The birthday festivities

In our household, we often stretch out birthdays for as long as possible. Lili's was no different. Since Nate has been working some long hours lately, he wanted to make sure he could take Lili out on her new present right when she got it. So, we gave it to her over the weekend.

Part One - helmet, knee pads, elbow pads
Part Two - her very own bike (and it's blue - her fave color)!

She loved it! They went for a ride right away. She's a natural!

The night before her birthday, we had dinner at the Andrews' house.
They had a gift for her too! (A cute monkey holding a cuddly blanket). She loved it!
(Thank you!) She, of course gave her monkey a name.

Introducing, "Funky Monkey..."

On her actual birthday, it was "walk to school day" for Julia. So, we all got up early and walked to school. They all loved it!

Once we returned from our walk, Lili got ready for the day...she had to wear the birthday shirt she and Julia have gotten to wear for the past few years. Julia wore it for the last time when she turned five. I think this is its last year for Lil too...

The day before her birthday, Liliana and I talked about her "favorite things." One of those "things" was her friend Emily. So, we, of course, had to have her over on the morning of Lili's birthday to play! They had the best time (as always)! She was excited Emily brought her a present (little animals - an instant hit in our house, and her very own case of Tic Tacs -- I think she and Emily ate most of them that very day). :)

I had arranged to take Lili out to a special one-on-one lunch. (Thanks to Lori, who watched Simon!) She chose the Rainforest Cafe. We loved every second! She ate every bite of her "python pasta" and they even brought her a little sundae and sang to her. It was delightful, just being the two of us.

After lunch, we went to the Build-a-Bear Workshop. She picked out a cute puppy, helped stuff her, "wash" her, and dress her. They gave her a sticker with her name on it (which also read, "I'm 4!"), had her ring a bell, sang to her and everything. It was really cute.

Introducing, "Cinderella," the pup. And yes, that is her favorite princess.

Once our date was over, we had to get back for school pick-up. We picked up Curren & Emily too and then headed over to their house, and (of course) the kids played and played (except for the still-sleeping Simon). We stayed for dinner (thank you again, Lori) and then Nate called saying he was coming home in time to celebrate. He picked up cupcakes and we all headed back home for presents, singing "Happy Birthday to You," and cupcake-eating. Lili loved getting gifts in the mail from her grandparents! Julia was so excited for Lili to open the gifts from her
(a LPS skunk & a baby FurBerry)!
"Pucker up those sweet little lips, Lil! It's time to blow out your candle!"
Mmmmm, frosting!
It was a very happy 4th birthday, indeed.


I especially consider it a success when, on the next day, she cried because she wanted to go back to the Rainforest Cafe for lunch. Awww, I wish we could've too!