl.

 She blew out her candle, and we had birthday cake.

 I fixed some warm apple cider for the kiddos for after the presents were opened.  Then came Grace's favorite part --- opening presents!

 Uncle Rob, Bobby, and Ben gave Grace some Lego Friends.

 Cassidy gave Grace a Lalaloopsy doll. I think Grace will enjoy fixing this doll's hair.

 Alicia sent a present --- make-up!  Oh my!  The make-up set included eyeshadow, lip gloss, nail polish, and powder.

 The Lewis' knew just what this girl wanted --- more make-up!  The Lewis' gave Grace some Lalaloopsy lip glosses and a gift card to Claire's Boutique.

 The Lindsey's gave Grace this Doodle Bear.  How fun!  You draw on it, wash it, and draw on it again!

 Uncle Brian and Aunt Erin gave Grace this nail art set.

 It didn't take long before a nail shop opened for business in the Ellnor kitchen.  Grace has one hot pink hand with sparkles on it right now.  She wanted to save the other hand for tomorrow.  Ha!

It was 10:30 p.m. before Grace got in the shower.  When I heard her get out, I asked if she needed anything, and she said that she was fine in a very tired little voice.  A few minutes later, I realized that the bathroom had been very quiet.  I called to her and got no response.  When I went to investigate, I found our party girl sacked out on the bathroom floor.  It must have been a GOOD party!

Thank you to everyone who came and showered our little girl with gifts!  We had a wonderful evening and appreciate that you came to celebrate our Grace with us.

Trunk or Treat

The daycare hosted Trunk or Treat this morning.  Papaw set the car up in the parking lot and handed out treats to the kiddos.  Grace had so much fun dressing up in costumes for trick or treating with friends.

Another Birthday Present

Grandma and Papaw came over Thursday evening to bring Grace a birthday present.  They brought her a baby doll and some clothes.  She loves the sparkly Hello Kitty shirt, and it matches her new hat.

Grace is 5!

Where has the time gone? How is it possible that my BABY is five-years-old? Five years ago our life was blessed with a sweet, sassy, smart,strong-willed, sensitive, independent, creative, loving, mischievous little girl.  Unfortunately, our little birthday girl was under-the-weather today.  So instead of celebrating her birthday at daycare and preschool like she'd looked forward to for two weeks, she stayed home and cuddled with her daddy.

Dan baked muffins so Grace could have a special birthday breakfast.

We sang Happy Birthday to her and let her blow out her candle.

Then it was time for a present!

What's in the bag?

A sparkly, pink hat!!  Oh my!

And a mermaid costume --- just like she'd asked for!

Grace showed her hat to Daddy.  He got out his hat, and they posed for a picture.  Grace's hat is backwards here, but they still look so cute together.

Just before dinner, Grace decided that she'd be more comfortable in pj's.  She asked Daddy for spaghetti, meatballs, and garlic bread for her birthday dinner.

I put a candle in that too so we could sing again.

Out goes another birthday candle!  Poor kid felt so bad that she ate one bite of a meatball and that was it for her birthday dinner.  She continued to run a fever all evening.  She laid around, watched t.v., and cuddled with Mommy.  Here's hoping that she feels better before her party on Friday evening!

Happy Birthday, Grace Catherine!  We love you!

Toothless Magee

When we left of Halloweekend one of Gabriel's top front teeth was very loose.  Being such a busy weekend, he didn't mess with his loose tooth much while we were there.  Friday the big boys were playing at the playground, and another kid accidentally kicked Gabriel in the mouth, loosening his other front tooth.  Daddy and Gabriel played with the original loose tooth on Monday night.  It was ready to come out.  Tuesday evening, I pulled out that stubborn tooth.  As soon as the first tooth came out, the second tooth was super-loose.  Why wait?  I yanked the second tooth out too.  Now Gabriel is our living jack-o-lantern.  He looks so funny!

Halloweekend

 Halloweekend at Lake Rudolph is SO FUN!  The kids have a ball!  There is so much to do!  And we love it!  First thing Friday morning Daniel McAfee, 7 kids, and I piled into a golf cart and headed up to the camp office for the keys to the other golf carts.

A few minutes later, Alicia, Janelle, 4 kids, and I headed back up to the camp office to make reservations for 2013.  Can you believe that all of the campsites were nearly booked for next year?

 It was rainy outside so the boys played games in the McAfee's camper.

 Alicia and I hung out and relaxed while the kids played.

 Grandma and Papaw rented a cabin.  These two girls were so cute showing off their hats while we visited.

 It was a chilly evening, but at least the rain had stopped so we could enjoy a camp fire.  I was trying to get a picture of my big boy, but someone decided to photo bomb.  Oh well, this one is WAY funnier.

 Sam and Grace played with bubbles.

 Gabriel, Jackson, Darbi, and Grace just acted silly.

 Me and my hubby were sitting around the campfire.

 It wasn't long before it was time to go on a hay ride.  This was the first year that we didn't have to wait forever to get on a wagon.  I guess the rain and cold kept people away.

 Nora (and Alicia) were looking so cute on the hayride.

 I love this big boy!

 Hmmm . . . Son of Photo Bomber learned well.  He (Sam) has great timing too.  I'm sure it's taken him lots of practice.  Ha!

 Oh!  There is my Gracie-Girl!

 Enjoying our hayride and keeping warm

 After baths, the McAfee's set up a movie outside their camper for the kids.  These kiddos were SO TIRED that none of them made it to the end of the movie.

Gabriel came up the hill to the fire ring from the movie.  He climbed into my lap to snuggle and get warm.  Before I knew it, he was asleep.  It has probably been three or more years since this big boy has fallen asleep in my lap.  I soaked this up for all it was worth!

 McAfee kids were in bed and out came Reggae Red!

 Saturday morning Darbi and Grace cuddled under blankets to stay warm.

 At 10 a.m. the carnival began.  Our first stop was the bounce house.  Since the carnival had just started, there were no other kids in the bounce house but our girls.  Whew!  That makes me feel better since our bounce house mishap.

 Toilet Paper Toss was one of Gabriel's favorite games.  He got two of the three rolls in the bowl!

 These girls reaped the benefits of the sucker tree!

 Grace could not wait to get her face painted.  She asked for a pink and purple butterfly.  This clown was quick too!  He had a beautiful butterfly done in just a minute or two.

 Here is Grace's butterfly, complete with sparkles!

 Next, she wanted a butterfly balloon.  Jimbo did the best he could, but it looked more like a legless mosquito to me.  Ha!

 Saturday evening was trick-or-treat time!  The costumes: Cody Zeller, two IU cheerleaders, a Storm Trooper, Bat Girl, Mario, a clown, and a unicorn.

 Mario and Bat Girl posed for a picture . . . I love Bat Girl's pose!

 When Grace saw this couple walking around dressed in the Superman and Super Woman costumes, she said, "Mom!  I want my picture taken with them!"  The little boy is their son, Maxon.

 This was a neat inflatable in front of a camper.

 The Village People performed YMCA for everyone.  It was stinkin' hilarious!

 Grace went through her loot as soon as we got back to camp.  Look at that haul!

 We gathered back around the campfire to keep warm.

Gabriel and Sam acted silly.  I know that's a shock.

 We passed the Catch Phrase game around the campfire.  It was fun!  Gabriel got in on the game too, and he did a pretty good job reading the words and giving hints.

We had to take Gnome's picture as we left the park.  Halloweekend always goes by so quickly.  It was a lot of fun, but it's always nice to be back home too.