Over the years I have found myself being too busy or overwhelmed to do the kind of celebrating I dream up in my head…big hooplas with fancy decorations matching in color and beautiful in decor.  I just can’t seem to keep up with those dreams.

Gradually, over the years, I have found myself finding celebration in the small things…that somehow add up to create the same wonder and fun that the big idea dreams, in my head, do.

We bring out the tshirt blanket, apples, popcorn, crackers and cheese to celebrate having no food in the pantry or fridge to come up with a real meal.

Somehow pancakes every Thursday night celebrates the excitement Friday brings.

A pair of goggles celebrates the end of swimming lessons.

Taking a picture and sending it to Daddy at work always celebrates in the right way.

Chocolate ice cream in bed with the no-bedroom-TV set up in-the-bedroom playing Strawberry Shortcake celebrates the first sleepover.

The camera always shows celebration in the small things.  A piece of artwork, a chore accomplished, first day of summer, last day of summer, middle day of summer….

As I type, my husband has run to the store to pick up a slice of chocolate cake and a tub of ice cream…just to celebrate the cool cozy weather and a clean house.

It is all in the small things.  Doesn’t have to be big and spectacular…although that is fun sometimes…but these little celebrations bring such joy to my family that it inspires me to keep looking for the opportunities to celebrate our bounty, our triumphs, each other and the lives we’ve been given.  Such reason to celebrate!

Here, my youngest and I are celebrating my son’s triumph – staying on green all day at school.  Snippet of a movie made in about 30 seconds and sent to his Daddy’s phone to show him our celebration in the small – er, BIG – things…

Today being my daughter’s 9th birthday, it seems fitting to create a post detailing her birthday party a YEAR ago.  :)  Yes, I never posted it so this is for you Mandi D if you are reading.  :)

Our nine-year-old is an avid avid reader.  As in…we cannot keep up with books for her to read.  It is a wonderful problem to have!  She read the same set of hardback Little House books I collected and read/reread many times as a young girl…except she read them in Kindergarten.  :)

So it was only fitting that she requested a Little House birthday party when she turned eight and I was all too happy to have fun and oblige!  I pulled in the expertise and love from both of her Grandmothers and my sister.

We invited four little girls, three of which were able to come, and asked them to all bring their American Girl dolls and wear a simple white shirt as we were going to supply some additions to their attire.

First up, we braided each little girl’s hair, along with her doll.  Then we put a few freckles on each cheek and gave them a bonnet and prairie skirt (lovingly made by my daughter’s Minnie).  The girls were so excited and were beginning to get really excited to see what was ahead.

After getting dressed my sister taught the girls how to roll out dough for little mini pies and I helped them with the apple pie filling.  We put these cute little pies in the oven and let them fill the house with their delicious aroma.

While the pies were baking Caroline’s Minnie gave the girls a little history lesson on quilting and helped them create their own little quilts.  Each step required the involvement of the girl’s mothers to help them complete the skill they were learning.

After the quilting lesson my Mother helped the girls make little paper girl dolls that she helped my sister and I make when we were little girls.  Again, all the moms jumped in and helped their daughters make the sweet little dolls.

Next was lunch….homemade bread sandwiches wrapped in cloth, carrots and a sugar cookie along with a milk glass full of cold milk.  They all ate on a quilt in the backyard and the Mommies were able to sit and chat for a bit.

After lunch we enjoyed presents and my daughter’s friends showered her with the sweetest gifts.  We ended our fun party with dessert….the apple pies the girl’s made with a cookie option.

When the girl’s went home they took a small slate with chalk and eraser cloth, their lunch pail, and apple pie pan.  Such fun unique Birthday Favors to remember their special morning with their Mommies.  One thing I would have done differently…I completely forgot to get a picture of my daughter with the three important women who helped make this day possible.                                    Other than that one wish-I-could-do-over, it all went so smoothly!

My sweet girl was so happy and enjoyed every minute of her 8 year old party…which was my goal all along.  The memories will last forever.

This story was lovingly captured on camera by my sister, Katie Torres.