Rory's Birthday Week Ends with a Bash

Rory's birthday bash was a Luau Party in our backyard, complete with friends and family.

Rory's Grandma came for a visit.

The birthday girl enjoyed time in the pool, while ...

... her friend Ian enjoyed the slip and slide.

Rory gave her friends quite a lot of fun things to do.

And Rory's aunts gave the adults plenty to drink at the Tiki Bar.

By the end of her birthday week, Rory had become quite an expert at extinguishing those candles.

Rory had quite a crew to help her celebrate this big birthday milestone.

Ahh, Rory was quite taken with her new birthday hat and ...

... and her new birthday twister set! Mommy showcased her gracefulness on the game board.


Hey, they are pretty good at this game!

Rory's Birthday Week Continues

On Rory's "real" birthday, we ordered a few zpizzas, poured some wine (for the Mommy and Daddy), and enjoyed a night with our birthday girl.

Inspired by Rory's friend Maeve, who had donuts at her birthday party, Rory requested that donuts be served.

She's getting pretty good at blowing out five candles.

Ahhh ... cute shot.

And this one enjoyed her donut too.

Hmmm ... yes, that is one way to eat a donut.

Rory's Birthday Week Begins

When a girl turns 5, what better way to celebrate than to set aside a WHOLE WEEK and to invite friends and family to MULTIPLE EVENTS?!

Nonna and Aunt Sydney initiated Birthday Week with a pasta party and homemade cupcakes.

Yes, Aven liked those cupcakes! Yes, my child needs to be taught better table manners.

Look at that smile!

Look at that envy!

Aunt Sydney helped Rory learn how to use her new hi-li sticks!...

... while Nonna took a much deserved break from the action.

Here they are enjoying a quieter moment in front of the television.

Summer Fun

While Mommy was in Seattle (celebrating Lissa's wedding), Daddy took his girls to a Nationals game.

The girls enjoyed the view from our seats ...

... or maybe they just enjoyed the food that Daddy had packed for them.

Did I mention food? Aven was pretty excited to cool her sweaty head with the ice cream ...

... And Rory enjoyed placing that ice-cream bowl on top of her head!

Later, we met up with Uncle Mike, played in the backyard, and cooked up a flight of bratwursts ...

... and Aven found the biggest plate in the house and served herself up quite a "big big" serving.