Prelude to a Birthday

Since Emma's birthday is June 10th, my mom's is the 1st, cousin Catherine's is the 30th and everyone was in town on the 8th, we had a birthday dinner and party on that Sunday. It was so fun to have everyone minus Marissa together. That doesn't happen very often and probably won't happen again for awhile. Emma was so excited, but we had to explain to her that she wouldn't be opening many presents because it wasn't her real birthday. She chose the same dog cake she had last year and I told her she needed to pick something different, so she picked the horse cake Abbey had for her 6th birthday. This one was slightly modified as Abbey's was a paint horse and Emma wanted just plain brown. Easy enough. She was quite happy with the results.

Emma wasn't very thrilled, however, at sharing the candle blowing duties, so we re lit candles several times so each girl could have a turn blowing them out. Five year olds can be so demanding.

We all went in on a kitchen aid mixer for my mom and she really was surprised or at least put up a very good front. Sorry about the background shot CC, but this was the only picture I got that captured mom's expression.

Emma has always been really good at puzzles and Grandma found this awesome jungle one that she just loved. She also loved the coloring/activity book that Catherine got and asked Grandma if she would give her one for her "real" birthday. Nice. 

I just had to throw this picture of Asher doing his pose next to Grace. He wanted to see the picture after I took it and then reenacted for me several times exactly how his legs were. And yes, he is just wearing his shirt and "big boy pants". Easier access for going to the potty.