Landry's Sweet Shoppe - The Party

Daddy made it home!!!  After not being here for 8 weeks, Cory finally got to come home for a break.  First thing on the agenda: Lots of hugs and kisses.  Second: Lots of Quality time.  Third: Landry's Birthday Party!!!  We waited until we knew for sure that Cory was going to be here.  I quickly passed out a few invitations to friends at church.  And on quick notice, sweet family and friends joined us to help celebrate Landry turning 4.

I chose a Candy Shoppe Theme.  I had been mulling through ideas in my head for weeks.  It took some hard work and one all-nighter, but it was all completely worth it to celebrate my special little princess!

So, here it is in pictures:

Have I mentioned how AMAZING my mom is?  I'm sure I have once or twice, but just in case you haven't heard, I'll say it again.  The woman is AMAZING.  She made and monogrammed 24 chef hats for all our little guests.  She made Landry's birthday outfit and Landry's American Girl a matching outfit, down to the shoes and chef hat!!!  I am so blessed!

Because we had such a wonderful response for Landry's party, and not a huge house, I chose to make  stations throughout the house and outside to help with "traffic flow".  

The stations were:

"Crazy Cookies" - A playdough area

"Funny Photos" - Photobooth 

"Cupcake Creations" - In lieu of a cake, the little chefs decorated their own cupcakes

"Jumping Jelly Beans" - The trampoline

"Candy Land" - Where they could fill their goody bags with Candy

 I was so excited to have my brother and sister-in-law......

 ....and my ridiculously CUTE niece, Jamie!!!

 She's always so proud when we sing to her!

Speaking of proud, check out this proud (and handsome) Daddy :)

And let me say a special thanks to my sweet friends who have been unbelievable during this time.  They have babysat and gone to the grocery store for me, helped me come up with wonderful ideas.  They are incredible!!

And these pictures were from a pre-party shoot we did.   She was a real trooper, cheesing it up for her crazy mommy:

What a Day!

Landry's Big Day

Landry turned 4 a week ago today.  Still hard for me to believe!

Landry's big day was filled with lots of things to make her feel celebrated.  To start, I made her these wonderfully, sinful, cake batter pancakes

I did have some help from Landry.  She never minds licking the batter ;)

She was very excited!  Just look at her eyes!!

We sang Happy Birthday.....

And then we all dug in!!!

Next, thanks to a wonderful friend, Landry and I got to go out on a Mommy/Daughter date.  I'm not quite sure who enjoyed it more :)  It's very rare that she and I get to spend time without little brother.  It was very special!

We started with Mexican...

..... went to Target for a little shopping and a little Starbucks....

.....we gave each other manicures in Starbucks....

....then went to the movies to see the Muppets.  Lan fell asleep. LOL

Lastly, Cory "left" her balloons at our local Winn-Dixie.  Her reaction was totally priceless!  See for yourself:

She felt so special :)

The next day, we shared cupcakes with her class at school.  Her face shone with pride the entire time I was there.  Made me want to bring cupcakes everyday!

Her celebration is not over.  Cory has a special day planned for her when he comes home, and we have a big birthday party planned as well!!!  Who said birthday celebrations should only last one day anyway?