Ivy's Birthday Celebration

As a person with a summer birthday, I'm not really sure how to make a birthday spectacular when it falls in the middle of the week when everyone has to be at work or school. Last year, we lucked out for Ivy's day and everyone was home so we all spent it together. This year, Dan and I were not able to get off of work and Kip cannot have unexcused absences. We tried our best to do everything we could to still have a fun day and plan for an adventure when everyone was home.

As tradition, we decorated the night before with balloons and gifts. Ivy requested unicorn decorations. 

Poor Ivy had a bit of a cold and woke-up super early with congestion. I couldn't get her back to sleep but Dan and I were still able to both get ready for work ahead of schedule so we could all see Ivy open her gifts, bright and early at 7 AM in the morning. 

Poppa (my dad) got Ivy a Cozy Coupe truck which she specifically asked him for when he visited a couple of months ago. My mom got a similar truck for Kip back in 2018 and it lives in Colorado. I know my mom was glad that Poppa got one for Ivy.

Ivy got a My First Barbie and some outfits from Kip. She got some Polly Pockets, a bunch of puffy stickers, an Oompa Loompa toy, stuffed monkey which I sewed a vest for to make Abu from Aladdin, some craft stuff, and Gabby Dollhouse items from me and Dan. From Mandy she got her favorite putty, new Tonies, and an Ice Cream play set and donut purse. There were also books, jewelry, Legos, and more!

Loaded-up the truck with loot!

 

Kip got his own small pile of gifts. Must be nice to be a first born!

After gifts, Dan and I took quick pictures with our sweet birthday girl before heading off to work. 

Once Kip was at school, Mandy spent the rest of day with Ivy at the mall!

On the way out the door, Ivy got a treat from our little neighbor ceramic donkey. A tiny balloon and her favorite gummies. Our neighbors are SO sweet with the kids.

Mandy and Ivy did the birthday bear at Build-a-Bear, got Chick-fil-a for lunch, and then other mall shopping.

In the afternoon, Mandy FaceTimed with Aunt Jess and Ivy opened her fun gifts from her (sorry, no photos since Mandy was solo and didn't catch any) but Ivy enjoyed her little build-your-own fairy house and other adorable gifts just for her.

Mandy made Ivy's favorite Swedish Meatballs for dinner!

And then when Dan and I got home from work we all sang Happy Birthday and enjoyed cake pops and the unicorn cake that Aunt Mandy made per Ivy's request.

It was a sweet day for our sweet girl.

On Thursday, Dan took Ivy for a special Dadda-Daughter-Donut-Date before PT. 

And then in the afternoon they called Grandma, Aunt Judy, and Aunt Kandi for Ivy to open her gets from them! Oh boy was she spoiled with love and gifts! Make-up, Gabby pool, Legos, books, Pollys and more!

On Friday, Kip was off of school for an unused snow day and I swapped a staff day off. Dan work until lunch and then we all went to the Zoo as a family for a belated birthday adventure. We went to the Zoo last year on Ivy's birthday so maybe its bit of a tradition! I'll share more about our fun Zoo day in a separate post tomorrow.

Happy Birthday Ivy!!!