This Month is Such a Special One ...

We were in birthday party heaven this weekend, with two at our house yesterday and one today (not at our house, thank goodness!).

We started the day with a family brunch for my niece Kamden, whose 3rd birthday is the day before Charlotte's 4th.

The kids made Fruit-Loop necklaces first thing, so they'd have something to snack on while they waited for Grandma and Grandpa to show up.

Jessica made awesome waffles, and we got a little fruity! :)

Pretty Kami!

Jess made Kami her own personal cake ...


... and inside ... so fun!


Calvin could barely stand that it wasn't his birthday so he thieved the blown-out candles from Kami's cake and sang "Happy to you, Calvin!" and blew them "out" again!

Kami sitting with Auntie Chrys (my fantastic new sister-in-law), and Grandpa (my dad) in the background.

In the afternoon, we did Charlotte's party, which I themed loosely around Alice in Wonderland. We did invitations with a picture from the book (from the chapter "Pig and Pepper") which said "For the Duchess. An invitation from the Queen ... "

We put out the kids' ancient castle (I made it when Charlotte was *maybe* two from the box our TV came in, and we've been playing with it ever since) and some kid-sized tables and chairs in the yard. We hung these *super* simple tissue paper pom-poms (a rare Martha success!) in the trees.


The kids made "mad" hats. Well, the girls did anyway ... we couldn't interest the boys. *Shrug*


Here is my sister, graciously modeling one of our fabulous hat creations.

We had "Eat Me" cupcakes, "red-less" velvet cake (we left out the food coloring) and cream cheese frosting, which seems to be what I always end up making for birthdays these days.

And "Drink Me" juice boxes.

We played "Button, Button, Who's Got the Button?" only we called it "Who Stole the Tarts?". We were planning on doing "Pin the Caterpillar on the Mushroom" too, but we ran out of time.

And just because I hardly ever post photos of me and Robert, here you go.


Our favors ... a chocolate bar covered up with fun paper.

And of course, Queen Charlotte herself!

I would say "I can't believe she's 4 already!" except that I can. She is growing up fast for sure, but I love watching it happen. She's an amazing girl, and we are blessed and honored to have her around!