This year she'll spend her actual birthday riding in the car - I'm not sure how we've managed to schedule it this way, but over our 4 most recent cross-country drives we've hit John Paul's birthday, my birthday, and now Julianna's. And you know, it's not the best way to spend a day, but we are all together, and that's pretty special. So we will have gifts wrapped and packed on the top of the luggage heap, and I've tucked away a little birthday banner to hang in the van too.
Still, we needed a party with friends before we hit the road - she had a going-away celebration with her youth group friends on Wednesday night, then a school friends party on Friday. For a girl who hasn't been in town long, she's managed to collect quite a few friends - and she's helped by the fact that these little ladies were in her life 3 years ago too, it helps to return to the same church, and same school.
She has adored being in youth group, just loved every single minute.
She has adored being in youth group, just loved every single minute.
And her school too, such a sweet spot. Friday afternoon I picked up 7 very excited 6th grade girls and we headed for home. I had arranged for the school's beloved art teacher (and also the leader of the art club Julianna's been a part of) to come do mini-make overs for the party. Mrs. E is a make up artist who does weddings and her work is beautiful! The girls had a blast!
The girls treated Mrs. E like a rock star. They hovered and marveled and just adored every second with her. It was awesome.
and then we drove to Grandma and Grandpa's for dinner - and they bounced out of the van, "We feel like princesses"... luminaries on the walkway, fancy plates at the table, sparkling juice for their glasses!
They played pass-the-present, decorated gingerbread men, talked and laughed and giggled and talked some more.
And we had birthday cake too.
This is a really sweet group of young ladies and it seems like lavish blessing that Julianna got these months with them! And a birthday party too.
1 comment:
What a great idea for a party - looks like all the girls had a wonderful time! Happy early birthday, Julianna. You'll get to stretch this one out even more as we'll celebrate you later here in NC!
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