Sammi's Olivia Party Picture Overload

So it's official.  My girl turned 5 on Monday.  Memorial Day, with extra memories to store away then recall with a swelling heart and an overwhelming sense of pride.  My girl, now able to use a whole fist full of fingers to tell her age, who now happily says, "I'm five" when asked.  My girl who is now officially older than Caillou...

Favors from a well-planned party, a vision in my head a month in advance. That never happens. I'm glad it did for such a monumentous occasion. Can't guarantee it again for 6...

In my attempt to masquerade as a crafty mom, I even went out and bought a hot glue gun. And yes, it's definitely smaller and lighter and a heck of a lot easier to load than a sewing maching...

A new friend donated her brilliant party-planning services to help me with some of the crafts, cutting figures out by hand late into the night and making these adorable cupcake toppers. I am so grateful to her, and grateful to another new friend who introduced us. Thank you so much Brooke and Kasha!

My mother baked and decorated these beautiful, beautiful cupcakes from scratch! And they were truly delicious.  (Oops, snapped this pic before all of the toppers could be placed!)

My poor birthday girl was hot and tired and was not happy about the traditional singing of the Happy Birthday song. I hoped, yet again, that this year would be different, but know there will be many other years in which to overcome that hurdle...

Daddy comes to the rescue...

...and cake fixes everything.

And just in case the cake didn't fix everything the first time, a second cupcake can always do the trick.

17 children came to help us celebrate Samantha's birthday.  I love this age, now, where they can run and play so beautifully together.  Where they can enjoy each other's company, and appreciate the things they do for each other.

Overheard from Samantha on Monday upon the arrival of her bff from her "typical" private preschool, bearing a gift, "A present?  For me?  Thank you, L.!  Look, Daddy!  L. brought me a present!" 

Where does this kid get this stuff?