Painting Party! Rory Turns Three!

The sun didn’t disappoint, its glittering morning rays slid through the windows and welcomed Rory with sweet promise of a happiest of birthdays. Three was the number today and it was first celebrated with tea. As I had gotten up early to read a book, and Rory could hear my eyes blink open, she decided to have tea with me. We sipped chai tea mixed with sweet milk, exchanged e-mails and video notes to our dear friend “across the pond” in England (hi Felis!), and Rory felt extremely special. She is three now, so a responsible young lady is to be incorporated in all that girls do.

Like cut grass. In preparation for her backyard painting party bash, Rory insisted she cut the grass (yes, I had to help push and turn, but that girl cut the whole thing with determination). She also painted her own toes, set up stools, and gathered the painting needs prior to the guests’ arrival. Let the party begin!

Silky, vibrant, colors met course brushes. Fingers soon couldn’t resist the colors’ calls for mixing with bare hands. Water balloons were cradled in tiny hands and thrust at brick walls to explode their colorfulness.

Hot dogs were roasted. Pink lemonade with fruit and veggie sides were served. Giggles and squeals carried with the spring wind as splatters of paint and buckets of water found their landings on paper and ground. Cousins chatted and conferred about the art of “charm-mallows” and s’mores.

Cody told campfire stories and charmed his way to anyone’s plate (or frankly found half eaten concoctions in the grassy yard, disgusting his uncles and giggling behind the fire).

Rory gleefully opened gifts galore. Helped by church pals and cousins, she was surrounded with celebratory well wishes and enthusiastic support.

 

Ending her birthday with surprise dinner guests, Grandma and Grandpa, Rory couldn’t have had a better day! She said good-night to her sun, who had so beautifully opened her day, by donning her newly gifted dress-up dress and watered her plants with the princess gardening tools she received (jeweled princess spade and pink watering bucket). A party full of colorful fun! We love you Rory-girl! Happiest of birthdays!

P.S. a special thank you to Robin who grabbed my camera during the party and snapped some of the adorable shots. Thank you also to my sister Michal and niece Savannah for helping paint the stools for the roasting fire side fun!