The countdown is over!

We made a countdown chain 15 days before Taylor's birthday. Every morning the first thing she would do was rip off a chain and announce how many days left until she turned 4. She would also tell everyone she saw, in case they were interested. It was basically a way for me to stop hearing "Mom, is today my birthday?" every day for the month of August. Worked like a charm. The scab on her nose got smaller and smaller each day too :)

(L to R)Lexi, Melena, Kennedy, Taylor, Becca, Katherine and Laurie

Girlfriend parties are the best. They swam & ate cupcakes. Not too creative this year, but they had fun!

Even the gifts kept with the theme--amazing.

The Little Mermaid bike every girl dreams of. She is so fun to give things to because she gets SO excited and lights up. For weeks now she's been telling us she's getting a Mermaid Bike and a pink Jeep for her birthday. Who drilled this into her head? I guess we dropped enough hints to convince her that she truly wants what we had already bought her. Did my parents do this every year for Christmas growing up? I think so. It's part of the parental oath.

Focus, Focus........
We were all a little nervous for Taylor. This is pretty much her first time on a 2 wheeler and she wanted to go fast, down the hills.

Thanks to the Jeffers for giving us their old Jeep, just in time to pass it off as a present from Mom & Dad. She LOVES it!!

This cake took way too long to frost, but it was fun. My friend Robyn is my cake mentor.

Watford / Webb cousins and some friends

She scored this year with tons of awesome presents. I guess I'm the only cheap mom that gives coloring books and crayons? Thanks for all the fun gifts and cute clothes. She has been so occupied today playing with all of them....and Kennedy too!