She did it anyway!

Ansley turned 4!

For months now we have teased Ansley that she was not allowed to be "four". That only 3 candles would be on her cake because 4 just sounded too big! She loved this attention that turning 4 was bringing on and would giggle and shout, "No, I want to be four!" to which we would say, "how old are you now?" and she would answer emphatically, "FFRREE!" That is why we want her to stay three..I mean ffrree. How cute is it to be "ffrree"? I know that with turning 4 she will probably learn to say "three" and also learn to say "yellow" instead of "lellow". We love "frree" and "lellow". I think Ansley too realizes that with growing up comes more responsibilities like not sucking her thumb anymore. (well at least not during the day) Tonight after prayers she said, "Mommy, I didn't want to turn 4. I want to stay 3 (ffrree)."

I said, "Oh, 4 will be great, probably even better than 3".

She said, "Mommy, when I am 6, will I still be pretty? And when I'm six will you still pretend I'm ffrree?"

Of course you know what I said next.

(I'm not sure why she is concerned with 6 over 5??? Maybe because Gabe is 5 and things have worked out fine for him. Being 6 is unchartered territory in this house, so who knows what is in store for 6 year olds!?)


The Party


Mmmm, "pupcakes" as Ansley likes to call them.


It seems that birthday celebrations last a week around here. You know, have the party on the weekend and then the actual birthday another day, not to mention a preschool celebration. (Which thankfully fell on the actual birth-day.) Today we celebrated at preschool with yummy cupcakes, at home with presents from family, and a special birthday dinner request...pizza at Bellacinos. A favorite partially because they also serve ice cream. A fun day in all.


Turning 4 at school is great because you get to wear
the special birthday hat.



So much fun to have Mommy, Daddy, & Amelia there too!


What a great class!


As for the Official party, we had an Art Party. Complete with painting your own canvas, decorating your own cupcakes, miscellaneous art, such as foam stickers, markers, crayons, dot paint, and any other creations on the art easels set up around the room. Each little girl took home an art smock with their name on it and a treat bag with a water color strip and painting pad. It seemed that everyone had a good time not to mention the moms that seemed to enjoy the chocolate fountain!

Official invitation


Painting canvases




Dipping chocolate!


Strawberries AND Marshmallows...mmmm


Ansley with her gifts from family.



Dear Ansley,

I love you Ansley Claire! I can't believe that 4 years ago today you came into this world at 3 a.m. and I was sooo excited to have a little girl that instead of resting I lay in my bed watching the clock until 6 a.m. I thought this was a reasonable time to call everyone and tell them the exciting news! You are the joy of my world! I guess it is okay to be 4, but let's not even start thinking about 5 yet!
I love you!
Mommy