Charity's Golden Birthday

The night before, Charity's sisters and I made her a beautiful sign.  Complete with sweet little scribblings from her little sis.  Erika thought this was so fun!  I wish I would have had my camera earlier, she was laying on her tummy on the floor with Kelly.... so adorable.

Charity woke up to her sign and streamers.... as usual. 

Then we had crepes (her fave) for breakfast.

Then once again they convinced me that she should be able to open at least ONE present.  Kelly insisted and I gave in.  Kelly had paistakingly gone over and over Charity's wish list (which I should mention she only made because I begged her to, not because she was being greedy, she was actually very much the opposite this year.... I thought it was remarkable) to find the perfect present that she wanted to get her.  She settled on this organizing folder (like the one Mom uses for her coupons) Charity was thrilled.

Once again, I had to send my little birtday girl to school on her birthday.  I think she had a fun day though.  Mrs. Rice spoiled her more than I would have I think.  She got lots of attention from her class, Daddy sent her flowers at school (she was adorable about that!  I was helping in the hallway by the office so after she went to the office to see them, she stopped by and told me all about it.  She was so cute), and then she got to pass out her beloved birthday donuts to her class.  She did have to stay late for her play practice and that ended up not bothering her as much as we all thought it would.

After the play pracice went late, she came home to her family party. 

Grandpa Hatch always wants them to open presents right away.  I've been giving in to that a lot lately.... I used to be more strict about the order that we did things.... not sure what's happened to me.  But Grandpa spoiled her with a ten and 40 ones.... he knows how much Charity loves money....

My favorite part of Charity's birthday is watching her face when she opens presents.  Her face is so full of expression.  Noah gave Charity a cup of oreos (his favorite).. se felt so special to have been worthy of the sacrifice :)  What a cute big sister.  Noah was smiling pretty big too... what a sweetie.'

Charity was so funny opening up the purse Sarah gave her.... she sure knows how to make you feel like you got her just what she wanted.  And purse was one of the top things on her list that Sarah didn't even know about.... smart Aunt!

See what I mean about expressions!!  And I don't usually like to show every picture of every present on the birthdays.... but her faces are so funny!

She was very good at hugging the gift giver after opening.  She's growing up! (course I may have coached her on that a little.... now I can't remember)

So a lot of the little kids' presents were things that went with the big present that Nate and I got her, that she had to save til the end, so at first she wasn't quite sure why she was given some of he gifts.  She still acted like it was the best present ever. 

If I would have planned this out beforehand I think I would have done the big present first for fear that she would figure out what the big one was, but she didn't even have a clue so it worked out even better.

"thanks for the little case Luke, I have no idea what it's for, but I love it!" hug

We got her a camera.  It wasn't on her list so I hesitated going all out for something she may not really want.  I got a killer deal though, and I know she's been into my cameras whenever she's had a chance.... so anyway, we went out on a limb and she seems to like it.  She's actually really smart about the modes and finding all the settings.  It's amazing to watch her find what she needs right away and take a decent picture.  She loves the smile detection mode (what am I saying, we all liked it :)  )  It automatically taks a picture when it detects a smile.  It's really cool.  I think it'd be so cool to prop it up front of a new baby and capture all of their sweet new litle smiles.  (no I am not pregnant)  But when we have the next kid, I'm trying it!

Yes, Eria does look disturbed, but just look how pretty Kelly looks in this picture!!!  Couldn't resist.

This is Charity "passed out on the floor" from finding more money from Grandma and Simon.  She figured that combined with the money she has in the bank, she had reached one hundred when she got the money from Grandma.

Here's her cakenk it turned out okay, but I will never try that fondant recipe again.... it was a mess!!  Not to mention that right after I had finished it and smoothed it all out the best that I could, Erika came over and ripped one of the corners off!!!  It just wasn't meant to look perfect is all I guess :)

Everybody was so excited that Steve was going to come after work.  They spent a good 20 minutes outside waitng for him to pull up.  He's very popular.  He spoiled Charity with the dog and kennel that she's wanted for the last probably 4 or 5 years.  She seriously has had this thing in mind at every birthday and every holiay.  Steve went all out, bought it online the day before and had it overnighted!!!  Holy moly, what an awesome uncle!! 

(I just like this picture because Erika has been loving my old doll that I had when I was a baby that I found up at my Dad's while going through boxes.  My grandma crocheted the little dress on this doll.  I still don't know how she dd it because the dress doesn't come off.... someday I'll ask her.  The dl actually looks a lot like Erika in my opinion :)

I was there! 

We ate yummy Bajio Tacos for dinner.  We're sick of pizza.

We were all glad that Brent could make it to the party too!  He has been so busy and yet he still takes the time to support our many birthdays and things.  Means a lot.

Hope she made a good wish!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CHARITY!!!!  WE LOVE YOU!