Esther's Birthday Week!

John always likes to call the week of his birthday his "birthday week" so as to invoke extra birthday privileges all week.  Most of this invoking doesn't work but Esther, last week, definitely had a "birthday week.  On Monday was the start of her being the "V.I.P." at school for the week--she was very excited about that because she got to lead the pledge and pass out papers, etc...

On Wednesday was her REAL birthday.  At school she got a paper crown and a candy necklace that she could hardly wait to show me--she sprinted to me as soon as she came out the door from school.   Then we made her dinner and cupcakes in the afternoon.  Uncle Jake, Auntie Monique, Grandma, and Papa Hess were all in attendance. We ate, opened presents, and had a fun time celebrating Esther.  There were definite squeals when Esther opened her Tangled stuff from Nana and her Fancy Nancy book from Grandma. 

Esther sporting her birthday crown.  

Esther downing her birthday dinner-tacos and sweet potato casserole--bit of a weird combo but that's what she asked for.  

Esther with her birthday cupcakes--she and Lucy frosted them all by themselves. 

Kids and Grandma ready to sing happy Birthday

On Friday she got to bring her birthday treat to school and her mommy!  I went and talked about Esther to her class.  She wore her fancy sweater dress from Grandma Hess for her special day at school. 

On Saturday was her "friend" birthday party.  The first themed birthday party in her whole six years of life.  I'm not great at throwing parties so it was a bit of a new concept.  Esther wanted to have a Tangled party so that's what we did and I was happy to do it because I LOVE that show.  So cute!  Thanks to some good friends and Auntie Beth's counsel I was able to throw a pretty decent party.  It must have been okay since Lucy said she wants the EXACT same party next year for her birthday with the "same kind of people" and a pinata.

 

 

 One of my friends teaches cake decorating so I was definitely going to hire the cake out.  Good thing too because she did an amazing job!  If I had made it it would not have been pretty.  When Esther saw it for the first time she said, "MOM!!  You have GOT to learn how to do this!!" 

 

The cake was not just pretty--it tasted delicious and was cute on the inside too with purple and pink frosting. 

 

 We played a few games--pin the hair on Rapunzel being one of them. 

  

 Then we hit a pinata with a frying pan--that being the principal humorous weapon in the movie Tangled. 

The kids all had a great time and it was fun to plan it with Esther but I would be lying if I said I wasn't relieved to have it over and done.  I just have to keep everything for Lucy's Tangled party next year... :)

 Lastly, here is Esther wearing her favorite birthday clothing--Tangled shirt (of course) and an adorable skirt from Auntie Beth. 

We love having Esther in our family-she is sweet, smart, responsible, and the best big sister ever.  I just can't believe its been SIX YEARS.  We always tell her to stop growing and she loudly protests, "I CAN'T!!!"