Four

I began my initial planning for Scarlet's upcoming birthday celebration in January. I toyed around with a few ideas, did a little present shopping, put some thought into how large/small of a shindig we were going to throw together.

I didn't actually get around to thinking about it again until March 1st. Her birthday is the 3rd. Sometimes I really mess myself up when I try to be ahead of the game. But four year olds are still very forgiving when it comes to birthday planning. Not as forgiving as one year olds... but still.

Her birthday just happened to fall on our favorite day of the week, Sewing club day! I think my children do not actually know the word "Thursday", it is universally identified by sewing club. In fact, Scarlet kept asking if her birthday was going to be on "a Tuesday or a Sewing Club day?" Her eventual enrollment in preschool might be opening her up to an entire world of "mom, that is not what that is really called"-isms.

So, we did a combo effort. We threw together some party hats and treats that we shared with our usual sewing club crowd. I think I did make them sing the birthday song at one point to make it a little more official. But really, her "birthday party" consisted of kids running around with pointed paper hats in the backyard while the moms got to get their usual amount of chat and sewing on. It was pretty fantastic.

During nap time, my actual work began. We had invited some friends to return that evening for dinner, cake and presents. I had from 1:30 to 5:00 to get a cake made, dinner made, and house cleaned and decorated (using the term decorated very loosely).

I just had to have one more attempt at a fondant cake. I had to have a win. It had little to do with Scarlet's request for a crown cake and a lot to do with my need to finally succeed with my marshmallow enemy. It was a long and arduous fight, hours into the battle a winner was not yet clear. But in the end, I emerged victorious. Though the battle scars left their toll...

This was my kitchen a hour and a half out without a stitch of dinner in the works as of yet.

But, with the help of a very important, adrenalin filled second wind, I got it all done. Our feast (which somehow took place on that very table minus all the white) included homemade macaroni and cheese, corn, stuffed mushrooms (on Scarlet's insistence) and chicken drumsticks (thankfully provided by Suzanne). Friends came, friends ate, friends enjoyed or at least pretended to a satisfactory level.

We weren't exactly working with a free evening schedule, so presents had to ensue quickly after eating. Scarlet has some fantastic friends and family who know her very very well.

Ellie Seguin got her a tinkerbell hair and makeup accessory case. This morning, as I put on my makeup for church, Scarlet ran into her bedroom, brought back her new set and we spent the morning putting on our makeup together. It would really be the perfect gift if Rhode wasn't abnormally attached to the glittery hair dryer. It has caused more than one scream battle between the two.

Blaze, Bennett and Charlie Stout along with Grandma and Grandpa Nielsen got Scarlet the thing she asked for the most, birthday money. She is so excited for the next time she spots an
"I have to have this!" item in the store and have a different answer to the question, "Do you have any money to buy that?" So far, we have only ventured to the grocery story where she almost convinced herself the $4 bottle of Naked Juice was worth spending every last dollar she had at the time. This money spending process might be a long one.

Jane Warren brought one of the favorite presents of the evening, an Ariel Barbie. This (along with the Barbie she received from me) is the first Barbie she has owned and she was beyond excited. Ariel or Rapunzel have accompanied us on every errand mom would allow.

*** Side Story ***

The evening ended with a trip to the Young Mens Stake Basketball Tournament. Scarlet insisted on bringing Ariel along. I had an immediate, vivid flashback to my six year old birthday party where I received a Barbie myself. I insisted we take it with us to the pizza place where we would be celebrating the rest of my big day. In the excitement that followed, Barbie got left behind and no amount of calls to the lost and found part of the store brought her back. I was devastated for my loss all over again and spent the game watching Ariel like a hawk, making sure her owner wasn't nearly as careless as her owner's mother. Scarlet needed no assistance though and Ariel is still safe after a week of outdoor travels. Maybe we do improve with the rising generation.

*** Side Story Over***

From Grandma Peggy and Grandma Dave, Scarlet received her first doll house for her My Little Pony collection. She also got the latest Dora episode on DVD which I have already memorized. It is truly a fascinating tale of the adventures and successes one can have while dressed as a ballerina. Look out Oscars.

The My Little Pony house has been a big hit. We set it up and sat down together with ponies in hand. I generally assumed the pretending would just... happen. Not so much. We had to have a few practice rounds involving, "Okay now I will be the mommy and you pretend to be the baby pony" and vise versa. But success has been achieved and she is a pony pretending pro. I am so proud.

From mom and dad, she received a Rapunzel Barbie and some extra My Little Pony playmates for her new house.

The cake was finally revealed, candles were lit, songs were sung.

See? Not too bad right? I added three rhinestones to the crown points which were inedible but pretty. Cake and ice cream were devoured and the party was generally concluded.

Scarlet is four. She is incredibly proud of the fact, as are we. She is still incredibly tall, clever, funny, a killer dancer, and a bossy little perfectionist, which I absolutely love about her. Happy birthday my beautiful little girl. We absolutely and completely love you.