Because she is a planner and because she knew this was our party year, Allie had asked several months in advance for a baking themed party with her friends. Seemed easy enough and we had plenty of time to gather ideas, supplies, and put everything together. Allie was a big help with all the prep work and I had even planned enough time to sew her and her guests a little half apron as part of their party favors.
Yay, me.
What I hadn’t planned on was going ice skating for the first time as a family the day before (Allie looooved it) and my being so intent on not falling on the ice that I actually gave myself two half-dollar coin sized blisters on the insteps of both feet that popped and tore several layers of skin right off.
Ouch.
I was pretty much immobile after that but still had lots of decorating and things to finish getting ready for the party. So I hobbled around (thankful for the pair of crutches we had lying around from the time Phil rolled his ankle) still determined to pull this thing off. And thankfully, with the help of Phil and one very kind mom who saw my deer in the headlights look and stayed to lend an extra pair of hands, we did manage to get this party thrown.
I had wanted to get some really cute pictures before and during the party but that kinda went out the window with the blistered feet drama. Thankfully we managed to get some pictures between Phil and I, even if they weren’t quite what I had envisioned. A picture to capture the moment is better than no picture at all, right?
The treat table mostly ready to go. Naked cupcakes waiting for the girls to frost and decorate them.
Allie got her table decorated. Celebrating her tenth and so thankful for the sweet and helpful girl she’s grown up to be!
I very sadly never got a pic of all the finished aprons, but here are all the party guests wearing them with their baker’s hats on!
The girls got right to work making their own strawberry jam.
And mini fruit tarts.
Each girl got to take home her own pink baker’s box of the treats she made.
Love how they turned out!
Love this girl to the moon and back.
Her little sister, too.
But perhaps their favorite part was the time to just run around and play.
Then it was time to eat!
Lauren invited one of her friends to come and they got their own little party table for two.
Then back outside for her requested piñata! A cupcake, of course.
The girls wisely stayed a safe distance back.
Especially with this dad doing the turning. And turning. And turning.
I’m thinking I wasn’t standing in perhaps the safest spot.
Finally the cupcake spilled its guts.
Then it was time for cake!
And out came the birthday candle lighting torch once again. But this time the flame was at the lowest setting. Liability reasons.
Happy biiiiirthdaaaaay to yooooouuuuu.
After the last guest had left, all there was left for me to do was collapse on the couch, put up my sore feet, and stare up at these last few party balloons. Thank you, Jesus.
Happy happy tenth birthday, dear Allie. I cannot believe you’re double digits now. I thank God for you everyday and am still amazed that I get to be your mom. Your birthday is worth celebrating in special ways and you are worth any amount of work that it takes to make that celebration happen, blisters and all. I hope you always know that. Love you forever, sweet girl.
