The Little Princess

Well, Miss Eliana Abigail turned 3.

She had known almost her entire year of being 2 that she would be wanting a princess birthday party when she turned that wonderful age.  So I had a long time to prepare in my little head some ideas.  If you know me, you know I LOVE throwing parties!  Of course I was hoping for a beautiful day so we could celebrate in style outside and I'm happy to say that the sun and clouds cooperated with me.

Her actual birthday, June 7th, was a Thursday and the last evening of our community group meetings for the summer.  So we had a cookout together and I made pink lemonade cupcakes for dessert.  I had seen the recipe in one of my magazines and it sounded amazing but also new I was making a princess cake for her party - so this worked out perfect!

We had invited 4 other princesses to join us for the occasion plus 2 knights (or princes - they couldn't make up their minds) plus we had a few little squires running around.  This spring we were able to have a fence built above our cement wall for some extra privacy so I hung the cloth banner I made Eli for her 1st birthday there, along with Snow White's mirror and some pictures of baby El.

There were a few games, but not many.  The kids really just loved being together and dressing up.  We had "a ball" and played "Pass the poisoned apple" and danced.

I love that her birthday is in June so we can use flowers from the garden and the outside for most decorations.  We had found this castle bird feeder at Michaels on sale for just 3.50 a couple of weeks prior.  It didn't get painted in time, but oh well. 

I made wands and crowns for the girls and Justin made swords for the boys.  They were "hidden" in the secret garden, so when everyone arrived their first mission was to go find them.

the swords

the wands

the "crowns"

The guests arrive...

And they're off to find their loot...

Dinner was pulled pork, chips and fruit.  Tea, Lemonade and Snow Whites Apple Cider (get it?  *wink *wink)  Nothing better!!

Dessert of course was cake and ice cream and I knew exactly what cake I would be making.  I had always wanted to make the princess cake where her dress is the cake you cook in a bowl.  I had no idea how it would come out because the bowl was so thick I had to use 2 box cakes and bake it for 2 hours!!  It was thankfully not a brick but not the most moist cake I've ever made either.  Eli picked Cinderella, so I did my best!!

We love you, little lady.  At age 3 you are:  *talkative.  You start talking and sometimes just like to hear yourself and so will ramble without making any sense.  You love to chat on the phone with your grammies and talk and talk and talk.  *silly.  You talk in funny voices and make funny faces all the time.  *a pest.  You cause trouble with your brothers constantly and think nothing of it.  *a screamer.  We are working on this bad habit of yours!  *Joyful.  You love to sing and laugh and dance and move.

At age 3 you like:  *the beach.  You are just beginning swim lessons and are quite brave.  You love finding "hermit crabbies" and playing in the water.  *toast and peanut butter.  You eat this for breakfast almost every morning.  *to cuddle.  *to read stories.  *Your friends.  Your best friend right now is Annette and she makes you very happy.  *to dress up.  *princesses.  *your sun glasses.  You wear them upside down.  *bath time.  *bugs and worms and all things creeping or crawling.

You bring so much sunshine into our lives, little one.  Happy birthday!