Surprise! It's a Bounce Party!!

Friday, April 5th
A few months ago I asked Georgia if she had thought about what kind of birthday party she might like to have this year- she immediately said "a surprise party"! I told her she can't really ask for a surprise party- then it isn't a surprise! But, then, as I started to plan her party, I just never told her about it.... Surprise!! ;)

While she was at school, they came and set up the Princess Bounce house in our driveway, and I got everything set up. When we walked around the corner to our street on the way home from school, her face was priceless!! Such a big smile!! Then she and Lincoln ran all the way down our street and got right in it- and stayed there till I made them finally come out to rest for a bit before all our friends arrived.
It was definitely a hit!! Just look at these happy faces! (And Georgia's crazy hair!!)

They went in...

They bounced, jumped, fell on their heads, acted like crazy people...

Then came down the slide!

Sometimes more than one at a time!!

Sometimes on top of each other!!!

 Again- and again- and again- and again....

We also had a table set up to make your own candy necklace, also known as the fuel for the bounce house! Some actually made necklaces- and some just ate handfuls of candy and fruit loops...

I've never had my pizza delivered via cart before, but that's what it took to feed this crew!

 The sidewalk chalk was a hit with artists of all ages!

 And of course there was cake!! Apparently it was pretty good- even baby Anais thought so! :)

 It is always so fun to get to have a celebration with our family and friends, and thank all of them that came out to jump, play and party with Georgia!

Everyone went home with some Party Popcorn, tied up with a lolly... the popcorn was really yummy (and easy to make!), but some may have still been more impressed with the lollipop!

And, once again, I waited till the end to try to get a family picture... never good timing! But we all had such a fun time it wasn't too hard to coax one more smile out- or one more silly face!!

We had so much fun celebrating you turning six, Georgia! Now- stop growing!! My babies are getting too big!! ;) It's fun to see how much you are learning every year, and especially this year as you've moved into "big kid school". Reading, writing and arithmetic- you've really dove into them! And you are such a great helper and big sister. You even helped me with the last minute preperations for your own party. And, when you got the same gift twice, offered to give the extra to your little sister instead of keeping it for yourself. So sweet! We all love you so much, and thank God for you every day! 

Happy sixth birthday, sweet girl!!

An Egg-stra Special Birthday!

Sunday, March 31st

On Sunday evening we had the family over for Easter dinner and to celebrate Georgia's birthday (on her birthday)- jellybean decorations (the kind of decorations that disappear quickly), colored deviled eggs (the colors kinda freaked some people out, but I thought they were cute!), and an egg-shaped fruit pizza birthday cake completed the theme. It was definitely Egg-stra special and an awesome way for my firstborn to fly into Year 6!!

Aunt Laura and Emma made this super-cute Easter cake and brought it to share- great job ladies!!

On Monday I brought some cupcakes to school so Georgia's classmates could celebrate with her. Little sister wasn't quite as excited as everyone else! ;)

More celebrating to come!!

Easter Morning 2013

Sunday, March 31st

The Easter bunny was good to the kids this year- it was all set out so nice and neat...

And, first thing in the morning, the kids descended on their baskets of goodies! (Bed head and all... this picture is really to show you what I deal with in Georgia's hair every morning!)

Cards from Nana are always super-special! :)

And so are chocolates!!

 The aftermath.... I think I'll be finding plastic eggs around my house till July!

While I got breakfast ready, the big kids jumped into their paint-by-numbers. Georgia diligently followed the directions, fretting when one shade wasn't quite right. Lincoln announced about 2 minutes in he was just going to paint whatever color he wanted! But the quote of the morning was when daddy commented on the paint getting all over the counter, to which Georgia replied- "Daddy, sometimes an artist has to make a mess!" :)

 Then it was time to tame the bedhead and get into our nice Easter dress clothes!
Also- meet "Ariel", Georgia's newest best friend. Georgia and Grammie had a special birthday date on Thursday at Build-a-Bear, and Ariel was born. She's pink, if you hadn't noticed, with pink ears, feet, dress, nose, wand and shoes (not pictured). And she makes a fairy-wand twinkling sound! What more could a little girl want?! ;)

 "Ah- the paparazzi are always after me!"

After Easter service our church hosts a big lunch at a member's home on Bayshore. The setting is so beautiful, the potluck food delicious and plentiful, and it was great to have my parents and the Waltrips join us there. I told the kids they couldn't play until we got pictures done, so we took about 65, got these 2 decent ones, then they were off!!
(A note for next year- always take Easter pictures before church, even if it means being even more late to church!)

To make Easter even more special this year, it was also Georgia's birthday!! She was excited to be celebrating with Jesus, and got lots of birthday wishes with her birthday button on all day. Can't believe my sweet girl is SIX!! 

"And this is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning at Jerusalem."  Luke 24:46-47