"Bakery" Birthday

On Saturday, Gabi had seven little friends here to celebrate her 5th birthday.  We decided on a "bakery" party together, and have been planning for a few months now.  It was a wonderfully special morning for Gabi, and quite the sweet, peaceful party with all the little girls (I have a feeling it wouldn't have been quite so calm had it been Emilio's party).  Get ready for a whole lot of pictures. 

My mom made these darling aprons for each girl!

Gabi's Bakery

birthday banner I made on the Cricut last year (now I can reuse from year to year)

the work station

started the party with some coloring as guests arrived

check out this website for some cool activity sheets for FREE!

oops, sideways, but these are the toppings for cupcake decorating

Gabi, Luci and Cousin Eloisa got first pick of the aprons

the dining room table complete with Strawberry Lemonade cupcakes to decorate

Reading "A Baker's Dozen" to the girls

bday girl

listening to the story

coloring

Party snack mix station.  We did some measuring with cups and spoons.

my sweet niece Eloisa

sweet smiles

cheesy Luci

Raspberry Lemonade and Party Mix

We made individual Strawberry Rhubarb pies in 1/2 pint Mason jars for all the mamas for Mother's Day.  Check this out!

Gabi's BFF "C" with her pie for Mommy!

Cute little bite sized pies!

Aunt Emily helping with cupcake decorating

"S"

"K"

Luci is very proud of her cupcake

"C"

Miss Eloisa

"A"

My sweet little baker

Gabi's creation, can we say sugar overload?

"Happy Birthday to you!"

"T"

The whole crowd!

Gift time

Me and my girlies

The two youngest, Cousin Eliana and Luci

Happy Birthday! (and Mother's Day too!)

Gabi brought Marshmallow Pops to preschool for her birthday!

Today, my Gabriela Joy turns one whole hand old, that's 5 years old people!  How did this happen?  She is one bright light in our life and has brought us so much JOY.  We get lost in those big browns of hers, and love to watch her independent, bohemian, daydreaming self frolic outside, picking dandelions for hours.  She is the cutest little skipper around (she finally learned this skill recently), and loves to flit about and dance to music, while singing!  She also spends much of her day creating artistic collages with color, scissors, glue, and stickers. A Princess dress is her usual uniform, and she also happens to be the snuggliest little bug in town (touch, is definitely her love language).  We are so thankful for our Gabi girl, and can't wait to see the kind of person she develops to be with each passing year.  We love you Gabi......Happy Birthday sweetie!

---I'll post her "Bakery Birthday Party" pictures soon.
p.s.  Happy Mother's Day!  I feel so thankful to have learned from some of the best, my so very special Mama, and my Grammy.  I also feel very thankful for a wonderful Mother in law! You are all loved!

I'm late, I'm late......

with my Easter pictures, updates, Teacher Appreciation ideas, and basically a whole lot more.  I never thought it would be so difficult to keep up my blog, but this year has proved to be a BUSY one.  Anyway, the Wednesday before Easter we had cousins and Aunt Emily over to dye Easter eggs, and to make a cute nest from Family Fun together.  Here are some pix of that fun afternoon and evening together.

We celebrated Easter on Saturday afternoon with my brother Michael and his family, and my parents who were here only until early Sunday morning.  The kids had a great Easter Egg hunt with eggs filled with candy, quarters, dollar coins, and even raw broccoli (my bro's idea).  Funny thing was, they all ate it without any qualms.  We had a great dinner, and made individual Strawberry Rhubarb pies in little half pint mason jars.  They were wonderful. 

On Sunday, the kids found their Easter baskets, we went to church and celebrated the real reason for the holiday, and then we took the kids to see Rio 3D in the theatre.  We also treated them to a treat at a cafe, and went to a park for awhile.  It was a nice, quiet family day. 

We hope you had a Happy Easter!