Gwyn Turns 5!

Gwyn is so ready to be 5. She is ready for kindergarten, and being at the same school as her brothers. She is ready to read. (She already reads books to me at night.) She is just ready to be big! And she was so excited for her birthday.

She had two events. The first was Saturday night, where she took two friends to Chuck E. Cheese to play for an hour. Then a quick dinner at McAlister's and a slumber party. (Poor Adeline got sick, so Gwyn gets a make-up slumber party in the near future with her.) The friends were Ashley (whose mom was one of my best friends in high school and whose dad was Kevin's friend in high school) and Evelyn (from her prechool class, and whose mom I happen to work with). Gwyn invited everyone to dress up like superheroes or princesses, and asked that I take some pictures of her in her Super Girl costume. (Which is a hand-me-down from my cousin Emily.)

She is yelling 'Do do do dooo!" the song that introduces superheroes.

Shooting her Merida bow and arrow.

Which of course turned into playing with pictures on my phone.

Not the most terrifying face swap I have had with the kids.

Bumper cars at Chuck E. Cheese. Ashley is the green and pick fairy, Gwyn is Super Girl, and Evelyn is Wonder Woman.

Daddy helped make a fort to sleep in.

Butterfly pancakes for breakfast.

These little feet. She always sits like this! I love it.

And.... face swap.

The next evening we had family over. (We had over 20 people, and the kitchen was amazing! I am so glad we remodeled!) It was a great evening. We had presents, pizza, and then some games inside and in the backyard. I usually put out a few games out on tables in case anyone wants to play. This year I put out Spot It! I had already played it with my Aunt Amy and cousins Rachel and Emily, and we were laughing so hard we cried, and I was hoping it would get played. It did. I loved it. (My brother Jake already bought the game for himself.) Lots of fun yelling. Afterward most people went outside. The kids were on the swings, there was soccer going on, and I finally got to use my ladder golf game. The weather was perfect, and the evening was fun. What more could you ask for?

Ruby climbing stairs! And wearing the cutest purple tennis shoes.

I thought I had a picture of the sign that Colin made for Gwyn. He decided to do it on his own, and it was huge and beautiful! It said Happy Birthday Gwyn! You can see the bottom of it here. I also like that, as usual, present opening involves all 3 kids.

I told everyone this year to sing happy birthday in whatever voice they wanted. I know other people do this and it sounded fun. It was quite silly, and Gwyn was giggling and snuggling. I love it. She usually needs snuggling when we sing happy birthday to her.

Tony (left) and his wife Hannah actually came in town! It was a wonderful surprise. And Jake and his girlfriend Allie also came. (Two on the right.) Here they are playing Spot It with Rachel and Emily.

Some outdoor fun. Colin, Rachel, my cousin Johnny, Gwyneth, and my brother Tony.

Ladder golf game. Me and Aunt Jinda versus my dad and Uncle Bill. (Ladies won!)

It was a wonderful weekend with friends and family!