So....is it obvious to everyone else how much I love birthdays? I really do. It's not about spending money, it's about letting my kids know that I will go all out for them in ways that matter. Royce and I do not buy our kids expensive things (sorry, kids!) and we don't live a fancy life.
We live a happy life.
And while there are plenty of exceptions I'm sure, I do believe that our kids appreciate what they have and what we do as a family. That is a good feeling.
Today Chloe turned six.
Chloe, you are a fantastic little girl. You are spunky and sassy, and make us proud in all that you do. Sure, you still throw a fit every now and again, but you recover and learn from your experiences. You are more genuine than any other kid I know. There are times you work to a fault putting others before yourself. I think that's what makes me love celebrating YOU so much on your birthday.
Because you deserve it.
You want to lose a tooth more badly than I can put into words. I don't think you'd care if a tooth were knocked out, as long as it meant you lost one. None of them are even close. Your manners are wonderful, you are very artistic, and you think outside the box.
I hope your sixth birthday was everything you'd hoped.
(I have a feeling that it was.)
I always decorate once the kids are asleep so they can wake up with something fun on their birthdays.
Upon arriving to school Chloe was welcomed by a birthday hat and her Kindergarten class animal - Jungle Monkey!
Jungle Monkey got to sit at Chloe's desk all day and Chloe got to wear a birthday hat for a while, too.
I ate lunch at school with Chloe today. It was so much fun!
Truly, truly something I am going to do more often.
After school Chloe decorated her cake.
Peace signs all around!
What do you do with extra frosting?
Squirt it like squiggly brains into a spoon I guess.
Chloe wanted to have four friends play at Sonic.
The girls (Tessa and Emily) go to HFE with Chloe.
And the boys (Jacob and Elijah) are from previous daycare/preschool.
It sure wasn't any thing fancy but the kids had fun.
Okay, bad mom. I left the matches at home.
No blowing out the totally-awesome-homemade-peace-candles.
I have another little cake at home, we'll just have to re-create!
Mmmm! Chloe didn't know the cake had different colors!
And Chloe's gift from Royce and I...
Her own room.
This was a blood, sweat, and tears type of project.
Royce and I worked HARD at getting this done and keeping it a secret from Chloe.
Painting the room, building a stage, repurposing an old piece of furniture, and buying new accessories.
But all that work was worth it when I saw this face.
She has wanted her own room for a while. Not necessarily for the sleeping aspect, but the privacy and space aspect. She still plans to sleep in the bunk bed in Isaac's room every once and a while.
There was so much to take in!
A loft!
This room looks fancy and looks over the top, and it is, but it didn't cost much at all. It cost Royce and I's time and effort. And those are two things we do our best to give our kids.
I am rarely known to splurge and I'm okay with that. But I can honestly say that paint and bedding were the biggest expense in this room and that was still all under $120 I'm sure.
WORK is what this room cost us, and we were happy to do it for Chloe.
The biggest transformation was the entertainment center. Royce built this in high school when TVs were still almost three feet deep. Flat screens weren't in the equation yet. It's a big, SOLID, piece of furniture that was just...big.
So now it's big with a purpose!
Before:
AFTER!
Hang up dress clothes, vanity space, storage, and a loft!
We had all the lumber for this from previous projects so paint was the only expense.
Chloe said the best present and best surprise was her room. I'm so proud to be her momma and love that she sees that pride by knowing our efforts.
(Don't tell Chloe I said this--but she even held my hand under the table at lunch today!)
My 'little' girl still does exist.
Chloe Marie,
You are one of a kind.
We love you!
Mom & Dad
