Whitley's Week: Six Years Old!

Our Whitley is six! I don't know why it feels so much older and significant than all of her other birthdays, but it does. I think it's because she is in school now, or maybe because she has developed into such a fun and lovable little person in her own right. Whatever the reason, Tom and I are just so proud of and pleased with our ever-growing daughter, and we were thrilled to celebrate her birthday this month.

On Friday, Oct. 11th, we invited family over for a Smurfday Party! (Good idea, Aunt Stacy!) Whitley and I worked steadily all week to make the mushroom house gift bags and "How many apples high are you?" measuring wall. (She is such helper these days; she loves to be given a job!) I also made a Smurf Bingo game and a trivia game for the adults in which every answer included the word "blue." A big congrats to Terri and Grammy for taking home the prize (blue candles) on that one! I'm probably most proud of the cake, though. I've bought Whitley's birthday cake from Walmart every year (not that there's anything wrong with that), and I've always felt a bit inferior to all the moms (Stacy included) who bake and decorate such darling birthday cakes from scratch. I was determined to give it my all this year, and searched for Smurf ideas I thought I could emulate. Most of them were make out of fondant icing and incredibly complicated. I think what I made turned out OK, though, and it tasted just fine! After cake and ice cream, Whitley and our guests headed to the den to watch the birthday girl open presents. Whitley was excited and gracious, and when she finished opening them she stood up, told everyone she had something to say, and then shared, "I love all my presents. Thank you." Everyone "awwwed" and Tom and I looked at each other, like, "Did you tell her to say that?" We didn't. :) Thanks CC, Day Day, Grammy, Papa, Stacy, George, Drew, David, Aunt Terri and Mae Mae for joining us!

On her actual birthday, Whitley celebrated with her new Girl Scout Troop! She joined a new Daisy troop in September, and it has be a lot of fun. There are 15 kindergartners in the group, and the leader has organized many great activities. On the 12th, Whitley, CC and I met her troop at a corn maze. We paired up with a few other girls and moms and conquered the maze! I can honestly say that was the first time in my life my group found every "punch" for the card. Before it was time to go, I passed out Smurf cupcakes (from Walmart, naturally) for the Daisies and family members who attended. That afternoon was another activity, but this time it was for Girl Scouts only- a Square Dance! When Tom and I picked Whitley up, the troop leader said that older scouts came and paired up with the younger ones, and that the whole group sang "Happy Birthday" to my girl and that she "beamed" the whole time. Sounds like her! Whitley actually said later that her favorite part of the day was the dancing, and she talked for days about the "Cowgirl" who helped her with the steps. :)