Vintage Strawberry Shortcake Party Galore

Finally got around to posting pictures of Emma Caroline's 4th Birthday party that was jam packed with sweets, friends, family and fun.

This dessert table that was capable of satisfying any ones sweet tooth for the day.  I loved all the pink and green.

This might be the cutest cake I have ever laid eyes on and something that you would certainly find in Berry Town.

Close up of all the sweets and all our little vintage friends.  Just look at sweet little Huckleberry Finn sitting there barefooted, he reminded me of the good ole days.

Our infamous candy bar and the number FOUR could be seen plastered everywhere.  We were able to locate some super YUMMY strawberry candy too.

I have wanted this big Strawberry party cake forever, so I finally broke down and bought it for our celebration.

Berry picking baskets filled with all sorts of goodies for our favorite friends (candy, lip gloss, crayons, coloring books, rice krispie treats, strawberry cookies and so much more).

I found the perfect book for Emma, Freckleface Strawberry that went right along with our party theme.   Cutest little story about a red headed girl with freckles, just like mine.

The mantle all decked out with a re purposed Happy Birthday sign and lots of vintage SS decor.

We fed our guest pizza, hot dogs, cheese, fruit, vegetables, nachos, chips and all the sweets one could desire.

These little crates were filled with strawberry and grapes topped with a birthday sign for all to enjoy.

We are ready to sing Happy Birthday and cut into the yummy cake, even though I did not want it to get all messed up.

I will never forget that Emma got so embarrassed during the birthday song that she started spitting on the cake to get the candles to go out.  At one point she started crying and buried her head in my chest.  I think this is the first and only time I have ever seen her be shy or embarrassed.

Emma and her two best friends from school, Gracie and Hannah Claire.  She was so super excited that they came to the party that she was super silly.

Opening all her gifts and enjoying the party guest.  It was so super hot outside that the kids could barely endure the heat.

Who does not love a cupcake, especially when they are pink and green?  They were so good, Sam's has the best cupcakes ever and they are so cheap.

Pink milk can make any little girl smile and mine was smiling from ear to ear all day long.

My two very best friends as in shock as I am that the little girl I longed for all my life is already turning FOUR!

Outside was decorated like a strawberry garden and the number four signs everywhere.  We also had a tent set up for the kiddos to paint and decorate a flower pot.  After they decorated their pot they were able to plant their very own strawberry seeds.

Cassi was sweet enough to let us borrow her jump house for the day.  The little kids loved it and had so much fun.

I loved this sweet hat that our photographer/grandmother by choice made for Emma.  It matched her outfit and party them perfectly.

Of course it would not have been complete without our very own miniature Strawberry pies made by Mommy.

Our little girl loves a pinata and she insist on having one at every party (ha ha).  The only problem is, she gets upset if anyone bust it besides her.  Silly girl!

Finally time for Piper to meet her new Mommy and come out of that silly Bamboletta box she has been living in for the last couple weeks.  How cute are their matching outfits, thanks to my favorite little sewing friend that lives far away.

All in all it was one of the SWEETEST little celebrations I have been a part of and I am so happy my FOUR year old had a great day.  I just wonder what she will pick for next year?

4th Birthday Photo Shoot

I love parties, I love pink, I have always loved Strawberry Shortcake BUT I was shocked when my soon to be FOUR year old requested this as her party theme.   You see, I grew up on Strawberry Shortcake and all her Berry Town friends.  Yep, I even had the one that you squeeze her belly and she blows you a strawberry scented kiss (sure wish I would have kept that thing).

When you have an amazing photographer, a cute little girl and lots of pink stuff you can pull off a photo shoot like this and it can be fun for everyone involved.

Yes sweet girl, you are almost FOUR and you are super excited about it too.  Matter of fact you have been talking about being FOUR for months.

We thought it would be fun to drag all the things it took to make real strawberry shortcake desserts out to a dry creek bed and let this little girl get to work.

I searched high and low for all the vintage SS stuff I could find and ended up with almost all of the little freckled faced jewels.

Yummy, yummy, yummy ~ oh to be young again.  We could not wait to eat one of these desserts created by the cutest FOUR year old we know.

I love this little girl with all of my heart and soul, she makes it super easy to love her too.  She is everything a Mommy could dream of having in a little girl. 

Who knows, maybe she will open up her own little couture bakery one day and we can hang some of these pictures in there for decor.



Hard at work and having a blast dreaming about the perfect little Strawberry Shortcake party.

She had a very difficult time keeping her fingers, the strawberry's and the cool whip out of her mouth.  It was indeed a super sweet time for us.

