Ode to Chewbacca

Rest in Peace, Chewbacca.  You lived a long and happy four-year life as our beloved gold fish.  Oh the many days of children tapping on the fish tank, swatting you with the net to get you in the bucket (to clean the tank), and watching you eat more food than a human could eat....

So long.  You will be forever missed.

Happy Birthday, Gwyn!

Four years ago, labor day took on a whole new meaning to me.  I was in labor.  I had started contractions around midnight on labor day.  And they just kept coming.  After 36 hours of active labor, little miss Gwyneth Jane appeared before our very eyes.  She was beautiful!

That was the day Wes and I became parents for the very first time.  It's been one very interested ride, so far.  Today, Gwyn is four years old (and going on 13).  She is funny, silly, shy around crowds, creative and most importantly - just Gwyn.  I am one proud mommy of this little girl.  Or shall I say, little lady?!

I asked Gwyn about 6 weeks ago what kind of birthday party she wanted.  On several occasions, she replied "Strawberry Shortcake".  So, Strawberry Shortcake it is.  I never thought it would have been so difficult to find SSC anything on this island.  What a nightmare!!!  Needless to say, we had a strawberry party with SSC highlights....

(Thank heavens for the Cricut I borrowed from a friend.)

Some centerpieces were strawberry plants, some were strawberries and others were full of strawberry bon bons.

The party favors.

 For the food, we had Strawberry Shortcake Friend inspired dishes....

Raspberry Torte's Warm Brie with Raspberries and Almonds

Plum Pudding's Pulled Pork with Plum BBQ Sauce

Pupcake's Pups in a Blanket

With those, we also had Blueberry Muffin's Summer Blueberry Salad and Orange Blossom's Orange Chicken.  I had Lemon Meringue's Lemon Rice, but it wasn't ready in time for lunch.  Oh well, you win some, you loose some.  It finally cooked just in time for cake....LOL.

Speaking of cake....

Strawberry Shortcake's House 

Sorry, this isn't a very good picture.

Here it is at the party.  The darn thing started to settle on me.  So it doesn't look as good.

Along with the pool and playground, we had a strawberry pinata.  This was HILARIOUS!!!  I loved seeing all the kids take turns whacking this pinata.  But, this strawberry wasn't giving up the ghost so easily.  It took another parent (thanks Tina) and me to knock it down and then rip it apart.

Birthday Girl and her cake

Gwyn and Gabriella

Many thanks go out to all who came to celebrate Gwyn's birthday.  I couldn't have asked for anything better.  Also, thanks for all her presents.  We had to open everything as soon as we walked in the door.