Serena's Birthday Party

It is with Great Anticipation that we have looked forward to Serena's birthday (or "birfday" as she so cutely puts it!).  The other day, she came out completely naked to say goodnight to Jordan.  He asked her if she had her birthday suit on.  "No, I don't have anything on," was her response!  Later, after she'd already been tucked into bed, she got up because she "needed to go poopy."  As I sat there waiting (for what seemed like an eternity!!  WHY can this child not go poopy in less than 10 minutes?!?!?!), she suddenly looked up at me with a very serious and quizzical look and asked, "Mommy, am I fwee now?"  I know it was because of the birthday suit conversation...she thought she'd missed her own birthday!  ;)

As our living arrangements are in limbo right now as Jordan hunts for a job in the Cedar Rapids area, we are staying with his parents.  It was really fun to be able to invite Serena's favorite little people (her cousins, of course!) to her birthday party!!  A couple days ago, I started prepping Serena for this big EXCITING day by telling her the story of her birthday party as a bedtime story.  This technique seems to work really well for Serena, as it gives her the opportunity to process big (and potentially stressful) events in her mind before they actually happen.  This way, she was prepared not only for all the stimulation of having everyone over, but also for the presents, the sharing of her presents with her friends (I explained that she would get to play with the presents all by herself once everyone left), and the pictures, etc.  

So, this morning, I told Serena that today was her BIRTHDAY PARTY!  She was so excited and after breakfast, we went outside to wait for people to arrive.  With each arrival, she squealed with delight and ran to greet everyone:  Grammie, Aunt Julia, Kaden & Keira; Aunt Andria, Caroline & Gabe; and Great Grandma and Pa.  Of course, Grandma & Grandpa, Uncle Grant, Aunt Anna, and Daddy were here too.  :) 

After everyone arrived, we went inside to get the party spread ready for the kids.  Serena had brought her cousins into the living room to play but then suddenly reappeared in the kitchen to ask Grandma, "Do you have some puzzles for my fwens?"  

Busy playing with puzzles.  Serena loves puzzles so much...I think having Keira & Caroline doing them with her was like a dream come true, heehee!  ;)

We had a brunch planned for Serena's party...yogurt & granola parfaits, cinnamon rolls, egg & sausage muffins, and fruit (cantaloupe & grapes).  Our intention was to put Serena's candles in a cinnamon roll for her, but she was SO excited about the yogurt parfait, that we changed our plan at the last minute.  She never did eat a cinnamon roll...she probably ate two parfaits, though!!!

Grandpa lighting the candles

Blowing out THREE candles!

We took the kids outside to eat (less mess!), and when they were done, they played and played!  Serena flitted about, playing a little with everyone.  She was just on Cloud Nine the whole time!

Bret's getting really good at slides

There was lots of bubble action going on!

Serena tried to 'push' the bubbles out, haha!

Bret LOVES the tire swing!

Grammie pushing Bret in the swing

Pure delight!  The happiest little birthday girl you'll ever meet!

Trying out Grandma's BIG bubble maker!

Towards the end of our time, we had Serena open her presents out on the deck.  She got so excited about each one, that she would stop and want to play with it "right now!"  We had to convince her to open the next one and come back to it later!  ;)

"Baby Emily" - Grammie wisely gave her a name so we could avoid having another "Olie" on our hands!  Heehee!  ;)

Grandpa had the great idea of stuffing the kids with tissue paper...fun entertainment for everyone!

This picture is so funny to me!

Serena was so serious about this

Hahaha!

She felt pretty special!

Keira loves playing dress-up, but I don't think she knew quite what to think about this particular version of 'dressing up'  ;)

Before everyone left, we lined the kids up for some pictures!

Serena with all her cousins (2 more on the way in December & January!):
Kaden (4 1/2), Bret (17 mo), Caroline (2 1/2), Gabe (1), Serena (3), Keira (2)