Back up to the Big Birthday Celebration!

We've had sooo many things going on in our lives the last two months, (beyond all the blizzards and snow days) and trust me, I always had my camera poised and ready! Problem is, when you're so busy, it's very tricky finding a moment to post those pics on the blog! I do, however, have a committment to myself to eventually get these things posted since I don't want to leave out any momentous occasions on my yearly blog book.
So, here it is, only one month late, the Birthday Blog...Happy 8th Birthday sweet pea!

This sweet girl continues to be the light of my life! She's my bright, funny, witty, sensitive, cautious, caring, kind, inquisitive, jewelry-wearing,purse-carrying, creative-dressing girl! 

We celebrated her birthday, first, with her friends from school, at an artist birthday party at our house. This was the invitation...

I had lots of fun with the food and/or decorations, like making these edible "paint brushes"...

and displaying some other colorful sweets...

the "paint dots" were a bit of a mystery to some kids, asking "do we eat these?"

Kayli provided some artwork for the patio door...

we set up a stage to take "thank-you pictures"...

and added a few other artistic touches...

 

everyone got to decorate their own artist apron, then immediately began a project at one of the 3 different craft stations set up...

we sang "Happy Birthday"...

sat around the table and giggled about silly things while eating the "art supplies"...

Kayli opened some cool crafty gifts...

and we sent everyone home with an envelope full of completed craft projects, paintings, and photo "thank-yous"...

Kayli and Lily had some fun with the backdrop after all the girls had gone home...

Other birthday fun included a family gathering where Kayli and her cousin Jake both celebrated February birthdays...

Kayli dressed all in pink, complete with birthday sash...

Jake just stepped off the basketball court, so how appropriate that Kayli and I bought him this cool t-shirt...

Kayli's aunts, uncles, and cousins gave her some great gifts too...

A new princess swimsuit & cover-up just in time for our Disney trip...

a new "snuggle friend!"

Kayli also received a nice birthday package from her buddies in North Carolina...

then, there was the morning of her actual birthday, where we started the day with a healthy dose of sugar...

and then, there's nothing like celebrating your birthday at school...treats for all your friends, a special sign on your desk, and then, Kayli got to pick a friend to walk around the school with her to deliver birthday treats to all the teachers. When she stopped by my room, I could tell that she was having the time of her life!!!

Oh Yeah, I would say this has been a totally awesome couple of weeks worth celebrating a totally awesome girl turning 8!

Happy Easter!

Here's the re-cap...
Saturday; rainy, muddy, but by noon the sun pushed through the clouds, and we headed to our favorite Easter egg hunt, at a co-workers church...

Kayli joined in on the singing of "This Little Light of Mine"...

and she won a giant Easter basket!

there were crafts...

and rides...

and sooo much fun! Then, we headed home to decorate our Easter eggs...

of course, I made sure to have a steady supply of jelly beans nearby, so our blood sugar levels didn't get too low, ha ha!

and the next morning, woohoo!

we tried a "peep project" that I had read about in my parent magazine..."peep necklace," cute, yummy, and sticky!

time to dress up for church...

one bite before we go...

brunch on the plaza...

then, we decided to bring the kids to Grandpa's place for a little Easter egg hunt, and a bit of Easter entertainment for him...

do you see the eggs?

now do you see them?

we stayed til' it was time for Grandpa to go to dinner, and headed home to make ours, but with the sun still shining bright and strong, Kayli just couldn't resist taking her car out for a spin...

ohhhh, I sure hope this sun sticks around for a while!