Karcie's REAL Birthday Party!

After Georgia, Nanny, and Ruthie left on Sunday, we still had one more event left for the weekend.

KARCIE'S BIRTHDAY PARTY!!

We like to cram a lot in on the weekends that we are actually in Apex so that we  can spend as much time as possible at the lake during the Summer.  

I had my one at home party earlier in the year.  Karcie's had to be a "Pay and Show Up" party.  We decided on Grandma's Princess.  She owns an old house in downtown Apex and turns it in to a Princess' dream for parties.  

The birthday girl arrives early to choose a princess dress.  They fix her hair, makeup, and nails.  Then, Karcie got to welcome her friends as they chose a princess dress and had their hair, makeup and nails done, too.  After all of them were dressed they made their way down the red carpet to say their name, age, and their favorite color.  So cute!!

Next, they made their way into the dining room for finger foods and cupcakes.  They cracked me up while they were eating because hardly any of them were talking.  They were all acting so fancy and polite!

Then, they played freeze dance for a while before opening presents.  Karcie got lots of cute things!  After present time, they played Frog, Frog, Princess.  They girls really enjoyed this.  We tried a few rounds of telephone, but that didn't go so well with 3-6 year olds.  Some got it and some didn't.

All of the girls got a treat bag and a precious princess embroidered/monogrammed shirt made by Georgia!

Karcie had a great time and I think the other girls did, too! This was Karcie's last birthday celebration of the year.  I think she was on birthday overload by the time that it was over!

Until next year......

Karcie on her "throne!"

The Happy Birthday Girl!!

Freeze Dance

Karcie's Family Birthday Celebration

Since most of our family was in town for Kamdyn's dance recital and Karcie's birthday was just a few days prior, we decided to celebrate yet again.  You really can't celebrate a sweet little girl too much can you?

Our sweet family all went in together to purchase Karcie her very own I-Pad.  This is the video of her opening it.  Since Aunt Kathy and Uncle Jim weren't there, we had to send them a video.  She was really surprised.  She also got a gymnastics mat and balance beam from Nanny, too!  She loves both of those!

We were so thankful that all of them were able to come to the recitals and to celebrate Karcie-girl!  It was a busy weekend, but we always love having family around!

Birthday dinner at Carraba's.  

That Sunday morning before everyone left, we met Georgia and Randy for breakfast at IHOP.  It was delish!

Then, Nanny insisted that I sit in her lap for some photos.  Funny!! And, sweet!!

Kamdyn's Dance Recitals

Kamdyn was in TWO separate dance recitals this year since she took ballet and modern.  We got lucky that they were back to back on the same day.  I've heard that NEVER happens.  The first show was at 10:30 and the second show was at 2:00.

Anyway, it was a crazy day!  I took Kamdyn to have her on time and so I could save some seats.  It was high drama getting in to the theater because the seats were general admission.  Nanny, Ruthie, and Georgia came for the weekend to see Kamdyn and to celebrate Karcie's birthday (celebration continues!).  I was panicking because the doors opened and I was the only one there.  Luckily, Richard drove up with the others shortly afterwards and we were able to secure an entire 3rd row.  That was awesome!

Kamdyn did so great!  We got some wonderful photos.  She smiled from ear to ear the entire time.  I really feel like ballet is her thing.  She has the perfect ballet body....tall and slender.  She also moves like a ballerina on stage.  I loved watching my girl dance and I'm so glad that we moved her to Holly Spring School of Dance!

She wasn't really in to having her photo taken...but we mustered up a smile anyway!

My precious girl!

Karcie wasn't feeling like smiling either.  Grrr!

 The others left to walk across from the theater in downtown Raleigh to get a quick lunch while I got Kamdyn ready for recital #2.  We got her clothes changed and we covered her up with a button down shirt so that she could enjoy the lunch that I packed for her without getting all over her costume.  She was a bit rushed, but it worked.  

This time, I wasn't as worried about getting close seats.  I realized that we could see from anywhere in the theater and decided to try the balcony for her modern dance.  I loved these seats equally.  Again, I secured the seats until the others arrived from lunch.  I had to use everything I had, purse, clothes bag, shirt, lunch box, etc. to lay over the seats.  I looked crazy!  Again, it worked out even though I was nervous until everyone got back.

Kamdyn did great in this dance, too!  She was front and center in both dances.  Nanny and Georgia left with Karcie after Kamdyn finished this dance.  Two full length recitals was a bit much for Karcie. I loved watching the big girls dance and hope that Kamdyn and Karcie will be in those classes one day, too (much to their Daddy's dismay).  He's not cut out for the dance dad life.  But, I  think I could handle being a dance mom....not a crazy dance mom,but a "normal" dance Mom.  

Front center.

Front right!

Finale

Ruthie and our big girl

Daddy and his sweet pea

So very proud of her!!

It was a million degrees outside and super crowded with another recital right behind us so Kamdyn was ready to GO!