My Birthday

As I turn 25 again, I reflect back over my past birthday's and this one was definetly one of the best.

We decided to invite my family over for a birthday brunch where I cooked bacon a fritatta and hashbrowns all in the oven - made for a very easy to prepare and easy to clean up breakfast.

Of couse what brunch is not complete without Mimosas?  And what birthday is not complete without cake?

I did ask Adam to make my cake this year, but then I saw this beauty at Superstore and let him off the hook.

A Princess Party

One of Jackie's friend's birthday is only a few weeks after hers.

She turned 4 as well and her Mom hired Cinderella to come to the party.

There were only 4 little girls at the party, they were told to wear their princess outfit, they were all thrilled when Cinderella showed up.

She read them a story, did a few magic tricks, played some games and even had a dance lesson.

Jackie learning the waltz.

The waltz then lead into something a modern princess should know - R&B & Hip Hop - this is Cinderella teaching them the 'sprinkler'.

(Yes, us Mom's were laughing pretty hard at this point.)

Family Dinner Party

Since we don't have a huge house, we find it a little hard to have birthday parties for the kids and all our family too, so we decided to split the two.

Kids party one day, family dinner the next.  It works quite well.

For Jackie's party I served pulled pork on buns with a couple of salads, super easy, all made ahead of time so I could enjoy a glass of wine too.

Of course there was cake too!

Uncle Blake - Blankie thief

Jackie got this super cute princess dress from Uncle Paul and Auntie Catalina (they picked it up at Target when they were in Vegas).

And how can you not love that face?

He just has to be part of the

 action!

Cake & Presents

You might remember I made a princess cake for Jackie's first birthday, since I had the stuff and I am not sure if she will be into princesses next year, I decided to re-do it.

She asked for a pink cake (since last years was purple).  I took a day off work to get ready for the party and make the cakes.

The kids getting ready for the party with more chairs.

I took Jackie to Michaels a few weeks prior looking for a craft we could do at the party.  What I found were Easter coloured sand pails and a whole bunch of stickers.

The kids had a blast decorating their buckets which we later filled with their "grab bag" stuff.

Cake time!

Not only did I make the princess cake, I also made 2 cakes we could do the candles with and serve.  Next year I want to take 2 days off work.

Anderson got a few presents too.  I love that some guests thought of this and how hard it is for the other child to get nothing. 

Jackie got a singing princess card - she loved it!

Birthday Girl

Our little girl is now 4!

I am like every other mother out there that can't believe she is 4 years old already.

Jacqueline is an amazing little lady.

She has her mother's memory (Adam is in so much trouble when she realizes this).

She still has her amazing big, dark, dark brown eyes (we are so in trouble when she is 16).

She is not overly tall for her age, but she is definitely not short (I hope she is as tall as me if not taller).

She has amazing hair (her mother's colour, but with curls and body - I am so jealous).

She has not one but two dimples courtesy of her father (who only has one).

She still has her birthmark (something we always tell her makes her special - hopefully it does not bother her too much when she is older - it is on her elbow, funny - neither Adam or I have a birthmark).

She can colour and draw (draw - almost better than me, colour - no problem staying in the lines and know peoples faces should no longer be purple or green).

She can't write her name yet (but she can copy you if you write it for her).

She loves her brother so much (the next two years are going to be tough as they no longer will be together all day every day).