Juliet's "best friend" Birthday Party

Juliet kept calling her friend birthday party her "best friend" birthday party. Everyone is her best friend. We seriously could have invited 100 kids. I made up the initial invite list and it was so long. So many kids. In my tired and very pregnant state I knew I couldn't handle that. So we narrowed it down to five little friends from our neighborhood and Juliet's really best friend from preschool last year. It was the perfect amount! All the little girls were so cute together. They all played well and had a great time. Juliet was a very good little hostess. She kept everyone involved and didn't leave anyone out. She made every guest feel as special as they really are! I love that about her. She was in heaven being the center of attention too. She just thrives on people and interactions. 

I had been pretty anxious about this party. It was our first time doing a birthday party where everyone just drops their kids off and we do a real birthday party. Usually we just do get togethers with cake and ice cream. But we have decided to do friend parties on the odd years and this seemed like a good time to start for Jules. Abby will be seven this year too so we'll do a friend party for her in May. Luckily I have the best husband in the entire world and he was so supportive and so fun. He really kept them entertained and was just right in the middle of all the fun. He kept assuring me that two hours was going to fly by. I had a couple of activities planned in case we needed them, but we really didn't end up needing any of them. 

The party started out really rough. I don't know what happened to my well planned out day, but all of the sudden it was 12:00 and the party started at 1:00 and we had no decorations up, the cake wasn't frosted, no one was ready and half the food wasn't made!! So we pretty much got this party thrown together in less than hour. Kyle was very patient with how grouchy I get in those situations and then everything worked out smoothly. 

We chose a "coco/ fiesta" theme because its just so bright and colorful like our Juliet. We chips and dips, and everything was decorated so bright and fun! We had lemonade because Juliet loves lemonade. I made a fun little snack mix too with all kinds of fun things in it and some yummy fruit. We played the music from Coco the whole time and that was so fun. 

We started out just letting the girls all play until everyone got there. That ate up about a half hour of our time which was awesome!!! Then we had a little "picnic" in the backyard with all of the snacks. Then we decorated little bags for their piñata treats. This was also their take home goody bag. I totally cheated on that and it was great! The girls love decorating their bags!! 

Then we opened presents which is always entertaining at a little kid birthday party. After presents the girls all played for a little bit until we had the piñata ready. Then it was piñata time! The kids loved that, although I ended up having to bust it apart or else we would have been there all day long. 

One of the best parts was one little girl didn't get as much candy as everyone else and she was crying. So abby took a big handful out of her bag and gave it to her. It was seriously the sweetest thing. I was so proud of her! 

After that the kids played again while we got cake and ice cream ready. Juliet had wanted the rainbow sherbet at the store so bad. And its her party so... why not? I did get some other normal yummy ice creams too. Well all the little girls wanted the rainbow kind. Totally fine. Almost all of them brought it back and said it tasted funny. So I had to get them new ones. I was laughing so hard. Kyle and I were like ya... thats so gross! Have the cookies and cream instead. 

After cake it was 3 and parents started showing up! Easy peasy!! Juliet was so good to say good bye and thank you to everyone. 

It was a great afternoon and it went so smooth. Although afterwards Kyle and I both felt like we had been hit by a train and laid on the couch forever while our girls played with all the new toys. We had cafe rio for dinner. Then I made a tent on the bottom part of the bunk bed and the girls watched a movie on my computer together while Kyle and I watched a movie downstairs. It was a very very relaxing night. I love it! 

Opening presents! Juliet was so excited and kind about every gift. I love that girl! Jane kept saying "my turn" after every gift. It was hard to explain that it wasn't Christmas again. Not everyone was going to get a turn. Ha ha! 

While I was finishing up the last few food items Kyle was entertaining the girls with magic tricks. They were loving it!! 

Piñata time! 

Jane in her mexican dress. I had one for Juliet too but she wouldn't wear it, and Abby wouldn't wear it either. I was so bummed! I have one too, but it doesn't fit over the belly! 

