Mona's birthday party

Leilani's Uncle Nate is Daddy's oldest friend in the world (since the 7th grade!).  And as luck would have it, his daughter, Mona, was born just a few weeks after Leilani.  So the joy of raising daughters is just another thing those two men share.  Mona's 5th birthday party was held at an amazing gymnastics center. 

There were all sorts of things to climb on.

 Hang from

 Jump on

 Leilani had a ball.

 Happy Birthday Mona!



First Field Trip

Leilani's Preschool Class took a trip to see Seussical The Musical at Bridges Auditorium.  She was more excited about riding on the bus than she was about going to the play.  Mommy took the day off work in order to be the official field trip photographer.

 Buckled up and ready for action!

5 year old fabulousness!

5th birthday party

 On Sunday, January 23rd we had a party to celebrate Leilani's 5th birthday.  Leilani wanted to have the whole family there, plus her 2 best friends.  So we called Rubie and Mona, gathered up the whole family, and headed for the Magic Kingdom.

 It wouldn't be a party without Samuel being there too!

 We each wore a lei around our neck with a giant #5 that said "Happy Birthday Leilani"  

 Leilani and Mona with Princess Belle

 Leilani and Rubie with Pluto

 This picture is blurry because we were all having so much fun. It has nothing to do with the photographer's abilities!

This is my favorite picture of the day.  Of course it was taken by Rubie's mom, Julie.

Happy Birthday to our favorite five year old girl.  '

We love you!

Birthday ensemble (Part II) Behold the ooh la la.

 Leilani was so excited about how her birthday "special and fabulous" ensemble came out.  She got out her design sketch and compared it to the finished product.  Just her little face beaming at me when she said, "Oh Mommy... It's PERFECT."  made it all worthwhile.

 My second attempt at custom hair bows. 

The Birthday Girl

The Birthday Girl headed off to school on her special day. 

 For Leilani's birthday, Mommy brought cupcakes to school to share with her class. Leilani wanted her school party to be a jungle theme ("Mommy. Boys do NOT like princesses or Hello Kitty!") so we got plastic animals to put on the cupcakes and monkey and lion temporary tattoos for the whole class.

 Daddy's job was to buy to cupcakes.  I asked him to get cupcakes with WHITE frosting.  This is what I got instead.  Only a dad would buy neon color cupcakes.  And this is why...

 Tattoo Time.  Leilani was thrilled because Mommy NEVER lets her have a tattoo.

 The birthday princess on her throne surrounded by her loyal subjects.

 Her teachers Ms Joey and Ms. Tonya

Birthday ensemble (Part I)

When I asked Leilani what she wanted to wear for her special day, our conversation went something like this:
    Me- "Leilani, what would you like to wear on your birthday?"
    Leilani- "Ooooh. Something special and fabulous.
    Me- "Should we go shopping today?"
    Leilani- "What?! No. NOT from the STORE. I would like something made in your craft room. I want it to be very ooh la la."

So I spent all day yesterday at fabric and craft store putting together the elements for her birthday ensemble.  This morning as soon as she woke up she told me she had "work to do." and disappeared with her art supplies.  10 minutes later she emerged with a drawing of what she wants her top to look like.  That's right... my 4 year old presented me with a DESIGN SKETCH. 

I want you to soak it all in.  The red dots inside the number five are "sparklies" and the dots around the outside are lights.  Yes, Leilani expects her ever-so-festive 5th birthday shirt to LIGHT UP.  Where does she come up with this stuff?!