April 21st is Whitney's actual birthday, but her "birthday pawwty pawwk" wasnt available that day. I knew I was pushing it, planning a big birthday party so close to my due date (5/1/12), but it wasnt until the last two weeks of pregnancy that I started thinking Grady might actually arrive in time to attend the party in person!
Whitney woke up to a room filled with balloons on her party day, and couldnt wait to hold her baby brother...the best gift ever. :)
Months ago, when our mall's Disney Store was closing, we grabbed this Ariel dress to hold for Whitney's birthday. It has been in Eric's backseat for months, and Whitney was super excited to put it on right away!
Whitney spent much of the morning dressed as Ariel before her Snow White party, and within arm's reach of Grady. :)
Because I had given birth just a few short days beforehand, I was not in any condition to decorate or party the way I intended, but I had planned well enough in advance and all the party supplies and decorations had been ordered long ago. And because this is the third year we have held Whitney's party at this park, Eric and my sister-in-law, Crystal, had an easy time setting things up and arranging the room just as I wouldve envisioned. They really went above and beyond, running around town picking up cupcakes and balloons, setting up the tables, decorating, and getting all the food arranged.
I wish I had thought to take pics myself, since we dont have any pics of the rest of the room or decorations, but I assure you the centerpieces were adorable with the seven dwarfs and felt flowers with jewel confetti inside buckets. Adorbs.
And while they were working hard at the park, I was trying to prepare myself and two kids for party time. I never couldve done it alone (and Eric wasnt about to let me try), so when I called one of my besties, I knew she would be there right away. Kirsten and I have one of those awesome friendships that doesnt require coddling or weekly phone dates or daily emails or texts or phone calls. We can go weeks without chatting and months without seeing each other in person (though that really is pathetic since she lives about 2 miles away), but we still fall right back into place, would be there for one another no matter what, and always have a great time, regardless of the circumstances. I adore her. And if she hadnt zipped over to my house Sunday morning, hair straightener in hand, there is simply NO WAY I wouldve made it to my daughter's third birthday party.
THANK YOU, KIRSTEN!
Whitney was SOOOOO excited for her party day, and for the third year in a row powered right through nap time like a champ. She had so much fun playing with all of her favorite friends and cousins, and especially loved when all the guests sang happy birthday to her!
Thanks to Pinterest, the cupcakes were "apples" with pretzel sticks for stems. Whitney thought it was awesome, and they were delicious!
I was there, physically, but still in a lot of pain, so I dont remember everything about the day. I dont know how I wouldve made it through the day without such amazing friends!
Robin's mom and Debbie's mom....Whitney and Grady's two Great Grandmas! My grandfather was there, too, but we didnt get a picture :(
I sent Eric's cousin the fabric, and she made Whitney's party dress. Then I put Snow White and her name on it. I love how it turned out, and know this will be worn to Disney very soon :) Whitney's bestie, Natalia, bought her the amazing Snow White bow!
Grady was just three days old, but there was another baby at the park that day who was just five days old! My awesome friend, Mandy A., made Grady an adorable onesie that says, "The 8th Dwarf", but even at a tiny 0-3 Month size, it was GIGANTIC on Grady, so we opted for the appropriately colored "Little Brothers are Awesome" in size Newborn :)
I got to chat a bit and exchange war stories and discuss battle wounds with girlfriends,..ME? Telling a story about giving birth!? Still surreal.
And Whitney had a blast playing "Rapunzel! Rapunzel! Wet down yo hay-errr!" with all her favorite girlfriends :)
This is one of my FAVORITE pics from last week! LOVE all these little girls and especially LOVE that I LOVE all their mommies, too! :) We have the BEST friends!
Her favorite part: When everyone sang to her :)
Once again this year, our family and friends overwhelmed us with the gifts they chose for our girl! Not one duplicate gift and not one thing she already has at home! I think it is safe to say that, if it says "Disney Princesses" on it, we now own it. She was soooo excited and has played with every single gift already!
We made sure to take our annual family pic in the same spot at the park. I love taking this pic and especially love that Grady is in this year's take.
We really cant thank our friends and family for ALL the offers of help over the last two weeks. It was such an awesome feeling knowing that we each had at least 5 or 6 texts, countless emails, and several voicemails all offering help and last minute aid as we tried to pull off this party seamlessly. We have the BEST friends we could ever ask for. THANK YOU!
And the awesome video my dad made to celebrate Whitney's 3rd year: (get the tissues!)
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