Birthday Fun

Pictures from Ella's birthday in backwards order. Explanation follows :)

Could there be any doubt that this HAD to be the doll for her?

started out dainty

Quickly got messy!

Pregnant sisters- this might never happen again!? Yeah, yeah- I know I'm huge already- just remember- 5 kids in less than 7 years, okay?

A picture of all my kids where Maddie is actually smiling!

I can hardly believe my baby is 1!!! She just seems like such a BABY still. Pete and I are amazed at how grown up we thought Peter was at this age compared with what babies Maddie and Ella seemed to be at one. And Kate seemed grown up too- probably because of those long pigtails she already had at that age.

Isabella's birthday celebration lasted 2 whole days- and will actually be extended until the 26th when we celebrate the three other April birthdays on my husbands side of the family. I love making my kids' birthdays special. Not just to "spoil" them, but to celebrate together each of these precious little lives that God has entrusted into our care. So Friday started with some fun at Jump Central for me and the kids. Then we went out for burgers and shakes (a treat!) for lunch. Pete couldn't get away from the office to meet us so it was just me and the kids. It was a little hectic managing the four of them at a restaurant (including helping Kate in the bathroom while holding Ella and trying to get Maddie to stand still and not touch the trash can (why are those nasty things so tempting to kids?!)and make sure Peter was not curiously exploring the restaurant, but staying PLANTED in the booth by the bathroom that I left him in. Then we went to Old Navy- not fun for the kids as Peter made very clear, but we were out and I needed to look for some khaki pants. Mission accomplished- 2 pairs of maternity pants, one khaki, one black- $6.99 each. And the store was practically empty so Peter and Kate had some room to wiggle without bumping into other shoppers. By then we were all exhausted so we headed home.

After supper Ella opened her presents from us- a baby doll and a book. The kids gave her a little doll diaper bag with baby bottles and a feeding dish and spoon in it that Kate proudly picked out at the store. Ella was kissing her baby doll before it was even out of the box- ADORABLE! Just before bedtime my mom and sister arrived from Michigan. It was great fun to see my pregnant little sister! Since I'm 8 years older, I've always done everything before her. So it's fun to be pregnant at the same time.

Saturday was more fun! My WONDERFUL husband cooked a delicious breakfast of pancakes, eggs, and bacon for all of us women and Peter. AND he cleaned up the mess afterwards!!! Ella got a fun Little Tikes baby doll buggy from Grandpa and Grandma and Uncle Dan and Aunt Racine and a dress from Grandpa and Grandma. I think the doll buggy is going to make a walker out of her!! At 2:30 we had my friend Jennie and two of her boys over (her husband stayed home with her other 2 because one was a little sick), as well as one of my sister's friends, Nana and Papa, and my dad who had been working in Chicago for a couple of days. We had a little party with cake and Ella got a couple of books and an outfit. We finished the partying by going out for pizza with my parents and sister.