The Apple of My Eye

Well, as hard as I try to make time stand still, it keeps racing on.  My sweet Eliza turned 6 yesterday.
She is 43 inches tall, weighing in around 40 lbs.  She is all ready to start First Grade next week, though we don't find out which class she is in until Friday.  She still has all her baby teeth, and no sign of any loose ones yet.  Her favorite TV show is currently Doc McStuffins on Disney Jr.  She loves to color, draw, and do crafts all the time.  She is reading and loving the Magic Treehouse Series, along with anything and everything she can get her hands on.  Her favorite colors are still yellow and pink, favorite animal still elephants, and favorite food still mac n' cheese, along with blueberries and pizza.  Eliza wants to be a teacher when she grows up (as she's said since preschool), but has also spoken of wanting to be a Chef in a restaurant that doesn't cost money (so everyone can go - bless her heart).  She is always singing and dancing around, loves wearing dresses, but hates shopping!  This is also her first season of soccer, and she is loving it so far.

My little ham, posing for pictures at home before her party.

"Apples and Caramel the perfect mix, our sweet Eliza is turning 6!"

We held her party at a neighborhood park, and I couldn't have asked for a nicer day.  We snapped some more pictures of her before her guests began to arrive.

The only thing Eliza said she "had to have" when I started asking her what kind of birthday party she wanted, was candy apples.  I don't think she's ever had one before, so it was definitely random.  Thanks to Pinterest though, I found lots of cute apple ideas, and made it the whole theme of the party.  My friend Shae made her dress and headband, and we'll be taking some professional pictures with her in a couple weeks.

I made over 50 of these bite-sized candy apples, and they were a big hit - all were gone before it was time to clean up.

I ordered the cupcakes since I am no baker, and they were so perfect!

Since Eliza loves crafts, one of the activities we did was apple stamping.  Each kid got a canvas tote bag to stamp, and then they carried their favors home in them when they had dried.

Audrey enjoying one of the mini candy apples.

Some of Eliza's friends from school trying the candy apples too.

I was excited to find some great apple games and favors in the teacher supply section at the store.  The kids all took turns playing Pin the Apple on the Apple Tree.

I think Audrey could see out from under the blindfold, since she got it dead on.

Nathan and Asa from our playgroup.

Mamaloop, Uncle Richard and Nicole drove down together from LA.

Abuelo, Aunt Vanessa, Grandma Glo, Audrey, Brian, and Eliza in front.  They came down from LA as well. Eliza was so excited to have everyone at her party!

We sang Happy Birthday to Eliza - with all her friends adding the "cha, cha, cha's" between every line.  She was so happy!  Then came the presents...

Dom and I got her a big girl bike!  She is so excited to ride it!  My mom and dad sent the helmet and basket for it, wishing they could be here to celebrate with us.

She got so many great gifts from everyone!  Her friends were as excited as she was to see what she got.

They all gathered around and helped her open everything.

The invitations - after looking all over online, I ended up making them myself.

Ordered these books for the favors from Amazon and was so happy with them.  They are broken into 3 chapters, Apples in Fall, How Apples Grow, and Using Apples.  Then there is a recipe in the back for Upside-Down, Inside-Out Apple Crisp.  Perfect for all the Kindergarten and First graders at the party!

Some stickers, apple notebooks, and cute lollipops completed the favors.

The party was so cute and fun.  The playground was great for the kids to play on in between activities, and they all seemed to have fun.  I am one happy, and tired mom!

Thanks to all our friends and family that joined us to celebrate, and made this such a special day for Eliza!