Proof again that she loved this photo shoot as much as we did and did a great job making the perfect little sweet treats.

After we loaded her up in the car, our photographer captured a few pictures of her big birthday surprise...PIPER (our newest Bamboletta doll).  When she opened the box and saw this sweet doll, her face was priceless and worth all the trouble it took to get her. 

Emma Caroline, you know how to have a good time girl and that makes my Mommy heart so super happy!  I love everything about your FOUR year old soul!

happy FOURTH birthday Emma!

Four years ago today I became a Mommy and you became my Daughter, what a precious gift. I had no idea how my life or my heart would change.

I hope you have the Happiest 4th Birthday ever Emma Caroline.  

Mommy went to work for 1/2 a day and Daddy came home early, so we could celebrate your birthday with you and Gavin.

When you woke up this morning we showered you with Birthday hugs and kisses.  When Miss Deidre got here she took you guys to get donuts and she also bought you a little cookie cake. 

We asked you what you wanted to eat on your birthday and you replied, "Mom, I want gumbo, fish & shrimp."  It was truly a random request especially since you had never eaten gumbo before.  We got you what you asked for and this is how you felt about the gumbo when it arrived.  It ended up being my dinner and it was yummy.  We took you to a local "hole in the wall" that sits on the lake a couple miles from our house.  You and Daddy enjoyed fish & shrimp together.

We got you a cookie cake and of course it was PINK. You told me on the way to the restaurant that you did not want anyone to sing Happy Birthday to you.  I promised you that only me, Daddy and Gavin would sing to you very softly and you were happy with that plan.

You chose to have one blue candle on your cake and you kept reminding us to sing softly.  We planned on getting you a 16" bike for your birthday, but with the lessons we are trying to teach you to always be thankful we decided it was not the best idea.  We did give you a little sundae and donut set for your kitchen so you would have something little to open on your real birthday since we gave you Piper at your party. You were very APPRECIATIVE when you opened your little gift from us.

Birthdays sure are sweeter when you have a sibling to celebrate your day with you.  Emma and Gavin enjoyed walking out on the pier and seeing the ducks.  I can hardly wait to go on vacation with these two.

Daddy with his sweet babies standing out on the pier after dinner.  Emma wore her birthday crown to dinner because she wanted everyone to know that she was FOUR today.

Here she is proclaiming to the world that the big day finally made it and she is indeed, FOUR!  After dinner she wanted to go swimming, so went to the neighborhood pool and played.  Emma is now a swimmer and loves to go down the slides (big or little) and jump off the sides of the pool.  She still has to be watched closely because sometimes she is to brave for her breeches tankini.

No better way to end the day then with a big ole hug from your little brother.   Some days they hug and others they fight, but one thing is for sure...they LOVE one another beyond belief and are LOST without the other.  Hmmm, do you think my kids love Buzz?

Today was a great day to celebrate a very special little girl. Emma, we love you so much and are so proud of how smart, sweet, bold, confident and thoughtful you have grown to be.  We hope you have the best birthday imaginable with many more to come.

Dance Recital 2011

This weekend I got to experience what it was like to be a dance Mommy and we survived our first recital.  It was so much work and very exhausting, but Emma did an AMAZING job and we were all so proud of her.

My sweet girl after "RaRa" finished her makeup, she was ready to go meet the rest of her ballet buddies to wait patiently for dance 17.  Yep, they had to report at 9:30 and her class finally danced about 12:15.  Pretty long wait for my Itty Bitty, but she did it without complaining.

We spent the day before at rehearsal from 9am till 5pm.  I actually ran Emma home then headed back till midnight to help get things organized, be on duty since they were using our school and to decorate the little white church our girls would dance around.

We started searching for a place for Emma to take dance shortly after she turned three and after visiting four possibilities, I decided on our current studio.  I chose it based on security, structure, staff, their mission statement and the scriptures that were painted on the walls when I walked in to see the facility.  God has a way of leading us to the right places in life and after recital we hope to call our dance studio home for a long time.

The entire recital consisted of 4 different shows with 20 dances in each one and 39 in the final show.  I was impressed from the start after seeing that all costumes were appropriate, dances were set to christian or Disney music, scriptures were posted between each dance and they prayed with the dancers along with the audience before anyone went on stage.   

The picture above was the ending of the opening lyrical that was performed to the song, Not One Left Behind.  These girls were incredible to watch and glorified God the entire time they were dancing. 

Emma's preschool ballet class began their dance by coming from behind this little white church that we decorated with flowers, butterflies and dragonflies.

