Harper's Never-Ending Birthday

It's been Harper's birthday forever, right?  

Due to overlapping Giraffe room birthdays, we agreed her class party would be the 16th.  Harper was a big help in making the cupcakes (chocolate with, you guessed it, PINK frosting).

She added ingredients "vewy carefuwy, Mama."

 She was surprisingly good at cracking eggs!  Ironically, her brother is like Hulk with eggs - they are suddenly in shards in his hands, but Harper cracked and plopped and done!

 "My hands are a wittle gooey!"

 She mixed!

 And mixed!

 Aaaaand mixed.

And she licked the beaters - some even got in her mouth!

 We had a tea party in her class with the cupcakes.  I think they were worth all of her hard work.  Jonah seems to agree.

 And after a redux of the finger light dance party, Harper got to be the Teacher at circle time - according to her teacher, Harper pioneered this game and she takes it VERY SERIOUSLY.

 For the Real Birthday Day, the cupcake shirt was busted out.

 And sure, it was snowing to be the band outside, but a feathered crown is COMPLETELY ACCEPTABLE headwear on your birthday!

And finally, Harper opened her present from Mommy and Daddy, a new doll that is a little...classier?...than Baby Goldfish.  Harper named her Ava Sullivan, after one of her besties in the Giraffe room.  Not Ava.  Ava Sullivan.  She will correct you. 

Happy Birthday, Harper!

Harper is 3: Part 1

While Harper isn't OFFICIALLY 3 until December 17, due to a cluster of birthdays in her classroom and holidays and other festivities, her party fell a few days before the real thing.

Our girl requested a cupcakes and Hulk party.  No small request!

Daddy set about designing invitations for all of her bestest friends.

And creating decor for the event.

The stage was set, thanks to Hulk parts of Avengers party gear and fortuitously cupcake-themed plates, tablecloth, and garland.

She was READY!  Birthday Girl cupcake shirt: Check. 

Cupcake barrette: Check. Hulk barrette: Check. 

Luke in Captain America mask: Check.

Friends soon arrived and they played "stick the toppings on the cupcake."

And yes, she did add a tutu to her outfit.  SO?

Luke invited his 2 besties over for "big kid" fun. 

And after lots of coloring, but a lot more playing with the dolls and kitchen and the dress up box, it was time to decorate cupcakes!

Yes! We encouraged 10 small kids to play with frosting and sprinkles in our very own home!

It went far more smoothly than we feared.

Gummy bears and maraschino cherries were VERY popular toppings!

Harper held court

Like a pro!

And then, Daddy's piece de resistance!  The CUPCAKE CAAAAKE!

Harper hadn't seen it until it came to the table.

Make a wish!

The party wrapped up with a finger light disco in the dark dance party!

Thumbs up to Luke for turning out the lights - the kids went NUTS!

Harper and Ava were getting down.

 Luke, in the background, modeling Gavin's night vision goggles while Harper shimmies.

 Showing Aunt Sharren her moves.

Luke, Chase, and Gavin up on the landing providing "Disco Dance Party" lights

I think she had a good time.

 Still to come - School party and her, you know, actual birthday.