Natalee's Birthday Party

This year mom (ME) just couldn't pull off a big birthday party.  We usually do one with extended aunts/cousins/friends/etc. and I just couldn't muster the energy.  However, we did plan a night with our parents and siblings families to celebrate with Natalee.  We had pizzas from Papa Murphy's, chips, apple slices, salads, and cupcakes with ice cream.  

Natalee and I started the celebration last night by making marble "rainbow" cupcakes for a rainbow themed party (I pretty much stink at party decorating & themes so remember this is a loose theme when you view the pics!).  

We are dye free in our home so we used India Tree natural food dyes with naturally dyed candies/sprinkles to top them.

I hung these punch rainbow balloons after she went to bed so she woke up to them this morning...and this was what I called decorating. ;)

Natalee opened a "party day" present from mom and dad this morning before church so she had new clothes to wear for the day.  Okay...Xavier helped. 

We worshiped at our local church, then came home for a light lunch and naps.  Xavier failed at napping today (sigh) but Natalee took a nap which rightened her attitude for party time. 

Before the party daddy surprised Natalee with the project he's been working on in the shop - an EASEL!  If the love they've shown it today is any indication it will be a well used tool in the Beeler home.

 Closing her eyes and waiting for daddy.

 markers, chalk & dry erase crayons

Natalee contentedly drew until party time!

 Daddy drew her a portrait.  Notice the tiara - she was party ready and in princess mode!

All three aunts/uncles, 4 grandparents and 2 cousins made it for supper.  It was nice to be able to host them all in our little home, as it might be Natalee's last birthday ever here!

Present time.  It's touching to see how much thought is put into the gifts given to our little princess.  Everyone tuned into WHO she is and who she is becoming and matched her perfectly.

Easel accessories and art supplies from Grandma Num and Papa...stickers, foam letters, paint cups, paintbrushes, paint roller, rolled paper for her easel, crayons...so much more in that box.  She's in heaven (so's Xavier).  The princess tiara was also from them!

Princess sheets and a ballerina Barbie from Granny & Papa George.

A pink numbers shirt from Aunt Kea & Uncle Miguel! (and dot-to-dot/counting books!)

 Princess frames from Aunt Nannie and Uncle Vance (& a Minnie Mouse zip up hoodie).  These frames are DARLING! 

Rainbow undies, rainbow socks, and the softest new scarf and mitten/glove set from Aunt Lauren & Uncle Lance. 

 

Queen of cheesy faces - but the scarf and mittens are TO DIE for!

Little brother struggled with all the attention.  Realizing it's not about him, I still slipped him a little gift bag, as mothers sometimes do.  It had a Ford truck, cattle trailer and tiny cows in it and he sat like and angel and played with Grandma and Papa while Natalee did her present.

Cake time!

She sang to herself.  Grandma Num found the coolest candles that were rainbow and had colored flames!  She chose five and let Xavier load his cupcake with some.  Cousin Emma took them home to use for her big birthday coming in January!

What a blessed day for our *almost* five year old.  Tomorrow is the REAL deal and we'll celebrate with just our little family of four.  Daddy rearranged his work schedule (thanks to his co-worker Darrin!) and will not have to travel out of town tomorrow night, but instead will get to come home and have birthday supper with his big girl!

We finished the evening with putting new sheets in the washer, hanging princesses on the wall, donning new socks, putting on comfy jammies, and painting away, Picasso style!

 

Glad my mom taught preschool for 13 years and thinks about things like paint rollers.  That was a huge hit!

Night big girl (and ornery brother).  When you wake up you'll be FIVE!

PS - Did I mention Natalee prayed for snow for her birthday and we woke up to a ground covered in white??