A Fabulous Fifteenth!

 
Grace's birthday began with cake for breakfast (something we have never done before), 

followed by family gifts. 

Opening her sweet present from the Faddens. 

After breakfast cake and gifts the girls and I went to bootcamp, where they both totally crushed it!

Love that Rachel was teaching and that Sharon made Grace a birthday sign! After bootcamp it was home to get ready for lunch at Pickity Place! 

This year, Jennifer and Abigail joined us. For those who don't know Abigail and Grace have been friends since they were three months old (we met at playgroup)! I love that they have been friends their entire lives and I hope that they remain friends for the rest of their lives, too! 

These three are such a great trio!

After a delicious lunch and exploring of the grounds it was time to get home so that we could get ready for the evening's festivities. 

But before the friends arrived it was time to open presents from Gramma Terri and Grandpa Gene!

A gorgeous fairy book and giant bubble wand (that we need to try out) because you are never too old for either thing! 

Abigail and Adelaide came over to celebrate. Grace decided to keep her friend gathering very small this year. The girls spent time outside chatting and hanging with the rabbit and chickens before dinner. .After dinner Grace opened presents and the girls watched Hamilton before it was time to make s'mores! I didn't get any pictures of those parts of the party but much fun was had by all! 

Adelaide gave grace a beautifully painted rock and journal. 

Abigail gave her a basket full of yarn and a book of adorable (crocheted) food! I am sure she'll have some of those items crocheted in no time! 

We had such a fun day celebrating Grace! Thank you, everyone, for all the calls, texts, Facebook messages, cards and gifts for Miss Grace! You all helped to make her day even more special! xo 

Celebrating Grace

 A quiet start to Grace's birthday, in which Queen Gretchen keeps watch of the birthday ring and gifts. 

 Pointe shoes and an egg were the perfect choices for her birthday ring ornaments this year! 

 She began her day with cards and gifts from David, Emma and I. 

 A week of ukulele camp on Outschool! 

 She had been wanting rose water since homeschool day at Old Sturbrige Village when we used it in lemonade we made! 

 The table is ready for a sweet gathering later that morning. Scones, clotted cream, strawberry jam, watermelon and homemade lemonade that we made fresh that morning. 

 Having Jennifer and Abigail here to celebrate was the most normal thing we've done in months! 

  The girls have been friends since they were eight weeks old and have celebrated every birthday together ever since! 

 Since we didn't feel right having a larger gathering of her friends I got in touch with their moms to see if they could send cards and letters to her. She was in awe of all the wonderful messages she received in the  mail! 

 Then it was time for her family party on Zoom! I had saved the gifts that her grandparents and aunts and uncles sent for her to open then. She did that and then we sang to her and all had birthday treats together! 

 Singing over Zoom is not easy! 

 After we said good-bye the girls got ready for dance. At dance she received many more birthday wishes, cards and gifts! Our dance family sure knows how to make a girl feel loved! 

 After dance (hence the leo she's wearing) we did the birthday ring. It was truly a perfect ending to a very special birthday! 

Thank you to everyone who helped to make her pandemic birthday so very magical! From the cards, texts, calls, messages, letters, gifts, people stopping by, everything about this day just radiated joy for our sweet firstborn girl! Thank you for loving her as much as we do, everyone! It means the world to her and to us! We are so grateful! xo

Dear Grace,
May this next trip around the sun be as full of love, joy, kindness and magic as you are! We are so honored to be your mama and daddy and we couldn't be more proud of the young woman you have become! We have no doubt that you will indeed do something to make the world more beautiful, and we cannot wait to see what it is! Enjoy, sweet girl, and know that we are with you every step of the way. Always.
XO,
Mama and Daddy