Ellie's Birthday

Here are some pictures from Ellie's birthday party a couple weeks ago.

I know, I know, long time between posts.

Well, we are currently in Dallas, Texas, at Christ For the Nations.

Busy busy. So I think I'm doing pretty well, considering.

As guests arrived, they wrote in a small book some advice or encouragement for Ellie's tenth year.

I put the book in a small suitcase with a note,
"Please write a note to the birthday girl. Thank you!"

Guests served themselves from the snack table using these cones I made from scrapbook paper, twine, and hot glue.

Drinks were served from a BIG Mason jar in little Mason jars.

I set up a photo booth on on end of the playroom.

I got these blackboard birds on a string at World Market, and wrote "P H O T O" on them.

Cute, right?

Some of the photobooth backdrop. Paper flowers with buttons, paper birds, and hearts strung on twine.

With the girls.

(They had an old trunk with boas, aprons, beads and dresses to choose from, and an old hat box with hats I've collected from the 30's 40's, etc.)

Silly pose.

Me, Nichole, & Teresa. I love these ladies!

Ellie's little cousins.

Each girl made her own flower headband using fabric scraps, lace, buttons, and a hot glue gun (which I operated, I'm aware burnt fingers are a sure fire way to get branded worst birthday party ever!).

Ellie's Papa (Biker Man's dad) placed a prayer shawl over her and prayed a blessing for her birthday, as we all gathered around in agreement.

Then we released balloons with glow bracelets inside them.

It's really hard to see here, but they looked pretty cool.

I think next time, we'll use fatter glow sticks, rather than the skinny bracelets.

Drummer Boy helped her open gifts.

Even when she wasn't asking for his help.

He's sweet that way.

And that's pretty much it!

Ellie's friend, Katy, stayed the night because as a fellow homeschooler, she was the only one who could take off Monday.

I set up a tent in the living room with twinkle lights, and they camped out there.

obviously, I had the flash on, but, you get the idea.

Happy Birthday, Ellie girl!!!

Elle and Lincoln Have Something In Common

Tomorrow is the 200th birthday of president Abraham Lincoln.  (And he doesn't look a day over 199.)  It is also the 7th birthday of my Elle girl.  So I will wake her up singing Happy Birthday, take her to school, and then proceed to shop for her birthday class party.  That's right, I haven't done a thing to prepare for this.  We are up to our ears in boxes, primer, and paint trying to move into a smaller, but free, house.  I will take her a cookie cake (she doesn't like cake or icing....explain that to me, please), balloons and goody bags for all her classmates in the afternoon after a full morning of preparation which should have happened weeks ago.  I really should be Mom Of The Year.  (Said with sarcasm.)  In 2 weeks, Little Drummer Boy will have his 5th birthday, I think his party will happen in March.  Seriously.  I will let you know when that time comes.  

For now, we will do something special just for Elle with a few close friends on Sunday afternoon.  This is not the best weekend for everyone, but we'll do a movie anyway.  By the way, she has a loose front tooth.  Very wobbly, but she won't let anyone pull it out but Daddy.  She has come into the kitchen at least 4 times since being sent to bed, wondering when he will be home to pull it.  "Tomorrow morning," I say firmly yet again, warning her that the next time will result in dire consequences.  Hopefully, that husband of mine will be able to pull it in the morning, or we may go through all this again tomorrow night!