the birthday post

For the third year in a row Natasha was sick on her birthday.. she'd actually been sick ever since we moved, and when her friend Violet was diagnosed with pink eye plus an ear infection we figured she really should get in to see a doctor. Dan took her in and after walking through all her symptoms and checking her over was told that she was just lucky enough to have gotten one cold after another after another after another.

Miraculously, after 2 months of this, she was the picture of health just in time for her birthday party!

Almost as awesomely, the weather cleared up just in time too, unlike the monsoon we had last year.

<-- here we are preparing our little patch of lawn for the party.

The kids even saw fit to humor me by wearing the party hats!












Natasha liked her so much that even Cole's sweet entreaties didn't convince her to take it off!

Natasha's friends and family filled the yard enjoying the sunshine.. The kids all seemed to have a really good time - right up until they ALL started melting down,. but that wasn't until later! ;)

For most of the day they ran around playing and eating and having a good time

And they even played with each other! We all noticed the change.. up until very, very recently the kids played near each other and maybe even spoke to each other periodically, but didn't really play together. One of the really cool things to sit back and notice was that they really were having a great time playing together.

Check out the presto-chango here with Natasha's hair.. scroll up to see the barely out of her eyes 'do mommy managed.. now check out the princess coif Aster did within 5 minutes of her arrival (and that 5 minutes includes actually doing the 'do!!)

Daddy created a trio of cakes for Natasha with varying flavors of cake and fruit, and Natasha totally got into it! She blew out the candles, picked a treat off the cake and basked in the singing of the happy birthday song. And when it came time to actually eat, she very quickly discovered that that stuff next to the fruit was pretty tasty too :D

Natasha figured out the pressie thing too, thanks to her cousin's help!


Unfortunately, now all bags and boxes are presents for her.. but since she's reasonably happy to share that hasn't been as problematic as I would've thought.

All in all I'd say the day was a success. Natasha is officially a kid - there's hardly any sign of the baby left!