Singing happy birthday! 

The set up! It was so crazy getting everything ready before guests came that I didn't really get the kind of pictures I wanted to get to capture how cute it all was. I made the little flag banner on Juliet's cake and the bright paper garland too. 

I found the flags at party city. I was going to make those too, but it was a little intense for the circut. So i opted to buy them! 

Making their piñata bags and a really really good looking photo bomber. 

One guess as to who was at the table the longest creating their bag? Our Abby is so creative and talented. She turned her bag into a dragon and it was so cool! 

I feel like this picture sums up her personality and how she felt about the day perfectly! It really was such a great day. We love you Juliet! 

Juliet is 5

Oh my sweet girl. Where do I start? You are five!! I can't believe it. This past year has been amazing with you. You have grown so much. You  love preschool so much, but you are so ready to start kindergarten. You are going to be more than ready, you can already write your letters, know all of the sounds and are starting to read!! 

As always you are the most social person ever. You love people. Love, love, love people. And people love you. You are so happy, sweet and loving. 

You know how to make people feel special. Everyone is your best friend. You struggle remembering names though. Cracks me up! You remember people, just not names. You always want to go somewhere where we can be with people. Preschool, Mema's house, grandma's house, a friends house, the park with friends or have people come to our house. I am not as big on being with people, so I have a hard time keeping up with you! 

You love church and all your friends at church. Just about everyone knows you. When people realize that I am Juliet's mom they tell me all about how their kids talk about you. I hope you are always so inclusive and sweet to people. It is a true spiritual gift and you have a natural talent for it. 

You love to have fun! If you aren't having fun you let us know. You still hate doing chores or anything that isn't "fun". Just trying to get you to make your bed is the worst. You aren't falling for any of my "lets make this a game" tricks anymore. You know its not fun. ;)

One of our favorite things to do right now is play your Minnie Mouse and Doc McStuffins matching games. You are really good at those games! I have to really pay attention and fight for my matches or else you will beat me! You love to read stories, watch movies, watch tv in general, eat snacks, and play with your sisters. You are the best sisters. You love Abby and Jane. You take such good care of them. They are so lucky to have you! You are going to be the sweetest sister when baby sister comes! You love to hug my belly and talk about the new baby all the time.

You love babies in general. You love to try and pack around your baby cousin Ezra. Even though he is over a year old and can easily walk on his own! Ha ha! Anytime you see a baby you want to touch them and hold them. 

You love to sing. You play your guitar and make up songs all day. They are actually pretty good and entertaining. You always have stories to tell! Lots and lots of long stories that it takes you forever to get through. You love telling everyone everything that is going on in your life. Whether they want to hear it or not. 

ou are our pickiest eater. You tell me all the time that you "don't eat green food". I've been making soup through the fall and winter and you hate it. Seriously hate it. Sometimes you will eat it if one of us feeds one. Super annoying! Your absolutely favorite meal is spaghetti. You will get so excited when I make spaghetti. I love your reaction so much, so I make it a lot. The funny thing is you love the homemade spaghetti sauce part of it. Most picky eater kids only like the noodles and cheese. But you love the tomato meat sauce! When I make something that you like you are so grateful and you make sure I know it. It makes the nights that you call my food disgusting easier to handle. Ha ha! 

Your big brown eyes are the sweetest ever. I always appreciate your hugs, your "I love yous" and your sweet kisses. When I have a baby I never really know what kind of personality they are going to have. But you were a total surprise. I don't think I could have imagined up someone like you. You are amazing! So exciting, happy, and fun! We are all so blessed to have you in our life. Keep all these amazing qualities Juliet. You are beautiful and special and we love you more than you will ever every know. 

Love, 

Mom and Dad 

December

The rest of December was so crazy! Life just moves so fast. 

