Just before our new school year began, our oldest daughter turned thirteen! Seems like just yesterday we had those first three babies in three years… I blinked and now we have three teens! They really do grow up fast.
The girls and I have been enjoying watching Hallmark’s When Calls the Heart series on Netflix this year. For the 13th birthday celebration we decided to:
#PartyLikeAHeartie
We started the day with a trip to town. The birthday girl ordered a White Chocolate Mocha for her birthday drink from Dutch Bros. Coffee (have you seen the LEGO Dutch Bros. her brother made?) and I “cheated” on my AIP diet with a Coconut Milk Chai Tea (oh how I have missed my favorite Oregon Chai!), then we headed to the mall to try and find her some new clothes. Not an easy task at this age, but we had fun!
After we got back home, I quickly baked a heart shaped cake (the pan is currently 39% off!) and pulled together some birthday treats.
Meanwhile, the birthday girl had a blast visiting with out-of-state friends, including her penpals over at JoyFilledFamily on FaceTime, and all the kids finally got to “meet” Charlotte’s kids! Someday we will make the trip to Texas so our youngest can meet his godparents in person…
.: Chalkboard Birthday Banner :.
“School is in session, Mr. Thornton, if you’d like to speak, please raise your hand like all the other children.”
.: Heartie Party Treats :.
Coal Valley Cookies
Canadian Maple Leaf & Coal Lumps
“I’m staying here in Coal Valley. This is where I belong.” ~ Jack
Mountie Jack’s Trail Mix
Abigail: Hope is in the air. Jack: That… and a little coal dust.
Miss Thatcher’s Schoolbook Cookies
“The schoolhouse doesn’t really matter to me. It’s the children.”
~ Elizabeth
When Calls the Heart Strawberry & Cream Tea Sandwiches
“As a teacher, I’m drawn to the truth. Numbers don’t lie, and facts are indeed facts, but sometimes, we need to trust each other, because the truth isn’t always what it appears to be. Sometimes an oil can found in a fire is not what seems to be, and, sometimes, love comes just in time to save your life.”
.: Birthday Dinner :.
Elizabeth’s Shepherd’s Pie
At her home, Elizabeth tells Jack about the situation with Hattie. Elizabeth describes figuring out children like figuring out a puzzle. Jack says that Elizabeth will make a great mother because not only can she figure out children but she makes great shepherd’s pie.
“Isn’t this where you’re supposed to tell me I’ll make a great dad someday?” he asks. Elizabeth says she is not sure if he will make a great dad…because she’s never tried his shepherd’s pie!
Abigail’s Buttermilk Biscuits
Would a hot biscuit make you feel better? ~ Abigail
I had every intention of making Shepherd’s Pie, along with all the ingredients, but I ran out of time so we had chicken and grilled corn on the cob instead…
.: Mountie Jack :.
“Do you think we could dispense with the “Constable”, and could I persuade you to just call me “Jack”?”
This Mountie costume was a hit!
Our little guys took turns wearing it during the party.
.: Birthday Gifts :.
May I let you in on a little secret, Albert? Girls don’t care if a gift is fancy, not even girls who used to be rich…What we care about are gifts that come from the heart. ~ Elizabeth
So your cooking is only rivaled by your sewing? ~ Jack
From Mom: Apron, Sweethearts Pot Mitt, Heart Cakelet Baking Pan, and Sewing Basket
Oh my dear, never commit your heart unless there is jewelry.
~ Rosemary
From Dad: Diamond Heart Necklace
From Brothers: Homemade Cards and LEGO Vacation Getaways
From Sisters: Homemade Cards and Six Plays for Girls and Boys to Perform
From Dad & Mom: Notebook, Autumn Seasonal Book of Days, and Colored Pencils
And, of course, the Collector’s Editions of Season 1 and Season 2
… maybe she’ll receive Season 3 for Christmas!
.: Birthday Cake :.
I apologize for embarrassing you, but, uh, I think you’re underestimating your cake. It looks delicious. ~ Billy
Lemon Berry Heart Cake
(Baked in this Elegant Heart Bundt Pan)
Happy 13th Birthday!
Happy birthday to her! How incredibly fun! You're a great mom!
2016-10-12 03:45:38
I've copied plenty of your birthday themes over the years. I have 4 boys and 3 girls, as well. But I have to say this is by far my favorite. Very simple, yet so unique. I can't wait for my girls to see this in the morning. They are going to be giddy with excitement. I'm definitely ordering the mountie costume. My 4 year old will be thrilled to wear this for trick or treating. Every time I visit your blog I come away refreshed.
