Her Monster High Birthday Party

Riley asked for a Chuck E. Cheese party this year which worked out perfectly because in past years she only had 5-6 friends she wanted to invite. Now that she's in kindergarten her list was near 30 kids! We obviously limited that to 15, but that's still way too many for a party in our home.


Chuck E. Cheese has birthday parties down to a science. I think there were five parties happening at the same time as hers. Her table was identified with her balloon guitar.

My dear friend made her this amazing Monster High cake that matched her invitations perfectly. Riley was delighted by it and every person who walked by ooh'ed and ahh'ed over it.

We passed out cups of tokens as quickly as we could and the kids wasted no time at all heading off to play. I was running around the whole time refilling cups and checking on party guests. I could not get a single picture of Riley out on the game floor, but I happened upon Camden at one point. He was hanging with TG and Papa.  Three generations of family men just playing some games.
 

After an hour of play we rounded everyone up at the table for the celebration.  This is most of her party crew waiting patiently for the Chuck E. show and pizza.  A bunch of girls and lone man Cam.

Our sweet birthday girl was so happy for her special day. I can't get over how much older she looks compared to last year's birthday party.

High - five Chuck E! After lunch they pull all the birthday kids up for a special dance and some air guitar.


Some of the other celebrants were a little timid, but Riley rocked out. She loves the spotlight!

They moved quickly to "Happy Birthday" and cake next.  Chuck E. keeps the ball rolling at their parties.  She wouldn't tell me her wish, but knowing her it was something fantastical - like sparkly pink fairy wings that actually fly so she can visit Neverland.  Just a guess.

After cake she received her special gift of the Magic 1,000 Ticket. Bless her heart, she was just a little bit excited about it.


All birthday kids get a turn in the ticket blaster. If you've never watched this, it is completely entertaining. I laughed so hard watching the mad grab for tickets. Goggles and game face on.  She was so confident that she was going to get "all of them".


But when she got inside and they shut the door she got a bit nervous. This picture cracks me up. She wears her emotions on her face just like her Mama.

Once the tickets started flying she was fine and all you could hear were shrieks of hysterical laughter as she tried to grab as many as she could.

Riley opened all her presents when we got home.  She was seriously spoiled this year and several of her friends gave her gift cards to her favorite stores (Toys R Us!  Go Bananas! Justice!).  My mom and I decided to take her out on a girls only shopping trip to spend some of her gift money.


Gammy is such a trooper!  I'm sure she was exhausted after arriving late the night before, but she happily accompanied Riley and I all over town on her second birthday shopping spree of the weekend.  We love you Gammy!


Somehow she convinced us to visit all three stores that were "conveniently" located on opposite sides of town.  I was surprised to learn that she is not an impulse buyer, especially when it's her own money.  She made careful decisions and bought things that only used up part of her money so she could save some for another trip or two later.  She's like her Tata in that way.

It was a wonderful day and she could not stop telling us how thankful she was for her party.  I looked back at her last four parties and I was just tickled to see how different her tastes and favorites are from year to year.  She's had everything from Toy Story to Monster High and in between.

We can't wait to see what you come up with next year Riley girl!

She's 6!

Dear Riley,

You are 6.

What can I say?

It's been a roller coaster ride that I never want to get off of. Every year you reveal a new facet to your personality. You are funny, loving, witty, creative, passionate, stubborn, persistent - a list full of traits that are a little bit me and little bit Daddy all bundled up into a girl we love so much.

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Six.

Six years with my first baby that turned my entire world upside down and completely captured my heart in the same instant. I will never, ever forget what it was like to see your face for the first time and just know at my core that I would do anything for you.

On January 23rd, after you were asleep, I snuck into your room for the last five year old kiss good night.


Daddy helped me decorate the house for you that night with lots of balloons, streamers, and a banner. We laid your presents at your seat at the table. We were so excited to be home as a family for your special day. Just you, me, Daddy and Camden.

I made you birthday pancakes with a candle, whip cream and sprinkles. We sang to you before you ate. It's a small thing really, but it makes you so very happy.

Then it was time for presents! You were all about Monster High this year. We got you the Scaris Cafe, Howleen Wolf and new rain boots.


We had surprise plans for you that day. You got all dressed up in your new six tee and the pink bow you picked out at the mall the night before.

You were so wanting Isabelle the new ballerina doll, but you had just gotten my vintage Kirsten doll as Caroline the year before. That morning I fixed her hair into a bun, pink chalked her hair, and snuck her into my purse before we left.  You had no idea where we were headed, but as soon as you saw the striped awning on the cafe you exclaimed, "ARE WE GOING TO AMERICAN DOLL!?!"

You were just as happy to be able to carry Kirsten with her new hairstyle around and choose an Isabelle outfit and snowy day outfit for her to wear as part of your birthday presents.

