Ella turns 5!

We celebrated Ella's 5th birthday (yes, 5!!!) this weekend in royal fashion only fitting for the little princess she is!  She was thrilled to have a princess party and wanted all her little friends to dress up in princess attire.  It was very cute!  It was also the first year I let her choose who to invite....very interesting to see who she chose.  I said she could pick 5 kids since she's turning 5, but most of her friends have siblings so it ended up being 9 altogether which was just the right size.  Since there were a few boys on the list we ended up making it a princess and knight party.  They all made crowns or tiaras.  The boys made swords and the girls made magic wands.  They are just the right age to really enjoy doing that sort of craft.  Then we hid some of Ella's dress-up princess shoes and played find Cinderella's lost slipper.  The kids seemed to love it.  We got a dragon pinata and took turns trying to "slay" it, but in the end Andy just ripped it open....hello, all they cared about was the CANDY!!  Presents and cake rounded out the day and by the end we were all exhausted, but I think it turned out really cute and Ella was just in heaven!  I absolutely love doing stuff like this (guessing that's why I was Social VP in college), but I've already decided that next year we're just going to a park....please remind me!

Ella on her "throne" that I made with sparkly fabric, tulle, ribbons, etc.

The little princess taking a turn on the throne!

My sister, Holly and husband Alan who came early to help us set-up and then stayed afterwards to help us clean-up!  Love them!!

The royal McKean family ready to party!

Everyone working on decorating their crowns, tiaras, and swords.

The girls also made magic wands.  Thanks Auntie Holly for helping!

Playing find Cinderella's lost slipper.  

Time to slay the dragon pinata!

Opening gifts.....

Blowing out the candles!  (We couldn't find matches or a lighter, whoops! Ended up using the gas stove....meanwhile the kiddos are all licking their chops very patiently, yeah right!)

I think someone enjoyed her 5th birthday!! :)