Happy Birthday

to me.

Here is a link to celebrities born in 1974.

I think I hold up pretty well to my peers. 

Considering they can afford "work" and fancy face cream!

 

First person to (finally) get me that pony I always wanted, WINS!

Birthday Celebrations

Charlz's birthday.
He had help blowing out candles.
But he still made his own wish.

I forgot candles for the cake.
The closest I could get to 40 was 32.
But he's so hot nobody will even second guess it.

And the birthdays roll on....

Birthday Boy

A year in the life of Charlie Van Derven...

Happy Birthday, buddy.
You sure are loved.

Cupcakes

Chances are we are making cupcakes today.
Because somebody has a special birthday tomorrow.
And we are going to celebrate.
HARD.

Opening A Present

 
This kid kills me right now with her facial expressions.
She has been dying for it to be her birthday.
I love this picture series of her opening a present.

 What she REALLY REALLY wanted.
I can't believe I can't find a picture of her elbow and knee pads!
They are the shizzle!

She's 3!

And here are all the details!
First, she told me she wanted a "Bird Birthday" where LIVE BIRDS flew out of her cake when I cut it.

Ummm, what?
So I started pushing the whole mermaid birthday party thinking that it was going to be waaaaaay easier.
Not "The Little Mermaid".
Just MERMAID.
And then I found out there is great lack in this world of mermaid type items...

So I whipped up some home made play do and made this cake topper.

And we bought her an awesome mermaid book.
And made awesome mermaid chalk drawings.

And her dad painted her this adorable mermaid picture.

And we invited like 15 of her little mermaid friends.

And it was FANTASTIC.
And she approved.

Make a wish little nugget...

And blow!

And then freak out a little!

Her favorite party gift...
Because, DUH!

She's 4

 All year she has been talking about her "Snow White Birthday" but at the last minute? She changed her mind.

And also at the last minute? I whipped up this fancy Barbie cake so her dreams could come true!

 No worries. It was easier than you think.
Can you believe she's 4?
Yesterday on the way to school, she tells me, "MOM! I just read a WORDS! S-T-O-P! STOP!"

And the other day, she tells me,"When the tooth fairy comes and gets my tooth and leaves me money under my pillow? I'm gonna SAVE that money and buy a giraffe. WRITE THAT DOWN MOM!"
Indeed I will, Madee.

She greeted every guest at her party with a smile and a "Thank you for my gift!" as she ran away with them to the present area.

I love her.

I love everything ABSOLUTELY everything about her.

How could I not?

 Here is a fun link to the first month of her life.
She was SUCH a beautiful baby.
She is such a beautiful girl.

She has to stop anybody and everybody and ask them their business, their name, and whatnot.
She is beyond charming.
She is still mine.
For now.

When she asks me to take her to school, i rush through getting ready for work and do my best to make it happen. I love to drop her off with her friends. They all hug each other and tell each other how much they missed each other and then they have their own world.

A world where I can see how she is less mine. How she will be less mine the more I share her, the more she shares herself. And she does. She loves to share.

 She is the love in my heart.
The laughter in my soul.
And goodness knows she can test my metal.

But it is easy for me to remember how much I always wanted her.
Since I was a child, playing with baby dolls.
As I grew, thinking of how my children my be.
When I met her father, and knew she was going to be real.
The first time I held her.
Every time since.
The way she feels all curled up in my middle when I spoon her.
The way she throws her head back when she laughs.
The things she tells me.
The things she reminds me off.
She is so many things.

 And today she is 4. Beautiful, wonderful, adorable 4.
We love you baby.
Like a firecracker.

Dad's Birthday

Here is everybody waiting for him to blow out his candles.
I LOVE how Zeus is watching too!


Madee is INTO making you a cake or pie or whatever you want for your birthday. She picked this one out, helped me make it and decorated it all by herself.

Literally, in this picture, Eden said, "Daddy I need a spoon."


I think Madee has her "ohnoyouditten" face on for fear of it being gobbled up in one munch.


I think everybody here has wishes on their faces. And at least 2 of those wishes include being left alone with this pie.

Last One

Ferris Wheel Birthday Ride