Half a Decade

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ESTHER!

Today was Esther's fifth birthday! She's been planning this day for nearly a year, and I think it worked out exactly how she wanted - though we were all pretty tired at the end.

Thanks to everyone who sent cards and emails, made phone calls and gave presents. Esther felt very special today thanks to all of you!

First - yesterday Esther and I made her cake. When she picked the design I let her know that hers probably wouldn't look exactly like the one in the picture, and she said that was fine. It's definitely one of the more "interesting" cakes I've made, but we had fun making it together, and I think she did a great job doing the whole face all by herself!

Here is what it was supposed to look like:

Cameron was able to take the whole day off studying so he could be with his little princess! What a treat!

Alex and I were the first ones up (as usual). When Esther came down the stairs she was too excited to talk, so she just held up her five fingers and smiled.

After opening family presents, and watching a movie in our pajamas, we headed off to Big Boy for breakfast. I'm not sure why Esther was so excited to go to Big Boy, but she was very definite in her choice.

William wanted to get Esther a flower for her birthday, so after on the way home from breakfast he got this for Esther.

Next on Esther's perfect day agenda: swimming at the park.

Alex and I hung out in the shade (he can go swimming next year).

During nap time Esther and I went to the library to get her very own library card. She was so excited to write her name on it herself, and check out some books without any help.

In the afternoon Esther had her official party at Chuck E. Cheese's. The night Alex was born, she and William went with some friends of ours to a birthday party at Chuck E. Cheese's, and she's been wanting to have hers there ever since. She had a wonderful time. Thanks everybody who came!