Birthday Festivities

We waited until the girls were in bed to begin making our surprise cake.  Do you see the time in the background as Dusty is putting the "crumb coat" on the cake?  It's a long story (as well as a long night!) but let's just say I didn't plan ahead very well like having the butter at room temp among other things.

We decorated.  Simple but fun.  The window frames are a project I just finished with the help of my dear friend, Emily.  They are special windows because they are the storm windows from Dusty's late grandparents' house in Deer Trail.  I painted them and "antiqued" them with black stain.  I used chalkboard paint on the middle window.  I plan to display artwork from the girls in them.

 The finished cake.  Dusty did such a great job frosting it.

The finished time.

Maggie has no idea the work/love that went into her bday but that's okay.  She woke up to three balloons in her room (Natalie was expecting them) and to two sleepy "Happy Birthday!" exclamations from Mama and Papa. We read Birthday Zoo in bed and then went downstairs to open presents.

We did good.  Just what this little mommy needed--a baby carseat.  It has gone everywhere with us since she opened it.

The birthday girl was actually kind of grumpy for the first part of the day and wasn't into me documenting everything.  Maybe she will appreciate it later.  If not, I will.

This is a picture of the birthday ensemble that Maggie put together herself.  I especially love that she accessorized with a belt.

 We biked to Whole Foods and split breakfast burritos and then biked to our favorite local donut shop.  It's a rule to eat some protein, usually eggs, with your donuts so you don't bonk later.

Maggie and Natalie agreed to share a pink donut and a yellow donut.

Pamy and Steve joined us for the day and we ate lunch and got ready for cake!

Maggie requested a rainbow cake so we surprised her with one.  Honestly, I don't think she was very impressed with the plain, white, round cake she saw when she woke up.  She kept wanting to put M&M's on it but I knew it had plenty of sugar and told her she could decorate her piece when we ate cake.  She was happy when she saw the rainbow colors.

I made the orange a little too dark but it still came out pretty good.  We got the recipe from the original creator at http://www.whisk-kid.com/2009/08/say-it-with-cake.html.  Super rich and yummy!

Everyone but Natalie, Pam, and Steve took much needed naps after lunch.  Then we headed to the pool!

Natalie braved and conquered the water slide for the first time.

Next on the agenda was Cane's for dinner per Maggie's request and then a bike ride to a free summer concert on campus.

There was perfect weather, good music, and face painting.  This girl likes it on her arm instead.

Fun times had by all.

The day ended with a slumber party downstairs for the girls with Pam and Steve to join them later.  The grown-ups stayed up eating more cake and playing Settlers of Catan until midnight.  A busy, fun day celebrating our three year old.  Before her big day I asked her if she wanted to have a party with friends or just a family celebration and she picked the latter.  I love that you are so nurturing and family oriented, little girl.  Stay my little girl forever.