Happy Birthday Eliza!

Eliza recently celebrated her 3rd birthday! She loves Dora the Explorer, so that was the theme for the day.

 It has become tradition for Beau to draw a Happy Birthday message on the dry erase board in the school room.

 Eliza requested the princess cake, and wanted it purple.

 She was so excited that her birthday finally arrived! At breakfast she was all smiles, especially after she saw the balloons attached to her chair. Somehow, balloons make everything more special.

 We invited a few friends from church to join in the celebration. They started out by coloring pictures of Dora and friends.

 Abi, Everett, and Zachary helped me plan and execute the adventure for the party. We were following the movie, Dora Saves the Crystal Kingdom. Everett played the Greedy King, and "stole" the crystals that provided color in the kingdom. After Dora (a.k.a. Abi) showed them map, they were on their way to chase the Greedy King. We had made purple gifts bags to look like Backpack, and put various items they would need for their adventure. First a shield to help the knight, a.k.a. Zachary, defeat the dragon and get the yellow crystal.

 Next, they were to go to the butterfly cave to find the green crystal.

 Inside their backpacks, they found butterfly stickers that helped them "fly" to the castle in the clouds.

 Once at the castle, they found magic wands in their backpacks to help make the blue crystal appear.

 Then it was time to fight the Greedy King for the red crystal. They used their wings to fly against his strong wind, their shields to block the (paper) rocks he threw at them, and finally their wands to push him back.

 They did it! They saved the Crystal Kingdom!

 After all their hard work, they got to relax and watch the movie.

 Once the movie was over, we enjoyed pizza for lunch. Then it was time for the best part....cake and ice cream!

 She loved having her friends sing to her.

 Once the sugar was consumed, it was time to open presents. Her friends were so generous and brought her a Tinkerbell doll, (that Abi tried to confiscate immediately, the little stink!), Color Wonder finger paints, and a new Dora coloring book.

 These 5 little kids all turn 3 within weeks of each other. They're so cute!

 A close up pictures of the backpacks that Abi helped me put together. It was so nice to have the bigger kids help out. They certainly enjoyed it.

 After Eliza had a nap with her new Tinkerbell doll, she slid very lady like down the stairs.

 She was looking forward to using her new finger paints that she got for her birthday. I love Color Wonder! She also wasted no time in breaking in her new coloring book.

 When Beau came home, I gave her our gift. A Dora house, which she LOVES, and new panties, which she could care less about. She is not interested in leaving diapers behind anytime soon.

Happy birthday, Eliza! We love you!