Each girl tiptoed out and then they all looked at Emma to see what they needed to do next. Good thing we had been practicing at home with a paper plate.

Each show was sold out and the auditorium was packed with 750 guest with some standing.   I was a little concerned that Emma might get frightened when she saw all the people, but she shocked us and danced her heart out. Remember this is the little girl who made her Mommy sit on the floor for the first semester of class.

I knew she did a great job, but I did not realize how wonderful she actually did until I saw these pictures this evening.  I think I might have a little dancer on my hands, look at her coming out of that plie'.  Her level of confidence and her ability to remember the entire routine was unbelievable. She definitely served as the leader in her class when it was showtime, no doubt about it.

Our girls danced to It's a Small World and they were all so super cute.  Here she goes  getting ready for her releve'.

There is just one moon and one golden sun and a smiling friendship for everyone.  Looks like everyone had this part down pat.

Emma is the fourth girl in line and was so happy the entire time she was dancing.  She had a blast performing and has already told me she wants to be in 3 dances next year.  She was amazed at the big girls rolling their carts of costumes in for the day.

Look at Emma Lou leaping while holding onto her "golden sun".  She kept her eyes on Mrs. Cheryl and never stopped smiling the entire time she danced.

A perfect little ending, pointed toes and all.   Way to go Emma Caroline, my heart could have exploded I was so proud of you.  I was crying with the biggest smile on my face the entire time you were up there on stage.  

Our sweet girl got lots of flowers and a beautiful James Avery Ballet charm on recital day.  She got a few other things that she was not too happy about and let it be known (from us, thank goodness she did not act like that to anyone else).  Perhaps that will be another blog post someday soon and the valuable lesson I hope she learned for being ungrateful. 

Actually, I will just give you the short version. I gave her the cutest little TUTU outfit for her doll Piper, she was mad that I put it on her doll and continued to tell me she did not like it.  Long story short when we got home I made her aware that she hurt my feelings and after a long talk I decided to sell the outfit and make her be involved in the process.  It was super sad for me, but I had to teach her that she could not act so ugly or be so ungrateful.  She had to package the outfit up and get it ready to be mailed to the new little girl that would be getting it.  Of course she was sorry and wanted it back, but one thing I have learned is you can NEVER give into a strong willed child and James Dobson truly wrote the book about Emma.

We did not get to take pictures of everyone who joined us because Gavin had a major meltdown for about 45 minutes at the end of recital and Mommy was stressed out beyond belief.  I did manage to get this picture of Emma and her Grandma (my Mom) when she was giving her flowers.  Emma was also very excited that Nana, Aunt Stacey, Hunter, Camryn, Rara, David, the girls and Darla got to see her dance.  We are so appreciative that Darla took these pictures and captured Emma's FIRST recital for us. 

Daddy with his little Ballerina after recital.  Before it was over Emma was asking us to sign her up for summer ballet that started immediately.  We have decided to take the summer off, since we would miss 2 weeks of class while we are traveling and Fall will be here before we know it.

Emma, we are so SUPER PROUD of you and how far you have come in one year of dance.  You were truly a shining star on Saturday and I look forward to watching you dance for years to come.

I hope YOU dance!

We made it through our first year of dance and look forward to a great dress rehearsal tomorrow and recital on Saturday.  I am so excited to watch the recital and Emma's class dance to, "It's a Small World".  They have had Tech. rehearsal the last two weeks and they have really done a great job.  Our class began with about 15 girls and quickly dwindled down to the sweetest seven.

We love our Dance studio, but I have learned in the past month that they are very serious and disciplined when it comes to recital.  I appreciate the structure and the organization that goes into all of it and respect that they continue to hold our little ones accountable while having very high expectations.

I am certain I will cry like a baby when I see all the kiddos dance their little hearts out to christian music and Disney songs.  That is one of my favorite things about our Dance Studio, they want our little girls to be little girls and they put God at the center of everything they model and teach.

All year I have been taking pictures of Emma's class to the point I am sure some parents think I am the "crazy dance Mom".  All along I knew that I wanted to do something special at the end for our teacher and the girls.  After programs and events all the parents would ask for copies of my pictures and I would selfishly, but with a hidden agenda always forget them. 

Tomorrow we will give each girl a goody bag filled with cotton candy, rice krispie treat, crayons,various ballet color sheets, Capri sun, candy/cookie cone and a hard bound copy of the collection of pictures I have taken this year.  The My Publisher books turned out cute and each girl is featured in it many times.  It was super easy to make, the perfect size for them and truly captures their first year in Preschool Ballet.

