Riley's Birthday Part 2: May 6, 2020

    Grandma Nancy, Aunt Stacy, Liam, and Olivia visited yesterday for a social/physical distancing party to drop off gifts for Riley's 8th birthday. The kids loved the visit! Our kids played in the front yard and our guests stayed near the van on the curb to watch her open gifts, blow bubbles and sing her happy birthday! It was a unique but fun way to still celebrate a birthday. Before they arrived, Riley and Nora made a card for Grandma and Aunt Stacy out of the driveway. I tried to take a picture but still cut it off a bit.

Thank you for visiting!

Riley is 8! May 3, 2020

Happy Birthday Riley!

 We cannot believe that Riley is 8 already! Yes we are shocked every year. It has been a joy to have the chance to continue to get to know her. She is extremely creative and is always making things! We call her a tornado, she makes so many awesome things but leaves a mess everywhere that she has been. I guess she is one of those messy creative types.  She is very snugly and kind. She is often thinking of ways to make other people happy. She loves to read and can be found with a book in hand much of the time, I love when I catch her reading to her siblings. She still likes to follow me around and help with most tasks that I am doing. She is really growing up and has been becoming more and more independent. We love her and can't wait to see how she grows in the next year.

 She thought it was pretty fun trying to help blow up balloons! We did not have a party with extended family this year. We still decorated and prepared the foods that she asked for. It was fun to talk to some family though video chat also!

Birthday meal:
 Tacos
Carrot cake with carrot frosting

Birthday morning gluten free buttermilk pancakes! With sprinkles, even better.

This year Riley asked for a carrot cake! She used to pick that for dessert at The Cafe. They are not open and they are also not gluten free. I tried the recipe in the cookbook I have and it turned out great! I tried to put a carrot on many of the pieces because she loved the way the cake at The Cafe was decorated.