Well, we made it through the birthday season! In the course of 3 months, we celebrated everyone's birthday except for mine! I am getting better at decorating cakes (thanks Sally!) but the warm climate didn't help Belle's dress as it slid down the side of the cake when I left to pick up Livy from school. Oh well, the cake never lasts long anyways once the candles are blown out and Abby did a fine job there as well.
As we started to open a few gifts, we managed to get a couple pictures before the "swarming" began. This phenomenon occurs at the first tearing of paper. All children rise from their seats, swarm the birthday girl (cumpleaño) to see what she got, and also lend "helping hands" to open the gift for her! It starts as early as the first birthday with siblings and continues well into Jr. High (I think). Despite putting Abby high up on a chair and the girls on the floor, I gave up after the first two presents while Dave, who is much taller, attempted profile shots from a better angle. Below are the ones that actually worked, including a sweet photo of Abby with her new puppy from Alexa.
Everyone starts seated on the floor.
The swarming of the birthday girl!
"The Princesses" 
