Brooklyn's 5th Birthday Party

This year was kind-of cool because we were able to have her party on her actual birthday.

But first we had to get the birthday girl all ready for her special day so I took her for a pedicure!  She's only had one and that was last year for Chandler's birthday.

 This was really special because it was just the 2 of us and it is rare for us to be able to hangout just 1 on 1.  She is such an expressive kid and realized that this was a special treat so it was really fun to be able to see her little face light up!

 She kept talking to the guy who was doing her nails, but he didn't speak English and wasn't responding.  She very sweetly said, "Mom, this guy doesn't know how to talk."

 He did a very good job on her toes and fingers and and made her very cool and intricate flowers on her big toes and thumbs.  It was really impressive to me and confusing to her why he just did it on certain toes and fingers.  Love, love, love her naivety.

 The workers there all knew it was her birthday and kept offering her drinks, but she kept turning them down.  I think they really wanted her to have one to make this event more fun for her so finally one of them just went and got her a coke.  She gave me this weird look and said she didn't want it and gave it to me.  I told her it was a drink and tasted good.  I took a drink to show her and encouraged her just to try it.

She finally did and then loudly said, "Wow!  This is delicious!  I've never had this before!!"  This illicited a chuckle from almost every patron there, but she was totally oblivious to their reactions.  The lady next to me was in shock and double checked to make sure that was right???  I thought about it, and to my knowledge, she hasn't ever really had one before.  She may have had a sip here or there, but has never been GIVEN an entire can of CAFFEINATED soda before!!  She couldn't stop drinking and finished the whole thing before we left.  Hilarious!

That night (her birthday eve), we let her open 1 present from her Dad (mostly because HE was too excited to wait.  It was her very own lefty, pink golf club.  She LOVED it!  They went out that night to give it a test run!

 The morning of her birthday, both sets of grandparents were in town (and, of course early-rising Chan was up), so all 8 of us went into her room together singing Happy Birthday as soon as she woke up.  It took her a minute to register what was happening, but then she was all grins.

 Then Eddie and his parents took she and Chan in their pajamas to the doughnut shop to start the day off with her favorite breakfast meal - pink and chocolate doughnuts!!

Then the little princess came home to get all fixed up for her Rainbow birthday party at the Perot Children's Museum.

 And the finished product????

 Mimi read her a couple of birthday books to help set the tone and pass them time until we left.

(btw - this is how she poses for pictures now...almost every time and almost doesn't even want to be in a picture if you won't let her take it with her hands by her face like this.)

We somehow (much sarcasm) managed to get Chandler to pose for a few pics as well.

 And one quick family photo before we headed off to the museum...

(note that we are all in a color of the rainbow, except for Brooklyn who is in ALL of the colors of the rainbow)

We got there a little early so we had time a little time to play in the children's museum before our party started.

 Her friend, Bella (from soccer), was early, too, so that worked out perfect for her to have a playmate!

Chandler was so busy making her very own princess castle that she didn't mind playing by herself.

RAINBOW PARTY TIME!!

 You are only allowed to bring in homemade food - nothing from an outside vendor so we had to be very creative and intentional with these "Happy 5th Birthday Brooklyn" stickers =)

 Please note the fruit kabobs in the colors of the rainbow

(red, orange yellow, green, blue, purple)

 Crafts and Activities

 Littlest Party Person

 After the party we did a little exploration of the museum and then came home to open more presents.

 And gave DooDad his Father's Day gift before they had to head home.

 And finally, after baths, one last gift from Mommy and Daddy before bedtime.
Her very own Barbie house that she and Chandler played with and LOVED!

Pretty fun day, huh?  I am loving the idea of having their party on their ACTUAL birthday!!