What a weekend for our new four-year-old! The anticipation for Grace’s birthday had been building, evidenced by her recent comments that April was “taking a long time!” Finally May (and more snow!) arrived and Grace couldn’t wait to celebrate her fourth birthday with family and friends.

Family celebrations came first, with Grandpa and Grandma Janes arriving on Friday night for a few early birthday presents. A porcelain doll was a happy surprise! Saturday morning meant more presents from Mom and Dad, including the Rapunzel doll she had been asking for since February. The rest of the morning was spent playing with new toys and helping prepare for the upcoming party.

[pe2-image src=”http://lh5.ggpht.com/-p6W7tiIXxpA/UYcTuus_W-I/AAAAAAAAIqQ/D7W_jNjx1tQ/s144-o/DSC_1871.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/103369115986217518663/GraceS4thBirthday#5874685932459744226″ caption=”She's so sweet!” type=”image” alt=”DSC_1871.JPG” ] [pe2-image src=”http://lh4.ggpht.com/-DPOpUw9iwPQ/UYcTv8P59gI/AAAAAAAAIqY/HNYNATgbpgI/s144-o/DSC_1874.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/103369115986217518663/GraceS4thBirthday#5874685953275721218″ caption=”Thank you for my new doll, Grandma!” type=”image” alt=”DSC_1874.JPG” ] [pe2-image src=”http://lh3.ggpht.com/-NeKbwPbchG4/UYcTxMTr9MI/AAAAAAAAIqg/_uspiacww8o/s144-o/DSC_1875.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/103369115986217518663/GraceS4thBirthday#5874685974766417090″ caption=”I love my new doll, Grandpa!” type=”image” alt=”DSC_1875.JPG” ] [pe2-image src=”http://lh3.ggpht.com/-R5wPZl_5J-w/UYcT3jd9gMI/AAAAAAAAIrI/buAVgm3A250/s144-o/DSC_1886.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/103369115986217518663/GraceS4thBirthday#5874686084062740674″ caption=”I'm so excited! I have a Rapunzel doll!” type=”image” alt=”DSC_1886.JPG” ] [pe2-image src=”http://lh5.ggpht.com/-XGN_p5kZ_gE/UYcT5Ow1-7I/AAAAAAAAIrQ/CYe0oQxDN9w/s144-o/DSC_1890.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/103369115986217518663/GraceS4thBirthday#5874686112864533426″ caption=”See my new Rapunzel doll?” type=”image” alt=”DSC_1890.JPG” ]

3:00 p.m. = Party time, Rapunzel-Style! Grace was so excited for her first birthday party with friends from school. She greeted her guests with Rapunzel dress up aprons and Rapunzel braids (Thanks, Aunt Jinny, for all of your help in making both of these!). When everyone had arrived, the girls decorated their braids with flowers and then took turns “letting down their hair” in Grace’s house bunk. Pretending to hit Flynn Rider with frying pans, building snack “towers”, and setting off our own floating lanterns added to the fun. The final hit of the party was the cake. The girls couldn’t wait to dig in, and all wanted a purple piece…Good thing there was plenty of purple frosting to go around!

[pe2-image src=”http://lh6.ggpht.com/-g4ndBad64wI/UYcUDPdKv6I/AAAAAAAAIsI/G9JYFgERMpY/s144-o/DSC_1945.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/103369115986217518663/GraceS4thBirthday#5874686284849135522″ caption=”Rapunzel cake – almost done!” type=”image” alt=”DSC_1945.JPG” ] [pe2-image src=”http://lh5.ggpht.com/-a1HBtb7m_iE/UYcUT6LWmlI/AAAAAAAAIto/p79gf3VWy5E/s144-o/DSC_1984.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/103369115986217518663/GraceS4thBirthday#5874686571195046482″ caption=”Rapunzel-Grace takes a swing at Flynn Rider” type=”image” alt=”DSC_1984.JPG” ]

[pe2-image src=”http://lh6.ggpht.com/-KMNyCUfH4sg/UYcUNdxp5FI/AAAAAAAAItA/c8QJX1Spk-k/s144-o/DSC_1970.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/103369115986217518663/GraceS4thBirthday#5874686460491850834″ caption=”Decorating with flowers is hard work!” type=”image” alt=”DSC_1970.JPG” ] [pe2-image src=”http://lh5.ggpht.com/-eDaHstmpFb8/UYcUOemMFpI/AAAAAAAAItI/lA7GXca4Ofk/s144-o/DSC_1973.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/103369115986217518663/GraceS4thBirthday#5874686477892064914″ caption=”Hana takes a turn "letting down her hair"” type=”image” alt=”DSC_1973.JPG” ] [pe2-image src=”http://lh6.ggpht.com/-M16VnOkgpd0/UYcceHVWmyI/AAAAAAAAIvo/zd16JzFCqtM/s144-o/VID_20130504_162419_376.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/103369115986217518663/GraceS4thBirthday#5874695542618364706″ caption=”Happy birthday to you!” type=”video” alt=”VID_20130504_162419_376.mp4″ ]

When the party excitement had wound down, the rest of the weekend was spent enjoying more family time and playing with birthday spoils. Though Mom and Dad are feeling spent, the smiles and squeals of delight throughout the weekend were worth all of the efforts. Happy birthday, Grace!

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