Her birthday fell on a Sunday this year, so we made sure that the day was all about her. We began with the traditional cinnamon rolls for breakfast and followed that up with opening all of her presents from us.
The presents had been sitting out on a table in the corner for a couple of days and she was more than a little anxious to open them. She was nothing but smiles the whole time!
(I'm not sure who was more excited about the gifts -- her or Samantha. After all, Samantha knew that a couple of them would be ones that they could play with together).
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Sophia settled on brownies to take to school for her class treat the day after her actual birthday, but we decided to make them a bit more special. I added some grass frosting and made different bugs to put on the top using various candies. I thought that it was quite appropriate for the (hopefully) upcoming Spring season.
A close-up view:
(I heard that they were a big hit with all of her classmates).
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Her "friend party" was originally scheduled for the Saturday after her birthday (March 4th), but we ended up rescheduling it due to the incredible amount of illnesses that were going around at the time -- both in our family and among her friends. It was for the better, and then most everyone was able to attend the following Saturday.
We still went ahead with the "family party" that Sunday though. We were missing a few guests, but we made the best of it and celebrated big with tacos and cake and ice cream.
Sophia had chosen her own theme this year -- peacocks -- and it was so fun to coordinate colors, feathers and craft projects.
The peacock centerpiece in the middle of the table was a tissue pom-pom that I was originally going to hang, but instead opted to make a head and turn it into an actual peacock.
Some of the fabrics were loaned to me from our neighbor, who also had some extra peacock feathers that she had once used for decoration in her home. I tied a ribbon around them and they added just the right amount of flair to that corner of the room.
The dessert table, always one of my favorite things. The canvas painting was, once again, covered in wrapping paper and then decorated to match the theme. The peacock on it was made out of painted spoons and Q-tips (such a great project with the girls!) and I cut the "6" out of scrapbook paper that I had in my craft closet.
Getting ready to open presents after dinner:
A new shirt (which she chose to later wear for Spring pictures):
Quite possibly the highlight of the day, a treasure box from Grandpa filled with gold coins and jewelry:
The cake that I made and decorated for her:
Ready to make a wish and blow out her candle:
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The long-anticipated "friend party" finally took place on March 11th. Most of the girls were able to come and we began the party with a craft that I had all set up in the family room.
This was an idea that I had seen online and then modified it slightly based on the items that we had at home and the age group that we were working with. Even Jack was able to participate.
Such concentration:
Some of the finished projects, drying on the countertop while the kids washed up for lunch.
I opted to let the kids eat in the dining room (not usually my first choice for parties because of the chance of spilling their punch on the carpeting), but the table in the family room was filled with craft supplies. I crossed my fingers and hoped for the best.
It turned out just fine and the guests loved their lunch -- kid-friendly chicken nuggets and french fries ...
... complete with a fruit skewers that resembled a peacock, of course.
After lunch, we played "Pin the Feather on the Peacock." I drew the peacock and colored it one night when the kids were in bed. Sophia loved it so much that it is now hanging on the back of her bedroom door!
The prize was two bottles of nail polish, where the closest contestant was able to choose their color(s) first and so on ...
The birthday girl went first and after I spun her around three times, she headed in the completely WRONG direction. It was hilarious.
Jack too!
Not even close to the "X."
Posing with their feathers on the bird:
Sophia with some of her friends from school, Scarlett, Gabby and Jordyn:
Opening her presents; it happens every time -- the girls always want to be as close as possible to one another during the gift opening ceremony. Every time.
Time for cupcakes and ice cream!
Another birthday wish for this girl!
High on sugar and fun:
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Finally, we ended the celebrations the next day when Aunt Deb and Uncle Dennis came over (and Grandpa too!) to celebrate Steve and my birthdays and brought gifts for Sophia. They weren't able to attend the "family party" the previous weekend, so Sophia had MORE gifts to open. She is one loved little girl!
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