We cut down our Christmas tree a week or so ago. Needless to say, it was a much more pleasant experience than last year. This year we all were involved in selecting a tree and cutting it down, even Moose was there! Despite the snow and cold weather, our tree did defrost, and we were able to decorate it that same night. Ella in particular could not wait to decorate the tree; I was reminded once again of the magic of Christmas with kids!
I felt like an old parent yesterday as Matt and I hosted Ella's 4th Birthday Party with her friends. Earlier that morning, we went out to pick out balloons - certainly one of the highlights of the day! We were quite relieved that the weather worked out for us. Friday we got over one foot of snow, and then we got at least another foot of snow on Sunday. We successfully cleared the driveway and shoveled our way out to prepare for Ella's birthday party! Here is my birthday girl, all dressed up in her party dress ready to go, anxiously awaiting the arrival of her guests!
Ella invited four friends from school over for her birthday celebration. We decorated flower pots, Christmas ornaments, had some Tinker Bell cake, and then the kids went on a treasure hunt for some goodies! Kids did not come in costume but instead immediately got dressed up in Ella's dress up clothes! Here are busy little decorators . . .
After the kids were all charged up, I got to send them home with their parents! However, we had to deal with our two children who were ultimately all sugared up and out of control! You know, I didn't think that I was going to get emotional at all until I started singing 'Happy Birthday' to Ella and looked around at all of her friends surrounding her. I just couldn't believe that our baby was sitting at a table getting ready to blow out her birthday candles with all her friends. I managed to keep my emotions under control, but I may not be so in control on the 26th - Ella's official birthday! Here is a collection of all the little people in attendance . . .
One of our friends offered to get a birthday family picture - so here is the Maher family! We wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a 2009 filled with happiness, health, love and laughter!
