Lilly Katherine’s 5th birthday was August 26th, and we had a family party for her, but she wanted a Build-A-Bear party with her friends.  I’ve been promising for MONTHS that we would do it.  Last week she asked, “Mama, do you think we’ll have my birthday party before April?”  Even though I knew she had no concept of when April was, I felt so badly that I had put it off for so long.  In typical Kate fashion, I decided last Tuesday that I would have the party (today) Monday.

My mom is a “scrapper” so she and LK made these cute bears together, and I stuck them on some paper for her Build-A-Bear Party invitation.  Easy enough!

Each child got to build 2 bears.  They built one to keep and one to donate to the Children’s Advocacy Center.  Several months ago I was at the Children’s Advocacy Center and learned so many horrifying facts about children all around us that are physically and sexually abused.  The CAC is a voice for the children.  It is a safe place where kids can go and tell their story and be loved, comforted, and protected.  When they arrive, they get to choose their very own bear and blanket to take for comfort, which have been donated to the CAC.

I was talking to the ladies that work at the CAC about the bears and my wheels started turning.  My sister, Ashley, had just planned a baseball party for Caleb and all the kids brought cleats to donate to the Dominican Republic.  LK wanted a Build-A-Bear party, and our invitation list was getting so out of control!  There’s just nowhere to stop once you start the birthday invite list!  One of the main reasons I put the party off for so long was because of “THE LIST!”

Lilly Katherine loves to make things for people, she loves to be a giver, and she has such a heart for others.  When I asked her if we could drastically cut her list and allow each person to make 2 bears (one to keep and one to donate) she happily, willingly agreed to doing something that would make a difference in a few other people’s lives…as long as she still got to keep a bear, of course. :)

As an added bonus one of my BFFs in the whole wide world, Kimberly, happened to be in town, so she and Clara got to join us!  Woohoo!

The employees at B-A-B were more than helpful and so sweet, but they were brand new and we totally overwhelmed them!  It was so chaotic, but the kids had fun, and Lilly Katherine was so excited that she never stopped smiling.  :)

Here are a few a lot of pics.  The lighting in Build-A-Bear was strange, so the pics look very orange/yellow.

LK and Clara

Preston and Walker…up to no good.  They didn’t build bears.  They just kept each other entertained by throwing angry birds at each other the whole party.  I was so glad P had a partner in crime!  (Their dads were partners in crime…always!)

AnnaLeigh loves Benjamin!  I’m not sure the feeling is mutual…yet.

LK and Laura

LK and Truett

Giving their bears baths.

Pinky and Paige found a car that their bears loved!

Izzy and her zebra bikini bear

Laura and her “sweet treat” bear

Let me see your bears!

Clara and LK.  My daughter has her Nana’s taste in clothes.  She picked this little sparkly number and silver sandals for her blinged out bear.

After the party we ran to the other end of the mall for some Chick-fil-A.  I asked Lilly Katherine if she wanted a cake or CFA ice cream for her party, and her answer was CFA ice cream!  Hallelujah!  It was so much easier on this pregnant mama!  Plus, I had already made her an owl cake for her “real” birthday, so I didn’t feel too bad not making her another.

LK and “Aunt” Kimmy

After the party Ashley and I delivered the bears that the kids made to the Children’s Advocacy Center.  The party lasted much longer than I had anticipated, so the friends that had planned on joining us to deliver the bears had to get home to relieve babysitters and get their kids down for naps.  I totally understand that!

The kids and I have been making fleece blankets to donate to the CAC.  We delivered the blankets with the bears, and they were so thankful to have the gifts from these children.  I think it’s so important to teach our children that even at their age they can make a difference!

This picture was taken by the CAC, but I thought it was too cute not to post.  The blanket that Preston is holding is one that he made.

Click here for more information about the Children’s Advocacy Center and how YOU can make a difference!

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To my baby girl…Happy VERY LATE Birthday!  I hope you had a wonderful day!  I’m proud to have such a loving, sweet (and wild), giving, kind-hearted little girl like you!  Lilly Katherine, I love you!

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-kate