There was much excitement when you realized that the Isabelle display was up for you to take a picture with. I love your ballerina form.

American Girl was only the first stop of our day.  We visited the Disney store for some Frozen gear and a few other places (like Justice) that you wanted to go to.  You've always loved shopping, but you have really come into your own with the stores you want to visit and browse in.

You shopped til you dropped, literally. By the time we got home you were ready for a nap with me in my bed. You fell asleep clutching your doll who was still wearing her birthday sticker from the store.

After playing with your new things for most of that afternoon we had dinner and your favorite homemade chocolate cake. I love that you counted the candles to be sure there were six. Six is a serious age.

You love the birthday song.  You bask in our full attention of singing just to you.


I made sure to use plenty of frosting, just like you like it. That apple doesn't fall far from either tree.

I kept you up late that night because we had one more surprise for you. You went with me to the airport freshly washed, in your pjs, robe, and cat hat to pick up Gammy for the weekend. You love your family and were just so excited to see her and be able to stay up late for something so special.

You wasted no time in opening the presents from Gammy either! I have a series of photos where you are unwrapping this one and you go from eager anticipation to absolute joy as you realize it was your long awaited, much desired, Monster High storage locker.

And a Catty Noir doll to go with it! Gammy knows the way to your heart.

It was a long, but very happy birthday to you our sweet girl.  So many fun and exciting things happened in your life in the last year and I can't wait to see what the year of 6 brings to us.  We love you so, we always will.

January In Pictures

After a lovely winter break, we were back at work for exactly one day before the snow moved in and we had the first (of many!) snow days in January. Camden caught some of the first flakes with a little help from TG.


I took the kids to see Frozen for the second time that day. It was just as good, maybe even better because this time we knew the songs and could sing along!

After the movie we walked across the street and met TG for our lunch at his favorite sub shop, Firehouse Subs.


We thought for sure we would be back at work by Monday, but by then the polar vortex had moved in.     Both Monday and Tuesday became weather days with no school because the temps were too low.  Fine by me!

We barely left the house and kept busy by baking cookies, playing several rounds of memory, making bracelets with the rainbow loom and snuggling on the couch watching movies. Pretty much my ideal scenario.


She's a serious memory player.  Cam and I are in it for the fun, she's in it to win it.


By Wednesday school was back on. I took the whole daycare crew to Chick Fil A for lunch and play time to beat the back to school blues.


That Thursday I decided to start taking them to the pool once a week to get them ready for swimming in the summer.  I've done this every year and it helps them get comfortable and familiar with the water again. We're 17 weeks in and they are loving it!


True to form for the crazy winter weather we had, one week after the polar vortex it was so warm and sunny outside we didn't even need coats. We're talking about a 55 degree swing in seven days. The kids played in the neighborhood for a while that afternoon.

We kept busy that week with Frozen activities like oobleck snow and rice krispie treat snowmen.


Two weeks to the day of the first go round they were calling for polar vortex round two with snow this time. So we went outside to get the last bit of sunshine before what became four more snow days. It really was the best winter ever.

That week there was lots more snuggling, naps in mommy and daddy's bed, a yukon gold marathon, some closet organizing, and preparation for the big sixth birthday to come!  By Friday the county made it an optional work day for staff.  That is, if you wanted to go in to work you could, but if you wanted to work from home you could do that too.  No brainer choice especially since Friday was her birthday.

My mom, Gigi and Papa all came in town for Riley's birthday celebration and we had so much fun visiting and celebrating our big girl. The weekend was over before we knew it and we rounded out snow week 2014 with church, lunch at our favorite Mexican restaurant, and a little football on TV.

The last week of January was snow day free and full of our usual activities of school, work, the gym, swimming, and fun at home.  That Friday after what felt like a marathon week of work after all the days off we had been having we went out for dinner with friends.  It was a lovely way to end the month.

Happy New Year!

After being away from home for most of the break we opted for a low key New Year's Eve at home. We invited some friends over and I made eggs benedict for the adults and breakfast for dinner for the kids.  Breakfast for dinner is one of my absolute favorite meals and was the perfect thing to serve on the last day of 2013.

After dinner we let the kids play while we discreetly played Cards Against Humanity. I had never even heard of this game before, but it was so much fun. We were laughing until we had cramps in our stomach.

At 9 o'clock I passed out the party goodies I got at Target that day and we had a faux countdown for the kids.


I made chocolate cake for dessert and I added candles for the kids to blow out just to add some more fun to their celebration. They loved it.

Then we passed out all the poppers and streamers, cranked up my new Beats Pill, and let them dance around the living room. There was a lot of spinning and giggling going on.

After they had worn off some of their sugar high we tucked them into bed and welcomed the New Year from our own bed.

On New Year's Day we had lots of errands to run to get ready for the return to our normal routine the next day.   That night we opted for dinner out at one of our favorite restaurants and I took one last picture of 2013.