eleanor's special day

Our little Nora turned four last Saturday. Because of other activities we had going on in the late afternoon and evening, we decided to celebrate with a birthday lunch instead of the usual dinner. I thought it was quite successful! It gave her all day to enjoy her new gifts and she even got to watch a new movie as a movie night treat. We might have to do it this way more often.

We grilled burgers, ate blue Jello cubes, and had a princess castle cake (thanks to my friend Tricia for letting me borrow her kit!) And every gift was wrapped in pink, a four year old's dream come true! Thanks to all the family for the lovely gifts - she loved having the UPS guy bring her packages. :)

I really tried to get her to take those stickers off her head. Here they are, preserved for posterity!

Barbie movies! Hooray!

Eleanor has always been our blonde pixie, a little wisp of a thing with flossy hair and a tiny voice. But since Christmas, she has shot up several inches and, ever since her ear surgery, she has lost that soft, baby edge to her voice. When I checked on her that night after she went to bed, I couldn't believe how big she had grown, all legs and arms all over the place! It made this mommy a little sentimental to see this new big girl Eleanor. As much as I wish I could freeze time and keep my little ones just as they are, it is a good reminder to enjoy each precious moment with them and each phase as they grow. And, as I always tell them, no matter how big they get, they will always be my babies.

Happy birthday, sweet Eleanor!