Belated Birthday Wishes

We had the broken camera right during Ivory's birthday. But, luckily, the camera still takes pictures so it is all documented. It already feels like it was a long time ago, but I guess it has only been a week. Regardless, I apologize to Ivory for her belated birthday post.

Ivory wanted a friend party this year, and she wanted to have it at Pirate Island. At $11.99 per kid (with a minimum of 10 children) that was quickly nixed. Next, I checked Chuck E. Cheese, because I consider them the thrifty version of birthday party madness. No luck. They were the exact same price. So, I talked Ivory into having her party at home. She was so cute about it and didn't seem to care in the least.

I tempted her with painting. The girls are always asking to paint, but I don't always allow them to get out the art supplies to make a mess. Plus, I really feel there should be an object TO paint, because if not, the paint is bound to end up on several objects nearby. (Actually, it is likely for that to happen anyway, but less likely if there is something interesting to paint in the first place.) So, I purchased wooden letters in the initials of everyone attending the party. They turned out pretty cute, I think.

Oddly, my children were the only ones to choose solid colors, and I liked the patterns more, but what do you do? Robyn painted her's later (since she was sick that day) and I got to choose Daisy's and Pearl's, so we ended up with three patterned letters.

After painting, we opened presents. Ivory was kind enough to pause and let me take a picture, but you can see from the outstretched hand that she is not waiting long.

Cake is a must. Please don't judge; I know I just took that cake decorating class, but I had NO time that week, so we got store bought. Ivory, once again, was very obliging.

Here are all her birthday friends.

I didn't include names when I did Robyn's party and when I looked back, I was already starting to forget, so for my sake...(top row: June, David, Hailey, Savannah. Bottom Row: Jane, Brooklyn, Ivory, Lyncoln.)

Ivory is a fun, giggly, exuberant girl. I worry about her getting lost in the mix since she is the middle child, but she seems to pop up all over the place. It is hard to ignore her and her contagious smile. She is smart and independent. I love my Ives so much.