Isadora Elizabeth Baker turns FOUR!!!

Dora and I had a deal.  She promised she wouldn't grow up and she'd stay little and live with me forever. 

I'm afraid she's not honoring her promise!!  My little angel is getting BIG BIG BIG!  I love this little girl so much.  I was so afraid I wouldn't have a girl.  Now I have three, but that doesn't lessen the amount of love I have for this one!  I love you so much Dora.  Now and always.  

We had a little party at our house.  Dora got a (small) trampoline from mom and dad (me and Whit) and we also sprang (pardon the pun) for a "balloon lady" to come make balloon animals, et al. for the kids.  I think it was a big hit!

She brought Dora a wrist corsage and a pink kitty.  She also made her a cool crown!  You'll see that in a minute.  And she brought a bag full of balloon swords.  

One last thing.  I've been pestering Dora for years to do a Valentine's themed birthday.  I love Valentine's and her birthday is so close!  This year she acquiesced.  HEART PARTY!! 

Loved this action shot! The kids loved the swords.  

 Here's Dora in her crown.

 Dora and her daddy...

 The balloon lady at work.

 Dora sure likes Greta and Elsa!  Here she is with Greta.

 Since it was a Saturday, Whit wasn't the only dad there.  I think that made him happy!  Here's my brother Clint and our old family friend, Jeremy.  Old as in we've been friends for 20 years.  Not old as in actually old.  34 isn't old!!!

 Hayley!

 Whit and his boyfriend, Brock. Apropos they are in front of the hearts.

 Here's Dora and Elsa.  Dora needs to work on looking at the camera.  She does a (slightly pained) smile on demand but doesn't really feel the need to commit by looking at the camera.  Doh!

 My new besty and her cute baby boy Luke.  Oh did we mention Luke and Emmy are betrothed? Yeah.  They are.  Wouldn't that just be great. ;)  Isn't he adorable?? Love the spiked hair.

 Here's Alexa, looking so cute.  Isn't that mermaid balloon neat!?

 Instead of a cake, Dora wanted cupcakes "with rings in them."  Thanks mom for doing the frosting!!

 Dora looked so SERIOUS here!! If these are the best shots of the party, you can thank Linsey.  My mom handed her the camera so, 1) they are great shots, and 2) I am actually in one or two!

 Finally happy!  Of course, Dora wanted the cupcake with a dog ring.  She's so funny.  She wants to be a "doctor, like daddy.  Only for animals."  So, not really like daddy.  Haha!

 Here's Papa. Right where you'd think--by the food! ;)

 Party People!!

 Aunt Linsey--gorgeous as always.

 OH, Rachael.  We love you so much.  She is amazing.  We invited her to Dora's party (Dora asked for her specifically) and she watched Tessa at least half the time.  She's so sweet!  I don't know what I'd do without Rachael.

 See?  Tessa was there!!

 Emmy decided it was time to open presents...

 We thought we'd let Dora do it.  She was flanked by her best pals, Morgan and Bailey.

 JOY! So much joy!!

 Alisha did a great job picking out the guitar and microphone.  There's been some really hilarious singing in the last 24 hours!

 The biggest hit, though, was my mom.  Whit says "she won".  Dora has not put her "vet kit" down. She LOVES it.  Seriously, she's sleeping with it every night.  (Two nights now.)  SO funny.

 My mom made this little box from a build a bear box to hold her stuff.

 Here's my mom with Tessa.

 What a cutie!

 Not to be completely ignored, my mom made Eli some star wars pajamas.  You see Jake by him.  They were best pals the whole party.  Eli was SO happy he came.

 Here's Rachael giving Dora her present--little animals (littlest pet shop).  So fun!

 Mom and dad got her some too!

 VET KIT!!!!

 Happy Sydney with Dad...

 Cutest people at the party!

 I just love this age.  Sydney is just too cute!!

 Here's Papa with baby Tessa...

 Clint and Jeremy know how to roll when it comes to Blue Bell... straight out of the container.  I think Jeremy got the short end of this stick though...

Here was my very relaxed and not at all fancy "spread".  I forgot to take a photo until it had already been picked over! Oh well!  I had a photo of Dora on display! That counts for something right!? 

Happy Birthday Dora! You brighten (and kind of run) our whole family!! Life has never been the same since you were born.  I've been wearing my heart outside of my body ever since--you've had it from day one.  Love you!!