A Week of Celebrations

Why celebrate birthdays on one day when you can live it up for a week or more?  We do birthday weeks around our house.  Sometimes birthday months. 

“Really?  This will go on all week?”

Monday

We enjoyed some lunch at the Cheesecake Factory.  When the waitress came by to see if we wanted any cheesecake Heath told her no.  He said that we had eaten too much lunch and then he said that even though it was Gwen’s birthday she didn’t need dessert.  So instead of bringing the check she brought this:

She had us all sing Happy Birthday together and Gwen blew out the candle.  All three kids dug in and shared the fudge ice cream sundae. 

Later that night, after Gwen’s nap, we had a little family party with presents. 

Bedhead and pretty princess merchandise are such a classic little girl look!  Gwen got a princess CD, Ariel and sisters bath toys, and Little Mermaid figurines. 

Tuesday

This was her actual birthday.  She got a Disney princess card from Aunt Deanna, Uncle Tyson, Daphne and Calvin.  Of all the gifts Gwen has received this week, this card is her favorite.  She carries it around all day and even sleeps with it at night.  She uses the Little Mermaid figurines as crayons and paintbrushes while she’s “doing  homework” with the card.  She pretends to color the princess dresses and writes whatever her little 3 year old mind can imagine.  It’s pretty cute to watch.  She also received an e-card from Aunt Candi, Uncle Ed, and Baby Izzy.  Gwen loved watching that. 

Heath came home from work with mini cupcakes.  They were a big hit.  The kids put all their toys away and bathed or showered before Heath came home so we could watch a movie as a family before bed. 

Snuggling up with Dad is the best way to enjoy a birthday.  We watched Neverending Story on Blu-Ray.  I don’t know how I missed this movie in the 80’s especially since I remember people talking about it.  I really liked it.  The kids all did too.  We’re getting kind of bored of all the cartoon movies they want to watch over and over so we’ve tried to introduce them to live action movies they can enjoy.  We’ve watched Galaxy Quest, The Apple Dumpling Gang, and now Neverending Story.  All have received rave reviews from the kids. 

Wednesday

We took a break from birthday hysteria.

Thursday

Another bit of a break but we did get the package from Grandma and Grandpa.  I was super excited because Dawn made purses for the girls for Gwen’s birthday party.  She even embroidered everyone’s names on the purses!  Darling.  The party will come in the next post. 

Friday

Before Gavin went to school Gwen opened the gift from Grandma and Grandpa.  It’s an embroidered towel to match the boys’ towels.  In Utah the boys’ bathroom was a bug bathroom.  Dawn embroidered their names on towels with dragon flies for Gavin and grasshoppers for Parker.  Gwen gets butterflies.  So cute. 

When the mail finally came, our mailman delivers late, the package from my mom arrived.  We, and when I say we I mean me, were in panic clean the house mode last night in preparation for the culminating birthday party today.  So Gwen didn’t open her present until this morning. 

Saturday

Parker has been a champ through this whole spotlight on Gwen week.  He’s had a few moments of Middle Child Syndrome but overall he’s been excited with Gwen over everything and he’s had fun helping us plan her birthday party.  He is already planning his party.  Oh heaven help me!  Maybe in 5 months time we can nail down a good plan. 

Gwen was excited about the new jacket.  I was too.  Her other one was getting small and it just wasn’t cool anymore to her since she has a pink coat I let her wear in the morning when temps are in the 30’s or 40’s and she has a purple raincoat she only gets to wear when it’s raining.  Now she has a cool new jacket to replace the other one that is so last year!  Every girl needs to have a handful of jackets to choose from.  New clothes rule! 

This afternoon we had a great birthday party.  I’m a little exhausted from this week.  Sincere thanks to family and friends who have all taken part in making this week spectacular for my Little Miss.