Drew is 4!

 Drew woke up to open her first 2-wheeler and an easel for her birthday. This was after waking Mommy up at 5am, then Daddy getting up at 7:30 to give Mommy a nap until 10. Great start! 

 Auntie Kels got Drew a tent where they can tell each other spooky stories. This replaces my 5th grade comforter thrown over the top of bar stools.

 We kept it a secret that her super special secret birthday dinner was at Ariel's Grotto in California Adventure. She figured it out with the big Disneyland sign up ahead. Proof that you don't need to know how to read to recognize the word Disneyland.

 Blowing out her candle...first of many birthday desserts.

 Riding The Little Mermaid ride...a new attraction for all of us.

 Not too old to be afraid of The Sea Witch, Ursula though!

 "When are these freakin' fireworks going to start?" Not an exact quote.

 Arie's Grotto is the lit up tower furthest to the right.

 She couldn't even take her eyes off the World of Color for 1 second. A successful night!

Drew's birthday party was last weekend at the Regional Park and it had an Alice in Wonderland theme. Her teacher had informed us at Open House (in May) and every week since that Drew had invited everyone to her birthday party at Disneyland and that she would like a pink car and a spaceship as gifts. While she did not get either of those, this was our first party where she invited her classmates. Since I don't drop her off or pick her up from school it was nice to finally put some names with faces and meet their parents.

We had tea PB&J sandwiches for the kids (Mom insisted on cutting off the crusts), fruit and pasta salad skewers, cupcakes, vanilla scones, whoopies pies, and a special cake for Drew.

 I learned a few things at my first public venue party. 

1) Picnic tables will always have bird poop. 

2) It will ALWAYS be windy on the day of the party. Bring packing tape.

3) Kids who aren't invited to the party but who are using the playground will "borrow" party favors and not return them.

4) The Grandmas will get them back.

5) Latino parties last a long time. Even if their party has been going on for a couple hours before you get there to set up, they will not be finished by the time your party is starting. Bring loud speakers.

6) Taking a balloon home is better than just about any party favor. Except maybe swords.

Each party attendee got to take home a stool and then either a sword or a teapot they could make at the table. Next time I'll buy more swords.

 Grammy got some very cute Alice cupcakes from Cinderella cakes. Apparently they make their frosting with semi-permanent dye.

 I had ordered a really cute skirt and clip from Etsy with teapots and teacups but forgot to get a really good picture of it. I'll have to fake a good picture of it next time she wears it. Her Alice cake unintentionally looked like the Mad Hatter's hat and Grammy decorated it with some Alice toys, perfect!

My 4th Birthday...do we look alike yet? (shout out to Josh and Uncle Jerry in the photo!)

 Even the not-quite-2 year olds were very patient. Good job Baby Lauren!

 We had very bright lips.

 The little party guests were very patient and sat while Drew opened all of her gifts. Jeremy and I were so pleasantly surprised when Drew got up to hug each friend after she opened their gift.

 Hugging one of her "oldest" friends, Maya. Side note: Drew was playing with her paperdolls yesterday (from Carol and Dennis) and she named them all and they were all sisters. At least one doll is always named Maya and is the oldest sister.

She's still got those crazy expressive eyebrows! Happy 4th Birthday big girl!