Build-A-Bear and a Wide-Brimmed Hat

M got some money for her birthday which she used to buy this white hat. We had just finished reading about the American Girl Rebecca (New York, 1914), who gets a fabulous hat for her birthday. When M saw this hat in Target she put back the toy she was going to buy and got the hat instead. I think that is a sign that she's growing up! She also got a gift card to Build-A-Bear and had fun creating this bear, named Catherine (after Nanny).

The Party

For M's birthday celebration this year she invited Kate, Minnie and Morgan to go swimming.

The awesome slide

Kate

Minnie

Birthday Girl
Minnie jumped off the 10ft platform
M climbed to the top of the 10ft platform......but decided to take the steps back down and stick to the springboard instead.

Best Friends

The Birthday

M's birthday was on a Sunday this year. The morning began with opening presents on our bed. M must be a pretty unique child because she chose to open the smallest present first. I didn't think that through very well, because the smallest present was... ...a cap and choker belonging to the Felicity doll. M's expression translates as, "But, I don't have Felicity." "Oh, I think I know what might be in this big box!""I can't believe it'! It's Felicity!"I think it is very sweet that M did not think she would get an American Girl doll for her birthday. She knows they are expensive and figured that only Santa would be able to afford to give those to her.Grandma and Poppy got her Felicity's Christmas outfit.Josefina also got a new Fiesta outfit.

Every singer needs her own microphone.

Grandma and Poppy also got M this basketball. Minnie has been teaching M how to play basketball and she is looking forward to playing with her at the park by our house. As a 9-year-old, everyone gets bunny ears, including Felicity when she is modeling her Christmas outfit.Nanny and Grandpa got M The Sound of Music soundtrack. She listens to it every night as she falls asleep. Nanny was still in Australia, but it was nice to have Grandpa here. I love this photo of them together.We were very lucky that our New York family arrived on M's birthday for their skiing trip. They got here just in time for cake. Emily gave M a very sweet American Girl Valentine's dress for her dolls. I didn't get a photo of it but you can see it on M's lap in the next photo. I love that all of the girl cousins share that interest right now. I also agree with what it says on Emily's t-shirt!

Do we have cute kids in our family, or what? It was nice to have lots cousins celebrate M's birthday with us.

M's request was for an ice cream cake. I love ice cream cakes in Australia but haven't been able to find the same kind here. Instead we went with a cookies and cream ice cream cake, which is M's favourite flavour, so she was happy with it (despite her lack of smiling in this photo!).

Happy 9th Birthday!