Friend Party

Ellen got to have TWO parties this year. Well, three if you count the treats I took to school on her actual birthday. Insanity. Before I had Georgia I thought this would be the easier approach - divide and conquer. After Georgia? I wondered what the hell I was thinking. Plus, I think there was a little of the good ol' maternal guilt sneaking in ... I had promised Ellen Lots! Of! Parties! because I was feeling bad about her pending life change. Oh well - the good news is that we all survived!

December birthdays are fun because there are generally lots of good activities to use for parties, so back at the end of summer I decided she would have a gingerbread cookie decorating party. I ordered all the stuff in August, no joke. Gingerbread boxes to take home cookies, gingerbread stickers, aprons for her guests, and invite stuff from Paper Source! I was asking some friends where they thought I could order gingerbread cookies from and one offered to MAKE THEM. Yes, I have great friends. They were just perfect! And, delicious!

Ellen invited 5 friends to her party and it was perfect - everyone played nicely and (I think) had a good time! It was totally fascinating to watch their different approaches to decorating - Ellen was totally precise and took her time going cookie by cookie, staying at the table long after her friends were done. Others took a more "efficient" approach and did them all at once!

Ellen got lots of nice gifts and has played with them intently ever since. I love the group approach to opening gifts at preschool birthday parties. Then, as if mouthfuls of cookies, candy and icing weren't enough, we capped off the morning with cupcakes. I'm sure the parents were thrilled. 

Miss Georgia didn't get in on the action this year ... just hung out as an observer, which is generally her role around here.

Thanks to Aunt Betsy for playing photographer, yet again!