Sweet Party for a Sweet Girl

Summer loves so many things right now, but when I started thinking about what theme to do for her second birthday party, I settled on Strawberry Shortcake pretty quickly.  Red, Pink, Green and strawberries!!  What could be sweeter?!

Decorating is always so fun!  I loved how the banner/garland turned out...and my valentine hearts turned into strawberries...my glittery "2" on the other had was a bit of a disaster.

We did pizza for dinner, since it's one of the few foods that we are guaranteed she will eat every time!  I think by the time the night was over she had THREE pieces!!  She also thinks she is too big for her high chair and insists on sitting at the table with the big kids.

So grateful to have family close enough to come down for her party.  It makes me a little sad that my older kids missed out on living so close to cousins when they were younger!  Mom and Dad came down a day early and helped get everything ready (including fishing a piece of broken glass out of my foot!!  Thanks Dad!).

I was really happy with how the cake turned out (only next time I'll remember to take it out of the fridge a little earlier because it was a bit stiff).  Summer was sure happy to blow out her candles and have everybody sing to her (she had been talking about it for days--so sweet).

A great party for the sweetest little girl.  After she went to bed, the other kids stayed up way too late watching movies and playing video games while the adults hung out answering questions and laughing hysterically (sorry Jason--hehe).

Taking cuteness to a whole new level!

Our house is no stranger to cuteness!  I have four very cute kids.

 One of those kids has an adorable, very tiny, dwarf hamster.  What could be cuter than that?!

And then, as if that wasn't enough, this weekend, the cuteness in our house went into overload, when we picked up this little guy...Meet Oliver (Olley)!  So far he is the perfect little kitty...mostly because he loves to snuggle!!

It's True What They Say

While some days seem to last forever, the weeks, months and years fly by so quickly.  Children grow up, parents grow older and time just marches on.  Very philosophical, I know, but I've been feeling a little pensive these past few weeks.  When I stop and think that Jordan will only be home 3 more years before she'll be graduating and off to bigger...I mean HUGER things.  Even Summer who I just held in my arms what seems like a moment ago, is trying to run with the big kids and truly is only a couple years away from school herself.  Oh how it all goes by too quickly.
 

 

 Jordan.  She's not dating YET!!  But here she is at one of her friend's Quinceanera...with her dance "partner."  Jordan is finishing up 9th grade and her first year of seminary (which has been a bit of a challenge).  It's strange talking to her about boys, college, careers, and high school.  Gosh, could she really be turning 16 next year?!  Wow.

 This little gal isn't so little anymore!  She is super busy this spring with school volleyball, softball, homework...oh and all her shows;)  I really can't believe she is about to be a teenager!!

 

 
 And the boy.  Can you believe I just bought him new shoes and they were size SEVEN?!!  Pretty soon, he's going to be taller than all us girls!!  He went on a two night camp with his 5th grade class, he's going on an all day hike with cubs this weekend and he is spending a week at his friends house this summer!

Then the little one.  I think she started me down this road of realization about time flying by.  Yesterday I gave her her very first hair cut.  I had been wanting to cut it for a while, but when I finally did, it made me kind of sad.  She's almost 2...pretty soon she'll be off on her own like all the rest of them. 

 Before the hair cut...

      After...

What a journey this life is!  I am so grateful I get to spend it with these angels!!!