A Happy Birthday

32 was a very happy birthday.  It is taking it's place among the "birthday's to remember" (right up there with my great space party of 1989).  

Once you have little people in your life adult birthdays seem to take a bit of a backseat.  I don't mind really but I have to admit that this year it was nice to do something out of the ordinary.  Actually it was more than a little out of the ordinary.  I said goodbye to my babies...

Hopped on a plane...

And touched down for what I anticipated would be 48 hours of fun with two of my very best friends...

Dinner our first night proved slightly challenging and we got just a little lost in the rain.  Luckily even that is fun when your in NYC...

The next morning I woke up to the sweetest birthday song from my favorite girls...

And said happy birthday to my very best friend (I think the fact that we were born on the same day has become one of the things I like most about January 30th).  30 never looked so good...

I think it's impossible for a Texas girl to not feel special when she's spending her birthday in the big city...

We found one of our favorite places...

And had a lovely lunch in Central Park.  The best part though was getting to be with two of the people I love most in the world...

Later that afternoon Kim and Cayce headed back to the conference they were attending and I had a little time to myself.  I decided to walk a couple of blocks to Grand Central Station.  I had always wanted to see it and never had the chance.  

As I strolled I had a chance to think about being 32.  Can I just say that it is such a good feeling to love exactly where you're at.  As I look at my life so far I realize  there have been years where I have been looking back or looking forward and it feels good to just stand still and embrace the moment I'm in.  Something as simple as walking down and exploring a landmark might have intimidated me at a certain point in my life...it sounds silly I know.  I think that is what I'm trying to say though...I'm 32 and I'm no longer afraid.  Not of flying, not of exploring, not of life...

In fact I'm feeling like the year ahead is going to be the best one yet...

The birthday fun wasn't over... 

Later that night we were headed to Broadway...

I have been in love with this movie since I was 7 and we know every song by heart...

It was so great!  Seize the Day...

It was nice to take note that in a stage of life with routine, routine and more routine taking an unexpected trip can be just the thing to make you feel pretty darn great on your birthday.  I was anticipating fun and New York you delivered.  I loved every second of it...

Thank you Kim and Cayce for being the best friends I always hoped I'd have when I grew up.  Y'all make me so happy and I can't imagine liking anyone more than I like you...

It was a very happy birthday.

P.S. Can't miss the opportunity to give a big shout out to my Mama!  Without you I wouldn't have the freedom to explore thank you for watching my chicks...

For planting flowers, playing "Mother May I" and giving me the opportunity to leave responsibility behind for 48 lovely hours I am SO grateful.  Love you!

The Little Princess

There was no wavering when it came to Emerson's party them request this year.  She had one thing on her mind, princesses with a capital P!  We decided the perfect celebration would be a tea party with a few of her dearest little friends...

Emerson was tickled pink that her day was finally here and loved playing "princess"...

When you're subject is as sweet as Emme it's easy to want to go a little above and beyond.  So I threw on my wedding dress (it still fits! just barely) and Nate tossed on his best "Prince" attire so we could welcome all of guests to our royal castle...

We weren't the only ones who had decided to do a little dressing up...

So many of the people that Emme loves most were there to celebrate with her...

And then our guests of honor arrived and the real fun began!  When they arrived they were greeted with jewels (aka bubblegum necklaces I whipped up) and crowns personalized just for them...

First up makeovers...

Followed by a proper tea thanks to the vintage props from Roxi (well, as proper as 3 year olds get)...

And just to make sure things weren't too proper we threw in equal parts trampoline jumping...

And pinata busting...

Of course there was cake...

I think Emme was in party heaven with all her favorite people...

And presents helped a little too :)

It was party success at its finest (tired little guests were convincing evidence)...

We sent them home with magic wands, a princess book of their choice and one of Emerson's favorite treats, cotton candy....

I love celebrating my babies...

And as a Mom I feel so thankful for all the other people in our life that go out of our way to make them feel special not only on their birthdays but all year long.  Emerson had a couple of other little birthday "moments" at school, our church, and on a little date with Aunt Kim...

Happy Birthday Emerson!  I hope your third year is the best one yet.  XOXO