Celebrating the big 5

Maryanna has been counting the days till her birthday for several months.  In fact, since February she's been throwing around verbal invitations to a big celebration to everyone - including check out clerks, Primary teachers, zoo workers,  librarians, and pretty much any child she comes into contact whether at a store or playground.  On the other hand, my invitation, and I believe a few of the boys' as well, were revoked on more than one occasion but in the end we were always once again "invited to her birthday party".

But as the weeks went by I gently explained how as a family we decided that birthday parties would be thrown every other year and this was actually the "other year".  She confidently declared to my face, "well, I plan it myself!  And I'm not going to copy anyone by having a swim or beach party in the summer, I'm going to have an ice skating party with lots of pink balloons and one blue balloon for Poppy and I know Oma's going to come and help me blow up the balloons".  It is hard to react to that kind of determination so I just assured her that indeed she was going to have a very special day.

We were hit pretty hard with a Summer flu the week before her birthday, it was only days around the corner and she seemed to be reminding me of it's approach on the hour.  This was also within days of Henry's appointment with the allergist and learning our house would now need to be rid of the typical delicious birthday treats.  But what I learned was it doesn't take much to throw a party when there's a handful of energetic kids on your side, even without a pinata, piles of presents, bags of candy, a bouncy house or all the neighborhood kids we had a great time.  Here's what we did:

First Clara and I hit the Ann Arbor PTO thrift store where they have shelves of unused and still packaged party supplies neatly organized.  We picked up streamers, balloons, party hats, napkins, fancy plastic cups, and craft supplies all for under $10.  We also grabbed a U of M cheerleader dress with pom poms, a sparkly fairy book, and small wicker sewing box for an additional $5 - these were wrapped alongside the a new pink porcelain tea set and red cowboy boots I found on ebay.

The night before the boys stayed up late making presents for her.  William made colored coffee filter  clothes pin butterflies and Peter took an old toilet paper roll, glued beads on it for a vase then filled it with colorful tissue paper flowers.  We used more tissue paper and a thrifted silk flower to maker her birthday hat special enough to match her personality.  James was careful and spent several hours whittling down a nice stick that with ribbon and felt I helped turn into a fairy wand.  Paul and I hung the birthday banner, streamers and balloons when all the kids were sleeping (I love that he can easily touch the ceiling).

Breakfast was soaked oatmeal pancakes with whipped cream and fresh picked raspberries and she blew out the candles on the old German birthday train.  We walked to the playground.

The boys were very kind in their tea party participation.

The girls played dress-up and to make it extra special I carefully let her try on my wedding dress.

Then we went to Nanny and Poppy's where she shared cake and ice cream with a few cousins.

On our way home Maryanna declared:  "This was the best birthday ever"!  So it really doesn't take much time, money or planning to make a child feel special and feeling special is what birthdays are all about.

Here is what Paul contributed to the digital photo book I created for her 2nd birthday.  I wanted to share it here because the book is wearing out and I don't want to lose these beautiful words.  It is actually helpful for me to re-read it on the days when my patience runs thin and positive reminder on how blessed I am to be her mother.

August 2007 -Happy Birthday MooMoo! 

Our first baby girl is not such a baby anymore!  Maryanna, you have learned so much in just the last year- how to walk, how to talk, and how to make us all laugh with your sprightly shenanigans and adorable antics.  Your inexhaustible enthusiasm has become infectious - there is never a dull moment in our lives with you around!  How we wish we could bottle up your spark and use it ourselves on those days when we feel a bit sluggish.  We wonder about you.  What will you do in this life?  Who will you become?  How will you use that boundless effervescence and contagious smile to bless the live of others?  We cannot wait to find out, to unlock the mystery along with you, and share so many more wondrous experiences together.  Our little MooMoo- you may outgrow your nickname, but may you never lose that zest.  Instead may you relish it, and develop it to bless mankind.  We love you so very much- you are a gift to us, directly from our Father in Heaven.  Happy Birthday!