Miss E is FIVE!! I can't believe how fast time flies.
We threw her a small birthday party, but had lots of fun along the way. Long post coming at ya. I always feel bad for the few who read my blog, and I get the urge to apologize whenever I write a long post about the kiddoes. But I'll just say -in my defense- that they'll only be this little for a little bit, and before I know it they will be packing for college *shudder* and my posts will be sooo much shorter and boring (to me at least) ... So, you see, I must indulge while I can!! And also, there are abuelitos and grandparents who will murder me unless I give a moment by moment account of events.
Ok- here goes.
The Prep~
Miss E and I made cookies and baked the cake (from a box, don't be too impressed) and she helped me decorate while Quijote and Mr E went to the store to get snacks for the next day. She follows directions pretty well these days, so it's been one of those things we get to enjoy together <3 She did great! I've never been talented in the kitchen, but that has also never kept me from enjoying it.
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| Gidget absolutely had to have a treat. |
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| She loves to whisk because it means she will pretty much automatically get dibs on the whisk ...heheh! |
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We also got some free cardboard boxes from someone who had just moved and posted them on craigslist. We are still driving a little Honda and some of the boxes were pretty huge, so pickup was quite the adventure. Despite bringing a very nice assortment of bungee chords (this man is always prepared, you guys!) we had trouble keeping the largest boxes in place; but you can count on the seriously kind locals to come out --armed with extra equipment and the simple joy of helping someone else-- the moment they see someone's car stop because of a comically large box that is sliding out of place. The couple had been working on their gorgeous landscaping when we stopped and immediately ran to their garage to get one of those long ropes that get cranked/tightened with a small mechanism. They insisted that Q should keep it but the whole thing was just so unusually neighborly of them that there was no way he would not return the kindness and at least make sure their property was returned. We were very grateful. The thought occurs to me that there was a double lesson here, that these are the moments when kids learn from the kindness of others, and my husband continually teaches our children with his example- he is a kind and strong soul. He showed strength that a lot of people would have lacked in a moment that might have been awkward and stressful, and gracefully accepted help and patiently resolved the situation. I was bursting with pride and was so happy that our children got to see not only the kindness of strangers, but also their father in action. Our hero.
The Setup~
Picture galore :)
El Pastelito
(uhm.. the "cake only" party? is there a word for this in English?)
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| Princess in a tower :) |
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| <3 |
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| Miss E telling a story about their castle games maybe? |
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| oh my goodness, the cuteness!! |
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| buajajajajaja! rapido k agarro el cono, el mocoso este!!! lol!! |
And the pre- and after- parties, and other gifts
My mom sent her Sofia the First dress waay ahead of time (together with some clothes, which she has been wearing all month, but the princess dress we kept new till the day of) and my mother in law sent the pink party dress and a blue one that is equally beautiful, plus some books and a pink coat with ears. Q and I bought her a ukelele, which has been lots of fun and easier for her to play, and a princess castle. I am told there are some gifts from aunts/uncles on route so we are grateful for that too :)
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| Pre partying with Nana and Grandpa |
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| And opening gifts! |
Since we did lots of prep "work" on the day of her actual birthday, we rewarded ourselves with a quick birthday dinner just for us. Miss E said she wanted to go to "that sushi place we went to with Nana and Grandpa" so it was sushi for us all.
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| This was the best we could do. We were waaay excited... lol |
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| And then we were eating, which isn't very photogenic yet. |
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| LoL |
After the party on Saturday we talked to her uncle and aunt, and to my parents, which was an afterpary all on its own. After that, though, Miss E wanted to camp out --not ready yet for the day to be over- so we got the tent out and put it up. She went to her room to get some books and snacks and a blanket and announced that she was sleeping out there that night!
She didn't get to sleep in the tent - heheh!- we just have a play tent, no real camping tents for us yet, and it was going to get cold that night. But we waited till night fall out there, and there was snacking and singing and ukelele-ing and running around the tree and a motherly monster that picked up children and put them in her tower till they escaped (over and over again).
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| And we found the perfect spot for a gorgeous lavender holder my friend M brought us! |
We had soooo much trouble getting them to bed. It was probably all the sugar and the excitement of the day. But when they finally went in their beds, they were out like a flash. <3
I've just now realized we didn't do a birthday interview! I'll try to get it done this week :)
