Happy Birthday, Emma Bloom!

Emma had a wonderful birthday weekend, even though it began with a huge disappointment. The girls' beloved Grandma Kitty got sick and had to cancel her planned trip from Florida. We were all so sad she and Dave couldn't make it, but the upside was having my Mom and Callie spend the weekend with us instead. As bummed as Emma was, having her best friend with her for all the birthday activities definitely helped soften the blow of Grandma & Grandpa Kitty's absence. As Callie aptly declared upon arrival, "Happy Birthday Emma...I'm your birthday gift!"

Saturday was a long but ultimately successful day. Last year at Em's birthday party, her cake actually melted in the 80+ degree sun. This year, party day was windy, rainy and cold. We'd planned to celebrate at a nearby park and take advantage of the playground for instant kid entertainment, but a sudden downpour forced us to improvise. Chris stood in the rain and directed guests from the park to our place, while I frantically set up for an impromptu indoor party in about 15 minutes. Although the switch was a bit stressful for the parental units, we managed to fit 40 people at least somewhat comfortably into our apartment - and miraculously, everyone seemed to have a great time. Here's a pic of our dear friend Sam rocking a lovely princess ensemble while surrounded by party guests, and then a photo of Emma blowing out the candles on her cake (with some help from friends).
Sunday was awesome. The kids played all day long, and that evening we took Emma and Callie downtown to see the musical Mary Poppins. This was Emma's big birthday gift from her Daddy and me, and we were nervous that she might not last through a three hour show. But both girls were total rock stars. The play was full of illusions to keep the kids (and us, frankly!) entertained, but the best trick of the night was when Mary Poppins "flew" above the audience and hovered mid-air right in front of us. The girls' faces at that moment were aglow with such delicious amazement that my heart hurt just watching them. I would have loved the play regardless of who I saw it with, but nothing beats experiencing something through the eyes of a child. Callie declared after the show that she was so glad she got to see "the real Mary Poppins," and both girls kept their eyes on the sky the entire ride home, hoping for a magical glimpse of Mary flying with her umbrella.

Here we are all dressed up before hitting the theater (well, except Miss Sophie, who was decked out in pjs before hitting her crib), and then the girls after the show, still bouncing off the walls as they show off their Playbills.
Of course, all good things must come to an end. Mom and Cal left yesterday, and Emma is now home from school on her birthday, sick with fever....AGAIN. But she has lots of new toys to keep her busy, and more presents to look forward to this weekend in Indiana. She is a very lucky child to have so many people in her life who love her, although frankly, she is so very easy to love.

Happy birthday, my baby.