Yes, there is a big, fat “S” on the end of the word “celebrations” up there in the title because man alive, this girl had a few of them.
We started out with our traditional family birthday breakfast:
Before school, her friends were really sneaky and tricked her into signing a form they claimed was for her friend’s birthday coming up the next week. But it was really a “contract” promising she would wear a crown and a big, huge poster saying she’s the birthday girl all day long at school that day (gotta teach her how to read the fine print). So she really did wear this crown at school:
I thought I would be the “cool” mom and sneak her in some doughnuts for one class and a big helium balloon with some cookies attached at the end of the day. I was so worried the ladies at the front would be all bugged and say to me, “Lady, your daughter is in Jr. High now. We don’t allow mothers to come in here and keep babying their kids.”
Instead, as I apologized profusely to the lady at the front desk and asked her if what I was doing was ok she looked at me with a smile and told me this was “nothing” compared to what other parents do.
I’m such an amateur. I guess I could have gotten away with my blimp-flying-over-the-school-with-a-big-happy-birthday-banner-tossing-cupcakes-down-to-everyone plan after all. 😉
One of Elle’s friends who is older and who she looks up to with all her might got to go get a make-over to figure out how to wear super light make-up when she turned 12. Well, Elle got stuck like a bee to honey on that idea, so after school I took her to get introduced to make-up:
They seemed to get along great.
Yowzers.
We went swimming that evening:
…and did the traditional cake float:
A couple days later (on the weekend) one of Elle’s darling friends planned out a surprise breakfast for her. She (the friend) wanted to make this birthday extra special for Elle because it was her “golden birthday” (when you turn the same age corresponding to the day of the month your b-day is on…she turned 12 on the 12th).
So she called a bunch of girls and they kidnapped her bright and early:
…and took her in for pancakes all in their pj’s.
Then her sweet new Young Women leaders and a couple beehives came and decorated our front door all cute:
And that was all before the actual party. This was the invitation she pretty much made up herself:
I think it’s funny she chose to have a celebrity birthday party since neither of us know much about those folks. She asked that everyone dress as their favorite celebrity and then, for the life of her, couldn’t figure out who in the world to be.
Her friend suggested Miss America a couple hours before the party so she ran with it.
We took these posters (guys who Elle is in love with…I kid…a lot) and cut them into puzzles and hid the pieces. The group who put their puzzle together first won.
They played other games too.
And ate:
I forced them to pose for pictures:
And then they swam to their little hearts contents. Elle floated the cake that was totally falling apart by then since I tried to stack it too high (of course we can’t have any cake around Elle’s b-day without floating it).
Yep, that big number twelve sure got celebrated.
Which is good, because we sure love this girl.
Happy birthday, baby.
Happy Birthday Elle! It looks like you might be all partied out? (Yes, I know, you are can still keep going!)
I feel like I just attended her party! How Fun!! and what darling friends she has. Happy Birthday, Elle:)
Such fun!! Lovin' her party invites (and that cake floating tradition is too cute!)
Happy 12th to Elle!!
Happy Birthday Elle! You are such a beautiful girl with an even more beautiful heart. May this year be filled with adventure, joy, laughter and love.
wow L,
what a party!
Wish I could have come….don't you think I would have fit in well with all the gals?
GF
looks like a great B-day. 🙂
Happy Birthday Elle!! Looks like so much fun, I love the "floating the cake" tradition.
I love this celebration! What testimony to the wonderful girl she is by the way EveryONe wanted to shower her with love!!!!!
As for the school thing, for my daughter's 16th b-day I did something for every class..7 in all…from her brother delivering flowers, balloons waiting for her, doughnuts the first hour, cake the last hour, delivering lunch, an iced coffee, etc. She loved it, her teachers loved it, and I was a great mom that day…not always the case!!!! Keep making those memories!!
WOW!WOW!WOW! What a celebration! I'm so lucky to have heard the poster and crown story straight from Elle's mouth on her birthday. How these girls adore this friend who deserves the accolades. She is amazing!
awwwwwwwwww happy birthday! those pictures look fabulous and looks like it was one big week of celebrations!!!!!!!!!!!!
she sure is one poser for the camera!
Corrie:)
Happy birthday to Elle! She is so pretty, and I have to say, those are probably the biggest happiest smiles I have seen in a long time – especially the makeup picture!
Happy Birthday Elle! We sure miss you all.
Happy Golden Birthday Elle! Hope you had a great time.
I love the pix, epsecially the one of the ones of the girl with the beard! I really laughed at those!!!
im glad she had such a fun golden birthday! Elle is a sweet girl.
Such cute ideas that 12 year old has!!! Love the invites and love all her cute pics! Happy Birthday and welcome to YW!!!
That looks like the best birthday for a twelve year old! I lover the cake floating!
absolutely darling pictures.
Sure loved hearing about the birthday. Sorry we came so close, but missed the actual ay. She's such a wonderful girl!
Looks like a fun day! Where did you get those candles?? Would love some for my DD 5th b-day!
I have read your blog for quite awhile now. I was inspired by this post awhile ago because my daughter is having a special birthday this year. I loved this invite you used for Elle's shower. Did you make it in Photoshop? Would it be possible to send me the Photoshop version of it with the layers. I would love to do something like this for my daughter's birthday invite. Here is my email gregnmeg (at) gmail (dot) com.
Where did you get the gold streamer things? I love them and want some for my son's birthday!!
No wonder you were mother of the year. I wish I could marry your daughter.
I wish I would have married you.