Harper's 5th Birthday Party

My precious baby girl, one of the greatest loves of my life, had her 5th birthday party yesterday.  I still can't believe it.  How can she be 5???  5 is such a BIG milestone.  An entire hand....big deal!  Her actual birthday is July 5th, but given her birthday is right smack dab in the middle of the 4th of July week, we had to celebrate a little early.  Harper has been SO excited about her party.  She has had her two cents in every bit of the planning.  She knew she wanted a gymnastics party since way back (possibly Christmas time).  I threw out every possible party option for her and she did not waver once.  Hudson's first 'big' birthday party where he invited friends was his 5th birthday, so we have made that party a big deal around here.  We talk it up and let them pretty much get what they want.  It's a lot of fun and I love how excited and involved they get in the details of planning and inviting friends.

Decorating was fairly easy (since we are only given 15 minutes to throw it together before the party started).  We had the party at 2, so it was only cupcakes and ice cream.  Harper wanted a Littlest Pet Shop themed party.  Being my animal lover, I knew we'd have some sort of animal theme.  I tried to sway her in SO many different directions (bc LPS's??  I had a lot of fun, cute ideas), but little girl knew what she wanted and again did not waver.  There isn't much LPS stuff out there for party supplies so we went with cupcake toppers.  She was so excited and it was just what she wanted.  I had to pack up a few pictures for her table.  All sweet, sweet pictures of her that I love so much.  She was such a beautiful baby and has grown into the sweetest, most tender hearted, lovable little girl I know.

The kids had free run of the gym for an hour.  They had a blast.  Harper had 7 friends come and (two brothers came for Hudson).  It was a lot of fun.  More than I hoped it would be.  They played so hard and did every possible gymnastics trick out there.  They loved the trampoline and foam pit.  The rope swing was huge hit for the big boys.  Holton was SO cute just walking around and checking everything out.  His favorite was probably the balloons and cupcakes.....oh and trying out the rope swing with Daddy.

Harp and Karli

Bethany

Huddy Bud

James

Kari

Thomas

Sweet girls. 

The boys

I think it's safe to say that Matt had a good time.

My baby, almost big brother.

Sweet, sweet, sweet friends.

Can you believe he did this?

Holton looked a little worried, but he laughed and smiled the whole time.

All of Harper's friends.

All she did was lick the icing off and move on.

Present time with plenty of helpers!

It was such a fun party.  I loved seeing Harper so excited and feeling so special.  She definitely deserved every minute of the fun.  Her sweet friends that came were adorable and made her feel extra loved.  Harper got some great gifts from her friends that know her well.  Lots of art and animal related things.  She was happy!!

Her BIG present from us will come next week.  :)  We are sooo excited to give it to the kids (it's a joint gift to both Hudson and Harper).  They will be SO excited and surprised.  Can't wait for more partying this week!