Kennedy's 7th Birthday

My sweet Kennedy is now seven! Yes, I said 7!!!! You can go here to see pictures of her each year on her birthday. I can hardly believe that she is 7. Time truly passes too quickly. It’s hard having a child this age. On one hand, you have higher expectations. On the other hand, you want to keep them a baby. This getting older business is REALLY hard for me. We miss Kennedy being a baby, but we also enjoy seeing her grow each day and watching the amazing feats she accomplishes. It is bitter sweet. On the day that she was born, Kennedy was the most beautiful little girl ever (and she still is). She has brought SO MUCH joy into our lives, and we will never be able to repay her for that joy. I always tell Kennedy that she isn’t the lucky one to have us as parents; we are the luckiest parents to have her! She has been my best friend (besides Jesus and Matt, of course) for so long, and I never want that to change. Kennedy has a heart of gold—always ready to help the underdog and hardly ever competitive. She is a free thinker and constantly amazes me with her rationale. She is a special girl!

For her party this year (and the past two years) she has wanted to have a swimming party at the YMCA. But, who wants to swim in an indoor pool in July? So, we decided to have her YMCA swimming party in late May, just before school ended. She invited many girls. It was wild and fun. They did the LIMBO, had a dance contest, and played Mother May I. Case joined right in the fun!

Since Kennedy had her party early, I wanted to make her real birthday special, without breaking the bank. My friend Stephanie gave me a great idea: Birthday Surprises. Kennedy woke up to 6 Birthday Surprise envelopes on Friday morning. Each envelope told her when she could open it. The surprises started on Friday and lead right up to her actual birthday, the Fourth of July.

On Friday night we went to eat at PF Chang’s (Kennedy’s choice and one of my faves). Kennedy invited a friend. They lucked out and caught the balloon guy who made both girls a unicorn and a butterfly for Case. Dinner was good, but Case was so horrible while we were eating that we got most of it to go. Case does not like going out to eat unless there is a playground in view.

After eating Kennedy opened Birthday Surprise #1:

At Bridge Street it can be found.

It’s something that takes you round and round.

Back home there was Birthday Surprise #2:

It’s not a car or a jeep,

But it is a place where your dolls can sleep.

You got a Groovy Girls tent. We had already borrowed our neighbor’s tent for she and her friend to sleep in Friday night, so the doll tent fit right in! Kennedy and her friend stayed up VERY late; they outlasted even me! WHEW! We girls were tired the next day. They were trying to break a world record! Too cute!

Saturday morning was Birthday Surprise #3:

Get in the car and take a seat.

We’re going to get a bath for your feet.

I took Kennedy for a pedicure because she had mentioned wanting one, but she wasn’t too impressed. Maybe if she had a friend with her she would have like it better???

We picked Matt and Case up and headed to the mall for Birthday Surprise #4:

Go to the mall and take a lookie.

Can you find the company with the big cookie?

She ended up getting a brownie instead of a cookie.

I think Birthday Surprise #5 was her favorite:

Your heart will be pumping from all of the jumping.

She always asks to do the big, harnessed jumpy thing by the mall food court, so I made it a surprise, and Kennedy loved it! After jumping I let she and Case play in the new play area outside of Hibbett. This is Case’s new favorite hangout. He’s such a mallrat. Ha!

Saturday night we went to a friend’s house for food, swimming for the kids, and a great fireworks show.

Sunday morning Kennedy woke up to Birthday Surprise #6:

It’s your birthday so be pleasant.

Go to the living room to open your presents.

She got a few new Barbie dolls and clothes for them and a new DVD. Kennedy was thrilled with her presents!

Then we loaded up to go see her grandparents. There was a cookout at my parents’ house, and Kennedy had fun on their trampoline. She had a terrific 7^th birthday. I hope 8 rolls around very S-L-O-W-L-Y!!!