A Poppin' Birthday Present

The girls got this box of balloons for their birthday from Uncle James, Aunt Jenna, and Olivia.

They had to pop the balloons with their initial on it to claim their gift.

Super excited to find money!  (And please excuse the outfit.  She picked it herself and some battles just aren't worth it when you have a day at home!)

Paige was working hard! And she was super fast at popping all of her balloons.

Paige's loot!

Lainey's loot!

What a cute idea!  The girls LOVED it!  Thanks Uncle James, Aunt Jenna, and Olivia!

Paige's Birth DAY!

On Paige's birthday she wanted to have a slumber party.  Since she only goes to school on Monday/Wednesday/Friday, we thought she could have her friend Ellie (who is homeschooled) stay the night Wednesday night, so they could spend Thursday (Paige's birthday) together.  Paige chose to go to the mall to the Children's Museum.  We also rode the carousel and the escalator at Scheel's (always a favorite).  Then, we picked up Daddy and went to Pizza Ranch for supper.  There was no persuading her otherwise.  The girl loves her some Pizza Ranch!  Then it was home for presents and cake!

All Paige wanted for her birthday was a "LaLa" Lamp.  (Remember she had already gotten her dollhouse a couple weeks ago.)  She had given one to Alaina for her birthday and one to Ellie for her birthday.  And she was DYING for one.  So I decided to play a little trick on her.  Alaina DID get one for her, but we left it hidden so she would think she didn't get one. 

She got some craft supplies.

And a doll head with a wig she could syle and wear.  She was excited about each of her gifts.

After she opened all that we had brought up.  I asked her if she was happy.  Sweet girl told me she was.  I asked her if she got everything she wanted.  She said, "Yes......well, I really wanted a lala lamp."  At this point Mark was feeling pretty bad and couldn't stand it any longer and brought out her......................

LALA Lamp !  Which is really an aquarium with fake fish that lights up and the fish "swim" in the bubbles.

And she was THRILLED!

Then it was time for the cake.  She was VERY easy on me this year.  She had been telling me for weeks that she wanted a heart cake with flowers.  Then when we were at the grocery store picking out a flavor of cake, she saw those candy letters and had to have them.  Which was fine, I asked her if she still wanted a heart and flower cake and she didn't.  She only wanted the letters on her chocolate cake with chocolate frosting and even showed me with her hands that she wanted it to be a rectangle cake.

I felt like she was getting a bit cheated, so I did embellish her cake a bit more and added a heart and flowers.  She was very happy with it.  And can I just say that chocolate cake with mint frosting is fabulous!

Blowing out her candles!

And she is 6 now!

She got to have the whole heart shape off the top and added her name to the top.

Happy 6th Birthday Paige!

Paige you are growing up way too fast!  I can't believe that it was 6 years ago that we were gazing at you for the first time and holding you in our arms.  You are beautiful inside and out.

I have loved watching you grow and change this past year.  You are still quiet and timid around strangers, but it delights my heart to see you at school and watch you say hi to all the kids even before they say hi to you.  You are kind and compassionate to others and have such a sweet spirit.  Everyone is your BEST friend, not just your friend.  You would rather be with your friends than do anything else!

You still prefer people to toys, but will craft your little heart out.  You are very sweet to your little sister and are a willing help to me.  You love little kids and being "in charge" of them.  It comes very naturally to you.  You are so excited with each new cousin you get.

Here are some things you have learned this year:  Riding your bike without training wheels, riding a Razor scooter well, reading, telling time, how to roller skate, mostly bathing yourself, actual swimming and doing a handstand under water, and so much more.

Things you are into: gymnastics, riding your "2 wheel" scooter and bike, drawing, coloring, painting, watching movies - anything girly, hanging out with friends, and playing with Mommy's "IPad" (it's really a Kindle Fire).

Clothes Size: 6/6x
Shoe Size: 13-1
Teeth Lost: 2 (the bottom middle)

I love you too much sweet girl.  I pray that you love God more each day and continue to let His light shine through you.  I love being your Mommy and wouldn't miss watching you grow up for anything.

Birthday with the Grandparents

It was Grandparents Day on April 20th at Paige's School, so both sets of their grandparents came for the weekend.  (Though once again I have no pictures of any of them.  Grandma's - if you have pics with Paige will you get me a copy?)

So because they were all going to be here and it was exactly between the girls' birthday's we decided to celebrate that weekend.  Paige to a new "2 wheel scooter" from Nana and Papa.  She has been wanting one since last fall and they've been hanging on to it for a long time for her.

They gave Lainey a Strawberry Shortcake Polly set.

Uncle Mat, Aunt Myra, Skylar, and Ariana gave the girls new S.S. dolls and Walkie Talkies.  They LOVE their "Talkie Talkie's".

Both sets of Grandparents went together and got the girls each a set of Barbie Furniture.

They were so excited to open each new piece of furniture.

This isn't your normal furniture.  The lights all turn on, the water actually works from the faucets, washing machine and bathtub, and the bed plays a lullaby.  I would have totally loved this a kid.

Now is when they got their big present from Mommy and Daddy.

Daddy made them each a dollhouse!!!!  He did an awesome job!  As you can see they are very big and come with working lights and working elevator.  Yes, a real working elevator.  Can you even begin to imagine having this as a child?! 

As you can see they were pretty excited and loved setting up all their new furniture.

You may even catch Daddy playing at night after the girls go to bed!;)

All set up in their new home.

The two have slide together to look like a big house and Mark painted it the color of our house, complete with a red front door!

Paige's Princess Tea Party!

Paige and Ellie have been having birthday parties together for as long as they have had birthday parties.  This year was no exception.  It is getting trickier as they are getting older and have their own interests and a few different friends.  Thankfully, they both really wanted to have a princess tea party.  They talked about it and planned for weeks.  There birthdays are only 2 days apart, so it works out that Emily and I don't have to each have a party.

The girls could come dressed in princess dresses or Sunday dresses if they wanted to.  Of course my girls were "all in" for princess dresses.  Here are Alaina, Ellie, Hannah, and Paige anxiously awaiting the arrival of the 1st guest.

Poor Zach was the only boy there.  He and Alaina are just a couple weeks apart in age.  It is so great to have friends with kids the same ages.

The party goers: Claire, Ellie, Amelia, Ashlyn (in the back), Paige, Hannah, Alaina, and Zach.

The girls all got to decorate their very own tiara.

Then, they got their nails painted.

It's hard to see, but Lainey picked green!

And then they got to have a little make-up put on.  They loved every minute of it.

We had little finger food snacks.  "CHEERS!"

Butterfly cupcakes!   

The birthday girls!

That's one way to keep your hands clean.

And we ended the party with a few gifts.

The girls had so much fun playing together.  Thanks everyone for coming and celebrating Paige and Ellie's birthdays.  It was a very special day!