A Painting Party

So, for the past couple of weeks, blogger has not let me post pictures so I am embarrassingly late in posting Laurel's birthday party pictures.  But, here they are!

My sweet girl requested a painting party this year.  It was a lot of fun looking through Pinterest to get some ideas for that!

 

Paint brush Rice Krispie Treats, a paint palette cake, and rainbow cupcakes with sprinkles.

 

I colored the cake mix for the cake and the cupcakes and this was the result!

The birthday girl loved it!

Laurel and her friends painted pictures that they took home to hang up.

We had make your own pizzas for lunch.

And, of course, cupcakes!  One of my girls is always camera ready.  The other usually doesn't know when a picture is going to be taken.  Can you tell? 

 

Laurel received some very nice presents

 

Happy birthday Laurel!

Truth

Yesterday morning, Erika told me she was writing about God.  This is what I found when I was cleaning her room.

 

"Dear God.  I love you because you died on the cross because you saved our sins.  We all love our God."

 

What a clear message written so innocently!  I am so thankful for all the Sunday school teachers and friends who taught her the simple, important message of our Savior.  I am thankful for all my Sunday school teachers, friends, and family who taught the Truth to me, so I can in turn teach it to my kids.  God is so good!

 

Luke 18:17

Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.

Four on the Fourth

Our beautiful little Laurel turns 4 today!  Ever since the day she was born, she has been the sweetest, most adorable, kind-hearted, accomodating, relaxed girl I have ever met.  She has really stepped up her "big sister" role this year because with Erika in kindergarten, Laurel gets to be the oldest in the house for a while.  And Levi totally loves it!  He adores her and wants to play anything she suggests.  Laurel loves all things princess, pink, Barbie, girly.  Most days I find Laurel singing a self-written song, dancing through the house, dressing up in princess dresses, and playing with her doll house.  She loves chicken nuggets, tacos, hamburgers, olives, applesauce, carrots, cheese, granola bars.  She is not as into sweets as the rest of her family, but she can down a milkshake faster than any of us!  We are so blessed with Laurel's sunny disposition.  I have never seen any other kid as kind and loving as she is!  She loves babies and other kids and really is concerned with everyone's feelings.  She so much appreciates attention from people, but doesn't actively seek it; which makes me want to grant her even more.  Laurel loves life and everything it has to offer to her.  She gets excited about sunny days, new home furnishings, outtings to the store, or a special dinner.  It was so much fun to watch her open her Christmas and birthday presents....her face lit up over every gift she received!  She was so grateful for her gifts, which is really how she lives her life.  Laurel can be extremely stubborn when she wants to be.  I fear that there will be a day when I can no longer out-stubborn her so I am really praying that she gets a little less stubborn the older she gets.  At four, she really believes she can be a princess when she is older.  I think it might be possible in her case.  Our family is extremely blessed to have Laurel in it!  We love you so much baby girl!

Laurel's birthday interview:
1. What is your favorite color?   Pink

2. What is your favorite toy?  Lalaloopsy

3. What is your favorite fruit?  Blueberries

4. What is your favorite tv show? Sid the science kid

5. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch?  Peanut butter

6. What is your favorite outfit? Dress

7. What is your favorite game?  Dancing game

8. What is your favorite snack?  Fruit snacks

9. What is your favorite animal?  Dog

10. What is your favorite song?  Blue skies and rainbows

11. What is your favorite book?  Barbie and the Pop Star

 12. Who is your best friend?  Erika

 13. What is your favorite cereal? cinnamon 

14. What is your favorite thing to do outside? Swing

15. What is your favorite drink?  Chocolate milk

16. What is your favorite holiday?  Christmas

17. What do you like to take to bed with you at night?  My new dog

18. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast?  Donuts

19. What do you want for dinner on your birthday?  Hamburgers

20. What do you want to be when you grow up?  Butterfly
*Since I know she cannot really be a butterfly, I added a new question trying to determine if she will ever have a real job.

21. What kind of job do you want when you grow up?  Take trips and give food to people