My baby girl is 7! She wanted a birthday party where her friends brought presents. This was really important to her and so even though I prefer no-gift parties, I didn't request "your presence is present enough. Please no gifts." And Maeve was thrilled! We glazed ornaments, ate pizza and cake and the girls played. It was a very successful party. Maeve enjoyed herself so much - no complaints!

And here's my girl on the morning of her birthday enjoying a pancake breakfast and more presents. It's always a relief to me when a birthday is done and dusted and my kiddo is happy.

I am 35 years old! Time is such a funny thing. Rolling into this birthday, I feel confident and excited! I have a lot of good things going for me right now and it's a thrill. Now that we have our garage gym operational, I've been able to work out with a consistency that was hard to make happen without it. I have loved that and the confidence it brings. I'm planning on growing my pottery business. I have a couple markets this year, and I'm taking a class with Terrain. It's kind of a big deal and I'm floored that I was accepted and so excited to see what comes of it! This is my year and I'm ready for it!

Holly's birthday party was delightful. She wanted Texas sheet cake and a water balloon fight. Check, check! Almost all her friends were able to come (a summer miracle!) and the couple who couldn't had her over for lunch which was so thoughtful. I'm so grateful that Holly has the friends she has. They're great. Holly herself is a very loyal and kind friend and I'm proud of the girl she is!

My sweet baby girl is a teenager! What on earth?! Holly is such an easy to please, easy going kiddo and I'm so glad she's in my family. She's a real sweetheart and her friends refer to her as their "friend mom," because that oldest kiddo gig plays out into her relationships with her friends. We gave Holly and cozy sweater and a couple of graphic novels she had asked for. We went for a family bike ride, ate cake and just generally enjoyed the day! Happy birthday darling girl!

It's May and I had hoped that the weather would be reasonable for Enoch's birthday party, but no luck! Instead of sunshine, it rained buckets. I had originally planned to have E's party outside at a park (taking the easy route!), but at the last minute we moved the party into the house. It was really fun to gather with family and friends to celebrate Enoch's second birthday! Enoch usually loves to sing happy birthday and blow out candles, but he had some stage fright on his birthday. No worries, Maeve was more than happy to step up and blow out his candles for him.