Our girl turns five!

At 6:35 a.m. this morning (yes, we were awake...though briefly), Tony asked, "Can you believe where we were five years ago??" I really couldn't. Our gorgeous girl had just arrived a day early and we didn't know she was going to be a girl, so the whole experience was surreal. We were elated...and in love!

And now Brie is five!  FIVE!  She's changed so much in five years--she's more outgoing and daring than she used to be, but she's still Brie--loving, funny and a creature of habit. She's very easy to adore!!

Brie started off her morning with a phone call from Dora. That's right, Dora the Explorer!  Nick Jr. has a birthday club that you can register for...and then your favorite character will call you. Sammy and Brie used to LOVE Dora, so Brie thought it would fun to have a call from her. This was a huge hit...pretty cool to hear "Feliz Cumpleaños" sung to you by Dora and Boots...no matter what age you are!

Two years in a row, we attempted to hold Brie's birthday party outside, but had very bad luck with the summer storms and heat. So this year, we picked The Art Spark...one of Brie's favorite places to go to camp! And who can forget that Brie LOVES art projects, coloring, making jewelry, etc. To enjoy all of these things with her friends sounded perfect! Brie picked the theme of "Pirates and Princesses"...pretty fun!  The kids jumped right into coloring crowns for their first project.

Someone put on their purple dress and crown just for the special occasion!

Eli, Robbie and Sammy hard at work!

Brie, Hannah, Annie and Brenna coloring their crowns.

After the first art project, we took a break to eat! Last night, I had a really good time being creative with Brie's cake. She had many requests for it, including Wonder Woman's lasso (see bottom left), but in the end, it was happy and colorful...just like the birthday girl!

Sam made the cake a sign, just in case there was any confusion.

Happy Birthday to our 5-year-old!! 

Yum!

After sandwiches and cake, the kids got to paint their own treasure chests and design a piece of jewelry.  

Goofiness!

Creative juices flowing!

Putting on the finishing touches!

The littlest cheering section was wondering, "When can I make a work of art??"

The kids were happy, happy with their masterpieces.  What a sweet...

and silly group of kiddos!

Back at home, Brie Skyped with the grandparents and then opened her new gifts. Hannah and Lily gave her Doctor Barbie, which was a huge hit since Brie is our resident medical expert.

And my friend Jenn (who has her own Etsy store for her beautiful crochet items) made this owl just for Brie.

Our birthday girl finished off her fabulous day with a delicious Mexican dinner with her pre-K teacher (and Sam's, too) Ms. Toni! They have a very special relationship, and Brie loved having the time with Toni.

And wouldn't you know it? If it's your birthday, then fried ice cream and a Sombrero are coming your way!

Happy 5th Birthday, Gabriella Eve! You deserve all the love and joy you experienced today!

P.S. Five years ago, I never would have guessed that that this is what our family would look like today. Amazing.

P.P.S. Sebastian is 13 months old today. Woo hoo!