Chase at school (dressed as Fancy Nancy for book week) ...
When Chase arrived home, she found her (6) pink roses ...
That evening, we started decorating for Chase's birthday party ... which involved making loads of lanterns and crepe paper flowers ... And this is where I have to say that Chase, for the first time, was extremely opinionated about who was invited to her birthday party. She wanted it VERY small and even though she has been invited to at least 15 birthday parties in the past year, I honored her request. So in the end, we had 10 girls (including Madoc and her little buddy Sascha).
Crepe paper flower fun ...
Balloon fun ...
Setting up Chase's Chinese tea set ...
In the morning, Hubs ran out for coffee and donuts for adults...
Before her guests arrived, Chase decorated her own cake - a "ChaseCake," otherwise known as a cheese cake, just as she's done every year ...
Ready to party ...
When the girls arrived, they started making hats and bracelets, which both took so much of my time I forgot to take pictures. Hubs was so busy gluing that he didn't have time to take pictures either.
And then we made bird cages. The girls decorated the birds and the cages. In retrospect, I really should have selected less challenging crafts that needed less adult support, but the girls were so happy it all turned out all right in the end.
We "read" tea leaves (which were fortunes the children had made-up, written down with the help of my gorgeous friend Kylie, and then inserted into a balloon). In order to get the tea leaves, the kids had to pop the balloon.
The girls played twister ...
And then we had cake ...
Here are the girls with their hats ...
And then the little ladies left. Collecting their hats, bird cages, bracelets and goodie bags ...
And then Chase opened her presents ...
And as I was cleaning up, I noticed Chase's rosebuds had opened (gorgeous!) ...
And then the sun came out.
After being fogged in for what feels like months.
I can't even explain how excited we all are.
Sunshine and clear blue skies - one of the best gifts of all time.
Can't wait to celebrate my little girl's actual birthday tomorrow...
I can't believe she is actually turning 6.
I am enjoying her last day of 5 and while I'm happy she's getting older, it suddenly all seems to have happened so fast ...
Love love, Chase. Love love!
