Butterfly Birthday for Maddie's 7th

Maddie decided that this year she would have a family party instead of a friend party. I heartily agreed!

We set the stage with some printable butterfly decorations.

Then we added cousins to the mix! Emrie and family were able to come for a weekend visit to help celebrate! I don't think Maddie could have asked for more.

Her wish (for the last many months) has been to go to Kangaroo Zoo. Daxton and Bodie cousins joined us too!

 

Tyler was afraid of any slide that had more than five stairs. But then Mike convinced him to try one that had 6 stairs, because it was just one more. After that, he felt more confident and bravely tried the BIG one with 15 stairs!

The next part of Maddie's master plan was big burgers at Rumbi. They didn't disappoint, and I was happy because they have yummy salads.

Because Maddie's real birthday was on a Monday, the whole weekend became a party. Sunday we had family dinner and decided to have cake and presents then, in order to include all the cousins.

Silly faces at dinner.

My big 7 year old! I told Maddie her birthday is also the anniversary of me becoming a Mommy, so it's special to me too. I can't believe that was 7 years ago!

Present time!

Ella has been keeping her present a secret for weeks. She spotted it on one of our trips to Hobby Lobby and knew it was just right. (I didn't get a picture but it's a ladybug seat belt cover.) Ella decorated the wrapping paper herself and hid it under her bed. I love how they get so excited to give things to each other.

Grandma Marcia scored with a Baby Alive.

Auntie Dana scored with a rug kit. We remember doing these when we were little and she thought it would keep Maddie busy. She thinks it is the coolest thing!

This face says it all--the loom she has been waiting for!

The final surprise: a desk!!! Obviously it was a little anti-climactic to get a printed picture of a desk, but the shipment came the next day (her actual birthday) so we made do. She has been begging for a desk in her own room for her many projects, and a place to do measures (piano) and homework that wouldn't get wet by the kitchen sink.

The Sunday festivities ended with the butterfly cake! Maddie requested a chocolate cake, cream cheese frosting, and a fruit butterfly. On your birthday, your wish is my command.

Funny story... later she told me that her wish was that the pizza guy would come! How random is that?! She was disappointed her wish wouldn't come true because she told it to me, but I reminded her you have to actually order pizza for him to show up.

We said goodbye to cousins and ended the day working on a loom band bracelet called the starburst. It was difficult, but she persevered.
 

There was actually no school on Monday, so Maddie was able to spend her birthday at home, working on her many projects and enjoying her gifts. We made butterfly treats to bring to her school class the next day.

  

She took good care of her Baby Anna and dove into some new books.

Daddy picked up and built the desk!

 

Now that is one happy girl!

I just know this is the future site of many great works of art, literary genius, and musical compositions. :)

We didn't get a chance to fly the new butterfly kite, but I'm sure with the fickle March weather, we will find a day soon!

We finished off the birthday extravaganza with another Happy Birthday song, Family Home Evening looking through Maddie's baby book together, and reading Grandma Osmond's journal recollections of Maddie's birth. She brought Maddie a CD of classical music and I am grateful she is giving Maddie a classical background, because that is something I lack in. And a book, Ramona by Beverly Cleary. We can never have enough books around here!

And now, we will rest.