Happy Birthday, Bella!

We celebrated Bella's 11th birthday on January 3rd...just a few days after her true birthday (I know, I know...this post is waaaay late).

Polka Dots were the theme and having as much fun as possible in 4 hours was the name of the game! She wanted to go to the park and play kickball (more Trey's idea than hers) and play on the equipment. Bella is very much a tomboy and loves to run and jump and play outside. So Trey took all the girls to the park to play, while I got everything ready at the house. These girls have a fun time wherever they go!

Ashley, Tara, Bella & Heidi (missing is Kaitlyn who showed up later)

Bella decided she wanted me to make her cake and use fondant for the frosting. If you've never used fondant or don't know what it is...it is the equivalent of playdoh for food....very expensive playdoh! And, not only that, it tastes terrible. It comes in sheets, you cut the size you need and then overlay it onto the cake. Then you can use cookie cutters to cut shapes out of the fondant also. It is fun to work with - I never had - but a simple store-bought cake ended up costing about $30 when it was all said and done...not to mention all that hard work demolished in a matter of minutes {sigh}. Didn't matter...she LOVED it and thought it was great (and was so proud of her mom for making a "fashionable" cake).

The girls also did a foam craft project which involved making door hangers for their rooms. I always underestimate how long these types of projects will take them...thinking they will entertain them for 30-40 minutes, when in reality, they are done in 15. Oh well. They literally moved from one room in the house to the next...making a mess! Started in the dining room with the craft, moved into the kitchen where each person got to make their own pizza with toppings from the pizza topping bar...and then into the family room to open presents! It was a fun time, nonetheless, and the smiles and laughter that filled our home were all worth it.

Even the boys showed up (they must have smelled the food!)

Bella is a blossoming into a beautiul, thoughtful young woman. She is very good at gymnastics and dance and is so graceful, yet strong. I wish I had a better camera to take pictures of her at gymnastics, because my little digital doesn't do her justice...but here she is from a few weeks ago learning to do a back flip from standing position. First her instructor would let her have two bounces, and then into the flip, then she pushed her down to one jump only and then the flip until she could do it from standing. She is amazing and she has even started helping to teach Paige's gymnastics class on Wednesdays and states she can't wait until she is old enough to teach there.

We love you, Bella, and are so proud of you!