Reese's 7th Birthday Party

Last year I totally dropped the ball Reese didn't have a birthday party.    Partially because I tend to get overwhelmed over the summer, but also because we just couldn't figure out a good place to have a party!  We started looking for places in June, and found this neat art studio and booked a party - and then she went to a birthday party there last month!  She had a blast, so we knew she would love her party!

Everyone (including Daddy - he was making a unicorn for Finley) got their own canvas to paint!  Reese chose a unicorn canvas - they gave the girls their colors, and followed it up with step by step instructions.

They had each seat set up with aprons for the girls.  Reese was excited to sit next to her cousin, Sophie!

You know you had an amazing Kindergarten teacher when she comes to your birthday party!  Reese said she wanted to invite Ms. Burton, and I jokingly told her at the Y one day - and she came!  Reesie was so surprised, and all the girls that were in her class gathered for a picture.  Hard to believe that they'll be in First Grade in three weeks!!!

Reesie with her friends Madison, Emma, and Julia!

Her birthday cake was her choice.  In fact, I left most of the elements of her party up to her.  I could pin 8 million things and go back through them to have a Pinteresty-party...but all she really wanted were plates, etc. in a rainbow of colors, pizza, and a rainbow cake (inside) with pink and purple frosting.  I make the cake and frosted it, and she did the decorating!

She really wanted to open her gifts at her party (I feel like that hardly every happens now), and it was so sweet to see her friends gather around so excited to watch her open the presents!

Reesie and Daddy in their painting aprons!

The whole group with their unicorns!

And Brian and Reese with their masterpieces :).

She had SO much fun - this party was definitely worth it!  I can't believe that this girl is going to be seven years old next week!

Reese's Sixth Birthday

I have never met a kid who gets as excited about their birthday as Reese does.  She actually made a video for me planning out her day in advance so that I would know what she wanted to do.  This included her menu for the day so I could shop.  Not even kidding.

Brian stopped at Party City for Frozen decorations, and I found a banner in our birthday supply box.  She loves to see decorations out "just for her."

 She also has the BEST reactions to gifts. She doesn't say anything until every piece of paper is off of the package (even if she can see what it is). Then she gets really excited, and runs and hugs the gift giver.

 Wearing pajama pants with nightgowns is her new thing.  And they don't match.

She loved the Palace Pet collection that Wyatt chose for her!

 Reese wrote thank you notes for her gifts the night BEFORE her birthday.  Even Finley is shocked by her prompt acknowledgment of gifts.

 Derek and Sophie were hanging out with Mimi for the day, so Reese suggested that we move her "pizza lunch" to Mimi's so she could share lunch and cupcakes with them.

 Finley was a big fan of that idea!  She loves a cupcake!

 Reese had tee ball practice, and then we went to her requested dinner at the "place with peanuts and mac and cheese," known to most people as Texas Roadhouse.  Then we had cake and ice cream!

 She walked around all day shouting, "I can't believe it's my BIRTHDAY!  I'm six!"

Happy Birthday, Reesie!  We love you so much!

As Daddy said,

Six years ago I had no idea what to do with a little girl. 

Six years later, I don't know what I would do without her. My Reesie is quite simply the most well rounded person I have ever met. Smart, funny, beautiful, loving and caring - great words that don't even begin to do her justice. My world is a better place because of her.

Happy 6th Birthday Reese!!

SIX!

Reese is going to be six years old on Monday!  It's hard to believe that six years ago she was here:

On Cpap before being placed on the vent, having to wait a week to hold her and feed her, and waiting 11 days to bring her home.

 To her first birthday smiles.

 To her second birthday, when she may have talked more than any other two year old on the planet!

 Best buddies with her big brother, and getting ready to evacuate for a hurricane on her third birthday!

 Excited to turn four!

 Celebrating Princess Sofia-style on her fifth birthday!

We are so excited to spend our day celebrating this sweet, funny, smart, caring little girl on Monday!  Happy Birthday, Reesie Piecey!

Reese's 5th Birthday Party

Reese had a BLAST at her birthday party.  She really wanted an "art party," but we just didn't think that the local pottery painting place was a great idea.  So she went with her next favorite option - The Little Gym.

(it's where we celebrated her third and fourth birthdays, too).

She loved it when her friends all came to give her high fives or hugs.  She loves her friend Emma, and she's so excited for them to be in a class together again this year!

She loved that they asked her what she wanted to do - and she quickly responded with "hula hoops, and bubbles, Simon Says, and hide and seek."  Things got awkward when they asked Reese to be "Simon" and she said, "Simon says, everybody poop your pants."  This child.  That is all Brian's fault by the way.  He says it to make them laugh, and well, they really think it's funny.

Reesie with some of her favorite people - Audrey, Ryan, Piper and Mady.

All the kiddos playing a game against their parents.

This was part of the game.  Wyatt may have thought this was a game of dodgeball.  He takes it seriously!

Reesie and Huddoo bouncing.  She grabbed his hand and took him up with her!

All the kiddos at the party!

Sweet cousins!

And more cousins!

Blowing out her birthday cupcake.  Do you think she was excited?!?

Happy 5th Birthday, Reesie Piecey!

This little princess is 5 years old.  Unbelievable.  (I know, I said the same thing when Wyatt turned 5.  But the time passes so quickly).

She had a "perfect birthday."

First of all, she got two things that she has been begging us to buy her for months.  A Princess Sofia dress and an amulet.  And even better, she wants this to be her Halloween costume, too.

We decided to let her open her presents from us when she woke up in the morning.  We also had her party that day, so we thought it was best to space things out a bit!

 When a big brother spends his time choosing exactly what he wants to get you and keeps it a secret for weeks, he earns the right to hover while you open it.  Even if he is ready for safari!

 She was so sweet while she opened her presents.  Every time she opened something she shouted out, "Awesome!"  In case you can't tell, this girl was very excited to get her amulet!

 Another favorite was a Brave archery set.  Don't worry, it's just suction cups.  But she takes her archery very seriously.

She planned out her birthday meals in advance so that I could shop for everything.  No, I'm not kidding.  She requested blueberry muffins and eggs for breakfast, chicken nuggets and strawberries for lunch, and Red Robin for dinner.

She got what she wanted. :)

We had her birthday party that afternoon (separate post to follow), and she had such a great time with all of her friends!

After her party we came home to open her presents, and followed it up with dinner at Red Robin.  She was adamant that we tell  them that it was her birthday because she really wanted them to sing happy birthday and bring her ice cream!

This made. her day.

I can't believe that it's been 5 years since this beautiful, intelligent, thoughtful, artistic and hilarious little girl entered our lives, and stole our hearts.  She is such a bright light to everyone, but she brings an immeasurable amount of love and happiness into our lives.

Happy 5th Birthday Reesie Piecey!  We love you!