Six!

Birthday's were a big deal when I was a kid.  But, I didn't have a birthday near any other major holidays, so it was sort of a good excuse to make a big deal about a child.  I'm committed to making birthdays a big deal for my kids.  Especially if one of my kids has a birthday three days before a major holiday.

 

This year, we decided to keep it small.  Cally invited five of her friends over (as well as her brother and a sibling on one of her friends).  They ranged from some of her oldest friends (Isaac, Piper, and Thompson) to a few of her Poker Hill friends from last year who go to Jericho Elementary School (Celine and Blake)

I offered to do the gingerbread house making thing again.  I did it when she was three and now she was turning six.  I figured it would be a lot of work upfront, but I wouldn't need to do much of anything once the kids arrived.

I was right about both of those assumptions.  I baked and assembled seven ginger bread houses (yes, the dog ate one of them the night before?!?!?).  It took an estimated five hours to make the dough, cut the dough, cook it, and assemble the houses.

But I'm not complaining because it was totally worth it!  Everyone had fun.  Even the three year olds who had to make their houses out of graham crackers.

Cally had a ball with her friends.

And since I was making gingerbread houses and then cupcakes the following day, I signed John up for baking the special birthday cake.  He made a fabulous buttermilk chocolate cake with vanilla icing infused with fresh strawberries!  And this is from a guy who almost NEVER bakes. 

 

John says I have working mother guilt and that is why I go overboard on Cally's birthday.  That's probably very true.  But it's also very true that my own mother set the bar pretty high with her honoring of her children on the anniversary of the day they entered the world.

Baking Olaf cupcakes, gingerbread houses and organizing all of that makes me happy. 

Because this girl makes me so happy!  She's one amazing six year old.  Full of curiosity, spunk, enthusiasm, humor, and thoughtfulness.  I love her to the moon and back.

While I'm not likely to repeat this cooking extravaganza every year, I'd do whatever it takes to make this girl feel as special as she really is on her birthday!  And look how far we've come!

Thanks to everyone who made Cally's birthday so special.  Especially, Uncle Scotty who came to hang out with a bunch of crazy kids for the afternoon.