Good food. We had a spread of pizza, veggies, fruit, sugar cookies, cupcakes, and chips and salsa (Ellie's favorite). I actually made and decorated the sugar cookes and cupcakes. 
Good friends. We had some of our family and friends over, as well as some Ellie's friends from school. 
One of her friends, whom she had been very close at school, had recently moved to the suburbs so she doesn't see her everyday anymore. It was great to see them. The girls got along really well (as expected) and had a great time hanging out and playing with all of Ellie's toys. Ellie shared her toys very well.I actually don't think there is anything cuter than watching little girls sit on the floor and eat cupcakes together.
Ellie had been super excited about her party, and her party hat. One of her friends sang her Happy Birthday over and over. Ellie needed some help blowing out her candle by me, but loved all the attention she got while everyone sang and watched her with her cupcake.
We waited until everyone had left to open presents. She got a bean bag chair and a wagon from us. She LOVED the wagon so much that she had to open all her presents in it. She loved everything she received. We definitely have some thank you notes to write!
Ellie had a great birthday and has been talking about her party and that her friends came over and the cookies and her presents (which at first she thought were from Santa, but we explained they were from friends and family and that Santa is "night-night" till Christmas). She keeps singing Happy Birthday to herself. I have had to explain a couple times that she had her birthday and her party and we have to wait till next year. At least we know she had a great time!
