5th Birthday Celebration(s)

In an effort to consolidate this year's celebrations into a time frame that coincided with Nana and Saza's visit, I scheduled Kendall's birthday party 3 days after Christmas.  This decision could quite possibly make it to the top 10 of my lifetime bad decisions.  Nevertheless, it was a great party.  Mainly because I didn't have to do much of anything.  Nana made the cupcakes and got the favors together and then all I had to do was show up at the party.  I even managed to do that a good 10 minutes late with no harsh consequences.  The fact that her party was at a location an hour away from our house was unfortunate, but nicely balanced with the fact that this place threw an absolutely fabulous party.  

It began with each girl choosing her favorite princess dress from a collection of at least 100 dresses.  Then they all had their hair put into fancier configurations than I could have ever imagined!  

This picture doesn't do the hairstyle justice.  It was french (I think?) braided and then put into an actual bow of hair.  The child doesn't let me brush her hair most mornings ... but she allowed this to happen to her head.

While the girls had their hair (and makeup and nails) done, there was karaoke.  Kendall was the only one who chose to sing.  And without any wine!  Clearly more brave than her mother.  

 They also had crafts for the girls to do and jewelry for them to make.

Then there was a fashion show!  Each girl chose a name, most of them princesses, and walked the catwalk.  

She enjoyed every second in the spotlight(s).  

The girls were photographed while still dressed in their princess attire and each given a copy of the group picture in frames they had help make during the craft time.  This picture is missing two girls who wished to remain anonymous.  There were a total of 11 princesses at the party.

Because there was actually time remaining after clothes were changed, of course there was limbo.  Did I mention that this entire party occurred in 1.5 hours??

God forbid the party end with limbo.  When we got home, each and every gift had to be opened.  Immediately.

Yet again, Nana completely outdid herself and made a princess wardrobe of princess clothes for the American Girl doll, who has been named "Cara-Rachel" after her two teachers. This included the actual wardrobe on which to hang such clothing for the doll.  I now feel somewhat out of place here, having no princess dresses of my own in the house.

Kendall adores her Lalaloopsie "hair" doll from Auntie M and Papa Hugh.  I am a bit freaked out by it. There is just nothing normal about Lalaloopsie with their big heads and skinny wiggly legs ...

The kid absolutely cleaned up gift-wise this year.  Each and every gift from her friends was unique and well thought out.  Kind of made me feel bad about the number of gift cards I've given over the past year.  

On her actual birthday, I had to work.  But Chris was able to take her to the mall and was talked into allowing yet another Build A Bear stuffed animal.  Hello Kitty this time.  I can't stand that place so I'm grateful I wasn't there.  They also had lunch at the mall and went to visit Grandmother and Pops ... where she of course received more gifts!  She had received one gift from Mommy and Daddy that morning before I left for work - a gymnastics leotard for her doll.  Then we gave her a very plush new robe and a gymnastics leotard for herself (that didn't even fit one of her legs - clearly I have no concept of her size).

She and Daddy baked a cake earlier that day (as pink as her robe) and we had a quiet celebration after her dinner at (where else?) Alligator Cafe.

Kendall cut her own piece of cake this year.  And ate the entire thing.  

When she returned to school the following week, she had not one, but two more birthday celebrations. We are officially celebrated out.  In mid January.  The other night she said to me, "Mommy, each day is one day closer to Christmas, right?  And my birthday, right?!"  Oh dear god help me.

Christmas 2013

All ready for Christmas Eve in new Christmas jammies from Santa and Mick Elf.

Kendall started asking to go to bed at 6:30.  We managed to hold her off until 8.  I also managed to remember the cookies and milk for Santa and carrots for the reindeer this year.  Admittedly, only because it was on a list I'd made myself to ensure that nothing was forgotten this Christmas Eve.  

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care.  Then promptly removed to the laundry room to be filled and to keep the dogs out of them.  

After Kendall was appropriately threatened encouraged to stay in her room for fear of Santa seeing her, having to leave, and potentially not having the time to come back, Santa came!  He brought a Hello Kitty bike, the usual t-shirts for Daddy, and the annual Kendall on Santa's lap ornament for me.

It should be noted that this was the first and last time, to date, that Kendall has sat on her new bike.  Both the 6 year old and 3 year old neighbor girls, however, have tried it out and declared it safe so hopefully she'll venture out on it soon.

Next, the stocking.  She was surprisingly, and thankfully, not all that interested in the candy this year and Santa did a better job limiting the amount.

Yes, Santa also brought her a Hello Kitty iPhone case.  She already had the iPhone, thanks to Nana (not hooked up to any service or internet, just with games on it).

I had not intended to start the American Girl Doll thing this early but an absolutely ridiculous amount of her friends have them and it is getting embarrassing being asked to go to the cafe and taking Mickey Mouse.  And God forbid she want one that has some historical significance (that she wouldn't really understand anyway), so she got one who looks like her.  Named it "Cara-Rachel" after her two teachers.  Note to self - break the child of calling her teachers by their first names before school resumes.

I had completely forgotten how much the Operation game scared me as a child until Kendall received this Doc McStuffins Operation game from her cousin, Lindsay.  Still makes me jump every time I get buzzed but Kendall loves it and is really good at it!  

BIG thanks from me to Uncle Dan and Aunt Corinna for this Hello Kitty Lego set that came with a gazillion teeny tiny pieces and instructions that require an engineering degree to comprehend.  Will be consulting the 6 year old lego whiz down the street!  I gave up after 5 minutes.

There was about an hour or so of boredom while waiting for the grandparents to arrive.  And God forbid it be spent playing with any of the new toys ...

Saza's annual "Kendall t-shirt!"

Kendall gave Nana and Saza and Grandmother and Pops frames with all 5 of Kendall's Santa pictures in order.  

Despite the look on her face, the Under the Sea Surprise bath doll has been in every sink and bathtub in the house.  And, at 4:30 in the morning when I was heading into the dark bathroom, it spoke to me, completely unprovoked.  In spanish.  If it hadn't done the same thing in the light the next day, I'd be a bit more worried about my mental health.  

Kendall and Cara-Rachel got matching nightgowns from Nana and Saza.

Twilight Sparkle got new shoes and skates.  This year, even the toys received gifts for Christmas.

I have no idea what was in this box, if anything.  But it's the only picture of me and Kendall from Christmas.  Kendall and Nana made me some really cool jewelry and ornaments for Christmas.  She also gave me some Northpark gold that I intend to spend on myself and not Gymboree or Build a Bear this year!  

Below is a picture of Kendall using MY gift.  

Finally .... how it should be!  

 I guess we all stopped taking pictures after this one was taken.  Kendall got a ridiculous amount of presents, not even 1/2 of which were photographed.  We had a nice, almost fully prepared turkey dinner from Whole Foods and went to bed early.  Christmas #5 - done!