Aslynn's Birthday

Aslynn! I can't believe it! You're six years old already! It's amazing how time flies by when you're so cute. It's too bad that you were sick the whole week and haven't stopped coughing yet. You missed school on Tuesday and probably should have on Thursday as well, but you were desperate to see your friends and talk to Ms. Dane about your birthday. You got a pink Oiler jersey from us that was WAY too big. At least this way Judah will have no reason to wear it. Hopefully we can get another jersey into this house soon. All of the Flames jerseys seem to have been passed down from sibling to sibling.

Aslynn, you had a great time planning your party. But some things are just so hard to decide. Like food for instance. Do I choose the mini corn dogs or do I go with the chicken lollipops? Why not both?  What veggies can be dipped? Let's get as many varieties as we can name. And for cakes - the design list was cut from 10 different styles to 5 to 3 to 1. In the end you got 11 cakes out of the deal anyway, so how was this productive? And even then you couldn't decide what that one should look like. It's great that we can leave it up to Mom's creative imagination to fill in the blanks and make a stunning dessert. Pink? My favorite! How did you know, Mom? Grandpa and Grandma Nation came the night before to help with preparation and decoration duties because they hadn't been to one of your birthday parties for a long time. We got to play games with them a few times before and after the party.

We also made a decision early on that we could not invite all of your friends for fear we may forget one or two names along the way. We invited school friends this time around, no church friends. Last time for Judah's birthday he invited two kids and their families and we ended up with a houseful! Nope, Just six friends from seven invitations. When they arrived, everyone headed to your bedroom to take a look at the cotton-candy striped walls and white flowers. Each one of them took a picture with you there and then decorated little foam picture frames to keep the picture they took with you.

You took them on a tour of the house where seven Kindergarten girls journeyed underground into the darkness beneath where the Judah-monster provoked several screams and tears, scarring one child for life who cowered in the corner for most of the rest of the party. She left early after such discomfort. Sadly, she does not have little brothers that jump out and go "ROAR!" while some of the others were more accustomed to such antics. Micah was a good big brother and did not freak out when all the little girls girly-piled on top of him while he lay on the couch after a satisfying game of "Chase the Brother Who Doesn't Scare Us". In between the meal and the cake the girls played "Pin the Sunglasses on the Sun" in the basement. Later one girl broke into spontaneous paper-airplane-making which nearly started a riot as she rushed through her instructions and folding techniques. Daddy had to rescue the girls who couldn't keep up with her - and made a few modifications along the way. No one was seriously damaged by any of the aforementioned games. We hope.






The cakes were amazing. I say cakes because each girl decorated her own little chocolate sandal cake with candies to take home. Faith made two for herself. They were slightly larger than everyone else's. And I think they were prettier, but I'm biased. Hey, it was fantastic!

Gift opening was hilarious. "Okay now girls, try to make a circle so that everyone can see." It kept shrinking into zero personal space. Even negative personal space the way they crowded in. The circle was like a black hole, swallowing gifts and girls whole. "Let her breathe - Aslynn, are you still in there? Can anyone else see the gifts when you are hovering over her like that, dear?" And you got quite the haul. I think you prefer the clothes to the toys. Judah seems to be driving the Barbie car more than you right now.

Overall, it was a good time had by most. Everyone but that one traumatized waif. But we were grateful to meet your friends and we're so glad you have so many good ones. Some of whom we will get to see shortly as they arrive from Caronport in April as well. Good times. We love you and pray that you will have an amazing next year, Princess. We're so privileged to have such a great daughter!