The Boogie Turns Five

This sparkly girl just had a milestone birthday!

I'm having a hard time wrapping my brain around that concept. I mean, wasn't it just a couple of years ago that we were bringing her home from the hospital???

Her birthday fell on a Sunday this year, so on the afternoon of the day before we had a "party" which was our definition of food, cake, balloons, and gifts. Originally we were going to host it at our house, but as our guest list grew and the forecast implied rain, we changed locations to the church which worked out perfectly. Kids played downstairs, and adults were able to visit and eat. I picked up some cheap new toys for the kids to play with in between food and cake and gift opening, and sent them all home with birthday balloons and scented bubbles.

The Boogie had spent Friday afternoon, all night, and the better part of Saturday with her cousins, which freed us up to run errands and get things set up. When she arrived at church she hung around the bottom of the stairs expectantly; I didn't realize it but SIL1 mentioned to me that the Boogie seemed to be waiting for everyone to yell "surprise!" It never occurred to me to throw a real surprise party for her. Maybe another year! I think she had a really fun time and she got some nice gifts from friends and family.

First things first: food!

After the girls went to bed that night we tidied up our living room and set out a few gifts we'd kept back so she could open them on her actual birthday. Last year we got her a bike which she wasn't ready for, so we got a scooter for her this year. Even Peabody can ride it, sort of.

After the morning church service we ate lunch and let her open her gifts from us and my parents. Mama Dog wanted in on that, too.

Peabody just liked the gift bags.

It was the least-stressful birthday I have planned yet, and I really think it was because I wasn't working. We all had an enjoyable weekend.

And, as always, though it seems to get pushed into the background every year, Eric and I also celebrated our anniversary. We exchanged cards on the actual day but that was about it. Our gift to ourselves was a day trip to NYC ... but that's another post!