Happy Birthday, McKenzie!!!

How time flies. McKenzie turned 7 years old today. I love her at all her ages; I wish I could keep a clone of her at each age. I'm excited for her as she grows through life, but I can't we slow it down a little? It seems life only picks up speed. In church on Sunday, Sister Black told me that the next thing you know, they've graduated from high school and moved out of the house. How can that be? Unfortunately, I know it's true. Anyway, enough ruminating. Here's the rundown on McKenzie's fabulous day:

We spent the morning preparing for her birthday party. At 12:30, Jen and Chloe came to help set up. At 1pm the guests began arriving. Each of them got a headband with animal ears on it, a balloon tail, and her face painted like a cat or a dog. There were little goldfish crackers in a kitty bowl and scooby snacks in a doggy bowl for them to munch on as they colored Littlest Pet Shop pictures while waiting for the rest of the invitees to join the festivities.


When all of our guests had arrived, we started on the games. First, we had a dog/cat chase, where their objective was to pop each others' tails. The last one with her tail intact won, and the victory went to our friend, Kenzie.

Next, the girls (and Thomas) raced in two teams, cats versus dogs, in an animal relay. First they had to "crawl like a cat" until they got to the dog marker, where they had to "bark like a dog" three times. Then they progressed to the "walk like a monkey" marker, which led them to the "hop like a frog" to the finish line. That was a lot of fun to watch. (I think we should play this at our next Girl's Night Out!) The dogs won this game.

Finally, the kids raced in a doggy water bowl relay.

I fudged it so the cats won. They were down by a few tablespoons. It was essentially a tie, but I wanted to keep things even.

While that was winding down, Michael started up the snowcone machine and we were soon dishing out flavored ice for everyone.
When the kids finished this refreshment, we moved on to opening presents, and eating cake and ice cream. I was seriously amazed with the generosity of our guests' parents. I don't know where they found the gifts their children gave McKenzie, but they did an awesome job. She got a lot of creative things, crafty things, and some toys that she absolutely loves. I sit here speechless as I think of what wonderful people we are blessed to know. You are truly great examples to me.

McKenzie and her friends as she opens her birthday presents.

McKenzie blowing out her candles.

Gratuitous cake shot.

Once the kids enjoyed their cake and ice cream, they headed out for fun on the BONZAI!!!

McKenzie's party was a blast. All the kids had so much fun. I was so grateful for Michael and Jennifer, who helped make it such a success, and to Stephanie, for loaning us the snowcone machine.

After McKenzie's party, we got the kids cleaned up a bit and headed to the mall to get McKenzie's ears pierced. The piercing guns at Claire's Boutique were out of order, so we headed over to the Piercing Pagoda. Unfortunately, there was only one person working at the booth, so she had to pierce McKenzie's ears one at a time. I was impressed at how brave McKenzie was. She usually screams bloody murder at a minor scrape, but today she held her tongue and didn't make a sound. I could tell by her expression that it was painful, yet she was committed to continue with the second ear (thankfully). She was so proud of herself when it was done. I think she looks great. Albeit, now she really looks like a 7 year old, and no longer the 6 year old she was yesterday. Sigh!


What a great day. Happy Birthday, McKenzie! I love you so much. You brighten my days with your cheery smile. I'm so glad to have you as my daughter!