Avery's 4th Birthday

We celebrated Avery's 4th birthday yesterday with a sweet ice cream party!  It was such a fun, relatively calm time, and I am happy to report that I was mainly stress-free.  Sweet Birdie's Nest created the most perfect invitation to invite our guests over.  They are the best!

I had to get a few pictures of my big birthday girl before the party.  She is looking so grown these days.

I did absolutely nothing in terms of decorating.  For Avery, birthdays mean family and friends, cupcakes, and balloons.  And if that satisfies her, I see no need to do much more.  We had some ice cream-themed snacks, a little toppings bar, and fun ice cream sundae cups that I got no picture of.

Anna, my friend and cupcake maker, made these awesome and delicious cupcakes.  I showed her a few Pinterest ideas, but her frosting scoops of ice cream literally take the cake.  They were perfect.

We were thrilled that my parents were able to attend the party, especially since they had not been to our house since December.  They got here a little before 3 to get settled, the Millers arrived with the cupcakes, and I continued to get ready.  This buddy had to be woken from a major nap and was a little slow at first.  By the time our other guests started to arrive, he was ready to party.

While the party had an ice cream theme, the gifts were definitely of the princess variety.  Avery is the best present opener and is just thrilled with what she gets.  She got some really great stuff from our generous family and friends.

Yaya and Poppa gave Avery a bike, and while Avery had been to try them out and even picked out what she wanted, she was literally shaking as I pulled off the bags.

The bike was a hit with the buddies and the little brother.  Avery knows who to look to when she wants to do something that isn't allowed.  Uncle Rob pushed her around the house many times.

After gifts it was time to sing and enjoy some food.

Sam devoured a cupcake in about 10 seconds then fussed the rest of the time because everyone else was still eating cupcakes.

We had the most well-behaved little guests.  Camden, Mason, Levi, and baby Cade joined us for the party, and we were sad that Emerson couldn't make it.  After a rather boisterous party last year, we toned it down a little since my mom would be there.  It was perfect.  The kids were being so good that I couldn't keep them from the playroom any longer.  Ned hung out up there so that I could go between upstairs and our family and friends downstairs.  The kids played so well, and we can't wait to have everyone back.

Our guest started leaving a leaving a little after 5.  We captured a picture with Yaya and Poppa before they headed home.

Usually my parents stay for a pizza dinner after birthday parties, but they were ready to get home, so we were happy to have the Millers stay and keep us company.  We sent the girls out with the men and Anna, Sam, and I stayed inside while we waited for the pizza.  Dinner was good and easy, and we are just so thankful for that family.  They left after 7, and Ned put Sam to bed while Avery and I checked out her presents.  Once I got her to bed, I got everything cleaned up except the floors, then propped my eyelids open and set up Avery's LeapPad.  I was definitely tired after the big day, but it was so wonderful that the tired was well-worth it.

I still remember Avery's first birthday party and how much love I felt in our house that day.  I pray one day Avery will realize how lucky she is to have that love surround her on each of her birthdays and all the days in between.  We are so thankful for the people who love us enough to celebrate our big milestones and little moments with us.