As usual I'm a little late on posting Emery's birthday extravanganza! But better late than never, right? We had a fabulous time! It really was the most perfect night! I could finally breathe once it was over. I just wasn't on my game this year. I was a little behind. At the beginning of January, we were having a playdate with a few friends, and one of my friends announced her son's birthday party date. It hit me like a ton of bricks! "Oh my gosh! Emery's birthday is in 3 weeks!" So I looked at my calendar and set a date right at that moment! It would be Jan 26th, a Saturday. But my planning did not take off from there. No, in fact it was a week and a half or so later that I finally figured out where we would have the party and then sent out an evite. Luckily, I did at least tell everyone to save the date. Whew! And it was only a couple days before that I had any plan of what I would be doing. Sheesh! I'm just a procrastinator!
I needed a theme.... Well I decided to go with a zebra and hot pink theme. I needed a location.... Sean had just been hired for a job as a leasing consultant at our complex 2 weeks before and so we were able to use the clubhouse without charge. I was so excited! But, that meant we had to have the party after hours. So the time was set for 5:30. Which meant now I needed to come up with a dinner menu.... The day before I finally decided to do pulled pork and a warm pasta salad with sundried tomatoes and feta. I served it with rolls. I wanted it to be easy and simple but more of a dinner, than a lunch or appetizer feel. But here's the thing... I have never done pulled pork. But thank you Jesus, it turned out awesome!! I needed a cake!.... I had made my sister-in-law's white chocolate cake for Christmas and had the brilliant idea to make it again as cupcakes for Em's party! They were a hit! After one failed batch of orange frosting... ugh!... I stuck with white on white and made the fondant hearts pink in a zebra stripe cupcake cup. They were so yum!!!
And I needed a birthday outfit.... I met a friend on facebook when I was back in Fresno and Emery had modeled a couple outfits for her business last year. She agreed to use Emery again for her business and sent us an outfit for her Valentine's season. I had been wanting to get Emery some cowgirl boots. I mean, we ARE in Texas!! I shopped and found, on the day of the party, the most perfect cowgirl boots and it just so happened that the whole outfit went perfectly together! (although not zebra and hot pink, but that's ok. I didn't have my act together that much! ha!) And best of all, her papa wanted to buy them for her so I was able to get better boots than the original ones I found! Yippeeee!!! Thank you Papa and grandma Sherril!
I had lots to do from the time I got off work Friday night until the party the next day! When I woke up that morning, I was off and running! And I prayed so hard that Emery would take a good nap. Both, so she would be rested and also so I could get a ton done. She did! yeah! At 4pm I headed over to the clubhouse to start decorating. Our best friend Tom came into town that morning from Fresno (on business but he came a day early to stay with us!) and, lucky him, I put him to work!! And thank God he was there! There is always SO much to do an hour before the party! But everything got done, the food was awesome, and the way everyone met and got to know each other was great! We had two long-time friends, the Carlsons and the Caughrans, and two of my new friends, Shane & Stephanie O-Dell, and Karah Johnston (her hubby had to work) and they all fell in love with each other. And in all, we had ten kids with ages ranging from 5 months to 18 years. It was a fantastic night!!
The Outfit! ... Emery getting ready for her party!
The entry into the clubhouse.... Loved the balloons!!!
The clubhouse really felt like we were in our home!
Everyone kept mentioning that it didn't feel like we were in an apt complex.
I was so glad for that! I just wanted it to feel warm and comfortable.
The party favors for the little ones...
My friend Karah and Emery playing with her son, Aiden. So sweet!
The gifts and decor!
Emery had a blast opening her gifts! So different from last year!
Emery was showered with so many wonderful gifts! She got two baby dolls, puzzle, coloring books, crayons, a big pink and white ball, two musical tea sets, clothes, the burlap pillow (which I'm convinced is more for me! hehe) and her boots. She had so much fun opening the gifts and receiving help and being cheered on by all her new friends.
Her new boots!!! (she wears them all the time now!)
One of the precious gifts from Karah, a handmade burlap pillow.
Her birthdate on the opposite side.
her newest friends.... Ari (Karah's daughter), Emery and Griffin (Stephanie's son)
The cupcakes I made with lots and lots of love!!!!!...
...And then we all sang to Emery!!!
The after party when Tom cut down the balloons and freed them all!!! lol
Emery back at home having a nightcap before bed. ;-) She was one tired little girl!
It was a relaxing evening, everyone talking and getting to know each other. The kids running around and playing together. Emery had so much energy as she ran around with them all! We ate, we had fellowship, Emery opened gifts, we ate more! lol Pretty much your typical birthday party. But WAY better! :-)
I really felt so blessed for all that God provided for our family on Emery's birthday. The week before, I was overcome with sadness that our family and closest friends in Fresno would not be here to celebrate her birthday. Last year, we had 30+ people in our small home, all for her! And this year, I knew it would be different. Not even at Christmas was I sad. But when it comes to Emery and her birthday, I really was. But throughout the week, I just kept praying and, as always, God totally covered me and all of us and provided every single thing we needed. It goes without saying that I would have given anything to have our family with us to celebrate her. But, throughout the night, I truly was overcome with contentment and joy and an overwhelming feeling of richness and blessing from the friends, new and old, that God has brought into my life (our lives) in only 6 months. There was so much love and support in that room! The air was thick with it! God is so good and His love for us endures forever!!!!
