Birthday Joy

I typically do not make a big deal out of birthdays,but in this year of finding joy, I can't help but spend more time celebrating the life God has given.  Another year of blessings, adventures, challenges, and growth.  February is a big month for birthdays in our family.  There are 5 of us with February birthdays. Two nieces, Callie, my mother-in-law, and myself.
So enjoy a snapshot of our birthday celebrations in the last two weeks.
We were not able to celebrate with my nieces in Iowa, so Callie was the first Feb. birthday party for us.   

Callie requested Lillian and Katelyn for a playdate for her actual birthday, especially since they couldn't come for the party. 

Callie also requested supper at Aurelio's Pizza.  We squeezed in a small family party between our playdate and small group/Awana at night.

Thanking Daddy for buying her swimsuit!  Callie swims 4x a week, so we needed a new suit.  The girls have it figured out. Mommy picks it out and Daddy pays for it :)

The girls brought their birthday hats and put candles in Callie's pizza.

 Callie eagerly awaited her actual party on Saturday.  We were thankful to have friends from church and MOPS come join Callie's princess party. (As is typical of Callie, she made her expectations clear.  No boys were allowed and she didn't want the girls to wear princess dresses from home. Dad and Grandpa were allowed at the party, but ONLY to chop up the cake and serve the princesses.)

Jason chopped up the ice cream cake and served the little ladies.

Callie gave her approval

Sunday morning transitioned into Grandma DeBruin's birthday. 

We celebrated Grandma's birthday with ice skating in the afternoon and berry crisp for dessert.

 The Tuesday was my birthday.  I was able to celebrate with a blueberry muffin from Jason, my MOPS moms in the morning, with my girls in the afternoon, and worked a volleyball game at night, which the family came to watch Mom blow her whistle.  Jason wrapped up the presents I bought myself and we quickly opened them when I got home from my game and the girls headed to bed.   All in all, it was a blessed day.