Happy Birthday, Claire Bear!

As is custom at our house, days like this start with pink pancakes.  Today one of them was in the shape of the letter "C".

Because today the birthday girl was sweet Claire.  She's 5 years old now, and we've celebrated all day.   We started with our traditional birthday breakfast.  Complete with sausage, specifically requested by the birthday girl.  And we had lots of balloons and pink.  And of course there were presents.  And all this was before 7 am.

We celebrated all morning.  And then the real party began.

This afternoon we had friends over for a Princess Tea.  All the girls were dressed in their princess finest.  And the boys were knights, of course.  We had tea and cake and fancy little tea party food.  All of this is so Claire.  And she was beaming.

We ate chocolate things and held out our pinkies while we sipped raspberry tea.

Our friend Mrs. Nicole talked in an English accent and everyone giggled.  We nibbled and were proper.  But mostly giggly. 

And then we made princess picture frames.  Except for the knights and princes, who all made very manly frames with football stickers on them.

All of my little princesses had a good time.

And of course there were presents.  Lovely ponies and little dolls and clothes for dolls and games.  So much fun.  Claire just loves surprises.  If she thought anyone was talking about what she might get for her birthday, she would run from the room with her ears covered.  She loves the anticipation of it all.  

She loves all things pretty.

So with so many pretty things to play with, what else was left to do, but play?  So play we did.  And played and played.  And it was fun.

And here are all the merry party-goers.  I mean, the royal court after the Princess' Tea.  (Except Sir Nathan who slept through most of the party but thoroughly enjoyed the cake when he did finally wake up.)   It was a fun, fun day.

Happy Birthday, Claire!  You really are such a joy to us everyday.  We love your sweet smile and your girly ways.  You are growing up so fast, but you will always be our special Claire Bear!