We are so proud of Emma and how far she has come since we started Ballet in August of last year.  She was not a huge fan in the beginning and I often had to sit on the floor in class to get her to stay.  There were times I never wanted to go back, but I could not allow Emma to quit something we made a commitment to once we got started.   I am so glad we stuck it out, she really seems to love Dance now and is dreaming of taking Hip Hop someday soon (like Tori).  She has made some really great friends and I have enjoyed getting to know their parents.

We can not wait to see you take the stage Saturday at your FIRST Dance Recital Emma Lou!  You have worked so hard and you even practiced tonight in the kitchen using a paper plate as the moon and sun. 



I started looking for recital goodies months back for our Little Ballerina after the recital was over and here is what I found.   The cutest little Ready, Set, Pirouette book, a Ballet outfit for her doll Tilda and a new custom dance bag made out of pink shimmery fabric with a tulle skirt at the bottom and her picture on both sides.  Of course she is also asking, "Mom, am I going to get flowers after my recital like Tori got?"  The answer is yes baby girl, we are going to get you the prettiest pink gerber daises we can find.

We love you Emma, we believe in you, we are so incredibly proud of you and are beyond blessed to call you our DAUGHTER!  

 I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance

Never settle for the path of least resistance

I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean

Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens

Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance

I HOPE you dance

Dance like no one is watching baby girl and when you point your toes on that stage for the last time, I will be there to scoop you up, squeeze you tight, twirl you around and tell you how proud I am while giving you "Two Kisses & a Hug".

Mommy needs more time!

Our calendars are jam packed and this Mommy is taking one day at a time trying to keep her head above it all without forgetting about something. I think I just recovered from sweet Emma Lou's FOURTH Birthday party, but no time to slow down.

Between birthdays, recital practice, dress rehearsal, school birthday party, wrapping up the school year, computer viruses, recital, 4 year old check ups, end of school program, planning for vacation, celebrating her "real" birthday and life, this Mommy is tired but determined to get it all done. Hoping to catch up soon, document all these memories, love on my babies and keep smiling no matter what is thrown my way. One thing is for sure, a Mommy's job is never done!

I love this BOY!

As a child I always dreamed of having a pet dolphin, flying with the fairies, living with Daddy Warbucks while being best friends with Annie and following the yellow brick road.   I never imagined I would have my very own action figure living in my home, but this little boy thinks he is Buzz Lightyear and I love it! 

First of all he walks no where, instead he chooses to RUN everywhere he goes.  He usually has Buzz in his hands and he is flying him around the house, sound effects and all or he is tossing him in the air while Lotso is trying to get him.  It is truly hilarious to watch him line all these little figurines up and act out Toy Story.  He is pretty good at recreating the scenes of the movie, talking in character and adding his own sound effects.   Last night he had Jesse and Woody smashing them together screaming,  "I da cowgirl and I da cowboy, yee-haw!" 

I hated to leave this behind this morning as I headed off to my office for the day.  My very own little Buzz watching Toy Story III with all his little friends surrounding him.  When I say he loves this movie and all these little guys, I mean he loves them. Oh how I wish my Daddy could have seen this boy on this side of heaven.

If I had to lay bets on it today odds are these might just accompany my little man to college (not really).  However, I do not know that I will ever be able to part with them as the memories and love Gavin has for them will always hold a special place in my heart.  I love you and all your special little friends Gavin Thomas Frazier.  Never stop dreaming Son!

Spitting on the Cake

We survived this little girl's 4th birthday party even though it was 105 degrees outside.  When I say it was HOT, I mean it was HOT!  We are in the process of  recovering from the big shin dig,  but I could not go to sleep without sharing this picture of Emma Lou showing out.

I think the heat might have gotten to her or something because when her 65+ guest started singing Happy Birthday she acted super silly.  She seemed to be fine at the start of the song and then she decided to hit her brother (which never happens), bury her head in her Daddy's shirt, start crying, lift her head up, refused to blow out the candles, decided to blow them out, started spitting on the cake and ended by digging her hand in the backside of it.   Wow, if this is what being FOUR is all about...I am not ready.  

I wish I could tell you she stood there and smiled with her rosie cheeks, but I wanted to keep it REAL and that is about as REAL as it gets folks.  After everyone left she told us she was very nervous and embarrassed because there were too many people watching and singing.  Thank goodness she was her sweet and spunky little self before and after the cake craziness.  Oh wait, I forgot about the pinata pity party...more to come on that one.

In spite of the cake incident, it was a great party and Emma had a blast with her friends, family, MDO classmates and Ballet buddies.  Thank you to everyone who came and celebrated SWEET EMMA LOU with us on her "BERRY" special day.