Kate's 9th Birthday

 Kate had an art themed birthday party this year and this was my attempt at keeping it really low key and easy.  We did a nice rainbow theme to go along with the art.

I had the girls decorate the cake with candies on an art palette

I didn't take a picture of it after I cut into it so here is the proof that it was rainbow on the inside too...with a big mess and the playoffs in the background!

I think they loved the cake decorating

And the end result was adorable.  I sure love these friends of Kate's!

Simple snacks

And they painted covers for journals that we sent home with them

I can't believe this Kate girl is 9!  It feels like I was just throwing her a camping themed birthday party and celebrating her turning 8 and getting baptized.

Camping Birthday Party

Kate - 7

Kate turned 7 and we had a fun day celebrating her.  Instead of doing birthday parties this year for the kids we decided to have a fun day dedicated to just them with our family.  So Kate chose to go to the Boston Aquarium.  She had just done a big unit on penguins in school and she was excited to see them.  Unfortunately, most of the penguins were at a different site because the aquarium was under construction but her favorite, the little blue penguins, were there. Phew. We started the day off with her favorite breakfast, waffles made by daddy. Then we headed to Boston. After the long drive we were hungry so we went to Panera, her choice.


Then we walked over to the aquarium


 IMAX movie
Then we headed back to the car and drove a little ways to Kate's "surprise destination". A few Sundays before she had dressed herself and Isabelle in their matching outfits that Grammie and Papa had gotten her for her 5th birthday and I could tell it was going to be one of the last times she could wear it.
So I decided it would be fun to go to the American Girl store and let her pick something out for her birthday. Grammie and Papa sent money so she could pick out a matching dress too. She had no idea where we were going beforehand but as we walked through the mall she spotted some girls with the red bags and she guessed it. She was excited in her own, soft spoken, Kate way. We had fun shopping and then we got Isabelle's hair done at the salon. It was a fun day.

The lady at the salon saw Sawyer holding his stuffed whale and asked him if he wanted to pick out some ribbons to tie around it. It was so sweet and it totally made Sawyer's day!

Then we went to PF Changs for dinner. Because it was at the same mall and we haven't been to one in a while.

And then it was a long drive home. What a day! Then on her actual birthday we did a few things to celebrate. We brought her lunch to eat with her at school


 And then she brought pencils with fun erasers on top to share with her class

And then that night she blew out 7 candles on a cupcake

Kate is such a beautiful 7 year old. She is sweet and smart and funny. I always tell her she is just like her Papa because she loves a good pun. She comes up with them all the time. She helps her brother and sister all the time and I know I couldn't do everything I do as a mommy without the help from my Kate. She is everyone's friend at school and I love to see how much fun she has there. She is just the greatest girl a mommy could ever ask for!