celebrating four

we have a birthday party rule in our household

of doing a "big" party only every other year.

we don't stick to it like a law or anything,

it just makes things easier on us parents.

plus since our kids are

two of six cousins in our family,

even the "small" party years end up

with a lot of kids.  and we usually

let them invite a best friend for the "small" party.

avery's b.f.f. happens to be one of four sisters

in a family that we are close to... so

we just invite the whole family over!

all that to say... 

avery's "small" party years 

are not very small at all.

 she actually ended up 
with two parties

my mom and her parents weren't

going to be able to make it to her "small" party... 

so they came a couple days before to celebrate

it turned out to be a party

since they brought her gifts

 and cupcakes

and even a "4" candle

so we did gifts, sang happy birthday, 

ate cake and the whole birthday celebration thing... 

it was like her trial run or something i suppose!  

what a lucky girl!

then a couple days later we had 

her "small" party at our house.

one of the rules of the "small" party is

no theme.  this makes it easier on me.  it forces me 

to not go overboard on handmade decor and what not.

we did still have ten kids at the party

so i did need some activity for them.

i made a scavenger hunt to occupy them.

and you still need thank you party favors

the guys manned the grill

and the kids went on their great hunt

eating with friends

my kids aren't huge cake fans, so i always

let them pick what their birthday dessert will be.

this year avery picked warm brownies, just out of

the oven, with ice cream sundaes on top of them.

 happy birthday to you.... 

  make a wish.... 

 yummy !

 i love these pictures of her and her great-grandpap

  then the next day...

on her REAL birthday

she asked to go to the donut store before church

 i couldn't say no.

because i really wanted to go get me

a custard filled chocolate donut too!

as you can see

avery was very

celebrated this year!

it is hard to believe she is four already.