early birthday present

Yesterday, a few early birthday packages arrived on our doorstep on the back deck.

When E saw the special tape wrapped around one of them, she could not wait to get it open.

As soon as she saw her sweet new supplies from Aunt Beverly, she had to start working right away. Here's how she spent her time for most of the afternoon ...

As you can see, she loves this doodle book {I do, too :)}

Here's how Miss Lyida entertained herself for part of the afternoon ...

Then this morning, we had Eden's gift from Mama II out at her place when she walked in for breakfast ...

The pictures of her Nona as a middle-school ballerine were an instant hit with Eden. They are already framed and sitting on her dresser in her room ...

What a sweet and thoughtful gift! My first birthday present arrived in the same package ... a beautiful table cloth to use at Eden's party tomorrow.

Here's what is currently happening in the kitchen ...

Yes, that is something happening. We're waiting on the "butter" to soften so that we can get started on our cakes. E has requested a pink cake with white flowers -- we'll just have to see how successfull I am at piping flowers -- and I'll be making my birthday cake, Grandmama's caramel cake. Unfortunately, Fleischmann's Original margarine sticks (which Grandmama use for her cakes) aren't sold anywhere within 20 miles of our house, so I'm going try a new brand. Here's the rest of the to-do list for tomorrow -- wish me luck!

-- ashley