3 Peanuts: Kate's Birthday Parties

Since Kate would not be home for her actual birthday, we celebrated last Saturday before she left for camp. When we realized Kate would be at camp on her birthday, she said, "I don't even need a party, Mama!" And I was fine with that as we have had some great parties the last few years. It was nice to take a year off and celebrate more simply this year.

Typically, on her birthday, we bring Kate a doughnut in bed. When I woke up on Saturday morning, I realized that I had not thought of that yet...so I ran out quickly and got her an apple fritter (her new favorite). Everyone else (Dave and the boys) were still sleeping and I knew better than to wake them;) It is unwise to wake sleeping teens early on a Saturday morning. Nothing good will come of it-- trust me.

I cut a few sad roses from our ~~garden~~ yard and put a little gift on the tray too.

As I sang Happy Birthday to Kate, she started dancing around in her bed. She's such a happy little girl.

Thinking of a wish.

I gave her a bow with the camp name on it for her take to camp. I actually got her two and a headband because all the bigger girls wear them at camp. BUT I have not seen any in her hair this week...so maybe I wasted my $!

After breakfast, we finished packing Kate's trunk and taped photos of friends and family inside (we added a few more after this photo too)....

Then Kate's best friend (and our next door neighbor), "S" came over spent the day with us.

The girls played Lego friends and American Girl dolls. Also, on their birthdays, my kids get to choose dinner (either something I cook or a restaurant). Since we had been invited to some friends house for dinner, we let Kate choose a place to go for lunch. She surprised us by choosing buffalo wings. Harry LOVES wings and I am guessing that is rubbing off on his little sister. I did not bring my camera to lunch but everyone had fun.

After lunch we had a few presents for Kate. She wanted knitting lessons for her birthday so I am working hard to try to find someone to teach her how to knit. That is not easy.

Kate's friend gave her Legos. It's blurry but that picture is so very Kate. She's a goof ball.

About a week or two ago, we were in Claire's getting something for one of Kate's friends and she spotted this Panda Journal. Kate LOVES journals. She has several. She hinted heavily how much she'd like that journal for her birthday so Harry gave to to her.

You can see how much she loved it! She even took it to camp. Can't wait to see what she wrote:)

Kate loves to read. Her teacher introduced her to Mrs. Piggle Wiggle books recently and I was thrilled because I remember reading them as a child too. They're old school (published in the 40's-60's!). So I found a "treasury" of them in one book for her.

She was thrilled. I love that our kids love books.

Will went to lunch with us to celebrate Kate but then he had tickets to a big outdoor music festival with his friends so he missed the presents and cake.

And speaking of cake, Kate wanted an ice cream cake this year.

And the AG girls had to have cake too;)

(Harry had a bad headache that turned into a migraine. He stayed up late at a sleepover the night before and that always triggers one.)

Kate partly picked this cake because it had a cute little cone on top that she really wanted....

Also, the night before we brought cupcakes to the gym after Kate's gymnastics practice. She spends so much time with her teammates and they all do this to celebrate each other's birthdays. I only had my phone for a picture.

Happy birthday sweet girl. I cannot believe you are 8. The time has flown by!

And if you can believe it, Will is going to be 17 in a few weeks!!!

I know that all the posts are about Kate lately. With 2 teenage boys, I am sensitive to their privacy (and moods).

Kate's birthday is June 3rd but for some reason I always have her party early. A lot of people leave town once school is out but honestly, this time of year is SO busy that I am not sure this is the best time to have it either. This week was a killer. We had major things going on every single day and I am completely exhausted.

Kate had a BLAST at her party. If you've followed our blog for a while, you know that I usually do pretty elaborate home based parties for her. But this year, she wanted her party at the gym where she does gymnastics. I will admit... it was a little hard to give up the vision we/she had had earlier of a nutcracker party at home. But I let it go and let her have the fun party she ended up wanting. I kept things very, very simple.

This gym is Kate's home away from home right now...she trains there 9 hours a week. So, she was very comfortable there with her friends.

I will give you my standard warning....there are a million photos in this post and I am not apologizing for that. We are not usually allowed in the gym while the girls are training so I never get to take pictures of Kate doing what she loves best. Needless to say, I took advantage of this opportunity! I am just preparing you;)

Kate was SO excited when her friend, Libbie showed up. Kate LOVES Libbie so much! In fact, Kate did not want to book a gymnastics party unless she was sure Libbie could participate. So sweet.

Kate's favorite part of gymnastics right now is the bars (which is also the hardest for her due to upper body strength). She works extra hard on bars and would have spent the whole party there if she could have.

I wish a) that I had Kate's legs and b) I had video here...

Kate was showing me her dismount....

She really amazes me with her work ethic and determination.
She has only been doing gymnastics for a few months!

Again, I wish this was video but I never get to see her work on the bars and I want to document her beginnings in gymnastics...

Kate's coach came over to help her with a move she is very close to getting....

Untitled from Kim S on Vimeo.

This next photo is dark and grainy but it shows how Kate is all the time with her friends...laughing and giggling with that big old dimple...

I love this shot of Harry and Libbie below. All of the kids were zip-lining into the foam pit. Libbie watched with great interest but I don't think she wanted to give it a try. Harry gently (in his sweet Harry way) encouraged her to give it a go!

And she did!!!

And her sweet Mama (who was also celebrating a birthday) was there to catch her!

Kate had fun zip lining too....

This is one of Kate's favorite rec coaches, Coach Amanda.

I wish she was a team coach. She is very sweet.

A group shot of the whole gang...

Then it was time for cake and ice cream

Favors were white chocolate covered pretzel rods (olympic torches?) tied to a balloon.

See, I told you I kept it simple. I made them the night before (easy, peasy)

Unfortunately, Will was working.

He is a lifeguard at our local pool and was disappointed to not be at Kate's party.

After the party, Libbie and Shelly came over to help open gifts and hang out with us.