Yee Haw Maddy is 5

We had a very busy weekend. Nana and Grandaddy came for a visit to celebrate three special birthdays; mine, Maddy's, and Uncle Thomas'. All of our birthday's are within 2 weeks of each other so while they were in town Maddy had her 5th birthday party. She won't officially turn 5 until this Wednesday, February 1st.

Several months ago Maddy said she wanted to be a cowgirl for Halloween and have a cowgirl birthday party when she turned 5. Having a cowgirl party can be kind of tricky for several reasons. One reason is that a true cowgirl party should probably include some sort of pony ride. I researched renting a pony for the day, petting zoos, and even considered having Uncle Charlie dress up as a horse and "give" pony rides on his back. And the other tricky part of a cowgirl party is the weather. In middle Georgia it's either going to be 65 and sunny or 38 and raining in January/February....

In my research I found Overlook Farm in Gray, Georgia and for a very reasonable cost they host children's birthday parties. Up to 10 children can come for 2 hours and ride horses, feed horses, and have a birthday party in the barn. So we took  a gamble that the weather would hold up and booked the farm for Maddy's 5th birthday party.

Of course I went crazy and had to have decorations, treats, food, and goody bags that all coordinated but that's just what I do. I like throwing birthday parties and I know that eventually (sooner than later) the girls won't want a big party. They'll just want a car and the ability to take their friends out to dinner without Mom and Dad...

But until that day comes we'll continue to throw "themed parties" and share them here on the blog. Here are bunch of pictures from Maddy's cowgirl party. She had a blast. Thanks to all of our friends and family that came to celebrate with us. And thanks to those that helped set up and clean up the barn, I couldn't throw a party without you. :-)

And by the way, the weather was beautiful...65 and sunny!

Cowgirl Maddy in her official cowgirl outfit. The boots, shirt, and jeans
were birthday presents from Mommy and Daddy.

Party snacks

Cowgirl Cupcakes

Nana and Mimi with Maddy's posse...

Maddy and Braxton listening to Ms. Blaine explain the rules for feeding and riding horses.
From the look on their faces I think they missed everything she said except for the part
about the horses potentially "nipping" fingers when being fed.

Here come the horses.

Maddy's reaction to the horses coming down the hill.

Our little cowgirl riding.