HAPPY BIRTHDAY SAVANNAH!!!

We've been having a birthday celebrations for our beautiful Savannah. I can't believe she's seven. Her birthday marks how long I've been a mother-- I really can't believe how fast these last seven years have passed. 

This is her "real" birthday. As a family we went swimming at Fairmont Pool, then ate at IHOP, and then came home and Savannah opened her presents.

We decided that from now on we will give 4 presents for our children's birthdays.  Our inspiration is from a Victorian Poem:
Something they want,
Something they need,
Something to wear,
Something to read.

So, this year, Savannah got "Just Dance II", leggins, a charm bracelet, and two books-- Junie B. Jones Party Animal, and A Series of Unfortunate Events.  Owen gave her "The Cat in the Hat" movie, Abby gave her a math toy, and Jane gave her glitter for her art work-- which she loves. This made for a simple, nice birthday.



Her birthday party was a different story.....

All the girls on the bean bag :)

So, I learned some things to do, and some things not to do for birthday parties.

I will always make a fun cake... because I like to do that, and Michael and I enjoy doing it together. It is emotionally satisfying to us, and brings happiness to the recipient....

The making of the birthday cake. I decided to do the ombre trend.  I wanted her to find a surprise inside.

One day, I promise I will improve my photography skills.

 Savannah was quite pleased with how the cake turned out... she LOVED the JEWELS!!! Unfortunately, the darn jewels caused DRAMA DRAMA DRAMA at this birthday party!!!  One little girl was so infatuated by these jewels and asked Savannah if she could have on in her treat bag. Savannah told her she could, but not to tell anyone else (a little girl infatuated by jewels obviously can't keep her mouth shut :) Soon there were tears and more tears because everyone wanted a jewel in their treat bag. AAAHHHH!! Luckily, the jewels got "lost", and that helped the drama just a little.  So maybe "diamonds really are a girl's best friend." At least they think so.... and I think NOT!!!


The girls were quite excited to see a "pink rainbow" inside...

We called this a "pajama glam party".  All the girls wore their pajamas, and we...

made lip gloss.  Savannah has the nicest daddy, who is such a good sport. He helped all the girls make grape, and pink lemonade lip gloss :)  We also...

painted finger nails.  Stacy was kind enough to use her professional skills, and helped out.  (She not only helped with the lip gloss, but with all the 7 year old teary-eyed drama... thank you, Stace!!!).  We also...

made jewelry. This was all fun, and ran pretty seamlessly. Thank heavens.

Then came the presents, pizza,  and movie....

 Cute friends:

Ellie is Savannah's cousin, and always best friend.

So, the lessons I learned......  I will never have a bunch of little girls (or boys) have free reign in my house!!! With all the hours I put into cleaning, preparing, creating, and so forth, it is not worth everything being either destroyed or criticized in a matter of minutes.  From now on, if we can't have the party outside, then we will go SOMEWHERE ELSE!!!  I really overtired myself and put WAAAAAY too much into it for what little kids appreciate. It REALLY tired me out after, and with all the drama and tears, it overshadowed all I put into it. The saving grace, is that at least Savannah knows we love her, and care about her, and we wanted to do what would be fun for her. She had fun, and that really counts.  Here is my advice to myself about future birthday parties:  If there are more than 5 guests, either keep them outside or GO SOMEWHERE ELSE!!! It made cost a smigeon more but it is SOOOOOOO worth the emotional stability. I promise.

If I were a magical fairy and had a wand, like sleeping beauty's fairies, I would give you, Savannah, a gift with my magic wand.  I would give you the gift of confidence in knowing that you are a royal daughter of Heavenly Father. I want you to go through your childhood, and your teenage years knowing that you are loved. I want you to know that you are enough. You are beautiful, smart, kind, and good. You never have to think you need to change who you are, or your opinions to please anyone else. You never need to please anyone except Heavenly Father. I wish that I could rescue you from the meanness and pressure that comes from being a girl, but I know that is all part of our growth and lessons in life. This is why I want to give you this gift, always remember that you are truly a beloved daughter of Heavenly Father who loves you, and I love you so much.