Mariah's 4th Birthday

Well, as you all know, we start birthday's with making the cake together. Mariah was very kind and wanted Aubrey to help make the cake with us. They both put on aprons and were very good helpers--even if we did have an egg drop on the floor.

Here they are holding up the box mixes--yes we made two, we usually need that much to create whatever we are going to make. They are both getting very good at understanding the back of the box--I didn't even have to tell them how many eggs to get out and that we needed butter and water. It is really fun to see them starting to understand things.

And for their favorite part--licking off the beaters and the bowl.
The following morning we were having a princess birthday tea party--meaning we eat the food on little dishes and we have miniature food. Mariah helped me decorate the cake. This was one of my favorite cakes that I have made because not only did it turn out adorable, it was quite simple and Mariah was able to help me do a lot of the decorating. Here she is putting on sprinkles. She would also put the candy in the middle of the flowers. It was really fun to do it together and she looked adorable sitting on the counter helping me in her pincess dress!

What Mariah wanted for her cake was Snow White on top holding a basket of flowers and flowers all over the cake. She also wanted strawberries on the cake--which I bought and then I totally forgot and we did have a toy basket for Snow White to hold, but Mariah didn't want frosting to get on it. I think it turned out adorable and Mariah loved it anyway!

The previous night, Jon helped me get ready for the party--we wanted it to be extra special for Mariah. You can't really see the whole room, but Jon hung up ribbons all over with flowers on the end of each ribbon--it looked adorable. I made little red tulle bags/purses for each child and we put a bracelet and candy in each bag. Mariah handed them out to each person as they came. The little girls were dressed up and it was really fun to see so many little princesses!

We started with making "princess hats"--a little more complex than I thought it would be, but fun anyway.

Then we made little wands with Stars on the end and headed back to the kitchen for the main event--the tea party! We had lots of miniature food and adorable little dishes and silverware. The kids always have a fun time eating the food. Their favorite part is always drinking out of the little cups.

For dessert we served the cake. Mariah was so excited and had such a wonderful time!
Here is Mariah on the night of her birthday--I think she had a wonderful birthday--We had the party the day previous because several friends could not attend on her actual birthday. On her birthday, she and Aubrey had a primary activity and then we went to a park for a fun picnic dinner and had a lot of fun playing. Then we went home and opened presents. She loved everything she got--of course--Mariah is the type that will love anything and anyone--she says she wants things certain ways, but then is happy with pretty much how ever things turn out.
We had saved the top of her birthday cake from the party to have on the night of her birthday. We sang one final time, had cake, and then watched Finding Nemo and had popcorn. Then we put everyone else to bed and Mariah and I played with her new playdough set and had cookies and milk together. Wow! What a special birthday she had! She was beaming and so pleased to have turned 4 years old!