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3.14.2011

Sunday Snapshot {her party}

Saturday was a very special day for my big girl.  It was the long awaited day of her birthday celebration. We celebrated her first four birthdays with family, but this year came with a party too!

**Years one and two were simply easier with just family.  Year three we had just moved and year four we were six days home from China and adding a sister to the family.  So by default we've decided that our kids will have their first "invitations" party at five.  :)**


The proposed theme/location changed many times over the past few months.  There was talk of a tea party, a science museum party, and a "paint your own pottery" party.  In the end though the it came down to a location where she could enjoy "her thing" (gymnastics) with her friends. 


And enjoy it she did!  There was a floor relay race, a tumble track, a trampoline, a foam pit, an obstacle course of various shaped mats, and parachute time.  And of course, Hello Kitty.  Lots of pink and Hello Kitty...


I'm not sure which aspect of the guest list I think was sweeter.  Her asking if I thought Daniel could come (you know, it's just a plane ride away) or the fact that she insisted that the younger siblings of her friends get to come too.  (For the record, we compromised on including the younger siblings and decided that Daniel would be here for next year's party).


I also want to remember how much she enjoyed putting together the party favor bags.  It was a mommy/daughter activity one afternoon while her siblings were sleeping.  She carefully considered which pair of Hello Kitty socks should go to which girl and which set of Lightning McQueen tattoos should go to which boy.  I wish I had gotten the camera to record her smile as she finished each bag.


But my favorite memory from the day?  Her soaking in the moment of being the focus of attention as we sang Happy Birthday.  I'm sure a little of it had to do with loving the cake.


But I think it had more to do with feeling well celebrated.  After all, she was surrounded by family, friends, and the parents of friends that love her like their own. 


And that?  Well, it made the headache of finding everything Hello Kitty worth the effort!  It was her first birthday party ~ outside of having a meal and cake with family ~ and her expression tells me it was worth the wait. 

****************************************************************************

Ni Hao Yall

Don't know what Sunday Snapshot is?  Stefanie, the creator, describes it as:

"Sunday Snapshot is just a way to capture that special someone or something right now, because we all know time is fleeting... right now will be a distant memory before we know it!"

To join in, stop by her blog to get details.

16 comments:

Nancy said...

What an awesome party! LOVE the cake!

Laurie said...

I love EVERYTHING about this post. it looks like the perfect party (A's will be at a gymnastics venue this year too!), and her smile really does say it all- she felt LOVED!! Oh, and the cake? Adorable!!

Tina Michelle said...

Love that cake too. Looks like she enjoyed herself.

Ann Marie said...

Looks like a WONDERFUL time...for Mom too. :)

Jenn said...

WOW Happy 5th Birthday Kylie,looks like yal had a great time!! We had our 1st invitation party for AG this year too :) Great pics of a special day!
<><
Jenn

Gwen said...

Wow, what a FUN party! I think five is a great age for a first "friend" party! That's what we do, too.
Kylie is just glowing in all the pictures!
Happy birthday!

Andrea said...

What a face to remember! We haven't really done invitation parties either. Mostly because of having birthdays fall just after the 4th and just before Thanksgiving.

Sennie said...

Great party!!! We almost had a little party this year for Little Miss - first year she would have been ok about inviting others, but things are too crazy right now to pull it off. Maybe next year :) Our big kids didn't get one until they turned 6 too. Plus I felt like we really partied on the 10th, even though it was just our own family :)

Angela said...

What a sweetheart! And that is one kickin' cake too!

Heather said...

That looks like so much fun! So happy for her! Happy Birthday Kylie!

Glenda said...

It was a wonderful party! My two thoroughly enjoyed themselves!

Julie said...

I think the 5th birthday should be a special one. And Kylie is just glowing! Happy Birthday Kylie!!!

Our Journey to China said...

What a special day for such a special girl! I LOVE your cake, awesome choice of Hello Kitty! :0) You deserve a day to be celebrated. :0) I don't know what is sweeter, your smile or your sweet spirit - I think both, equally! Love and hugs to you, Kylie!

Jen said...

That smile is priceless! Happy Birthday!

Wife of the Pres. said...

Happy Birthday Kylie!

Traci said...

That was a great fun afternoon of gymnastics!Happy birthday baby girl.