I am still trying to wrap my head around the fact that I have a SEVEN-year-old. I thought we were just celebrating her turning six, a mere week ago. Turns out it is true, what they say: "Don't blink! They'll be grown before you know it." If there is anything good about being down with a broken hip, it's the fact that we have been able to slow down a bit and enjoy our time together a little more than usual.
For Landry's birthday, this year, we decided we'd not throw a big blow-out party. We asked her if, instead, she'd like to go on a trip to the place all little girls dream of, American Girl. She beamed at the idea of spending some special time with us there, so we planned accordingly.
However, as her birthday quickly approached, we thought we might should take advantage of being so close to family this year and throw a small family birthday party. Northing fancy, but maybe a little tea party for her and some of her little girl cousins. "Nothing Fancy": Famous last words.
24 hours before, we nailed down the time, texted a few family members and started making plans. My mom has some adorable Christmas mugs, so I thought we could use them, with them still being out from Christmas and all. And because the weather was cold, we could serve Hot Chocolate instead of tea. Nothing Fancy.
But then my mom remembered that she had a tub full of winter decorations, that she had used for a women's banquet. "Well....since she already has the stuff," I thought, "I guess we can decorate the place up a little."
And then we remembered that the stores were selling their Christmas decor for 80% off, so we HAD to check that out. You never know what kind of cute stuff you might find, and we had to go shopping for food anyway. Why not? Not to mention, we brought the little diva with us, who dreams of planning parties in her sleep. But I kept reminding them.....Nothing Fancy.
Next thing we knew, we had been up all night, switching out curtains, making pompoms out of tissue paper, hanging snowflakes and tule and Christmas lights, creating a Winter Wonderland. Nothing Fancy, right?
So, maybe it was a little fancy. After all, we don't call her Fancy Lancy for nothing.
The next day, we did keep our promise and take her to American Girl. GiGi had given her a new American Girl for her birthday and made matching outfits for them to wear. She and "Christina" looked so beautiful.
Here she is posing with the American Girl of the Year, Grace Thomas. Landry was very excited to see that she lived in Paris!
We also got her doll's ears pierced. She was patiently waiting to get her back and see how beautiful "Christina" looked with a little extra shimmer.
Cory even found a doll for me. Ha!
Happy Birthday Landry Kate!
