Monday, September 8, 2008

Birthday Bash



We always seem to get the ball pit out for birthdays...its a big hit, always!
Party friends
Lily was unhappy with the first candles we tried. They were the sparkle kind...we had to switch before she was willing to blow them out! :)
A little reassurance from brother never hurts.

Happy Girl!


ummm cupcake pops!
This photo was taken right after I asked Zach if he wanted to help me clean up from the party.
The soda pop had little "L" labels to celebrate the birthday girl.
SHE however, was FAR more impressed with the glass bottles, and the fact that she got her OWN!
loved it to the last drop!
Dave and I found this little antique doll cradle on craigslist, our gift to Lily. We fixed and painted it up. So cute how delicate she is with her babies who now sleep in this little bed.

As I got the pictures ready for this post, I couldn't help but go back to last year.
I felt really sentimental as I looked at that chubby little baby face, who was eating her cake for the first time. So much has happened in only one year. I also realized that I have been keeping this blog now for more than a year. It makes me really happy. Lily came into this world just a little thing, weighing only 5.10. And, she has always stayed a little bug, at least physically. But she more than makes up for her small size with her big personality. She is not a shy thing, and can make everyone around her laugh with her antics. I love that whenever we walk into church, she exclaims in her LOUDEST voice, "JESUS!". (I think this is because no matter what door we enter through, there is always a large picture of Christ!) haha. Lily is FAST. There is a paved trail by our home that we walk sometimes at night. One time around the track is 0.64 miles. As hard as it is to believe, Lily ran the ENTIRE track without stopping. I was jogging just to keep up with her. The girl's got energy. I love that when Lily knows shes done something cute she scrunches up her shoulders and face and eyes into a big smile, waiting for the laughs. Lily is kind and she is learning to share. I love my daughter. I love the chance I have to raise a daughter. Boo boos and injustices in the world incite a dramatic response, but then again, it seems that truly thoughtful and tender moments are much more pronounced as well.
Happy Birthday sweet sweet Lily!

22 comments:

A said...

What fun!!! We are SO sad we missed the party. HAPPY BIRTHDAY LILY!!

dixonfamily said...

What a beautiful party for a beautiful little girl!! She is such a doll!! I especially love the pics of her drinking her soda out of the big glass bottle. Too cute! So, how would you feel about throwing me a birthday party? lol! I love all the little details and personal touches that you put on everything. That Lily is a pretty lucky girl.

Jill Revell said...

We love that little girl! Happy Birthday Lily!

*K*R*I*S*T*Y* said...

LOVE LOVE LOVE this post.Happy birthday little lily!I just love her, she's so funny.She came from good stock ;) And what adorable decorating!You've got to be the 'funnest' mom.And you should throw in how you made those suckers!Too too cute.Super impressed, as usual....

Sean and Janet Eyring said...

I don't think we will ever get to throw such a dainty party! Looks like it was fun. We made custom soda labels for a Halloween party one time (ghoulish things like spider sap and bat blood..but still a fun, different thing to do!)

Erin S said...

Happy Birthday Lily!!! She is soooo cute. You should definetely be a professional party thrower, I will fly you out here for Carter's!! I love the pictures you take, too. You are one awesome mom!!!!

Missy said...

I've SO been looking forward to this post. I love it. The decor, the cupcake pops (what are those?!) and the soda lables (tell me how you make those).

Happy Birthday Lily!

The Rylanders said...

WOW, that picture from last year brings back so many memories! The kids look SOOO much younger, bittersweet! Another amazing party friend, you are out of this world! Happy Birthday Lily, we send you a hug and a kiss!

meg said...

She will look back at those pictures when she gets older and then know how much you love her. Good job!

Nicole said...

happy birthday lily... love the soda bottles, LOVE her drinking out of it!

Isaura said...

tara, what a fun birthday!! what an animated and sweet girl. i love those little cupcake pops. i had good intentions of making those once, i went as far as buying the sticks and mini cookie cutters..and the sticks remain unopened and cutters in their box :)

Bailey Family said...

Happy Birthday Lily! Looks like it was fabulous...of course! I wish I could have been there. I want you on my party planning crew next year! Okay!!?? Love you!

Christy said...

my favorite part of the party was how excited zach was for everything. so fun to have an older brother!!

lily is such a darling girl.

Lisa said...

Tara, you are an amazing mom. You come up with the greatest things. Where? How? I love the cupcake pops and the 'L' soda cans. You need to start a blog just sharing all your ideas and secrets! I want to be Tara when I grow up!

Happy Birthday Lily!

Rapp Family said...

I love it! I can't say that enough. You are so creative and what beautiful children you have. Let me comment on some other posts. The pictures of your nephew Brock are so perfect and I loved seeing the wedding pictures too. They are a knock-out couple. Great job with all that you do, like always. We sure miss that fun ball pit. Thanks for letting us hang out with you. Miss you!

Court and Britt said...

what a cute party!! You are so creative!! Can't believe she is two already, seems like you just had her.

K2 said...

You are such a great mom with great ideas. I agree with the other commenter that you should start a blog about your favorite things. That woould rock the house. Love you!

PS you are most definately considered a friend. :-)

Amy said...

happy happy day!! martha stewart, do you understand how amazing you are? You have an awesome confidence level that I have always been impressed with. Confident enough to not be self loathing, but humble enough to not be prideful or arrogant. love you! Happy belated birthday Lily!

Matt, Rachel, Madden and Halle said...

What a cute party! I love birthdays! I can't believe she is 2 already. Time flies.

Whit said...

Your party...I mean Lily's party looked like a hit!! Wow so so so stinking cute. I've got to copy and paste these pages so that when I have little girls I can remember how to be cute like you! Thank you for your encouraging words, really they mean a lot. XOXO-whitney

Anonymous said...

Wow- you win the award for best party planner. It looked AWESOME! I totally want to borrow some of your ideas! I am always so impressed by you. You are very inspiring!

Knowles Family said...

We've been thinking about you during the hurricanes! We were glad to hear from Dave that you were all making it okay! I hope it clears up for you soon and that you're not without power for four weeks! Of course, if you are then you won't get this until then anyway! I'm sorry for all that is going on! We completely understand how you are feeling! Let us know how it all goes! Best of luck to you!
Rachel