It's Lia's ninth!  This year, we decided to do a friend party.  She had her last one when she was six.  My Mom did friend parties for us every year, and I don't know how she could stand it!  (I am far too exhausted :)  Lia had a hard time deciding what she wanted to do for her party, but finally settled on a movie party.  She wanted to watch, "The Princess Bride".  Her wonderful Grandma Weston agreed to let us use her theater room for the party.  It was a little hard for me to think up decorations for a Princess Bride party.  There was pretty much nothing online for me to copy :(  I did the best I could on limited time and resources, and Lia liked how it turned out.  Jared had the idea to make an activity sheet to use during the movie.  When certain things were said, they were supposed to do certain activities, i.e. cheer when they heard "the Man in Black", make barnyard noises when they heard, "Inconceivable!", and eat a chocolate when they heard, "As you wish", etc.  Lia only had one of the four friends she invited show up!  Luckily, this didn't really bother her.  (We found out later that one had gotten sick and one had thought it was the following Saturday.  Didn't hear about the fourth one.)  In any case, Lia and Olivia had a great time together!  The only sad part was that Lia fell in a big window well in the backyard just as the party was ending.  It was a big, scary deal, so I'm glad she wasn't seriously hurt. 

Entry to the theater room with cobblestones and Inigo Montoya's sword.

Lia's cupcakes each had a quote from The Princess Bride on them.  We got glow-in-the-dark swords for fun during the movie.  The alliums were from our yard.  

The cobblestone movie screen and torches.

Lia's family birthday cake--chocolate with chocolate frosting and a bit of blue.  We had a family party, also at Grandma's house, on Sunday afternoon.  We brought lasagna for dinner. 

For her birthday this year, Lia got a full-sized bike!  It is still a little big for her, and she has fallen getting on and off of it three times now.  There have been many scrapes and re-scrapes of her poor knees.  

Nora made this popcicle stick catapult to give to Lia.  She was totally cute about getting it.  They have been out in the backyard shooting dirt clods all over the place with it.  


Lia has really changed from a little girl in the last year.  I can't bring myself to actually call her what she is--a young lady--GASP!  I can't believe she is nine!  She is our sweet, life-loving, fun-loving, laughing and learning Lia.  We love you, Little Miss :)