The Birthday Blues

Last week was Claire's birthday, and unfortunately,

here's how we spent much of last week...

 

 

And then there's also the days that looked like this...

 

Don't let my "smile" fool you.

1 sick kid + 1 sick kid = 2 tired parents!

Thankfully though, it was nothing serious - just some fevers and sniffles. 

And also thankfully, the colds didn't disrupt birthday plans too much. 

 

Our first family birthday party was on my side of the family.  We celebrated a little early since Kelsey and her boyfriend Caleb were in town.  

Claire really wanted a Berenstain Bear Birthday Party, which I was happy to do. 

 

We began with these acorn appetisers.

And for dinner we had "burger bears" (though the ears fell off on the grill), nut and berry salad, goldfish crackers, and a couple other sides that Claire likes.

I found a Berenstain Bear book at a thrift store and cut it up to make decorations.

 

And, of course, the most important element of any party is the family!

Claire wearing the crown her cousins made.

Sylvia helped decorate the cupcakes with sprinkles and extra acorns.

And Honey Buns - a Bear Country delicacy.

 

Caleb's concert made for great after-dinner entertainment.

The kids put on quite a show too! 

 

Claire poses with Grandpa who crafted a beautiful

wooden counting puzzle for her birthday gift.

 

While Claire was healthy for the Sternberg party, she came down with her cold shortly before her party at Grandpa and Grandma Rosen's house.  While she wasn't feeling her best, she was in good company as most other guests were also feeling a bit under the weather. That didn't stop us from having a good time though.

 

A Pretty Party!

 

Grandma made chili for the adults and macaroni and cheese for the kids. 

It hit the spot on a cold winter night.

 

 

A Polly Pocket cake!

Opening gifts from Aunt Melissa and Great Grandma and Grandpa Nash

A big girl bike from Grandpa and Grandma

Henry riding Grandma Rosen's horse.

 

 

A couple days later we celebrated Claire's birthday with the

Puplis family.  Thankfully, she was feeling better by this point.

 

Good ol' "Colonel's Chicken" - a perfect way to celebrate with the family.

Opening gifts from the grandparents.

Some new furniture for the doll house we were giving her for her birthday.

 

Busy with her new lap desk and art supplies. 

She enjoys coloring and crafts of all kinds.

And Henry enjoys Bailey!

Claire's cute cake!

 

Henry could never have too much birthday cake!

 

Great Grandma Puplis, always willing to share her lap.

 

Since we are fortunate enough to have so much wonderful family, we tend to go light on our own birthday celebrations with the kids.  We stayed home for the day as Henry woke up with Claire's hand-me-down cold. In the evening Claire opened a couple presents from us: a "new" doll house (thanks to Africa's Child), and a wooden birthday cake set.

 

Claire was happy to have a home for the new furniture she

received from Grandpa and Grandma Puplis.

(Notice sick Henry lounging in the brown recliner.  Poor kid!)

 

Despite the colds that caused a bit of birthday blues, we still had a great time celebrating Claire's life with all our family.  Thanks to everyone for their well wishes and their help in making her fourth birthday so special.