Frozen & Five

The Frozen phenomenon has lived on all the way through my Maggie's fifth birthday.  My little princess is absolutely enamored with the movie and characters so there was no doubt we would be celebrating the number 5 in Frozen style.

She has been requesting this theme for nearly a year now.  I had a feeling she would not be wavering in her decision so I made a call to Arendelle's royalty back in July to get us on the calendar for Maggie's special day.  

And special is exactly what it was.  With the beautiful pictures compliments of Andrea Wood, I can now rightfully share "Frozen & Five With Maggie"!  {and I must note there are a few of my photos mixed in, it will not be hard to decipher which few they are, but I only think it fair to the real photographer behind the lens to be honest}

We decided to party outside.  Yes, it was a bit chilly, but it was a Frozen party after all.  The sunshine was amazing and actually made the temps very comfortable. 

The guests were greeted by Olaf at the walkway.  Which can I just say is a 'new walkway'?  I finally got a new driveway...oh, the simple pleasures in life.

As Maggie called it, the girls entered into a "Winter Wonderland".  I rented chairs and tied coordinating tulle bows around each.  I also hung iridescent streamer around the perimeter of the patio.  I was so fearful of a 80's prom look, but thankfully it was hardly that.  It resembled icicles and the little guests loved it.  I also added pillow batting all around the floor to act as snow.

The food table was filled with a wintry mixes.  I used fake snow, snowflakes, lots of blue and silver bulbs, silver trees, and the gorgeous tulle table skirt from Lucy's party.  The poster of Elsa and Anna almost did me in.  I'm not for the "character" look, but Maggie wanted it sooooo bad and it was her day after all.

I used white shimmer fabric for the background.  In person it was much prettier, however I can't say I would do this again.  Every seam and fold showed with the white.  It was about to drive me crazy.  If time had only permitted I would have been back at the fabric store grabbing some silver or turquoise.  Lesson learned in the case that there is another Frozen party in our future.

And while everyone else found it crazy, I was singing Hobby Lobby's praises back in August when they adorned their store with Christmas loot.  I stocked up on everything turquoise I could find from snowflakes to ornaments.  The white branches are from party City in their wedding section.

The menu included...snowflake sandwiches...

...Olaf's Noses...

...Sven's Antlers...

...Anna's Frozen Hearts...

...and Let It Go-gurts {frozen per Maggie's request}.

The dessert table was filled with a few sweet treats.  Maggie really wanted a cake as opposed to cupcakes.  It pained me, but again, it was her day.

So Maggie and I made a sweet visit to the bakery and she designed her "Coronation Cake", characters and all.

The table was also adorned with these fun Let It Go wands.

Obviously, Melted Snow was the drink of choice.

And while we excitedly waited for Queen Elsa and Princess Anna to arrive, the little guests kept their hands busy building a snowman.

And also crafting up a "Let It Snow" Globe.  I found the globes at Oriental Trading.  I added stickers to the lids that I had printed with the invitations.  We had glitter, little snowman, snowflakes, and stickers, to decorate and fill them with.

The little Elsa's {and they were all dressed up!} left the party with Frozen totes and jelly beans {from the $1 bin at Target}.

So now that I've shared the look of the Frozen party...the real deal is up next.  Stay tuned for lots of princess pictures and a very elated birthday girl!

Skating Sisters

We've ventured out into our newest endeavor around here...Ice Skating Lessons.  It was all Maggie's idea.  I'm thinking a recent Frozen obsession might have spawned the thought.  Whatever it was we just so happen to have a rink nearby and it offers lessons.

Before I knew it we were signed up and out on the ice.

I wasn't expecting much.  My darling Mags is often slow to warm up to new experiences and considering it was FREEZING in that place, I had my expectations set really low.  But, what would it hurt to try?

Maggie did great.  She was timid but more than determined to see the lesson through.  I stood right by, freezing my tail off, and shouted {probably} way too many words of encouragement.  An hour lesson on the ice is a long time.

Maggie exceeded my expectations and left the ice confident that she did, indeed, want to sign up for the entire session and she would be wearing a tutu or dress for all future lessons.  Because, duh, isn't that what all ice skaters do?

What threw me for a total loop was little sister.  Lucy tried to cheer her big sister on, but all she could seem to relentlessly muster up was, "me try ice skating too".  As I was deflating all sense of hope she may have had, one of the coaches stepped up, grabbed Lu, threw a pair of skates on her and took her out onto the ice.

Um...wait a minute...she's only two!

I can hardly believe it myself, but my two year old is actually joining her big sister for ice skating lessons.  Who would have thought?

And just like that we have skating sisters or as Maggie would reference, "just like Elsa and Anna".

What a way to welcome in the upcoming winter chill.  Brrr...I'm chilled to the bone just looking at these pictures, but aren't they cute?!?!

I Can't Believe She's FIVE

My Princess Maggie woke up this morning as a 5 year old.  I can't believe it.  Weren't we just meeting in the hospital?  Wasn't I just holding my first newborn baby girl on my chest?  Didn't I just meet the one who would steal my heart and never give it back?

These years with my Maggie have gone by way too fast.  But, they have been absolutely wondrous and  joyful in only a way Maggie can make them.

She is my snuggle bug, my sweetest sweetness, my absolute angel, and I adore her more today than I did 5 exact years ago.

Good morning Princess, you are FIVE today!

And yes, that is Maggie's bed {and her bedside table}.  She clearly does not possess the same Type A personality her brother and I do.  But, in the words of a famous princess, I'm trying to...Let It Go.

All this good morning hoopla came the day after one very enchanting Frozen Birthday bash.  And because I know Andrea Wood will be sending me gorgeous pictures here very soon, I'll give you only a tiny sneak peek from my camera.

These will do the day no justice.  But, how can I write a Happy Birthday post without including a few?  A REAL {and prettier} birthday party post will follow soon.

I love this of the birthday princess helping "decorate" before her royal guests arrived.

Do you want to Build A Snowman...and eat it?

Happy Birthday Magpie!  There is not a princess in the world as beautiful as you!  We love you!

{prettier pictures to follow}...

Family Photos Twenty Fourteen

This may be a total spoiler alert {for anyone who will be getting a Christmas card from us}, but I could not restrain myself from uploading just a few of these to the blog.

Just as I suspected, I'm in love!  My heart literally melted right here and there when I started perusing through the images.  Oh my, such a lovely reminder of how much I truly adore my family.

I went into this session kind of unsure of what to expect.  It was the first time we had ever done a Mini.  I was half relieved {only 30 minutes of keeping smiles on faces and boogs out of noses}, but also thinking how could we possibly get this done in thirty short minutes.

No fear, Andrea Wood was here.  Her talent is nothing to shake a stick at.  I'm truly beginning to feel like she is part of our family.  I mean seriously between my baby's milestones and the many birthday parties, she might as well just go ahead and join our party of 5.  We are so blessed to have found her.

And even more so that she captured this...just a few of my favorites...

Seriously?  In thirty minutes?  That is nothing short of amazing!  And these are only a handful.

It doesn't hurt that those three little ones are absolutely adorable if I do say so myself {wink}.