Julia's Purple Polka-Dot Pony Party!

Sunday we celebrated Julia's birthday with family and friends.  This day has been a LONG time coming.  Julia started planning her 5th birthday when she was still in treatment for cancer.  She decided after her 3rd birthday party that she wanted to have a "purple polka-dot pony party". And she has never wavered on this wish.  So many times when she was in the clinic or admitted to the hospital or just feeling crummy, she would begin to talk about her birthday party wishes.  It became her 'happy thought'.

It is hard to believe that day has finally arrived.  She is out of treatment, 18 months cancer-free, recovered from her recent surgeries, and adjusting well to her new life with treatment side effects.  She is strong, healthy, happy, and enjoying her life to the fullest.  We are blessed beyond measure to be able to celebrate this day with her! Birthdays are something we will never take for granted.  Every one is a gift.  As the Wilms' world has mourned several painful losses this month and late relapses, we cherish the undeserved gift of health and carry it with gratitude and humility.

The morning began with a surprise from Mimi and Grandpa.  Julia has grown so much taller in the past year, it was time for a new bike.  She was very sad when we sold her old one a few weeks ago and was thrilled to have a new purple one in its place...

Her party was in the afternoon.  We were so happy to have sunny skies.  Though it was incredibly hot, we were thankful for sunshine.  We celebrated not only Julia's birthday, but also her friend Rachel.  They are fast friends and both animal lovers.  We decided it would be even more special to celebrate to purple princesses.  The true guest of honor was Molly- the sweet pony from Noah's Place.  I cannot say enough good things about this company.  They went out of their way, above and beyond to make this day special for us...

Molly also brought two of her bunny friends with her to visit...

Julia was thrilled about riding again.  Her love for horses continues to grow...

All the kids did great with their riding...

Carter had to be a gladiator, of course...

We set up some of our carnival games in the backyard... 

Then it was time for a snack break...

Ms. Kim made an adorable pony cake for the girls...

complete with matching cupcakes...

It was a really special time together.  All the kids were so well-behaved and having fun.  There were smiles and hugs all around.  It was so sweet to look around the table at all the little faces...

The birthday girls were having a blast.

We saved the pinata for last and everyone had a chance to get in on the fun.  It is such a crazy game when you really stop to think about it.  The kids always look so shocked and delighted that we are encouraging them to hit something with a bat...

Then it was time for gifts...

We could not have asked for a better day.  I am so happy Julia's wish came true and she had her special day with her friends and family...

Happy 6th Birthday Rachel and Happy 5th Birthday JuJu!!

Fun Family Saturday

We had a fun and busy Memorial Day weekend.  My family comes in town for the holiday and we let the fun begin.  This year my parents, my sister Beth and Anderson, her friend Eric and his two kids - Brooke and Zachary came for a visit.  We started Saturday morning at the Children's Museum.  The kids were very excited.  They made quite a crew of pizza chefs...

and train engineers...

and police force.  I love the hat Beth!

Then we headed outside to the Edible Garden.  Anderson liked to feed the chickens...

They encouraged us to sample anything that was ripe.  We tried the mulberries and raspberries first.  The cherries off the tree were delicious.  I really want one of these trees in our yard. They look like candy...

The sugar snap peas were yummy, too.  We kept going back for more. Erik helping Zachary open his pea pods...

They have the neatest trees for climbing and playing...

Brooke setting up a house in the fairy garden...

As we wandered around admiring the dozens of fruits and vegetables we were talking about the roasted shrimp recipe we were making for dinner.  We were admiring the fennel and said we needed to get some from the store.  No need for that.  The staff member told us to pick out what we needed and we could take it with us! I have definite garden envy.

Julia liked visiting the bunnies in their hutch...

They've also added a Mud Kitchen like the one the kids love so much at the zoo.  Julia and her friends played out there for a long time...

Anderson and Carter mastering the art of destruction...

Then it was on to the stage.  i love watching them all dress up and perform...

After lunch at Chick-fil-A and dessert at Feeney's (of course), it was time for some baseball...

Even the little ones were nailing it off the tee...

There was lots of swinging off the other kind, too...

After dinner, we fired up the grill for some s'mores.

Zachary was fading fast... 

It has been a FULL day of family fun... and it's only Saturday!