Rachel's birthday, Part 1

Ya know, when I originally started this blog, my plan was to update it every couple days, complete with clever titles, cute pictures and humorous anecdotes. However having 4 kids keeps me busy enough that I have very little time to actually blog about the children. I'm sorry I don't write often. I'd like to.

Well today my parents came down to celebrate Rachel's birthday. She is going to turn 6 this Tuesday. I can't believe she's 6 already!! Good grief how time flies. I had gotten her some presents in early January that were clearanced after Christmas that I knew she'd like. And I didn't even lose them! Aren't you impressed? Well last night I was going over the plans for today and realized that we didn't have ice cream or decorations or anything. So much for being prepared. Time for a trip to the dollar store.

Matthew saw I was leaving and wanted to go along. In a moment of weakness, I agreed to take him. I admit I was nervous because after all, he is 3. But we actually had a great time. He obeyed me really well and even helpd pick out the birthday plates and streamers (plus a couple presents) for his sister. I was pleasantly surprised! My kids are getting big enough to behave in public. I was excited and sad at the same time. Why sad? This should be a good thing right? It absolutely is! But I am moving out of the era of having small children around the house. They are growing up. The days of hauling a diaper bag everywhere with me, multiple car seats, using the bathroom with an audience, having to leave places because my kids are screaming, and arranging my schedule around naptime are coming to an end. I was just starting to figure out this whole parenting a preschooler thing and now we're moving into the era of having pre-teens. it's a whole different set of issues.

Ok, I got sidetracked. Back to Rachel. Her party was fun. I put up lots of streamers last night so she woke up to see Happy Birthday streamers everywhere. I baked pink cupcakes, which she loved. She'd requested oreo ice cream, which I was happy to get. Yum 8-) It was so fun watching her all morning. She is always a happy, bubbly, bouncy energetic girl. But today was multiplied a thousand-fold. She was so excited and couldn't stand still. She so desperately wanted to eat her cake and open her presents. And finally it was time. She got a lot of nice things, including a pink spring jacket, headbands, a Webkinz and a coloring book. But the things she likes the best so far are the Newborn Duckling FurReal Friend that we got her, the Ariel the Little Mermaid art set from me-mom and pop-pop Hahn (she screamed out loud when she opened this) and this really cool flower mirror that comes with beads and glitter you can decorate the mirror with (also from me-mom and pop-pop). She's really excited about opening the mirror and making it look pretty.

And she just can't wait for Tuesday, her actual birthday!