Everly Turns Four!

The stars aligned and my sweet girl's birthday fell on a Saturday this year.  I decided well in advance of vacation that we would have a little party for her on her actual birthday (so much easier than explaining birthday party day and actual birthday), but what I forgot is that it sounded better to host a party four days after returning from vacation than the reality of hosting a party four days after returning from vacation ;).  But, major thanks to Wes plus a little bit of list making and we somehow pulled it off with very little stress.  Here are a few pictures of the day if you would like to take a look.

^ I snuck into her room to take the last picture of her at three years old! Birthday eve's are for mama's - replaying all of those memories from the day I gave birth four years ago plus thinking about where the time went.  After this - Wes and I spent what felt like ages blowing up balloons for the party! ^

^ Everly has always been our early riser - girly could not contain her birthday excitement and was up at 6am on the big day! I wanted to be annoyed with her (6am for crying out loud!) but when I heard her screech with pure joy when she saw all of the balloons, it was hard to be annoyed.  She was just so excited.  Not pictured was the cup of coffee I drank before officially agreeing that she could open her presents :). ^

^ the morning light plus those two girls in princess dresses made it for a dreamy present opening session. ^

^ Everly requested Christmas wrapping paper so we went with it. ^

^ her 'my little pony' was a bit hit. ^ 

^ Emma got a few presents too. ^

^ every time we have been at Metro for the past six months, Everly has requested this Barbie that comes with several puppies and kitties for her birthday - I was glad I could make that happen for her, just look at that smile. ^

^ clip on earrings made her look like she was 10 instead of 4 ;). ^

^ after opening presents, Wes and I got busy preparing the final touches for her birthday party. ^

^ a Minnie Mouse balloon for my Minnie Mouse loving girl :). ^

^ the cutest Happy Birthday balloons plus a Minnie pinata. ^

^ All morning long she played with her new toys while we finished preparing.  About noon, everything was ready and the girls had been up early so I laid them down for a nap before the party started. ^

^ The lighting is terrible, but me and my girl before her party! ^

^ and our other girl - side note, I wish birthdays were not so hard on the other sibling.  Emma was so sweet to Everly most of the day, but those few moments of jealousy are just the worst. ^

^ Wes got the grill going. ^

^ and just like that there were three families and seven kiddos that had arrived.  we played pass the parcel - I am not sure if you have heard of this cute game, but every kid gets a chance to unwrap a small present (in our case, stickers and a piece of candy) when the music stops. ^

^ Ev's opened a few presents from her friends. ^

^ with big sis right by her side ;). after presents, we all ate - sadly, I didn't get any pictures but Wes did an amazing job cooking up steak and sausages for a crowd of people.  ^

^ it was our first time to have a pinata at a birthday party and it was so much fun! ^

^ just look at my baby girl go!!! ^

^ pure joy ^

^ wheeee! ^

^ has anyone counted how many princess dresses this girl has worn in one day?? FOUR!! Santa Claus is getting his/her money worth out of this past Christmas ;). ^

^ Emma enjoyed the pinata quite a bit too! and was so proud of herself for being the one to eventually bust it open!! ^

^ we had a small malfunction with the string/twine - I was a little afraid for Wes at this point. but eventually, Emma knocked it open and the kids ran around gathering some candy. ^

^ and then it was time to sing happy birthday and blow out the candles. ^

^ I am not going to lie, this moment was pure chaos - we ended up lighting the candles again so Everly could make a wish :). ^

^ protecting her candles (not just from Emma ;)). ^

^ around 5pm, we all headed to the swimming pool and I know this is me being sentimental, but I swear she grew so much in the last couple of weeks - her little legs look so long!! ^

^ four looks good on her ;). ^

^ swimming with daddy. ^

^ I love love love watching her in the pool - she has come unbelievably far since her two year old swimming lessons :). ^

^ the dads in their kids in the foreground is our party group minus the moms. ^

^ every summer/year, I try to get a picture of Wes throwing the girls up in the pool :). ^

^ I need to put them all together to get a comparison picture. we swam for a long long time and eventually had to drag the kiddos out of the pool around 8pm for everyone to head home. ^

^ My girl, her two new best friends and some macaroni and cheese when we got home (she was too excited and didn't eat a bite during her party). ^

^ We got the girls in their jammies and they played for awhile before we all retired to bed for the evening: exhausted, but so happy to have celebrated our girl. ^