Mom & Paul stopped over in the morning to help set up the smoker and drop off some serving platters, etc (so helpful, Thanks Mom!) We had guests arriving around 2pm for some table set up (Thanks Dad!) and a cupcake display (Thanks Sister!) This year I GLADLY excepted so much more help- I quickly realized that the more help the better and LESS stress for everyone. I had also asked Hannah to help and be in charge of taking photos with my camera for he afternoon- she did SUCH a good job capturing some really great photos from the day.
I felt good and ready once 3pm rolled around. We had planned for food to be ready about 3:30pm and I think we did pretty good with this. Everyone lined up, filled their plates and found a place to eat and visit. It was nice and relaxed. Oh and, it was a great temp for the day as well. Sunny but not hot at all, maybe 75 degrees- it was perfect!
Little Miss Avrie was keeping all of her guests in suspense as she was sleeping at her party start time. Soon after checking on her and "waking" her up- she joined the party around 3:45pm. I was so excited to dress her in her party outfit and show her that all of her favorite people were all outside waiting for her.
She reacted the way I knew she would, she stepped out into the garage and just took it all in- it took her a few minutes too wake up, but in no time at all she was running around saying Hi to everyone. Seeing that she had lunch before her nap she was just into snacking while everyone ate. I didn't even think and had popcorn out on the tables and popcorn is a BIG no no for Avrie (i am still that mom that is terrified of chocking) so she is allowed to have puffcorn but not popcorn with seeds and hulls. She ended up with a little popcorn but learned quick {aka kind of got some popcorn stuck in her throat, she ended up being just fine!} that she could have ANYTHING but the popcorn, even though it was her birthday party AND she was the cutest thing ever! ;)
After food comes dessert! Avrie was able to enjoy one of her cute Minnie Mouse cupcakes- she was loving it. She has a sweet tooth like her mommy!
Then it was present time! This year Avrie did really good opening all of her gifts pretty much by herself!
She was, kindly, spoiled by everyone with a ton of Minnie Mouse stuff, art supplies, stickers, sidewalk chalk, dolls, a Cookie Monster/Elmo/Abby kitchen toy, a LittlePeople princess castle (which she LOVES), a doodle pad, even a couple bags of PUFFcorn & marshmallows! She also got some new cute summer outfits to add to her wardrobe. Money for her savings account, and a Target gift card for spending! She was excited and loved all of it! Last night, Sunday, we spent time writing out Thank you cards- she even helped by coloring next to her name on each of them.
With presents done and before guests had to start heading out, we all sang Happy Birthday to Avrie as she blew out two candles on her cake made by Auntie! This was so sweet, I hadn't even asked Jamie to make a cake for Avrie- she just went a head and did it. Avrie loved the singing, Happy Birthday happens to be one of her favorite songs to sing these days.
She blew out her candle and picked off every little mickey frosting and ate those. She did have a couple bites of cake but I think she was too full and distracted to eat much more than that.
Avrie was maybe feeling a little overwhelmed as she was NOT cooperative in taking photos with too many of her guests and wasn't very polite in offering a nice little hug before some had to say goodbye, little stinker! I tried getting a cute picture of her and her birthday buddy, but this was the best she would do- HA!
We continued on celebrating thru the evening and into the night. We did so by; playing with her new toys, hula hopping, bean bags, bocce ball, throwing the football, riding dirt bikes, running around and snacking on food until the sun set!
Shortly before the sun did set Grandma and Grandpa Ertle surprised Avrie with another present- a John Deere Gator!! She was so excited watching them take it out of the car- she even uttered "a tractor.... Oh my Gosh..." I just missed getting that on video- dang! But it was so cute!
She hoped right in for a ride- she knows to use the peddle but we have yet to master the steering. HAHA! She had a great time riding shotgun as cousin Ethan drove her all around the yard, all the while she was giving us all her best parade, pageant queen wave, so funny!
I made up for taking away Avrie's popcorn rights, by letting her enjoy her very first lollipop! She thought she was pretty sweet with that yellow sucker- and that she was, it turned into the cutest sticky little mess ever! She lost interest in it after a good half it was gone, then it was onto something else- caramel puffcorn! She enjoyed her sweets and sugar intake for the YEAR all in one day!
As night time set in, Arvie had about two bites of her dinner (not a shock) then it was PJ time and we built a fire to sit around for the rest of the night. Avrie didn't want to go to bed so we let her stay up a while longer and then it was off to bed. She was sad to leave the party, HER party- but a tired Avrie is not a fun little girl she gets real sassy- so she said good night to everyone (sans hugs b/c she was still not into giving anybody hugs).
We all had a good time sitting around the fire and after everyone went to bed and a late visitor it was about 12:30am when Aaron and I decided that we were just pooped! So we closed up party shop and headed for bed.
We went to bed thankful to have such wonderful family [and a house full with them] and that Avrie's party was a success. We know that she had a great day and that was all that mattered. Thank you to everyone that was able to join us & help us for the day- Avrie, Aaron and I love you all!!