10

Yesterday, my Big Girl turned TEN. That's double digits, everybody! Oh! How could this BE?

We invited two of Mary's girlfriends to come and spend the night for her special day. John got a huge balloon, I got her a Harry Potter cake and put streamers up in the dining room.

We kept the party simple and had pizza-and-a-movie. Halfway through the movie, we turned off the TV so that Mary could open her gifts. Oh! What a treasure trove! Horse jewelry box, horse necklace and earrings, a fun game, beads, and a really neat origami day-by-day calendar...etc.... The new ten-year old kept saying, "Oh! THIS is the best party ever!"

We ate the cake and some ice cream, played the new game, finished the movie, and then all the girls settled down in the den for the evening. I owned up to my age and got out the air mattress, where Miss Izzy also settled down. The other three girls cuddled up on the floor.

This was the first that Mary's two best friends--one of this day, and one of her school of old--met and were together with Mary at the same time. John was apprehensive, but all three girls really did play well together--and stayed up giggling until almost 11:00. Mary seemed to enjoy herself so much more with this lot, than the "big" party of six girls last year. And...there were no late night visitors prowling around the living room at 2:00 in the morning!

Those hardy girls were up at 6:30. Ugh. I finally got up myself and fixed breakfast for everyone. Then all the kids played with the Wii until the first parent showed.

A great birthday for my now tired Big Girl. A nice surprise when everyone realized this morning that gosh! TOMORROW is Christmas! Yes, indeed. More gifts and more worn-out fun. I simply can't wait!



(Those sparkling candles I found were a big hit, too!)