Today we celebrated Rowan's 6th birthday! I look at my sweet little girl, and still can't believe how fast she is growing up. Especially this past year! She has become more assertive, is figuring out more about who she is and what she likes (and doesn't like) and has continued to surprise us everyday with her imaginative and wonderful way of looking at the world around her. She laughs SO much, and in turn, always has us giggling along with her. You just can't be around her without smiling, she has so much love and spunk and personality, and it shines through in everything she does. I am so proud of her, and feel so lucky that we get to walk through life by her side. She is one amazing little girl!
Rowan decided to have a cat and dog themed party this year, so we came up with lots of craft ideas that centered around our furry friends. The kids colored pictures of kittens that they would later cut out for a game of pin the kitten in the tree. They also put their gluing skills to the test with adorable cat and dog craft kits:
We had one more fun craft activity for them, decorating foam door hangers with little foam stickers and letters. And of course there were lots of kitten and puppy sticker choices to be had:
Once they were all done crafting, we gathered the whole gang on the couch for a group picture.
This was the first year that Rowan invited school friends, and along with her friend Catie and cousin Sophia, we had a great group of little girls! And boys too! We cant forget about Sophia's little brother Finn, and Rowans silly big brother:
Uh oh. Another doll, this time Strawberry Shortcake. Delight from the crowd, but Rowan barely manages a half smile. I catch her giving me this worried look, like she was wondering if this was going to be a reoccurring theme through all her presents. And what a horrifying thought that was to her!
Then at last, perfection! Our friend Angie knows Rowan well, and picked her out the perfect gift:
And suddenly the tide had turned, and Rowan got her smiles back:
She got the Calico Critter Coupe from Mom and Dad that she had been pining for:
A fun bag of goodies from our friend Erica:
And her biggest wish, this Ninjago set from Killian!
After presents, it was time for cake! This was my first attempt at a paleo cake, and I was pleasantly surprised at how delicious it was! We made a dark chocolate coconut cake (and cupcakes) with vanilla and hazelnut frosting's. Everything was Paleo approved, with the exception of the chocolate chips because though they were grain and dairy free, they did have a smidgen of sugar. Which we were not going to worry one bit about, because this was a very special occasion, and chocolate chips are a cheat I can live with! Plus, look how cute they made the kitty face!
The kids were super rowdy and bouncing around everywhere, so Matthew brought the cake out to the living room instead of trying to herd them all into the kitchen.
Six candles!! She blew them out with ease, and I hope whatever her wish was that it comes true and fills her life with joy and wonder:
After the cake was consumed, we shoved the kids out the front door and they ran off all the excitement of the afternoon. After most of the kids were picked up, Angie, Erica, Kristen, Matthew and I gathered at the dining room table and had hours of laughs. Seriously the best after party we have ever had - we are so lucky to have such great people to celebrate life's special occasions with!
And I can't forget to mention of the littlest party goer! Callie stole everyone's hearts, and with those adorable little cheeks, its no surprise. She is such a bundle of cuteness!
After all our guests headed home, and we sat with Rowan opening up her presents, I thought how lucky I am to be here, to have this family, these friends, and most of all, to have this amazing little girl. Rowan, our lives would not be anywhere near as much fun without you. You fill our days with joy and happiness, and we all love you so much. You completed our family in a way that only you could. Happy Birthday baby girl!!
Rowan decided to have a cat and dog themed party this year, so we came up with lots of craft ideas that centered around our furry friends. The kids colored pictures of kittens that they would later cut out for a game of pin the kitten in the tree. They also put their gluing skills to the test with adorable cat and dog craft kits:
We had one more fun craft activity for them, decorating foam door hangers with little foam stickers and letters. And of course there were lots of kitten and puppy sticker choices to be had:
Once they were all done crafting, we gathered the whole gang on the couch for a group picture.
This was the first year that Rowan invited school friends, and along with her friend Catie and cousin Sophia, we had a great group of little girls! And boys too! We cant forget about Sophia's little brother Finn, and Rowans silly big brother:
Time for presents! Rowan was obviously super excited for this part, but got her bubble burst pretty quickly with the first two gifts she opened. The first thing she got was a Barbie doll, which, if you know Rowan, you know this is NOT the sort of thing she is into. She had no idea what make of this present! She just kind of smiled politely, but you can see in her face how less than thrilled she was about this one. But notice the face of the gift giver at the bottom right - pure joy!
Uh oh. Another doll, this time Strawberry Shortcake. Delight from the crowd, but Rowan barely manages a half smile. I catch her giving me this worried look, like she was wondering if this was going to be a reoccurring theme through all her presents. And what a horrifying thought that was to her!
Then at last, perfection! Our friend Angie knows Rowan well, and picked her out the perfect gift:
And suddenly the tide had turned, and Rowan got her smiles back:
She got the Calico Critter Coupe from Mom and Dad that she had been pining for:
A fun bag of goodies from our friend Erica:
And her biggest wish, this Ninjago set from Killian!
After presents, it was time for cake! This was my first attempt at a paleo cake, and I was pleasantly surprised at how delicious it was! We made a dark chocolate coconut cake (and cupcakes) with vanilla and hazelnut frosting's. Everything was Paleo approved, with the exception of the chocolate chips because though they were grain and dairy free, they did have a smidgen of sugar. Which we were not going to worry one bit about, because this was a very special occasion, and chocolate chips are a cheat I can live with! Plus, look how cute they made the kitty face!
The kids were super rowdy and bouncing around everywhere, so Matthew brought the cake out to the living room instead of trying to herd them all into the kitchen.
Six candles!! She blew them out with ease, and I hope whatever her wish was that it comes true and fills her life with joy and wonder:
After the cake was consumed, we shoved the kids out the front door and they ran off all the excitement of the afternoon. After most of the kids were picked up, Angie, Erica, Kristen, Matthew and I gathered at the dining room table and had hours of laughs. Seriously the best after party we have ever had - we are so lucky to have such great people to celebrate life's special occasions with!
And I can't forget to mention of the littlest party goer! Callie stole everyone's hearts, and with those adorable little cheeks, its no surprise. She is such a bundle of cuteness!
After all our guests headed home, and we sat with Rowan opening up her presents, I thought how lucky I am to be here, to have this family, these friends, and most of all, to have this amazing little girl. Rowan, our lives would not be anywhere near as much fun without you. You fill our days with joy and happiness, and we all love you so much. You completed our family in a way that only you could. Happy Birthday baby girl!!