Happy FIFTH Birthday, My Sweet and Spicy Suzy

Suzy has had a wonderful Birthday this year. She has really grown up a lot this year and is a real delight to be around. The fits are getting fewer and farther between and they are getting shorter and less intense when they do occur. Praise God for that! :) She has really started becoming more social and aware of others feelings and opinions. She still says the funniest things and is so super concrete it cracks me up. She still really likes her routine and isn't a big fan of new things. But, since she's five now, she's decided she's old enough to try a few things here and there. So sweet. So fun. I'll try and write more stats later. For now, here are some photos from my very special little girl turning FIVE!!!!

I love this age for her. She is so excited about everything. She's been reading (looking at books) a ton and her vocabulary is booming. As she opened her presents, she was saying things like, "I'm so grateful! This is so wonderful!" etc. Precious.
Still a big fan of tiny objects. This toy was a big hit for that very reason.
Really, all the toys this year were big hits. She's pretty easy to shop for and depending on the day, each of her toys will be her "favorite" and "Best Ever!" Tonight, the little Baby Alive was a favorite. (As well as Mrs. Goodbee and friends, Cooties, Legos, Hello Kitty, her new George book, etc.) She was so excited to keep checking the babies diaper for the ever anticipated "Real POOP!" Thanks, Tara. I owe you one. No, really.... ;)
She loves this baby doll. And what did she name it? Well, "ABC Bracelet", of course. So funny. Goes along with her favorite other imagination friends, "Whellbarrow, Suzy puppy, etc." And yes, the baby has a bracelet with letters on it.
She wanted a Hello Kitty Cake. I was very ill prepared and made the cake last night. This is as close as I got.
I knew it didn't really matter. She bought these umbrellas and sprinkles and I knew she planned to adapt the cake anyhow to her own taste.
I am, afterall, a believer that a kids birthday should be just that. All about the kids. When I asked Suzy what she wanted to do for her birthday. First she said she wanted to take all of her friends to Great Wolf Lodge. Ummmm... No. Next, she decided she wanted to "swim in a rice bucket." I wasn't surprised. I was actually pleased. I could make that happen for her.

So, what does 250lbs of rice look like, you may ask? TaDa!
We burried the little party favors in the rice and the kids had a blast digging them out.
Some children, including our favorite birthday girl, went swimming.
At first, Suzy wanted the rice in a "box as big as Daddy". But, logistically, it wasn't working out so well. So, instead, the daddies hoisted up the remaining 100 lbs of rice and burried our birthday girl and her friends.



I love how the Mrs. Goodbee Doll house makes it easy for lots of kids to play at once.
Another highlight? Uncle Cody gave Suzy a show for her gift. Thank you, Uncle Cody, from the bottom of my heart. I know it's been YEARS since you've done a kids show and you are way above this. So, thank you. It means so much to me and you really made my little girl's day so special with your talents.
I love how Cody and Suzy have such similar expressions.

This hand on the hip cracks me up. She's growing up... sigh....
OK, the reason I've never begged Cody to do a show for me is two fold. One, he's way beyond that professionally (and I could never afford him). Two, I still remember my first five year old birthday party as "Marti the Magician". I made an egg dissapear and the kid said it was not a big deal because I just used an invisible egg. Suzy did not dissapoint. This trick is all about giving the child the next biggest wand, etc. until the trick "works". Suzy simply explained to Uncle Cody that the wand wasn't working because it wasn't a real wand. It was made out of fabric and she could feel it. Oh, Suzy..... You are "that" kid..... Everyone, including Cody, was totally cracking up.
Have I mentioned how much she adores him? She even eats crepes for him. And jelly.

I love this series. Maybe not the best photos. (I did have an Andy in my lap and the lighting was off.) But, these are his two oldest boys. I love how he's interacting with them.


And this photo? Well.... it just makes me laugh each time I see it. Rob says the caption is, "My precious!"
I hope you felt like you were a part of our special day. We were sad that many of our loved ones live so far away. It really was a "magical" fifth birthday....