Life in the fast lane...

This week has been a whirlwind! Our daughter turned the big "5" this week. That's right folks, a whole handful!! (She's more than a handful to take care of, that's for sure.) I feel like we have made the ultimate big deal about this birthday! We have never made a huge deal about birthdays - usually it is a "make a cake, call a couple friends over to enjoy it with us" kind of affair. But, I decided that 5 was a good age to do things up. It began last week when my parents and sister came to town - specifically by M's request! They took her school shopping, letting her pick out clothes, try them on, bought them for her.
Sunday we had a family party with them, complete with a homemade sugar cookie cake. fun!
Monday the 'rents took us out to Red Robin so that the wait-staff would sing to our 5 year old. She was SO excited about this. However, when the ice cream came out with a huge dollup of cool whip on top, Mackenzie could hardly hold her tears in! (Not a good thing!) She eventually let them loose, and we eventually ordered another cup of ice cream with just sprinkles!
Tuesday was her actual birthday. The fam headed out of town and Ryan had to work late. So...me being the amazing mom that I am, took both kids to Chuck E. Cheese's. It was two hours that felt like about ten. But well worth the smiles.
Today, Friday, I brought in Fun-fetti cupcakes that M and I made together for her Kindergarten class. She loved this and was so excited to see Nate and I walk through the doors! I loved that moment too, as I saw her little hand shoot up to wave to me from the carpet on the floor!
Before bed tonight we stuffed Goody Bags for her Princess Party on Sunday. We are "puttin' on the ritz." So we hope. We have big things planned, including a Castle Cake. Wish me luck people as I bravely try to assemble the Castle tomorrow night. :)

Mackenzie also started Kindergarten on Wednesday! Talk about an emotional week! She loves her school. She went there for Preschool last year, so is very familiar with how things work there. She already adores her teacher. I asked her what her favorite thing about her first day was and she said that it was seeing her teacher! She rode the bus to school today and did fine. I sensed a little bit of hesitation from her as the bus pulled up....but it quickly faded. She didn't even wave to me out the window...something she did for at least the first half of the year last year! She has become very grown up this month. She is becoming a girl. I'm very proud of her - she's energetic, fun-loving, a go-getter. So brave, ambitious, with a spark of a dare-devil! She's compassionate (very!), nurturing, and caring. Somehow she's reverted back to being a momma's girl lately. This doesn't happen often, but I love it. This morning she just sat with me and wanted to hug on me. She's in touch with her emotions - telling us when things make her "frustrated!" She's a teacher - she loves to teach Nate anything at all. Even how to hang his towel up after bathtime. :)

So, all this birthday stuff is definetly worth it. This girl ranks high on my list of priorities. Yep, she's pretty much the coolest friend I have.