Alyssa is 4!!

Where does time go? It seems like yesterday Alyssa was born. Now we have two more kids. It is also funny since Cambrie looks so much like Alyssa did as a baby - we always catch ourselves calling her baby Alyssa. Alyssa is no longer a baby. She is a grown-up 4 year old now. She has been anticipating her birthday for a long time. For weeks she has been asking us, "Am I 4 yet?" We kept telling her she hadn't had her birthday yet and we wouldn't let her miss it! I think since Gavin's birthday is in July, she thinks her birthday should follow shortly. We have to remind her that we have her birthday when the Christmas tree is up!

Alyssa is a true girly-girl. Her favorite colors are pink and purple. She loves princesses, barbies, and baby dolls. She loves mothering her brothers and her baby sister (they don't really appreciate it!). She constantly tells me she can't wait to be a mom.

I thought it would only be fitting to make her a princess cake for her birthday. I have to admit, I was probably more excited about it than she was. I had seen pictures of some princess cakes people had done with fondant and I was determined to figure it out and make one. I found a recipe for marshmallow fondant. People said it was super easy to make and tasted better than regular fondant. I cooked her strawberry cake in my pampered chef bowl. I also made two smaller round cakes because I needed more height for the Barbie princess I was going to poke down the middle of the cake. I was so pleased with the end result. The fondant really was easy to make (however, next time I won't add all the powdered sugar like the recipe called for - it just made the fondant really, really hard!). Because the fondant ended up being the princess skirt, it was so easy to just drape it on top of the cake and let the wrinkles stay - it then made the skirt look a bit more realistic.

We decided to take Alyssa's cake out to Grandma and Grandpa Henrie's house and have a little party there. Grandpa was working, but he took a long dinner break and came home to have a little celebration with her. That was truly special! Grandpa has a special love for the grandkids and they love playing with him. Alyssa wanted macaroni and cheese for her birthday dinner (how gross is that?!). We decided since we were going to Grandma and Grandpa's then we would stop at Burger King and get the kids the macaroni and cheese kids meals to make the day a little more special. Kids love getting kids' meals at the different fast food joints! We grabbed some edible burgers for us and for Grandpa. We ate our little dinner at Grandma and Grandpa's house and then opened presents and had cake and ice cream.

Alyssa got some great presents for her birthday. She was particularly excited to get twin babies and jewelry. She also got a cute hat from Grandma and Grandpa but was being a stinker and wouldn't try it on. I told her I would have Rylan try it on then - thinking it would make her want to do it. Of course, my manipulation plan backfired. She didn't care - and Rylan absolutely loved wearing it! Gavin also made her a little artwork creation for her birthday. He is an artist and loves making things. He made her a reindeer puppet and two Santa/sleigh pictures connected to it. He was so happy to make it for her - and she was happy to receive it. It reminds us that big, expensive presents are not always what make kids happy. Gifts from the heart are the best!

It wasn't a big production since it was a school night and since Grandpa was on a dinner break - but it was just enough for Alyssa. She was so excited. It was also nice to have a relaxed celebration. When it is Gavin's birthday, he is really particular about things. For weeks he has things organized and planned out. He tells us the party hats he wants everyone to wear (even though it is just family), he picks out a tablecloth, plates, napkins, etc. and is very specific about things. He knows exactly what he wants made for dinner and what kind of cake he wants. Alyssa is not nearly as particular - at least not yet! She never mentioned party hats or plates. She really didn't care (and I obviously didn't mention it!). She was just excited to turn 4!! Now, each morning she wakes up and asks, "Am I still 4?" :)