Londyn’s 7th Birthday

I’ve been meaning to write this post for months.  I usually come back to ye ole blog when it’s time to work on the kids’ scrapbooks every January to refresh my memory.  I guess I’m a little backwards this time.

Londyn went back and forth, then back and forth on what to do for her birthday.  It was a friend year, and she was pretty set on having a “Ariel” birthday party.  But her guest list ranged from a 12-year-old boy to a 2-year-old girl and everything in between, so I tried talking her into something more “gender/age neutral.”  I tried SO HARD to get her to have a carnival.  (Wouldn’t that be fun!?!)  But she wasn’t interested.  Eventually I gave up told her it was up to her and she could have an Ariel party if that’s what she really wanted.  About a week later she came running up to me and said “Mom!  I want a SOCCER birthday!”  I grabbed her hand and raced her to the party store to buy invitations before she could change her mind.  :)

Her actual birthday was on a Thursday.  She chose Will’s fruit crepes for her birthday breakfast.

Calvin and Oakley and I went to her school to eat lunch with her in the lunchroom.  I remember my mom doing this with us on our birthdays, and it was one of the things I most looked forward to.  Londyn was pretty excited since this is the first year she eats lunch at school, so the first time we were able to do this tradition with her.  We brought her a happy meal.  There were a lot of jealous kids at her table. 

That night we had Grandma & Grandpa Robins and Grandma & Grandpa Davis over for cake and ice cream and presents.  Londyn’s big gift from us was getting her ears pierced, which is kind of anti-climatic since she couldn’t get them done until after soccer season.  Luckily her grandparents spoiled her with some pretty awesome gifts she had been asking for.

 

We did her party the following Saturday, after a day full of soccer games.  I really wanted to make her change for the party, but she reminded me that it was, in fact, a soccer party and so she was already dressed appropriately.  Parenting Londyn has always been about choosing my battles, so I conceded this one. 

We played soccer red-rover and keep away, then had some pizza, presents, and cupcakes.  Simple but fun. 

And, of course, what party would be complete without a little limbo?

Londyn was a gracious hostess and I think everybody had a fun time. 

Now, a little about Londyn at 7.  I have plans to hang this above her bed:

 

That’s pretty much Londyn in a nutshell.  She’s the sparkle of this family.  She is happy and friendly and pretty carefree.  She loves giving gifts, playing school, and helping mom.  She is reading really well now and most nights she reads Calvin his scripture story before bed.  She is eager to please.  She is making more and more friends, and I think she is really enjoying her class at school. She is good about finishing her homework right when she gets home from school.

My sister pointed out to me a while back that Londyn really wears her emotions on her sleeve, and I’ve realized that is absolutely true.  When she’s hurt, it shows, and it breaks my heart.  But when she’s happy it’s absolutely contagious. 

She has a big year ahead.  She’s excited to be baptized when she turns 8 and also start “officially” coming to activity days (she participates most of the time since I’m the leader and it’s at our house). 

I’m looking forward to it.  Everything’s more fun with Londyn. :)