Hailee's Birthday #2

This year Hailee got to have her very first friend birthday party! She was so excited (and confused). She was disappointed when none of her friends showed up for her first birthday party and I tried to explain that she was having a family party and a friend party separately. I thought she got it, but when the day of her friend party came and I told her today was the day, she got really excited and questioned "I'm five?!?" Nope, still four honey, just celebrating a few times!!

She was so excited when her friends started showing up. Even some of her friends from her school came. She's been going to school with them since she was 3 months old, but they never really get to see each other outside of that environment, so she thought it was so cool that they were coming to her house!

For the first activity, they made little hats and door hangers and put jewels and other decorations all over them. Unfortunately Hailee somehow ended up with a big shot of glitter in her eye and I spent about 15 minutes in the bathroom with her trying to get it out. There was so much in there, I really thought it was cutting up her cornea and she'd have to wear a patch over her eye for who knows how long, but after I got it all out, she had no complaints, so I guess it was fine. I guess it's good it was her and not someone else's kid! I was also very lucky to have a few adult helpers there with me! This whole party seriously would've been impossible without them!
Musical chairs...classic four-year-old party game, right? This time, she understood the rules and was ok when she didn't end up with a chair.
Her friends were so thoughtful and generous with the gifts and she absolutely loved everything she was given. She even remembers who gave her what and talks about them when she plays with each thing. Look how cute all of her little friends are.
Here's the whole group. From left to right...Hailee, Kylee, Camryn, Ally, Jerzi, Bella, Sammy, Addy & Breque.
Then they decorated cookies that were cut into various princess shapes. Fun and delicious!
This was one of the cutest activities. They went on a treasure hunt around the house. I posted pictures in each area of the next area they were supposed to go to. It was so funny to watch all 9 of them running all around the house together in a little bunch!
This picture's great. This is the end of the line and the treasures were hidden under the table. They all got a little bag full of candy, toys and jewelry.
This time I used a store-bought cake. Whew. Much easier considering her first birthday party cake incident. The kids didn't seem to mind.
Looks like she's concentrating really hard on her wish.
Well, this ended up being so much fun for her. She's still talking about it! Hopefully all of her friends had a great time too. A party with a bunch of 4-year-old's is seriously one of the cutest things I've ever seen!

Primary Chorister

My mom was recently called to be the primary chorister in her ward and absolutely loves it! She has always been so very creative and is one of those people that does everything 110%. Two traits I wish I had gotten from her, but didn't. Anyway, she decided to start a new blog to share her ideas with other people with the same calling (although some of these ideas could even be used for different callings). Just go check it out and you'll see what I mean by 110%. You cannot believe the effort she puts into things. I'm sure the kids (and their parents) are very happy to have her in this calling! Here's the link to her site: Music For Primary.

The Plant Whisperer

Ok, this is amazing. My brother has always had a fascination with plants and can literally tell you what any plant is anywhere. He decided to enter a contest a year ago where you have to guess what the 25 top selling plants will be at this company throughout the year. There are thousands of plants to choose from. Well, he won! And they gave him $250 to spend on any plants he wants (which is great since his wife forbade him to spend any money on plants this year...I can't blame her, they're just getting a new dental practice up and running). Anyway, way to go brother! I love when people really have a passion for something, whatever it may be. Go check out the site where his name will be prominently listed on their page for all of 2010.
Plant Delights Nursery, Inc.