and now she is 4!

Today, my beautiful daughter, is your fourth birthday. As your parents, we celebrate today all of your accomplishments over the past four years. You are no longer our little baby dependent on your mommy and daddy to carry you along. You are now an independent, funny and compassionate little girl who has accomplished so much over the past 4 years. In the last year you:

-started your first year of school
-are always there to help mommy bake in the kitchen
-can dresses yourself, including when you have to do up the buttons or zipper yourself
-have shown us your skills in gymnastics and dance
-are learning to speak French
-are always there to take care of your little brothers
-are our lucky charm when it comes to calming your brothers - you always know how to soothe Baby I when he is crying
-can write your own name as well as your brothers'
-shown us your love of singing and dancing
-can count to 10 in three different languages
-decided to swim on your own

My dear, these are only a few of your accomplishments and I can't wait to watch you achieve even more. You have a strong personality, you like to tell it how it is but you have to be one of the most compassionate human beings I have ever met. Your love for others is like no other, please don't ever lose that. You make me laugh each and every day as you are quick on your feet when it comes to making one smile.

Happy 4th Birthday my beautiful daughter.

Love,
Mom

barbie party

What little girl didn't grow up loving Barbie? I still love Barbie and was so delighted my mother kept a few for me to pass on to my baby girl. She loves dressing them up, taking them for a ride in their car, and fixing their hair just right.

Little Miss L. was beyond excited when I showed her an invitation to her friend's upcoming Barbie-themed birthday party. As a parent, I should have known better than to show her the invitation weeks in advance because every morning she would wake up running towards me with a  big smile on her face and ask if today was the day she gets to go to the Barbie party. Well, after a long wait, the big day finally arrived this past weekend.

My friend Sara sure knows how to throw a party, especially when it involves making several little girls extremely happy! There were feathers, pink, glitz and glamour all over the place. If it wasn't already the perfect party, Barbie made a special appearance for a magic show, some dancing, jewelry making, balloon animals and face painting.

You know it was an awesome party when your daughter is still talking about it days later! Here is a sneak peak at the fun we had...

The inspiration.

Lots of yummy goodies on this table.

Chocolate covered strawberries.

Sugary marshmallows.

Drink station.

The girls hanging out and sampling the delicious food.

Barbie has arrived and the girls are in awe.

Time for a magic trick of two.

Where did it go?

Balloon animals! Barbie is really good at these.

Mr. L. showing off his blue giraffe. 

Face painting time, or if you are like Little Miss L., hand painting time.

Our attempt at a group shot with Barbie.

The birthday girl surrounded by love.

Little brother getting ready to sing happy birthday to his sister.

This cake was perfect and tasted as good as it looked.

One happy family celebrating their little girl's birthday.