My first baby's first birthday was a big milestone. Real big. That first year of parenthood flew by. It was a milestone for our baby turning the big o.n.e. and a milestone for us as parents and myself as a mom. Life became different that year, you know. But in one of those unimaginable ways that made us love life even more. We threw her a pretty party to celebrate the big milestone that it was to us.
Her second birthday seemed just as big a milestone! She had become a big sister and we wanted her to feel special on the big t.w.o. And it was, after all, the last year she may still have that sweet innocent personality where she couldn't contain any excitement whatsoever and maybe the last year she would still have that cute little baby face. So we had to do something, you know. Disney it was. And my goodness, it was amazing all thanks to that sweet and innocent personality I mentioned before!
And when it was little sister's first birthday, well it was a big milestone, too. So we had to do it big, you know. A themed birthday party with all her dear family back home to celebrate our youngest baby turning the big o.n.e. before becoming a big sister.
Most recently came E's third birthday. What to do, what to do?! Disney was the obvious choice thanks to her huge excitement last year. But then when all she talked about was a party like little sister's with all her friends, we had to do a little something with friends too because she was just too excited for her birthday this year.
My point? Well, apparently milestones are big to us. We'll make any excuse to celebrate our babies! I don't see each year passing by getting less significant to us, but who knows! We love our celebrations and we love our fun. Seeing those faces light up, even over something simple makes it all worth it! As long as we are able to, we'll celebrate each year in whatever way we can. Whether big or small, with friends or family, or on a trip. Whether hanging at home with a simple cake and pizza or a big bash, we will celebrate indeed!
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Her actual birthday week (when we were about to head to Disney), E came down with the stomach bug. As did her (almost) entire school. Low and behold, it spread throughout our house like wildfire. Twas not very fun. Luckily we all felt better, minus the tiredness and semi-weakness we felt on the Disney trip, but overall I am still so glad we went. We were right, though -- I don't think anything will beat that 2nd year birthday Disney trip innocence and excitement! She had her moments of hit or miss in terms of excitement and I'm just going to blame it on the sickness (or the 'threenager' in her).
But the day she woke up on her 3rd birthday before heading home, she was adorable. A sweet cheerio tea party with her sissy and a big breakfast with her beloved characters. She couldn't hide the excitement there.
And her Fancy Nancy Tea for Two book set the bar for a celebration with her friends. A simple tea party, I thought? Done and done!
The ideas ran through my head a million miles a minute, however finding time with Daddy home and friends available was the problem. Daddy so graciously offered to share his birthday with his baby :) He had the day off and it turned out all 5 of the other second year EM kiddies were finally all in town together that day.
Daddy got to hang with friends and watch football and the kiddies got to play.
Hello, super duper last minute planned Fancy Nancy Princess Tea Party.
E and sissy put on their fancy party clothes and waited patiently for her guests to arrive.
Well, as patiently as a newly 3 year old could be.
With every car that passed came a "..but none of my kids are coming, Mommy!"
Until they did.
They ate, they drank, they sat real pretty for 7 kids under 4.
And then they partied hard. (You know, for 7 kids under 4...)
And when those youngin's couldn't handle the pinata themselves, the birthday man himself stepped in for some action. Leave it to Daddy-O.
It was a simple, low-key celebration for E turning 3 and Daddy turning 29! From a princess tea party for E to pizza, beer, football and dirt cake for J (and a day off!), it was a great celebration before he turns the big 3-0 next year! Thanks to our residency family for helping us celebrate life's little joys :)
Happy Birthday E and Daddy! You are loved so, so much!