2016-10-12 03:46:15
Thank you, Genevieve! It was such a fun day. 🙂
2016-10-12 03:58:42
I think that I might need to borrow some of your ideas again. God bless you and your family! ❤️️
2016-10-12 03:58:53
Aw, thanks Jennifer! This really was a simple theme – so easy to pull together in very little time. Everyone loved the costume! The birthday girl has always been allergic to Red40 so I had to be creative to find other ways to incorporate red! 😉
2016-10-12 04:02:29
Love that show! When's the next season coming out? We can't wait!
2016-10-12 04:29:50
I just finished the first 2 seasons on Netflix last night but can't find anyway to watch season 3 since we don't have cable. It will be on my Christmas list for sure!! My favorite show ever! And I look forward to Bella watching it some day!
2016-10-12 11:22:46
The apron looks like the beginnings of a saint costume?!!
2016-10-12 11:43:01
Can you please share the size of costume you ordered?
2016-10-12 11:46:23
Simply beautiful! God bless your family!
2016-10-12 13:18:44
I've been offline for a little while and have missed many posts ~ what a JOY to return and see so much love, celebration, beauty, yummy delights and sheer fun! Shower of Roses blog is the antidote to the news, the election, and everything else that ails our world today. Your posts honor God in every way – the faces of those precious souls who love Him (thanks to you and your husband) illustrate what I mean. This is what your blog does: Philippians 4:8!
2016-10-12 14:01:58
I ordered the Mountie Costume in a size Small. It's big on our 4 year old (32 lbs), but we were able to make it work, and it also fit our 9 year old (who is small for his age – he's currently 53 lbs for reference).
2016-10-12 15:11:52
Such a great show! The last I read: "We don't have a premiere date yet, but we are currently filming season 4, and there will be a two-hour special on Christmas Day!":)
2016-10-12 15:15:41
We don't have cable either, Julie, but I was able to find Season 3 online and then mirror it from my iPhone to the TV so the girls and I could watch it. I think the website was called "Daily Motion" or something like that.
2016-10-12 15:19:16
What a delicious looking cake, and I like the Mountie outfit. I have followed your blog for a long time and always like the quote at the beginning. Today on my blog I shared that quote and put a link to your blog. Come on over and say hi!
2016-10-12 15:31:43
I don't get to read your blog as often as I would like — I cannot figure out how you find time to blog along with all the really wonderful ideas you share. I remember a friend commenting when my daughter "stuck her chin out" after saying something. I had never considered how disrespectful that seemed – even if it wasn't meant to be disrespectful. This was several years ago, but since then we have had many conversations and lessons about body language and how it is perceived by others. As I browsed thru the pics from this party it struck me that your oldest daughter's chin is down in every picture…seems like a weird thing to notice, but it speaks volumes to your ability as a parent to bring out their best while keeping them humble. Very admirable indeed!
2016-10-12 16:16:30
Season 4 starts on Hallmark on Feb. 19th. They did a two hour Christmas special on Christmas night.
2017-01-21 03:09:42
I love your blog, I don't get to comment much it Iloilo forward to your posts. And now I live it even more. I enjoy watching when calls the heart. I can't wait for the Christmas special and season 4. My daughter is only 5 but I plan to watch it all over again wth her when she's older. Thank you for sharing such wonderful memories with us. I already have many of your birthday ideas bookmarked. May God bless and protect your family.
2016-12-17 20:04:23
Ohhhhh dear I missed this amazing post in the autumn. I was busy with wedding plans for our daughters wedding. She and I enjoyed watching the first season of When Calls the Heart together when she was living at home and we enjoyed the story so much. I continue to watch this series and I love the characters and the scenery is beautiful! Your daughter's Birth Day party is such a wonderful tribute to her love for this series. All of the details are just perfect! The cake looks scrumptious and she received such lovely presents…
2016-12-19 03:24:30
We don't have Hallmark but ended up being able to watch it earlier this month on YouTube! Can't wait for season 4 to start!
2017-01-21 20:33:15
Can I ask where you ordered the Mountie costume it was just too CUTE!!!??!!! & Loved, Loved, Loved the Whole Heartie Party…❤️❤️❤️
2017-01-23 16:41:15
Thank you! The costume was such a hit! I ordered it from Amazon. Here's the link: http://amzn.to/2j7A3fq
2017-01-24 01:51:03
You all should get a Zoom meeting with the actors/actresses from When Calls the Heart for your next birthday shindig. Think Erin Krakow, Daniel Lissing, etc.
2020-11-08 00:17:47