Gwen is FIVE!

Here are the promised party pictures! Here's almost the whole gang... I didn't realize until I started posting these how few really good pictures we got. Thus, I'll just explain what transpired in words rather than in photos as I normally like to....

We had several kids over, with siblings and some parents, too. I think the total was only seven kids and five parents, including our family, but in this tiny house, it seemed like much more. We had make-it-yourself personal pizzas (remnants of which you can clearly see all over Gwen's birthday face in all the pictures!), the previously mentioned homemade Diego and Dora carrot cake, and Neapolitan ice cream. The kids decorated their goody bags while the pizzas baked, then we ate and ate and ate.

Then came the presents....

We had specified in the invitations: 'no gifts, please', but our generous relatives sent LOTS of presents so we were just happy to have the kids over to play and sing and celebrate. A few of them stayed a little late to help Gwen open all her gifts. It was a really fun day.

BUT WAIT! There's more!!

At school that morning, Gwen's classmates also helped her celebrate her special day! In fact, the pink birthday crown was given to her by her teachers, and Gwen wore it all day. And the next day too, while we were grocery shopping, so she got birthday wishes and greetings everywhere we went. Anyway, here's how the kids at school do up a birthday:

Cupcakes, snack, candles, singing...a fun, active activity with the rainbow parachute... note the little sister close by at all times.Building forts....In conclusion, I give you this.....

She had a SUPER day!