Happy Birthday, Grammy!

Steve left for Mississippi again yesterday morning, so my mom came to visit so that she could watch the girls for me when I teach a couple of nights this week.  It turns out that my mom's birthday was yesterday, so we got to celebrate with her.  Sam was excited that Grammy was able to come with me and pick her up from school and then we celebrated with cake and ice cream (and presents) after our lunch.

I made my mom a special cranberry cake with orange-infused cream cheese frosting.  She loved it!  It was perfect for the season with just the right balance of sour and sweet.  Of course, the girls had to be sure to sit close-by Grammy when we sang "happy birthday" to her and blew out the candles.

Note that both of the girls are singing to her:

And the highlight of any birthday celebration (besides the presents) is the opportunity to blow out the candles.  Both girls joined in for that, with Samantha showing the most experience in that area.

What made this event even more special for the girls was that Grammy actually brought them each a present, and she let the girls open them before she opened her gifts from us. 

Inside each of their boxes was three ornaments chosen specifically by Grammy for them to put on the tree.  The ornaments symbolized some of their interests right now. 

Samantha received an acorn ornament (she loved collecting acorns with Grammy and her daddy in the woods this Fall), a pizza ornament (one of her favorite foods) and a pencil ornament (because she started school this year). 

Sophia received a stuffed bunny ornament (in honor of her bunny first birthday party), a grilled cheese ornament (one of her favorite foods) and a popcorn ornament (because she had her first popcorn party with Momma this Fall).

The girls were SO excited about their new ornaments and they are now proudly displayed on our trees.  It was so thoughtful of Grammy!