Somebunny's Birthday!

My beautiful daughter Em turned one on Tuesday, and we celebrated with family on Easter Sunday.  It was an unbelievably special day, and the birthday girl radiated sweetness and charm.  I'm not one to go crazy over a first birthday since she won't remember any of it, but I found myself getting caught up in the excitement of it all.  Plus, we all know there's nothing sweeter than a little girl all dressed up for her birthday.

We celebrated, as we always do, at Nana and Papa's house.  I added some spring decorations of my own to the already beautiful Easter decor, and we ended up with a pretty pastel backdrop to a wonderful day.

I got these pinwheels at a great etsy shop called twirlie whirlies, as seen in Brides magazine.  They were perfect for my centerpiece and I used them as party favors at Em's friend party later this week.

I went with the Easter color scheme because the colors and patterns were just right for the day, as were all the little touches and decorations.

Remember these? It's not too late to make some spring thumbprint art of your own!

The sun was shining, the decorations were set...

...all we needed was for the birthday girl to wake up from her nap.

These little leg warmers were Em's birthday present from Mom and Dad.  The best purchase I have made for her yet!  Perfect for springtime.  I love her little toes peeking out of them!

So, the party started without her, but we couldn't wait for her to join the fun!  It was wonderful for everyone to make the trip and be sure to celebrate two special occasions as a family.

  

We were so lucky that we had a sunny morning so we could gather outside and watch Jax and Tommy ride their Power Wheels and mingle as a big extended family.  Everyone gets along so well and we all love these kids so much; it's always a relaxed, festive atmosphere when we're all together.

Then, finally!  The princess woke up and if you know me at all, you are not surprised to learn that I took advantage of her sleepy seriousness to have a little photoshoot.  She was just too beautiful to pass up.  And my niece was nice enough to share her bunny ears to complete the look!

Can we talk about how much I love her outfit?  It's actually a romper, rather than a dress, and it was the third outfit I bought.  I wanted something girlie but that still made her look like the baby she still is.  Sometimes little girl clothes can look so grown up; I wanted to embrace the transition from baby to toddler.  I think it was just right. 

And if you love it, too, and want one of your very own, just click here!  I am going to put it away and hopefully Em can pull it out when she has a baby girl of her own.

And then, because I can't leave well enough alone and a girl only turns one once, I bought her an over-the-top headband from The Bitsy Beau, too! Remember Em's crocheted hat from there? I love having a girl.

 

Plus, she knew the Royal Wedding was this week.  She needed a fascinator of her own!

I finally decided to share her and brought her out to her adoring fans. 

And bribed her brother with an M & M to give her a hug.  How come bribed hugs are never that cute?  Probably because they are so fleeting as his mind is only on how long he has to touch her for it to count.

So much cuteness potential wasted.

Of course I never learn my lesson and then bribed Jax to hug his cousin Tommy.

That didn't pay off, either.

Then the kids started having meltdowns.  Well, my kids did, anyway.

Which means it was time for some of this:

Can you believe I made this bite-size cheesy deliciousness?  One day I'll share the recipe with you.  Let's just say I converted more than one person into a goat-cheese lover.  Mmmmm....

And after lunch came...

...CAKE!

It takes a village to blow out one candle.

She was actually really ladylike about the whole thing.  Daddy had to help the process along or she would have savored every crumb.

Then we opened all her amazing and thoughtful gifts, played a little more...

 

...and finished off the day with an Easter Egg hunt!

I know a lot of you have Easter traditions about hiding baskets, candy, real eggs, etc.  In my family, we have a very serious hunt for those cheap, plastic eggs, but what makes it so interesting is that they're always full of  money.  Change, mostly, but valuable cash nonetheless.  It got pretty cutthroat when my cousins and I were about ten.  That five dollar egg was worth being grounded for a few days.

  

Em didn't understand it, but she was happy to participate.  And to keep wearing her bunny ears.

And that's that.  Naptimes called, the guys went off to the driving range and the ladies enjoyed a glass of wine and another cookie.  The rain held off and we were able to share a wonderful, fun-filled day with all our loved ones.  I couldn't have scripted it better.

JDubbs and I are loving watching our little girl grow, but I'm glad she still has some baby in her.  Days like this make us count our blessings and sit back to take in all that we have to be grateful for.  Not the least of which is the true meaning of Easter, lost a bit to us on this day of bunnies and pastel eggs, but nonetheless always present in our hearts.

We love you, Em, and hope your second year is as happy as your first!  Thank you for being you.

Our sweet little girl.  Not a baby anymore!