FOUR

Mae is FOUR!! Holy cow. It seems like just yesterday she was born yet it seems like she has been in my life forever. I have so much to say about her and hope to get a four year old letter up for her in the next few days to chronicle how much she has grown this year and what an amazing little lady she still remains. 

We threw Mae a fourth birthday party today - one day prior to her actual birthday. It was quite a birthday party - in large part because of Julie. We had a moon bounce, cotton candy machine, popcorn machine and to top it all off we had so many wonderful friends and family join us. Despite just moving here all our old friends came to celebrate Mae's birthday with her. We all felt especially blessed. I felt especially proud of my beautiful, confident, intelligent, and kind "almost" four year old. 

Grandma K. putting the finishing touches on the cake prior to the guests arrival. 

The CAKE. Mae asked about 101 times if she could have a piece prior to us actually cutting it. 

Bouncing. 

Mae enjoying some grape tomatoes prior to the guests arriving. 

Pearson working the popcorn machine. 

Me and The Birthday Girl. 

Table for adults and one for kids. My mom and I also made the bunting in the background for the party. 

Family getting setup. 

Cousins digging into the popcorn already. 

A girl and her popcorn. 

Me working the cotton candy machine. By the end I considered myself a pro. 

Yum. Cotton candy. 

Old Friends: Seth, Bob, Pearson and Joe. 

Ready for the cake. 

She is pretty excited. 

Just as I set it down. Will blows out all the candles. 

Mae still ok with it. But because it is her birthday we decided to do it again. 

Waiting for me to find matches. 

Round 2. 

Success. 

Pure joy. 

Outfit change after something getting spilled all over her dress. Enjoying the cake and ice cream. 

Natalie and Mae. 

Natalie, Joseph, Mae, Reid, and Greta. 

Teddy, Malin, and Whitaker. 

Whitaker and Georgia.

Greta, Miles, and Teddy

Pearson, Joe, and I

David, Me, Pearson, and Athena

Will and Kerry just unwinding after a whole lot of bouncing.

Mae and Will checking out one of her gifts.

After the big party the day before we decided to have a much lower key actual birthday. So, when Mae woke up and we sang her Happy Birthday, she said, "You mean I have two birthdays!" The day consisted of her playing with all her new birthday presents from the day before. Pearson and I also got the rare opportunity to spend some one on two time with just Mae. The three of us hit the pool, while Whit took a nap (thank goodness for living with my parents). Mae also got two Facetime calls from her good friends Lucy and Nora. The highlight of the day was my parents gift to Mae - a dress up box. I told my mom just to throw in a bunch of our old dance costumes and she would be in heaven. She added a few other princess things for good measure. Mae insisted everyone wear a costume so here are photos from everyone getting in on the action.