the end of the birthday season

Gracie's new 6-year-old smile. It is hard for her smile in such a way that does not show things off.

I mentioned how I was wanting to make our children's birthday dreams come true after our low key celebrations last year. Grant wanted to keep things simple. Grace saw the green light and started running. Her plans were to start at Pump it Up (a party place with lots of large inflated bouncey things and obstacle courses) and then finish up at Peter Piper Pizza. The guest list included her friends from school, dance, and church. After crunching a few numbers and a reality check, Grace and I compromised on another plan.

Her real birthday was on a holiday weekend and a few of her friends were out of town, so we celebrated the day family style.

   

The birthday kid always gets to choose what we eat for the day. Grace chose McGriddles and the play place for breakfast. Lunch was hot dogs and pesto. Dinner was spaghetti and meatballs with the missionaries. 

That night, we opened up some gifts from Grant and Eden.

Her birthday party was the following Saturday. It was a puppy themed affair. Once everyone was there we had 12 kids- a nice cross section of church, school, and the neighborhood. A couple of the moms stayed and I was so glad for their help. Even with the extra hands, I didn't get many pictures taken. We started out with a little face paint.

We decorated puppy cupcakes.

And all the kids took a timed run through a doggy obstacle course. 

And then we had hot dogs with home made mac and cheese and pesto (again - her choice!) for dinner. The crowd spent some quality time playing with the dozens of balloons we added to the 40 or so that were still remaining from Grants birthday. And then all the little puppies went home with doggie bags filled with bracelets, pencils, stickers and chow (muddy buddies, which have always looked like dog food to me). Grace was a happy girl that night.

The birthday season isn't officially over for us until we make our pilgrimage to the doctor for the big birthday check up. The kids' birthdays are all close enough that I make their appointments for the same day. Everyone gets weighed and measured and checked together. Everyone gets his/her flu shot in the same sitting. It is a lovely thing. Eden had had her appointment earlier, but finished up her immunizations. The G's are looking good. Grace's measurements are all around the 50th percentile. Grant's measurements put his height in the 75th percentile and his weight in the 50th.