I think it’s safe to say that a good time was had by all today. I know the birthday girl thought so. I asked as I was helping her get ready for bed if she had a good birthday, and in true Annalie form she answered with great enthusiasm, “This was the best birthday EVER!!!”

I remember last year at Annalie’s 4th birthday party being a little sad because it was our last one in Maryland. I knew we’d miss our playgroup friends on Annalie’s next birthday. And while we did miss them today, it was more in a gee-it’s-too-bad-they-couldn’t-come-join-the-fun! kind of way. We love our Maryland friends but our California friends are pretty fantastic too! We are very blessed. Sue made those gorgeous, colorful flags you can see in some of the photos; they added such a festive air to the day. Brenda not only told me what my theme was and did half the party-planning for me, she helped me freezer-paper stencil the t-shirts for party favors, she came a day early and helped a lot with party prep, and she took a ton of photos with my camera today since I was busy being the hostess. Jen and her family drove almost two hours just to come to the party, and we’re so glad they did! Jen and her husband Jeremy are fun and easygoing, and their three girls fit right in with our crazy bunch—and I mean that in a good way!

We had such fun the day seemed to zip right by in a blur of cake and flowers and presents and treasure-hunting and piñata-smashing and splashing in the pools. I think Annalie was right; this really was the best birthday ever.

Note that if you’re reading this in an email or feed reader, you might not be able to see the cool animated GIFs (slideshow-type things) in this post, so click on through to see them! I’ll be posting photos and maybe writing more about the birthday celebrations at a later date. For now, I’m going to bed for a well-earned six hours of sleep.

Happy birthday, Annalie!

“You know that I’m a person who likes it sunny…but not TOO sunny.”
1:09 PM Feb 24th

“Ponies from North Dakota are hatched from eggs.”
1:28 PM Mar 3rd

“Director! I went 48 miles to find a director, and you’re not doing your job. And you call yourself a director!?”
7:13 PM Mar 3rd

“I can’t stop blinking. That’s just the way humans are made!”
5:25 PM Mar 4th

“Mommy, I love you as much as love can be. I thought that would cheer you up!”
12:30 AM Mar 13th

“Mom, Lily is such a good kitty…I just love her. In fact, I’m TOTALLY in love with Lily.”
10:27 AM Mar 14th

“Daddy, I’m sorry to say this, but…Mommy’s a better cook than you.”
5:41 PM Mar 14th

“Mama, @babybug drew on the wall with chalk! But I’ll be honest, I started it.”
3:43 PM Mar 31st

“Hmm, my hair looks kinda like a stingray…in a really great kind of way!”
8:31 AM Apr 4th

“That was oss-UM!”
2:58 PM Apr 4th

“I love you, computer!”
10:42 AM Apr 8th

“I have a habit of being scared of lions.”
6:08 PM Apr 8th

“I never say no to to Krypto the Superdog!”
3:07 PM Apr 13th