Her First Friend Birthday Party

So the party ended up being a princess party, even though we had picked a purse cake to make and then tried to build off that. Then I found princess invitations that were cute and then a friend mentioned her daughter wanted to wear her princess costume and I thought, "How fun would that be!" The girls can dress like princesses if they want and the boys can come as princes or knights. So it took off from there. This was Olivia's first party that we invited her friends. Her other birthday parties were with family except her 1st I think there were my friends and family but she can't remember that. I think everyone had a great time.

On the present table I put out pictures of her from each year of her life. I loved looking back at her one year picture. She was so little and cute.

I got the ideas for the the pom pom tissue flowers from another blog I read and the instructions to make them are here. They are pretty easy.

The sign on the back wall says Happy Birthday Olivia. I also got the idea from that blog but her's were better because you could read it. Mine were harder to read because I could only find white chip board to use. Oh well!

The purse cake Olivia picked from this site.

Here they are decorating foam wands with jeweled stickers, they turned out really cute.

The cute boys at the party coloring their knights and horses made of wood.

Playing Pin the Princess in her Castle Window

They were having so much fun giggling at each other walking to find the window.

Time for the Pinata. I was so thankful it was a beautiful day. I blindfolded them but a lot of them were so little that they barely hit it very hard. I should have just let them hit it without the blindfold. I let the oldest girl have a whack at it without the blindfold and she finally got it open.
This picture cracks me up. You have to click on it to make it bigger and look at all the kids in the line. Most of them have their eyes closed and I'm not sure why. It happened like this in several pictures. Were they scared the candy might fly their way? Were they pretending they were blindfolded like Katie? And it's not like each of them told the others that they were closing their eyes but they all did it. I'm perplexed.

This one is great too. Look at them cheering Audrey on! Olivia's arms are up and they were all getting into it and really yelling for her to hit it. It was hilarious.
SCORE!!
The princess and her cake

Make a wish
Present time- Can you believe they are still making Lite Brites, I was so excited when she got this because I want to do it with her. It brings back memories. I LOVED my Lite Brite. She got some really great presents, thanks everyone.

Pictures with her friends and some of the wands they made

The next two pictures were from over a week ago. My mom and dad came down for a few nights to give Olivia their presents for her. So she definitely had an extended birthday this year. For some reason there are no pictures with grandma and grandpa, they had to leave earlier than they thought so maybe that's why. And a big thank you to them for helping me financially with Olivia's birthday party. That was a great present for her too.

We've Been Blessed

God is so good. Most of you know that our family has been through some trials lately. After 10 months of being unemployed, Steve found a job this past September but it does not pay well. If he can make more commission it would be better but for now it's very low. We are at the opposite end of the spectrum these days than we were two years ago. We have really cut back and are living on a LOT less than we were. That's a big adjustment and one we are still trying to figure out and manage. If this job doesn't produce more commission, Steve will need to get another job to provide for us. Anyway, this whole time God has provided and we have stretched our money big time. Lately, it's been a little scary for me and I'm not liking this side of it like I did when we were comfortable. Yet, this is where God has us right now and I'm striving to be content where we are. This past Friday I went to the mailbox and inside I found a card from an anonymous person or family. It was all typed out so I it wasn't like I could try and figure out whose handwriting it was. The note said, "Praying for more work for Steve. May you find joy and peace in God even during this trial." Inside the card was a gift card to King Soopers where we grocery shop. Wow! I'm still sitting with my mouth open in amazement that someone would do that for us. God works in mysterious ways and he has blessed us through this anonymous person/family. I'm telling you I sat in with tears welling up in my eyes after I opened that card. God told us He would not forsake us and He hasn't. He is so good! I don't know who this person is but if you read my blog, thank you from the bottom of my heart. I may never know who you are but just know that we have truly been blessed with this gift. Steve already used the card on Saturday and it made a big difference on the total bill. Last year, we also received an anonymous donation when someone put an envelope in the offering plate at church addressed to Steve and I. Thank you also to this person or family. It came at just the right time and it was so unexpected. I hope that someday we can make more money, enough that we can pay it forward and that God can use us to bless another family or families who are struggling. I am very humbled and grateful. God is taking us on a journey that we may not have planned for ourselves, but He has been with us every step of the way and I am thankful to Him for so much. And to the person who sent us this gift, I am finding joy and peace in God during this trial and it's things like this that remind me of the goodness of God and His people.

I Can't Believe She's 5 Yrs. Old.

Is my 1st born really 5 years old? Wow, 5 years ago yesterday, I was meeting my first baby girl and it was amazing. She was in the NICU at first but is here today, a healthy, beautiful 5 year old.
She is such a sweet girl and a very good helper. She is growing up so much and loves to please her mom and dad by cleaning up and helping with her baby brother. She is very tender hearted and gets easily upset when she knows we are unhappy with her or disappointed. She is a great big sister and we are so happy she is in our lives. She is beginning to read and loves it. Her Aunt Lisa sent her some Bob books for Christmas and she has already read the first two books. They are 3 letter word books but she is excited to be reading nonetheless.

Then

Now

We started off the day with a delicious breakfast from Mr. OU himself. He was very busy in the kitchen when I woke up making omelettes, waffles, and bacon.

Bubba enjoying his morning nap

Mamoose holding the baby. Wait, that's Audrey after her bath!

Presents

Look at those blue eyes!

We went to Red Robin for her birthday dinner. This was the first time Mamoose and Papaw have ever been here on one of our kids' birthdays so it was very special.

They came out and sang to her and gave her a balloon and a sundae, so fun!

We came home and sang Happy Birthday! Mamoose bought her this cake and when the lady asked what color Olivia wanted her to write on her cake, she said, "Blue, because that's my favorite color." I told her that blue didn't really go with the pink frosting but she didn't care.

Happy Birthday Sweetie! I love you so much!

Mamoose and Papaw Stopped By

Steve's parents came to meet Owen, their 6th grandchild.

Owen was so happy to finally meet his Mamoose and Papaw

Making Cupcakes with Paityn

Vicki invited us over to make cupcakes with a kit Paityn got for Christmas. The girls love spending time with their friend.

A few pictures of all three of my kiddos. His eyes are really blue right now, I think they might stay that way.

Enjoying Music Class Together

Olivia and Audrey are in the same music class this year. I could have moved Olivia up to the next level but we would have had to go at night and I wanted to keep it in the morning until she starts Kindergarten so she is repeating a class but gets to be with her sister which has been fun.

Random photo not taken at music class. I was putting Audrey down for a nap and I came downstairs and Owen was like this in his swing. He had spit up on his shirt so Olivia took his onesie off. He didn't seem to mind.