Now We are 6

I just got an email update from babycenter.com about Maddie turning 6 years old. It quoted the book of poems by A.A. Milne (author of Winnie the Pooh) called "Now We Are 6", saying 6 year olds are...

...fanciful, adventuresome, silly, comforted by familiar things, and boldly curious about the new.

I thought that was a perfect description of Maddie!
 

Another thing this girl is is creative! She dreamed up a unicorn theme for her birthday party and thought of all the details herself. I thought it was a great exercise for her brain and imagination so I let her go! She drew some mock ups of her invitation a few months ago, and we improved it a little and then scanned it to print for each card.

Her hopes and dreams provided many afternoons of projects at the kitchen table.

Here I should insert details of the morning before the big party. Maddie's back door buddy had just turned 6 too, and had her party earlier in the day. It was American Girl themed and they were asked to bring their favorite doll. Maddie planned out their outfits and hair to match exactly.

In between parties she had 1.5 hours to go to the climbing wall with Daddy, her special birthday request.

She got home just in time to change into her magical unicorn attire: frilly, sparkly, and fun!

Maddie specially requested each item of her ensemble. It began with the shirt and then to look like a white unicorn, she asked for the white leggings. For hooves she begged for silver gloves, but we settled for sequin leggings from Grandma's costume bin.  We made horns and tails for her friends too.

Maddie drew a unicorn picture for each of her friends as a party favor.

She asked for a unicorn cookie cutter, so I found a cheap on on Amazon. It came in handy for making the rest of the party favors, and for putting a unicorn on the cake.

Maddie made the welcome sign for the front door, and I have to say it was pretty funny when kids started walking in without knocking. She couldn't figure it out, until we reminded her what the door said!

I can't get over how cute it was to see this herd of unicorns all together. The horns were so awesome! I love this age of girls when life is still magical.

Maddie's first game request was the balloon popping game. Here they were getting the balloons tied around their ankles and instructions on how to pop each others' balloons with their "hooves."

These two cute girls were the last in the game! Rainbow Dash pulled out the victory.

Gift opening time was hilarious. They started in this perfect semi-circle around the throne, but it didn't last long because everyone was so excited to see up close!

Here's the peanut gallery. Cousin Daxton and little Ty were the only boys (besides Daddy).

Speaking of Daddy, I'm not sure how appropriate this is but he lined everyone up in a birthday spanking machine gauntlet. It was sure cute, but funny because only one little girl was brave enough to give Maddie a birthday pat!

Maddie wanted to play pin the horn on the unicorn, and to draw her own poster. You can't buy that originality!

The birthday girl was the first to go, and we though the blind fold must have been see-through because she nailed it right on the head! That face says it all.... "Really?"

Ella helped us prove it was not see-through... the cutie got her horn on the tail.

We ended the festivities by singing the birthday song and filling ourselves up with rainbow cake and sherbet. Nothing like a shot of sugar to make unicorns stampede!

I haven't mentioned that Grandma Marcia came down just for the birthday festivities, and Auntie Dana helped celebrate too. After the party we went to dinner at an amazing Thai restaurant and even the kids thought it was delish!
 

Sunday was Maddie's official birthday, so we kept on partying. The girls were busy all morning with various art projects Maddie got from her friends--they know her well!

Grandma did their hair fancy for church, after which they were back in their unicorn costumes, matching their unicorn toys.

Grandma Osmond and Grandpa Randy also joined us for birthday dinner, and we had Maddie's favorite: roasted chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, and broccoli. I'm pretty sure she ate everything on her heaping plate!

Mike and I tried for a photo with our birthday girl. We can't believe how fast six years have flown by.  I don't even want to think about doubling her age, or how fast that will go too.

We opened presents again as a family. Birthdays always make me feel overindulgent... but then again I have to remember we don't buy many toys or clothes in between Christmas and birthdays. The kids know they can use it to their advantage too.... I can't even tell you how many novelty items they have asked me to remember to "save" for their birthdays. This face says it all: Maddie has long wanted to shop at the store Justice for Girls, but they only sell clothes for "big girls". When she realized she was 6X she begged to go. The card she is reading says Mommy will take her to buy one outfit together!

Grandma Osmond gave her a neat book and CD about classical music. I love that she can offer musicality to our children, as that is not something I am strong in. In fact Maddie may begin taking occasional piano lessons from Grandma.

Of course we had to load her up on more chapter books, as she blows through them! This one is about a Princess Fairy named Maddie!

Dana brought the brownies and ice cream and we sang one more time. Hope she made some magical wishes!

And then..... we rested.