Birthday Bug

We are rounding out our month of celebrations with Love Bug’s 4th birthday. We are surprising her today with a special trip. SURPRISE! MJ is staying home and we are making a day of it. I’m excited to share in her joy of the day.

This year, finally, I think Bug really gets the whole birthday thing. We’ve been doing a pseudo countdown since MJ and I celebrated our big birthdays earlier this year (well, mine at the very end of last year). Then, since Sweet J’s birthday, we’ve consulted the calendar daily to count the days and talked about how much time was left until the big day.

Her excitement is palpable, her joy, pure, her frequent gift suggestions, slightly annoying but, in the end, the sparkle in her eyes could brighten the night sky. Very heartwarming.

We celebrated her birthday with family friends on Friday evening. It was a beautiful night so we were able to sit outside on our patio and enjoy the evening light.

I used varying shades of pink and purple paint chips (Bug’s favorite colors at the moment) to make simple and very long garland. One went on the gate and the rest I hot glued to the brick of the fireplace.

The cake!

Love Bug is a chocolate lover. I don’t know where she gets it. :) After numerous discussions, she decided chocolate cake with chocolate frosting was the way to go. I supported her decision.

Thanks again to Amanda at i am baker for the Rose Cake inspiration. Isn’t is beautiful? A simple technique with a dynamic result.

We served our chocolate cake with ice cream and milk. (And brightly colored straws.)

I have been wanting the milk bottle glasses that are everywhere on the web. When I came across this tutorial, I found I could ‘make’ them myself so I did.

I really like ’em.

Then, the time-honored photo of blowing out the candles.

We had a little trouble.

Things were set to go…

But I missed it. I just love her bubbling joy in this picture and the next.

I lit them again and when I turned around, she extinguished them immediately. So, they were lit a third time with instruction to hold still until I was ready.

Success!

A simple, low-key celebration with a few personal touches. Just perfect for Bug. The wings were a gift from the C family. Thank you! 

Happy birthday to my Love Bug.

My Baby Bug.

My Buggy Duggs.

My sweet girl.

Four years ago you arrived and knocked my world off its axis and things have never been the same.

Life is all the better with you in it.

Happy day.

Take care.

Had any fun celebrations lately? I’d love to hear about them.