Oh Happy Days: The Dust Has Settled...

The birthday dust that is. OK it actually settled about 4 days ago, but I have been much too busy, er, lazy to post. However, I am happy to report that the two full days of birthday festivities were a hit. There was partying, presenting, and even a little puking. Which, if I remember correctly from my college days, means the party was indeed a success!

On Sunday, Annika invited her little friends (10 in all) to the local pottery painting studio to create some unique pieces and eat Care Bear cake. A fun time was had by all! (I am not posting any group shots because I don't know how other parents feel about their kids being on a public blog, but just imagine 10 little girls painting away and scarfing cake...you can see it, right?) Monday dawned early (like 6:30am early) and Annika was officially 5 years old. The day brought early morning present opening, a special lunch, treats at school, an after school cupcake party with 9 more friends (see above explanation about no group shots only this time imagine a mixture of boys and girls playing on the swing set in harmony, except for the brief interruption of tears because the boys were only chalking the clubhouse in blue not pink...the horror!), pancakes a la Daddy at Annika's request for dinner, and "track" practice. Wow! Annika was soooo excited to be 5...I can only hope I can capture some of that enthusiasm on my next birthday.

Nana has been here all week, too. A couple of months ago she had foot surgery so she arrived with crutches, a walking boot, and a knee scooter. If ever you are at a loss at what to get a child for a present...get one of those three things. They love them. All week Lena and Annika have been practicing using each item...seriously practicing. If ever (god forbid) one of our children becomes crippled they are going to astound the medical community with their ability to rock the walking boot! Since Nana is here, her best friend Barb from Portland came for a quick visit. Barb is tons of fun and when she left Lena sobbed and sobbed and sobbed...I am afraid to see what happens when Nana leaves tomorrow.

And finally...you may have noticed that there hasn't been much mention of Jason in this post. For the better part of the week he has been off outdoorsing with my brother Brian in Moab, UT. When he gets back I will allow him to blog about all the fascinating rock formations, hieroglyphics, and earthy earth layers. One might think that I don't find these subjects quite so fascinating, but believe you me, I love geology as much as the next girl.

And now the moment you have all been waiting for...the pictures...in no particular order...

Early morning snuggles with Barb...

Lena kickin' some booty at "track" practice...

Ready to blow out the candles...

The beginning stages of Cheer Bear...

And we're done. Cheer Bear with my muse...

Annika's school snack. Little balls of cake covered in chocolate shaped like cupcakes...can you say YUM (or in some cases after eating 10, yuck)...

After school cupcake party...yellow cupcakes with sticky chocolate frosting...

Annika shares her birthday with our good friend Andrea. Since Andrea's boys were invited to Annika's party I made her her favorite cake...red velvet with vanilla bakery frosting...soooo good...