Annie's Birthday

I sure adore this girl of mine.  I know it's taken me quite a while to write about her birthday...I just haven't been sure how to adequately describe all of her delightfulness and the girliness of the day into one blog post!  But I at least would like to have one small way for me to remember how grateful I am to have this darling little girl in my life. 

Her birthday was 'all about Annie', as it should be.  For those of you who know her well, that may be enough of a description for you.  Sometimes I think that she is everything I am not.  Dynamic, feminine, fancy, confident, fashionable,  gorgeous, creative, social and sophisticated.  She adores pink, curls, dresses, jewelry, make-up, heels, nail-polish, princesses, beauty and elegance--every day!  (I, on the other hand, enjoy life at home, curled up on the couch in my sweats.)  

We started her birthday with balloons and coffee cake, of course.  Then off to Borders for their Fancy Nancy party (thank you Borders for the nice timing!).  Next, a Jamba Juice stop (because the donut and smoothie at Borders just weren't enough).  Andrew's cousin was nice enough to cut and curl her hair at a real salon, a dream come true for our girl.  When we told her we were taking her somewhere special to get her hair done, she asked, "Is it a castle?!"  

Then we rushed home to prepare for our Princess' Ball, complete with hair-styling by Queen Esther for all the other ladies, and a make-up & nail polish make-over as well.  I even put on a skirt and my fanciest shirt to please my little lady.  (She informed me that it was almost good enough, but next time she will pick my outfit.)  

Annie, I had no idea that anything was missing in my life before you were born.  But then you came and showed me a whole new world...the world of raising a daughter...and I wouldn't trade it for anything.  You brighten up our home and fill it to overflowing with joy and laughter and drama (yes, there is plenty of drama!) and charm.  I am so very grateful to have you in my life.  I love you even more than the prince loves his princess, and that's a lot!

 Check out those curls!  

 

 Before pics of her hair.  

 Opening a couple of presents.  We found her these tap shoes at a consignment store.  She wanted to wear them to church the next day!

I kind of am in love with the story time celebrations at Borders! 

A birthday just isn't a birthday without a little Jamba love, don't you agree?

First ever hair salon experience...what visit to the salon is complete without a little downtime reading a magazine?, gotta love those shampoos!, check out her smile, lovely cut and gorgeous curls (thanks Mackenzie!!)

Painting Nails

The Pink Castle Cake 

We're all pretty crazy about this girl!  And boy does she love her Daddy!

A princess can't go to a ball without a dance with a prince.

Notice the ballerina on her new pajamas...she is demonstrating the pose.

Happy Birthday Beautiful!  May all your dreams come true!  

(except can we please just hold off several years on all those dreams that involve princes and weddings and just growing up in general...please?!)