Cousin Emma's Mermaid Party

Cousin Emma turned 8!  How is that even possible?  It is often hard to believe that there are six children between my brother and I when it seems like only yesterday there were none.  And it all began with this sweet little girl.  For over two years, she was the spoiled rotten (wink) only grandchild on both sides of her family until that little stinker, Lanny (her little brother), joined the team.  She's a wonderful big sister and big cousin and is always willing to lend a helping hand.  One of her favorite past times now is swimming, and she is so good at it.  She just started swim team this year and is doing so well.  We have often thought that maybe she is really a mermaid so it was no surprise when her Mommy planned a mermaid swimming party for her birthday.  And since she and her friends are reading longer chapter books now, her Mommy planned the party around this book and gave them a copy to start their collection:

There's our mermaid!

What a swimmer!  She knows all the swim techniques. 

Show us your fishy tail, Emma!

A cute little merman in the making.  He hasn't found his tail yet. 

But he's working on it. 

Lanny was not loving the chilly water.  Our temperatures in June hadn't reached their usual highs yet so the water hadn't warmed up to his liking.  

Now there's a water baby!

He just loves it.

Now if he'll just let go and walk around he'll be doing good.

Yummy homemade cupcakes by the mom.

Sweet buckets of goodies for the girls with their very own mermaid books.

And fun treats for the boys too.

Everyone loved the ice cream bar. 

The mermaid smiles for the camera.

Contemplating what to wish for...a tail maybe?

Making her wish.

Ready to sample Mom's treats.

The party in full swing.

Mommy and Brody fix their ice cream.

Brody loves cake...well any food really!

Look at that face!

Emma loves getting presents...what girl doesn't?

Cousin Cate wants to play with Brody.

Sweet girl.

And silly boy.