The girls went with Kyle to clean the church on Christmas Adam. I don't know if I've ever sent them out of the house like that, but they really wanted to go and they had all just rolled out of bed. I think it was good for them to get to serve a little bit too. 

This was one of the highlights of Abby's month. Lacee texted me one after noon and asked if it would be ok if she picked Abby up from school and out for a treat. Abby thought she was the coolest ever. It was such a neat thing for Abby. I love Lacee. She really takes the time with my girls and makes them feel so special. It really takes a village to raise these kids and I am so grateful for my village. 

We had a new family move in around the corner from us and they have the cutest little girl around Abby and Juliet's age. The girls are all obsessed with Kate! 

Abby had her first book report. It was awesome. She is so creative. 

Jane was brushing her dolls teeth. 

Abby has been having a really rough time being gone so much at school. Honestly I have the hardest time having her gone so much at school. In order to get her to go to school I told her I would come get her for lunch one day and just the two of us would go and do her Christmas shopping for her sisters. We had the funnest morning together. Just the two of us! She had so much fun shopping for her sisters and then we went to In N Out and just sat and chatted. I love the person she is. She has the most incredible strengths and I am honored that I get to be such a big part of her life. 

They gave her three sticker sets and she wanted to save two of them for Juliet and Jane. I love how she always thinks of her sisters! 

Jane loves loves loves reading stories. If you are sitting she will bring you books and make you read them. Lots of them. 

Daddy showing off his back flip skills on the trampoline! 

Juliet drawing her, Abby and Jane. 

Our best nine from Instagram this year. It was a fantastic year! 

1. My half marathon and social media announcement of baby girl #3

2. Carson and Andi's wedding (I could not get that picture to move so you could see my amazingly fantastic's husband face!)

3. Christmas dresses 2017

4. Halloween costumes

5. Carson and Andi's wedding again

6. Daddy daughter dance

7. 1st day of school

8. Fathers Day

9. Christmas pajamas 2017

The girls seriously can't get enough of the trampoline. Its fantastic! 

Abby made my bed for me one day. She is the sweetest! 

They love their daddy. They will not listen to him when he asked them to stop. Ever. 

My little cousin Simeon loved Abby! He followed her all over the place. He loves basketball and he came over to me touched my stomach and asked "baketball?" It was hilarious. 

I took pictures for the Cordners. This is the last time I took a grandkids picture and this time. We've grown a lot! 

We had New Year's Eve dinner at my house. Baked potato soup, bread and salad. We had half of my mom's family in town and that was 30 people in my house! We love getting together! 

Abby making her new butterfly puzzle.

Jane being hilarious at church. Everyone has been so fantastic during sacrament meeting lately. I am actually not exhausted when its over. Everyone just sits quietly and does little activities. Its fantastic! Then everyone goes to their classes with almost ( abby) no complaints. Then we enjoy our classes and its just the best. Its going to be rough starting all over with a new wiggly noisy baby in just a few months. But we can't wait! 

The girls helping me make rolls for Sunday dinner. I love having them in the Kitchen with me. 

Kyle was able to go to Maggie's wedding! 

Abby and georgie taking a "selfie". This little robot dog is the coolest. He is so much fun for the girls to play with. 

We have finally started getting baby sister's room ready for her. That meant a big trip to Ikea! 

We were able to go out to dinner just my parents and us adult kids. It was the best! We never get to do this kind of stuff. It was so much fun to enjoy an awesome meal and laugh and talk with no interruptions. We had a great time. 

Jane was sad at Lacee's game! We haven't been the best luck for Lacee this year. I can't believe that she only has a few weeks left of games. 

December was awesome and I can't wait for this next year. January and February and going to be all about getting ready for baby sister. Possibly potty training for Jane. March baby sister will be here! April is Jane and Kyle's birthdays. May is Abby's birthday and the end of school, summer will be all about survival and then its back to school and the holidays again! Its going to be a great time!