Abby's Birthday

I think I say with all the kids birthdays, but I really cant believe she is 4 already. She is growing up so fast.

This year we decided on a Teddy Bear Tea birthday party. It was centered around the fact that we got her a gift certificate for Build a Bear Workshop and her and Daddy went on a date a few days before her birthday. She had a blast with daddy on their date.

They went to Red Robin for lunch. She was so excited when they sang to her and had a blast with her chocolate sundae and balloons.

This is actually when they are signing to her. She is just too cute.

And of course, loving the chocolate sundae. Daddy had to give her a straw so she could suck up all of the chocolate.

After lunch, they headed off to the mall to the workshop. Grammy was given a Build a Bear a few days before this, so she had been asking us if she could go to the "workshop" too. She kept saying things like, "Mommy, I need to go to the workshop. Where is my workshop." Perfect timing. All the fun with Grammy's bear was build up to getting her own.

She had a blast picking out her bear and stuffing it. She picked the Hannah Montana bear of course with a cute little outfit. She was very tempted to go with the guitar as well, but decided on a pink purse at the last minute.

Her party was on her birthday. It just happened that Daddy was off that day, so we planned it around the big kids being at school and out of the way. We invited all of her friends over for a "tea party." They all brought their bears/dolls with them. When they arrived, they got dressed up for a picture with their teddy bear. We then set our teddy bears on a picnic blanket and served them tea. After our bears were satisfied, we went to the table for our tea and lunch. Then it was story time. After story time was back to the table for bear cupcakes and ice cream. Then we opened presents and sat around talking and playing. It was a really fun time. The kids all had a blast.

Abigail has grown up a lot this year. I see her getting more into the "big girl" things like barbies and dress up and even make up. It is crazy to think about. In this last year she has

• Concurred potty training.
• Learned some of her ABC's.
• Started to perform for us.
• Learned to talk CONSTANTLY. lol.
• Become a wonderful big sister to her little brothers.

It is sad and awesome to watch all these little people grow. I wish I could keep them at the little baby cuteness ages forever. but then it is also so wonderful to watch them grow and make good choices and continue to learn. It is fun to see them become bigger little people.

And in case all of that was not enough, at the end of the day we got to open family presents and have a family party. We purposely had her party with her friends during school so that the big boys would not be there (3 less kids to worry about, right). That meant that after dinner, we had the chance to open the presents from the boys and Jim and I. Grammy and Poppy came over and had some cake and Ice cream with us. For her "family cake" she wanted a barbie cake, so this is my attempt at the barbie cake. It was my first attempt. Pretty good for a first try. Now I know what not to do. LOL. It was a good cake for her though. She loved it.

And here she is opening the present from Jim and I. The boys got her some magnet dolls. You know, big wooden dolls with magnets in them with a ton of interchangeable clothes, shoes, and accessories. it has proven to be a favorite with all of the kids. Jim and I got her a V-tech motion game system. We have a ton of V-smile games and so this plays those as well as the new v-motion games. She was very excited. She also got some doll stuff with a stroller, carseat, and bassinet. She loves that as well. Overall, not very hard to please her. LOL.

Happy Birthday Abigail, we love you tons.