The Eighth Birthday

Birthday number 8!

The eighth birthday weekend has been a blur! We had a billion things to do. The girls had their very first sleepover birthday party at their friend, Lainie's on Friday night. Then on Saturday, they had their 'kid' party at Aunt Nina's Sweets and Treats. An awesome party! Then Saturday night, we had our family party. Sunday was Church, First Communion Class, and trying to get to play with all our new toys!

Hannah, Sarah and Emma making their own cotton candy!

The cupcakes!

The birthday girls!

Making pucker powder sticks, choosing candy for decorating cookie pizzas, decorating cookie pizzas

Singing 'Happy Birthday'

Pieces of Eight

I can't believe that they're eight. Eight! Those were the kids that I was in complete awe of when mine were babies. Those were the moms that I thought had everything together and were total pros at parenting. Eight. When they were born, they didn't even weigh 8 pounds (cumulatively!!). I can't believe the lovely people my little 2lb 2oz, 2lb 4oz and 2lb 2oz babies have become.
I will never forget the day they were born...it was one of the best/worst of my life. Best because after so many years of heartbreak and trying I was finally a mommy! Worst because my health was in serious jeopardy and so was theirs for a while. Thank God things all turned out fine. I am truly blessed.
So, yesterday we had a special dinner and they got their Nintendo DSs a day early (so they could spend a whole day playing with them). Tonight is Culvers fundraiser night at their school, so we will be going there and (gasp!) their teacher will be there on their birthday!!!
Then cupcakes to dance class on Tuesday and a lull until 2 parties on Saturday.
Happy Birthday, Hannah, Sarah and Emma! I love you so much!

My attempt at being Acette of Cakes

I finally got to trying to make toppers for the girls cupcakes for their party. My hands and tongue are black from tinting icing black.



I am hoping that these will come right off the parchment paper once they are dry and stay in one piece.

UPDATE!!
They came of the parchment beautifully this morning!

Just keep swimming...

So many things are going on! This week the girls have a half-day on Wednesday and Thursday and a day off on Friday. Thank goodness for grandma and grandpa or that would be 3 more days of work coming off last week's one and the week before's entire week!! I've convinced my parents (I hope!) that they really need some intensive quality time with their grandchildren after being in Europe last week. I don't think they're buying it, but are humoring me anyway!
The next month is going to be a blur...the girls' birthday is coming up faster than you can say "Hairspray!" and we have both a kids party and a family party planned. Then on May 10th, they have their First Communion, which opens up another can of worms. Dresses have been ordered for weeks, and are on backorder. After much stalking, I finally got notice that they shipped this morning! Whoo hoo! Now, just to plan a party! Thank goodness for my girlfriend Karen's boyfriend, Mike! He works at Vienna Beef and has become my beef connection for all of my entertaining needs :-D
Just to illustrate my OCDness, here are pictures of the girls' invitations...

The family invitation (yet to be mailed!):



The class invitation (I printed it on hot pink cardstock and cut it out in the shape of the can:

The envelope for the class invite:



I have yet to start the First Communion invites, but I think they'll be a lot easier!