Clockwise from top: My attempt at a glitter filled balloon prototype, part of Emerson’s invitation, cutest birthday candles ever and place mates that I am close to ordering.

Emerson is turning four in just a few weeks. Did that sound as crazy as it felt to type? She’s pretty fired up and taking every opportunity to show me the ways in which she is, indeed, a very big girl. I’m trying to prepare her for the fact that we will be cutting her birthday cake and that big girls don’t cry over such things. It’s true that she had to be physically removed from her own party over a cake cutting incident last year.

So let’s all keep fingers crossed that her fete is tear free. For my part, I’m planning no shortage of all things pink, red, lion, elephant and baby deer, per her repeated requests. Good luck to me. The party stores are no help so I’m relying heavily on the internet. To be very specific – Darlybird and Shop Sweet Lulu are getting mad love from from me.

There will be glitter filled balloons, a few of these ginormous balloons to help mark our territory at the park, a hand-painted pin-the-tale on the elephant game that her big sister created, and some sort of craft that is yet to be determined.

I’m big on birthday parties and I may be in the minority here, but I love all the pomp and circumstance. And let’s get real, I’ll take any opportunity to stuff my pie hole with cake and wash it down with a bit of bubbly.