Aimee's 4!

Aimee had an absolutely glorious time for her birthday this year. We had our typical family party with cupcakes on her birthday. Aimee chose her own cake and frosting, opting to go with the fish sprinkles and blue frosting. 

She has been making some incredible advancements this year and she is now no longer afraid of the candles. Yes, she even smiled for the candles this year.

After the birthday song, the cupcakes were devoured by all, leaving a mess of blue frosting everywhere.

 Aimee is completely delighted to be four years old.

This year, all the kids get to have a real birthday party. It's quite the occasion, since it only happens every 3-5 years. The only condition is that no presents are given at the parties. I didn't want the kids to have a party just so that they could receive gifts, I wanted it to be just for the sheer fun of being with friends.

This year the girls get to have a princess party.

The royal invitation were sent out.

The morning started with a lot of hurried preparations, as I had not even started to prepare until that morning. I had already purchased everything, but I did not have any of the activities ready, which it not typical of me. Fifteen minutes before the guests were to arrive, I finally finish all the preparations and realize that Aimee is not even dressed. I quickly throw her in a dress and start curling her hair. We made it just in time! The first guest arrived just a few minutes after Princess Aimee was ready.

The party began with princess pictures. Dollar store wrapping paper worked perfectly as a quick and easy backdrop.

While all the guests were arriving, the girls made their own bead necklaces. When everyone was ready, we began the task of decorating princess crowns and wands. The crowns were make from scrapbook paper and the wands were paint sticks with a cardboard star.

The girls were thrilled with their final products.

While we waited for the glue to dry, the girls went outside to play a match-the-slipper game. They were all given a few pictures of slippers and they had to look around the porch area to find the matching slipper. I didn't realize how much the girls would love this game. They all wanted to have their own turn hiding the slippers. I put a clothespin on the papers we were hiding so that they wouldn't blow away.

After everyone was finished with the game, we went inside to have a princess snack. The girls all decorated two crown shaped sugar cookies with pink frosting. When they were finished frosting their cookies, I passed out pink fruit snacks, pink licorice, and pink lemonade. 

As the girls finished their snacks, they got to play with balloons. This may have been the best part of the entire party.

As the parents arrived, the girls were sent home with their finished crowns and wands and pink purses filled with a pink balloon, pink gum, and candy necklace/bracelets.

Aimee is still talking about all the fun she had and requests at least 5 times a day to play the slipper game again. It was definitely a fantastic day!