Birthday Princesses

Katie and Ella's 4th Birthday -- Wow! Where does the time go? It seems like just the other day I was on bedrest at the hospital in Landstuhl waiting to hold them in my arms. Now, 4 years have passed and we're throwing a Princess and Knight party for our little girls. Lots to look through, but you get a feel of the fun the girls had with all their friends.

The party started with a craft project. The kids decorated their own princess hat or crown...

Princess Katie is in the pink dress with flowers, working on her pink princess hat.
Here's Princess Ella working on her blue princess hat.
All the princesses and knights working on their hats or crowns. The "big kids", Lady Megan and Lord Hunter, were the designated helpers.
Now the princesses and knights are collecting their swords and shields. You'll see King William in his royal robe, supervising.
Princesses Katie and Ella with their father, King William, preparing for the quest.
King William peeking his head out from behind the Princesses' shields.

King William telling all the Princesses and Knights the tasks at hand... First, they must survive the Bubble Storm!
Charge!
Notice the 'high tech' bubble maker in the background. Lords Hunter and Royce were in charge of making bubbles.

Uh-ooh... Katie's hurt...

hmmm... wonder if it has anything to do with Ella's sword?

Now it's time to hunt for the hidden treasure in the "golden meadow"...
that is, chocolate coins and mardi gras dabloons in the front yard.
Princess Ella (in blue) on the hunt. Princess Katie's in pink on the far left.

Now, King William begins the trek to find and SLAY the dragon!


Ah, ha! There's the dragon! Princesses and knights ATTACK!

The dragon is surrounded!!!
Princess Ella takes the first swing at the dragon.
Princess Katie in action...
aaaaahhhh HAAAAA!

Next, to enter the castle the princesses and knights had to pay the Greedy Troll (played by Lord Royce), who was the Keeper of the Castle Gates. One coin or piece of candy was the price of admission. (The only mask we could come up with that wouldn't scare the kids too badly was a Dilbert (from the cartoon) mask -- so we have a greedy Dilbert Troll guarding the castle. Not a good photo, but the parents thought it was funny and the kids believed him to be a real troll.)

And, here is the castle...
Princess Ella looking out of her castle window.
Princess Katie playing with the balloons.

Time for cake... Princess Katie first.

Taking a deeeeeep breath...
and, blooooowwwwing out the candles. Pleased with her effort, and happy to be 4!

Princess Ella's turn.
blooooowwing out the candles...

Not quite...

Taking a moment to size up the situation...
Here she goes again... And, she does it!
If I had to guess, I would say she's thinking... "All this for me?"
King William repairing the castle while under assault from Knight Ben and his dragons, but so happy to have such a fun day with his daughters.