Birthday Party

For better or worse, the last few years, the girls have shared a birthday party.  It just got to be too much to have everyone over twice in three weeks, right after all the holiday gatherings.  I think it works pretty well, and the girls don’t seem bothered by it.  In fact, I think they like it in some ways – they can both be excited for a joint event, they get everyone there to celebrate them, and they are both the center of attention.  The one stipulation is they both get their own cake, their own happy birthday song, and their own moment for presents. 

This year, we battled winter weather as we tried to figure out the party date and time.  We originally had planned for Saturday morning swimming at 10am, followed by the party around 12:30.  Well, with slick, snow-drifted roads, that really didn’t work.  Friday night, we decided to push it back to 4pm with no swimming.  We were not sure who all could come, but were hoping it would be enough to feel like a party.  Well, we were blessed to have every, single one of the family come (with the exception of our out-of-state aunts, uncles, and cousins!). 

It was a loud, crazy, fun, laidback kind of night.  I could hear the boys downstairs tearing around the basement playing some kind of keep away.  I only hoped they didn’t break the TV or each other in the process.  Meanwhile, other kids were scattered among the bedrooms, unearthing hibernating hermit crabs, checking out knick-knacks, and visiting with Grandpa gathering energy for the night ahead.  The adults mingled between couches, tables, and rooms as we caught up, told stories, and built our family story. 

We had shredded chicken, sloppy joes, Mexican quinoa, veggies/dip, cole slaw (thanks, Steph!), jello (thanks, Chloe!), and chips for the main meal.  There wasn’t too much left by the end of the night.

    

  

We moved downstairs for eating dessert and opening gifts. 

Madison chose an angel food cake made by Larry Mast, spoon dip and chocolate sauce made by Grandma Ediger, and varieties of ice cream. 

    

Ellie chose a DQ ice cream cake with Elsa and Anna on it.  (And picked her dress to match the colors on her cake!)

    

Then, Madison opened her gifts – carefully and methodically – while Ellie watched on.  There were some thoughtful gifts from people that know her interests and personality.

    

Ellie wrapped up the night by opening her gifts – with abandon and squeals of joy – while Madison watched.  Again, people know this girl and gave thoughtful gifts. 

    

We took some pictures at some point… both posed and candid.

               

Everyone hit the road by about 8:30, and the girls were tucked away in bed by 9:30pm.

The next day, the gifts were pulled out of their boxes and bags and put to good use!