Last-Minute Christmas Rush! Pt. 2--My Middle Child Turns 4 And Has A Party

One December family event that always threatens to be overshadowed by Christmas is Celeste's birthday; it's on the 13th. This year, she turned the Big Four. On one hand, it's hard to believe that she's four already; on the other, she has always acted pretty "worldly" and "knowledgeable" for her age, so it sometimes feels like she's been four for some time already!

Since Celeste had a birthday party for her third birthday, we didn't go too crazy this year; we made pink cupcakes (at her request; however, I was not a fan of the strawberry flavor! Maybe I'll just try food coloring next time), and handed out the cupcakes at her dance class and amongst her family members. We also took her to Peter Piper Pizza's, and she got to invite one friend (she chose Alex, a preschool buddy, who brought along most of his family). A good time was had by all, and much pizza was consumed.

All the girls LOVED this whirly-gig thingy

Daddy and Celeste enjoying their pizza

Celeste's buddy Alex gave her a Barbie for her birthday!

 And when the "big day" arrived (a few days after the pizza party), we put Celeste's birthday presents under the tree--we try to get the birthday presents out before any Christmas presents, to make her birthday stand out:

Awww...isn't she cute??

However, Celeste did get the honor of opening the first Christmas presents as well (you can see one in her hand in the above picture)--Grandma Nash sent us our Christmas tree ornaments for 2011!

Thanks, Grandma & Grandpa Nash!!

Celeste also got to be the first kid to hang up the new ornaments!

And here's the birthday girl, beaming over her special birthday cupcake:

Celeste is probably least like me, personality-wise, of all my children. But that is turning out to be a good thing; she is just so laid-back and charming and sweet (and pretty sharp; she can recall details of conversations held months ago!). Plus, she is growing up to be a very beautiful girl inside and out. I love you, kid! Here's to many many more great birthdays.