Five years ago today

We are celebrating Summer's 5th birthday for the 2nd time today. Last week she had a birthday party and invited all of her friends since we were going to be out of town on her actual birthday. We had planned to go to the Chester Frost beach playground, but the day before a tornado hit our area and it was closed when we arrived about 20 minutes before party time. We quickly decided to go to Vandergriff park instead. After texting everyone but one family (Sorry Sophia), we turned around and headed that way. My friend Alicia called to inform me that the place I ordered the cake from, Baskin Robbins, was closed. Thankfully, she was willing to make another stop and headed to Dairy Queen. The ice cream cake she picked out was perfect for Summer and had a big, pretty butterfly on it. The really cool thing about that was that we got Summer a butterfly garden, feeder, net and books for her birthday. Double score for Summer!!! She had a great time playing with her friends. Leah, Jonathan, Liliana, Laila, Katelyn, Jacob, Sidda, Katie, Austin and Lexie all enjoyed the playground as much as Summer did. She loved all her gifts and received quite a few craft projects. She also got quite a few of the things she picked out for her birthday bucket at Learning Express. Memaw and Nanny got her the Pegasus she wanted and Uncle Bradley got her the Cinderalla barbie and horse. Of course when we got home it was close to bedtime so she didn't get to play with much of it, but she has enjoyed playing with it since then.

Yesterday, we let her have one of her presents early since she already knew what it was anyway and was begging for the Littlest Pet Shop bobble head that she can color and decorate with stickers. She actually also got the butterfly garden early too since the caterpillar she found on Easter decided to form a cocoon the day after. This morning we got up, ate breakfast and headed to the playground. The kids played for a little while before it started raining. Luckily, the playground here is covered so it did not spoil their fun. We walked to the ice cream shop in the rain to have some birthday ice cream instead of cake. Summer got cookie dough ice cream in a chocolate and nut dipped cone, but only ate the ice cream. Lexie and Austin both got chocolate and sprinkle dipped cones. Willow chose an ice cream sandwich. They happily chowed down on their treats before we headed out into the pouring rain to walk back to the cars. It was a wet adventure, but they didn't seem to mind too much which was nice since they were going to be getting wet anyway.

After we got home, Summer opened the rest of her presents. While she and Willow painted velvet posters, the younger kids laid down for a nap. Neither of them finished their poster before they were ready for the pool, but that was no biggie. They suited up in their bathing suits and headed out to swim. While they swam, I cooked steak, one of Summer's favorites, for her birthday lunch. She requested some homemade mac and cheese to go with them and I happily obliged. After filling up their bellies, the kids headed back out to the pool which is where they are now.

If it is pretty enough later, we might go to see Yogi Bear at Pier 60. That would be a cool way to finish off her 5th birthday. I'm so thankful she is still here with us. Just two years ago, she was fighting for her life and we didn't know if she would live to see this day. But, now she is happy and healthy and will hopefully remain that way for years to come. The past five years have really flown by and I'm sure the next five will too. Oh what a joy watching her grow!