A Small Family Gathering

Suddenly became huge!  Luckily my sweet in-laws volunteered to host Flanna's birthday party at their home, because we never would've been able to fit all these cousins at our place!  We were lucky that so many of our family members were visiting from out of town, and we got to see everyone in one fell swoop at Flannery's party.

It was a really wonderful day.  The kids played and laughed; the adults chatted and caught up with one another; the food was plentiful; and the weather even cooperated.  Flannery decided to wear her Belle dress to the "Princess Party," and I think she felt festive and beautiful (which she was!).

I'm so thankful to my in-laws and to all my family for making the day such fun for her.

Her favorite part of the day, I think, was blowing up the balloons to decorate for the party.  She was so proud of herself for being able to do that all by herself.  My favorite part was when she walked into the kitchen after I'd hung streamers, and gasped in delight!  So sweet!

centerpieces and favors all in one

the princess cake and cupcakes

Flannery and I made the cake, and her Grammie made the cupcakes...yum!

our homemade pinata was not long for the world

the cousins collecting pinata booty

cousins

opening gifts

the five year old beauty

What was your favorite birthday party from when you were a kid?  I used to love sleepovers the best.   Also, my surprise 16th birthday party was great fun.   

Anticipate Fun

Notice the fun girl pumpkin Flanna
decorated with her Grammie?

Yesterday, we went with my niece's Brownie troop to see Disney on Ice.  Flannery dressed up in her Cinderella dress for the big event, and we had such a nice time. I think part of the fun was just in looking forward to the show--we talked about it for days ahead of time, decided what to wear, tried to guess what the show would be like, and just generally got excited about what was to come.  Anticipating fun can really bring a lot of happiness for me--maybe that's why I like to plan things way in advance!  Anyway, Disney on Ice really lived up to the anticipation.  We all enjoyed it, and I think it was a magical night for Flannery and my niece!  We were so grateful to my sister for inviting us!

What fun time are you anticipating?

Let's Get Fancy

Tonight before bed, I told Flanna she could choose anything for us to play for 15 minutes.  Of course, she chose something princess-related.  Princess dress up, in fact.  I was to be the queen, and she was the princess, complete with a "real" crown (thanks to my friend Dana, who recently gave Flanna her old high school homecoming queen crown!).  We played for a while, and then we "pretended" to brush our teeth as royalty, to read bedtime books as royalty, and even to clean up a bit as royalty!  We also pretended that we really hoped the king won his soccer game that night (since Robi was out playing soccer with some friends).   It was so interesting to me that just pretending we were royalty, and talking in fancy English accents, and calling one another "dahhh-ling," made the evening routine go so smoothly, and seem so special. 

I mean, Flanna changing into PJs without protest?  And brushing teeth the first time I asked? 

I think we'll have to be royalty more often.

Every fancy princess wears a tinkerbell dress. 

Can you do a convincing British accent?  Mine's pretty good, if I do say so myself.  :)

The Princess Collection

It's our family portrait, and I am the only lucky one with a crown AND arms.

Every child has something they just love.  For Flannery, her "favorite" themes have varied over her life so far...from dogs & cats, to Elmo, to Angelina Ballerina, to Ariel, and now to just princesses in general.  She just loves princesses.  And princes.  And castles. And long fancy dresses with "puff sleeves."  And crowns.  And hair up in buns.  And fancy high heels.  And fairy godmothers.  These are everyday topics of conversation in our house, and, come to find out, at school, as well. 

Lately we've been noticing a theme to the artwork she makes during "free choice" at school.  Her puffed sleeves are getting rather detailed.  Her eyelashes are getting pretty realistic.  Her ballgowns are getting more and more embellished with rainbows and flowers.  I really think we should frame these and have "royal" art show soon.  What do you think?

Careful, or I'll hug you with my hip hands. 

Rapunzel.  Her dress is da bomb.

Tinkerbell

The fingernails are painted, no less.

Beauty and the Beast

Princess Tiana from the Princess & the Frog

The princess who started it all.

Flanna drew me and Robi on our wedding day.  (poor Robi even had gray hair back then, apparently!)

 

What was your passion as a child?