Birthday Festivities

It was fun to see how excited Alexis got about her birthday. I was up until 1 the night before getting things ready for her party and for her birthday. I was thinking that she would wake up early, but luckily she slept in, so I was able to get a little bit more sleep then I had thought I would. Here is a picture I snapped of her birthday table the night before, after I put it together.
When she finally woke up she ran straight downstairs to see her table.

In my family growing up, we were only allowed to open one present when we woke up. I tried to instill that same tradition in out little family but was quickly out voted!

This next picture is a little blurry, but I had to post it anyways. Alexis was so excited when she opened up a present from Levi and found three packs of Gomus (these little eraser things that come in all different kinds of shapes that come apart.) She immediately reached over the table to give Levi a hug. Lately these two always seem to be at each others throats so this was a pleasant sight to see =)

Alexis has really been wanting a locket, so she was thrilled when she opened a present and found a new jewelry box with a locket hanging inside.

I think it's so funny, some of the toys kids love these days. Here she is with her zhu zhu pet babies that Tori got her. She has been wanting some fore quite some time!

After opening presents and eating her cereal of choice (Cocoa Puffs) we quickly started finishing getting ready for her party. About a month ago, Tori went to a baking party, and I thought it was such a cute idea. I was glad that Alexis liked the idea just as much. I had a fun time planning it, and I think everyone had great time. As the girls arrived, we had a jar filled with little cookies (I forgot to get a picture) they each had to guess how many cookies were inside. The winner got to take the jar home. After that they each decorated a pot holder with puffy paint. They got really creative and used a lot of paint! Here are a few pictures of that, and a rare picture of Alexis with her new glasses on. She is still getting used to them, so she only will wear them for short periods of time before she needs a break.

While they were decorating the potholders I got the pizza making station ready.

Here they are making their own pizzas. You can see Brandon's mom in the background. She helped at the party, and was a real lifesaver. Everything ran so smoothly and I know it was because of her help. I wasn't expecting her to come over until later in the day, but as I was rushing around getting things ready she showed up, and said what can I do to help! Later on she told me that when she got up that morning she had the thought, I need to be over helping Diana. It was totally inspired I know! My mom was going to come help me with the party, when I asked her she said yes with no hesitation even though she was busy trying to get ready to go out of town. But when Jana showed up, I text her and told her that she didn't need to come over yet , and it turned out to be a blessing for her too, because she still needed to get a lot of things done for her trip. Just another one of those tender mercies! =)

OK, back to the party.....

While the pizzas were cooking the girls got to each juice a lemon for our homemade lemonade we were making. I have never made homemade lemonade before, and was a little nervous about how it would taste, but it actually turned out really good!

By the time the lemons were all juiced and the lemonade was made, the pizzas were ready, and it was time to eat! I was so pleased with how the pizzas turned out!

Next, we headed outside to decorate cupcakes, and decorate they did! I made enough cupcakes for them each to decorate four. They could choose from chocolate, strawberry and funfetti. They really got into decorating them, and made some pretty interesting concoctions. They each ate one and brought the rest home =)

I had another game planned after that. It was a smelling a tasting game where they had to be blindfolded and guess what they were tasting and smelling. I gave them the option of playing the game, or playing outside, and they opted to play outside. That was fine with me, because it gave me a chance to take a little breather. They had so much fun playing on our swing that Brandon made. I didn't get pictures though!! =(

Alexis was dying to open presents , so after a little while everyone headed back inside.
All of her friends got her such thoughtful presents. It was so fun to see Alexis open them. She was so excited about each one, and immediately gave each friend a hug after opening their present.

I had to throw in this picture, because it totally looks like Brandon is torturing poor Lisa, which he probably was! He had so much fun playing with the kids, and was a big help in keeping them entertained =)

Oh, I have to include this picture of Misty! Before the party started Alexis said she was going to get Misty in her party dress, and she came back dressed like this! LOL She fits perfectly in their Build a Bear outfits =) Misty was quite a hit at the party too, and luckily was a good sport about it!

Towards the end of the party Grandma and Grandpa and Michael stopped by to say happy birthday and give Alexis a great present! They signed her up for a sewing kids camp at Joanns. She will get to bring her sewing machine, and learn some basic sewing techniques, and then make a pillow case. Grandma is going to take her shopping before hand to pick out some fabric to bring. Alexis was so excited about this =)

Well that was the party in a nut shell. I was really worried about how things would come together, but I couldn't have asked for things to go any better. Alexis was so happy, and that makes all the planning and stressing worth it =)

I was so tired after the party, so I attempted to rest a little, but that was short lived, because Alexis was anxious to go to Build a Bear and use her gift certificates that we gave her to there. Her and I went, and had so much fun picking out a bunny, getting it stuffed, and then trying on (a ton) of outfits trying to find the perfect one. Once again, I didn't get pictures! darn it! Rest assured it was fun! =)

While we were gone, Brandon made her dinner of choice, spaghetti, and when we got home we ate it, and then she got to finally blow out her candles on her birthday cake.

It was the perfect ending to a perfect day!

We love you Lexi! =)