Cutie Pie saved the day!

Thanks to everyone who gave great suggestions for my clown predicament. I was surprised to see that even Sweet Pea herself left a comment with her reason for not being able to make the party. Thank you Anonymous, that was really funny, but who are you? My brother also offered to come dressed up as a motivational speaker in a van down by the river to give my kids a speech about how we don't always get what we want for our birthdays. Very funny indeed.

Here is how the event turned out. Here is Sweet Pea from last year....
Hope went with me to check the mail and found this jar of candy with a note attached (thanks Kelly for the idea). In the note, Sweet Pea apologized for not being able to come to the party but offered to send her little sister, "Cutie Pie" in her place.
This is my cousin's 11 yr. old daughter (AKA Cutie Pie the Clown), isn't she cute??!!!
The first thing Hope asked was, "Where is Sweet Pea?" but she soon forgot all about Sweet Pea, and had a wonderful birthday, following Cutie Pie around everywhere.
Even Ava loved Cutie Pie, but she seemed to think her face paint was frosting the way she kept licking her on the face! I hope it's non-toxic.
Happy Birthday, my sweet 4 year old girl!
Some of our guests were invited......
And others were not.......
The kids had a great time pulling each other around in the red wagon.....
??????
And Ava made a new little friend, but she did not want to share her ball.
Uncle Jason called to wish Hope a Happy Birthday while cousin Evi was making her look beautiful...
Next it was Hope's turn to make her friend Dorothy look beautiful too. I am thinking I see a career in cosmetology in her future??