Emily's 4 Year Old Birthday Party

Emily's been talking about turning 4 and having a birthday party for about 364 days.  She's been soooo excited!  It just so happened that her birthday fell during a really busy time in Bert's schedule.  Emily's birthday was on a Tuesday this year and the weekend before her birthday, Bert was at a Disciple Now with our youth group and four other churches in the area.  The Friday after her birthday he's headed to Nicaragua for a week.  So, we ended up having the party on Sunday afternoon, April 6th!  

I can't believe she's 4, but what I really can't believe is that her being 4 means that at her next birthday she'll turn 5.  Now that's just old, and I recommend you not talk to me about her turning 5 at any point during the next year or I might cry.:)  

Here's the birthday girl before her party started.  

Her cookie cake with with a purple crown.  Purple is Emmy's favorite color. 

Some of the kids playing in the back yard while we were waiting for everyone to get there.  

Claire napped on Papa Stan's chest during the entire party.  They were both perfectly happy and content!:)

We played a relay game where the kids had to carry the balloons between their legs to the other side of the room.  It was cute!  

We also had an Easter egg hunt.

And fun with the piñata.

Waiting their turn to take a whack at the piñata...

Bert's face in the picture below made me laugh.  I don't think he's totally comfortable with any of his daughters swinging a large wooden stick.  

Emily had help blowing out her candles from her friend Brady.  

Emily was so sweet opening her presents.  She would open the card first and I would read it to her and tell her who it was from and this is what she did every time: she would gasp...take off running for that person saying "Thank you so much _____" and give them a BIG hug!  It was sweet because you could tell she really was so thankful and excited...she didn't even care what the present was.  After she got back from the hug and the very sincere thank you she would open their present.  Ha!  Not exactly how you are "supposed" to do it, but it was cute!  

Emily has a really sweet K-3 class this year.  There are 5 of them in their class and they go on Monday and Tuesday mornings.  All four of the other kids in her class were able to come to the party plus a few of her sweet friends from church.  It was a fun group!:)  

It was a fun party!  We're so thankful for our fun, sweet, helpful, and loving 4 year old.  The "BIGGEST sister" as she likes to call herself!:)