Zoe Turns 3!

We had quite an eventful weekend last weekend!  Zoe turned 3 and we celebrated...and celebrated...and celebrated...

Jay's sweet parents, Papa and Gramma came in Friday night while I was still traveling in from San Antonio. (I was fortunate to go and hear the Lovejoy Varsity Women's Choir perform at TMEA!!!  Wonderful trip, fantastic music-making, and just a lovely time! This is the group that achieved such an honor while under the direction of Bethany and myself! Such a proud moment!!!)  Anyways, we hit the ground running Saturday morning to prepare for Saturday night's party with family and Sunday afternoon's party with some neighborhood friends!

We had a surprise visitor Saturday afternoon, sweet Ruthie from church!  She is Zoe's aide on Sunday mornings at Prestonwood.  Then, Gramma and I iced cupcakes and survived a minor lavender icing catastrophe while doing so :)  Practice makes perfect I guess!  Zoe's sweet family started coming in that evening for her Rapunzel themed party Saturday night.  We had cupcakes, pink margaritas, and celebrated by launching these amazing lanterns.  If you're familiar with the movie "Tangled," then you know exactly what I'm talking about!!  We lit and launched about 36 lanterns into the Murphy sky Saturday night.  We texted a few neighbors and ended up creating a bit of a crowd with strangers driving down the street pulling over to see what these UFO's were all about!!  It was exciting, special, and quite memorable for all.  Keep a look out for a potential article in the local newspaper.......more to come!

Sunday morning started out way too early...someone was VERY excited to be turning 3 and woke up especially early ;)  We prepped for about 12 kids between the ages of 18 months old and 11 years old to come over for Zoe's Pinkalicious party.  Everyone was encouraged to wear pink, pink, pink!!  We were just blown away by everyone's kindness, support, and love of Zoe.  I'll let the pictures tell the rest.

Zoe and Ruthie...yes Ruthie dressed up for the occasion!!

Now Zoe has a matching tu-tu!!

First attempt at homemade cupcakes!

Yes, the Rapunzel braid from Halloween made an appearance for the party.

Mama, Zoe, and Jenna!!

Aunt Missy, Abby, Zoe, and Grammy

Zoe and Megan getting ready for the launch!

Still waiting!!!  And freezing!!!

Anticipation...

AMAZING!! 

Party #2

Cookie station

Pink, pink, pink!!

Tiara and visor decorating station!

Glitterfied and nail painting station

Our lovely assistants...Cousin Rachel's besties!

Rachel!!

New favorite gift!!  A sand and water table

Yum yum!!

"Joel hearts Zoe!"  Love this kid.

Best part of the entire party was when Jay read Pinkalicious to everyone :)

Did I mention Zoe turned 3?!  Well, she did AND started a new school the very same week...she wasn't too sure about it the first day, but she hung in there.  PPCD is going to work out wonderfully for her.  We are going 2 afternoons a week, and starting on Tuesday she is getting picked up by a SCHOOL BUS!!!

Wasn't quite anticipating the emotion that came with this moment, but it was a bit overwhelming to see my little girl following directions, wheeling down a hallway of an elementary school, not crying AT ALL when I hugged her good-bye.  Silly because I know it's just for 3 hours, but seriously...where did the time go?!  So proud of her. (sniff, sniff...)