Kate Turns 4!

Happy, happy, happy birthday to my darling girl.  Kate has counted down to her big day since Zachary's birthday.  We had her party on Friday, and then ate carrot cake and celebrated her birthday with the Summerhays on Sunday.

Her party was theme was Princesses and Knights.  We had to learn about knights before she could get excited about them, but with four boys attending, we couldn't just sing songs from "Frozen."  She told us exactly how she wanted her streamers before she went to sleep and still woke up and acted surprised to see them over her doorway.  We spent the morning doing the last minute prep--filling water balloons, sprinkling the cupcakes, and blowing up balloons.  She and Zac jumped up and down over and over throughout the morning, dropping lines like, "Isn't this the MOST EXCITING DAY EVER?"  and "Kate, I am so happy it is your birthday party!!"  They ran to the door with every possibility of a knock until finally the first guest arrived.

 First up: decorating tiaras for the princesses and knights' crests for the boys.

The boys finished first and had an impromptu balloon war with Brady, protecting themselves from his blows with their now-functional shields.

 Rain was one the horizon, so we quickly sent the kids out for the Royal Treasure Hunt.  We searched the castle grounds for jester's juggling balls, Merlin's bottle potion (bubbles),  golden coins from the treasury, the queen's royal rings, the princess's green friend (frog), the King's royal crown, and torches (glow sticks).

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Next up was the Dragon Egg Bust (aka Hot Potato), where we passed around dragon eggs (balloons) with a gold coin inside.  When the music stopped, the kids popped the balloon with a wand and exchanged for a prize.

Mermaid Relay followed, with green streamers tying the kids' legs together as they lapped the living room.

Catch the Dragon was the most popular game.  Brady came out in a dragon mask and the kids had to hit him with water balloons.  When they got him, he threw candy back.  One girl was so scared of the dragon, she hid on the couch under a pillow, but after a little coaxing, she was hitting the dragon with balloons, too.

Dragon anticipation:

We came back inside for "Coins in the Crown" (coin toss), and Pass the Royal Parcel (Hot Potato, with a layer unwrapped every time the music stopped.)  We thought the coin toss was a bust but Kate said it was her favorite game.

Last up: Royal Freeze Ball.  Kids took turns holding the wand and freezing/unfreezing each other.  They danced song after song.

Brady picked up the kids with his broken rib and made their day. 

Kate's other favorite part was opening presents, and her friends know her well, gifting her coloring books, craft materials, a mermaid doll, dress up and play dough.

The party-goers: Jack, Tate, Max, Zac, Shay, Evelyn, Kate, Penelope, and Ava.

After the party, both kids kept saying that it was the best party ever.  I love that these kids are easy to please, helpful, and grateful.

Kate's birthday was actually Sunday.  She not-very-patiently waited until just before dinner to open presents, and was most excited about the card from Grandma and Grandpa Edwards.  She didn't even know it had anything in it, but was so anxious to open something from her grandparents.

To play baseball with Zachary:

Celebrating with carrot cake and the Summerhays family:

Whitney (seated next to Kate) is our long-time babysitter, leaving for college this fall.

Kate.  Kate makes me so grateful.  She is my companion during the day and the fact that I have one more year with her before school starts brings on feelings of panic.  Kate is up for anything--she will go out on the paddle board as long as you let her, she skateboards, she rides her bike, she jumps in waves, and she loves to have me "run fast" pulling her on the boogie board.  At the same time, she's very cautious.  She won't do anything she thinks will result in falling on her knees.  I don't know why she thinks skateboarding is safer than running fast, but that is definitely what she believes.  She will eat anything--kale, spinach and tomatoes are good with her.

Kate is kind.  She goes out of her way to be nice to friends and include kids at playgroup.  She loves to be with other kids and she doesn't seem to have issues with sharing toys, dress up clothes, or even my attention.  She loves Zachary more than any playmate, though, and that is the most endearing quality!  She can't wait for him to get home everyday.

Kate is affectionate, still loves to snuggle and "hold me".  She absolutely needs a big hug and kiss before anyone leaves the house for the day and failing to do so results in massive breakdowns.  She loves to throw her head back and belly laugh. She holds hands with friends.

This little gal is also hilarious because she hasn't needed a lot of discipline of the years--she generally does exactly what she is asked.  When she does get out of line, though, the time outs are torture for everyone.  Ha!  She hates having her hair done but loves "looking like a princess."  She doesn't take naps anymore, so after 5pm is hit or miss.

Kate loves crafts, writing, and reading books.  She loves stickers, beads, pom poms, and paint and she gets them out many times a week to entertain herself while Zac does piano or homework.  She loves to help me clean and cook.  She loves to go to the grocery store, farmer's market, and even the post office.  Of course her favorite part of the week is ballet, pool time, and beach time, but she is content with almost anything.

So grateful for this girl.  She shows me joy and satisfaction and love. Happy Birthday, sweet, sweet Kate.