Happy 7th Birthday Katelyn!

I can't believe Katelyn is already seven!  This year Katelyn opted for something a little different for her birthday party.  We had it at our house with just a few of her close girlfriends.  It was a lot of fun, and surprisingly, very little stress!  She is quite the party planner, and as such, was very specific about the details of her party:

• Fashion show--she picked out the songs she wanted as background music and she also requested that we clear out the toys/clutter in the playroom so as to have sufficient space for the fashion show
• Chocolate cake with homeade chocolate fudge frosting--she even picked the recipe she wanted me to use.  I have no idea where she gets her attention to detail. :)
• Dance party--she picked out the songs she wanted to dance to
• Tea party--we substituted pink lemonade for tea, but still used fancy tea cups...and since its just not as concise or fun to say "pink lemonade party," we still called it a tea party
• Fun Craft--Note: Always test your craft ideas out before you have a group make it
• Fancy party favors--necklace, bracelet, mini princess wand, and pastel lollipop
• Dress up--everyone shows up wearing their favorite party/fancy/princess dress
• Lunch menu--Pizza and watermelon (I also added baby carrots because I'm a mom, and I felt the need to provide a balanced meal)
• Pink and purple color theme
• Game--one she learned from cheerleading camp this past summer
• Open gifts--Note: At all of Katelyn's parties up until now, we have asked people to bring donations to a local charity of Katelyn's choice in lieu of gifts for her; although she would always still receive presents from family that she would then open on the morning of her actual birthday, she was ready to open some gifts from her friends at her party this year!  I'm surprised she held out for as long as she did!
• No boys--Not even Daddy (even though he's technically a man); Dave actually took Anna on a date during the party, so they got to enjoy some special time together, and Katelyn had some focused time with her friends
• No adults--except mommy, of course; this was our first time to do a "drop-off" party, so all of the girls were dropped off at our house by their parents and then picked up when the party was over

At first I wondered how I was going to fit all these things into a two-hour time frame, but being the awesome party planning team we are, Katelyn and I managed to pull it off! In the end, we had a great time, and it was everything Katelyn wanted!  We love you Katelyn Rose McCurdy, and we praise the Lord for blessing our family with you!  You are a source of much joy and laughter for all of those who meet you!

Party favor bags and party agenda (as planned by Katelyn)

 

Katelyn's welcome sign for her guests 

The grand party entrance

Entryway party decor

 The playroom/fashion runway

 Dance party

 Fashion show--they paraded two by two through the double doors

 Video: Fashion Show

A curtsy on the fashion runway

 Group picture!

 Group hug!

 The (failed) craft: Decorating white dinner plates with sharpie markers.  Bake for 20 minutes in oven at 350 degrees and the artwork is set.  Easy enough?  All the artwork washed off the minute water touched it.  Oh well!  Thanks for coming to my party...here's a free dinner plate!

 Playing a dancing/singing game called "Little Sally Walker" that Katelyn learned at cheerleading camp this summer

 Video: Little Sally Walker 

The cake.  Delish! 

Singing Happy Birthday!

Opening gifts!

 Date with Daddy!

First Days of School!

Katelyn is a first grader this year at McAuliffe Elementary, and Anna is a big preschooler at Lakeland Christian Academy (on Tuesday and Thursday mornings)!  Thankfully they started a day apart, so mommy was not emotionally overwhelmed.  :)  They are both loving their teachers, friends, and classes!  Here they are on their first days of school...

Katelyn outside her 1st grade classroom 

Katelyn's locker in her classroom--so grown up!

 Katelyn's first day of school--after school treat with friends at Rita's Italian Ice!

 Anna sportin' her new zebra backpack

 Walking to her classroom with Daddy (mommy trailing behind with the camera!)

Anna's first day of school--after school treat with Mommy and Aunt Brittany at Nestle Toll House (Brittany got her a special gift!)

One Last Trip....

I am proud to tell you that my mom was awarded to the "Hall of Fame" for the Texas Association of Home Care and Hospice!  Since the awards ceremony was at the Hill Country Hyatt in San Antonio, we decided this would be a good opportunity to not only celebrate with her but also enjoy one last family vacation before school started back up!  We enjoyed an outdoor movie at the hotel, ate at the Rainforest Cafe on the Riverwalk and also spent some time at the Alamo (which was especially neat for Katelyn since she has learned about the Alamo in school!).  Other favorite activities at the hotel (not pictured) were tubing/swimming around the lazy river, going down the water slides, and having smores around a campfire! 

 

Way to go Mom! We are proud of you!

 

Alamo!

Rainforest Cafe

 Riverwalk

Movies on the Lawn (popcorn and blankets provided!)