Happy Birthday Hanukkah

This past Wednesday, April 18, was our Eveley Joy's birthday.  I have a 5 year old!

And 5 year olds believe that birthdays are actually birthweeks.  So we treated it like Hanukkah and partied till we dropped -- or till mama dropped.

We thank God for our precious Eveley Joy and for entrusting her to us for the past 5 years.  She is an energetic little girl who is often donning a princess dress while digging in the dirt.

Her biggest accomplishment this past year has been starting school.  And just like her mother, she absolutely loves it.  I just broke the news to her that you don't go to school in the summer.  She is devastated.  So am I.

Eveley's birthday celebration began on Tuesday with a party for her class at school.  Her teachers are absolutely wonderful and go out of their way to make each child feel super special on their birthdays.

Eveley got to make a cake with her teacher; each of her classmates made her a card which was put into a book for her to keep; a birthday hat and banner were drawn by her teacher; and Bob and I were able to join the class and read them a book.  She grinned from ear to ear the entire time.

Wednesday, her actual birthday, began with a special breakfast of sprinkle-covered donuts. (I think this was her favorite part of the entire week).

And, per her request, on her birthday she was allowed to stay late for "lunch bunch" or aftercare.  (I told you she loves school.)

Trying to hold up 5 fingers before heading out the door to school.

This weekend, we finally had Eveley's 5th birthday party.  We chose a PINWHEEL theme and had fun picking out all the details.  Because there are not 45 hours in my day, I decided to outsource some of the decorations and found great help on Etsy with the invitations and cupcake toppers. (And because I have a few distractions, I left my memory card at home and had to resort to iPhone photos for the party. Bummer.)

Invitations purchased here

Pinwheel cookies made by yours truly.

Cupcake toppers purchased here

My high school friend made her this birthday pinwheel outfit.  It was so adorable (and is now covered in red dirt and cream cheese icing)!!  Check out her shop here.


We have blown out the last candle on the birthday menorah and are wrapping up this 5th birthday celebration.  Eveley felt loved by her family and friends, which is all I wanted.

We love you, sweet girl.