Happy Birthday Katie

Birthdays in general, and her own in particular, are never far from Katie's mind. For example, rather than saying "School starts in August 21st." Katie says "School starts the day after Mommy's Birthday."

The Birthday countdown started in earnest over a month ago though when we started to get daily updates about how many days left until her Birthday.
Katie: "Daddy, can you believe it? it's just 35 more days until my Birthday."

It's hard for a parent (or at least this one) to show enthusiasm when the daily countdown starts so far in advance.

On Friday her Birthday was recognized at her school assembly along with the other kids and teachers with birthdays this week. Anna made cupcakes and we brought them in for her class.

On Saturday we had a Bowling Birthday party. We had a good turn out with about 17 or so kids showing up. Everyone seemed to have fun even if it was a little chaotic at times. Naturally the boys were the trouble makers: How many times must you tell a boy to stay off the lanes if it's not their turn? I'm still not sure but the answer is definitely higher than 25. If they weren't trying to stick their heads in the ball return they were climbing on top of it.

For the 2nd game we had them do "Crazy Bowling" where you had to bowl differently each frame (though someone's legs, wrong handed, eyes closed, etc.). My favorite was having them bowl with an oven mitt on.

And of course we had pizza and a really delicious chocolate birthday cake.
Happy Birthday Katie!