The Party

Belle had an idea for how to bake and decorate a cake for her sister (she is a serious "Cake Boss" and "Cupcake Wars" viewer, after all), so she enlisted the help of the parent best able to accomplish her goal: Daddy. 

The first layer of fondant is applied and trimmed, all while Moo is forbidden to enter the kitchen.

I meant to ask Steve what was harder: cake decorating, or home building.

"Is this like we talked about Daddy?"

Belle's got some awesome supervisor tendencies.

Only at this moment, did Steve realize the folly in asking Belle to cut and roll out the fondant.  It was a chore!  I was fortunate to be commissioned just to take pictures.

Rosettes. 

The finished project:

 

Belle made Moo close her eyes and wait for the go-ahead before opening them. She was very happy with what she saw.

Then, the friends arrived and got started with a get to know you game:

Then, a round or two of "Gotcha Finger":

The last two standing:

After a round of "Chopstick Drop" and "Blind Artist", the girls divided into teams and dressed one lucky girl up as a princess...using toilet paper and paper towels.

Belle stands to the left of Bailey, while Rachel and Hannah are on the right.  Sweet girls.

Moo, Caroline, and Emily pose with Princess Kelsey.

Kelsey poses as the Statue of Liberty.

The girls sing for Moo.

No, Belle only LOOKS as if she is blowing out the candles with her sister. 

Gifts were opened.

Here are all but one of the girls that were sweet enough to come over for Moo's 13th Birthday party.  If you notice, I was paying close attention when they were playing the "Get to Know You" game:

Sweet Caroline, who loves to play basketball and eat bacon, is a friend from the NCC.

Bailey, the aspiring writer who likes chocolate, is a friend from CBS.  Kelsey, who likes playing in the woods in her backyard and enjoys eating fruit, is a friend from CBS as well, but she scooted out before I grabbed my camera. :(

Rachel, who loves jewelry making and eating grapes, is a friend from our Fellowship.

Hannah, who likes horseback riding and cookies, is another friend from NCC.

Emily, another horse lover who likes chicken and rice, is also a friend from Fellowship.

Not only did Moo have fun with her friends, I did too!  A couple of the women from my Fellowship stayed to visit, and then Hannah's mom, Angela, stayed as well--and that was really, really nice.  We are feeling very blessed right now. :)