Monday, December 19th was Natalie’s 6th birthday! The celebration weekend kicked off with a party at BounceTown with about 17 school friends and neighbors. I don’t have the best pictures on my phone, but here is one of Natalie being silly with her friend Sophie… and Elliott was quick to join in. The next is a little neighbor girl who just turned 3 and was following Elliott around for half of the party (to his dismay). She is such a cutie though – he would regret that decision if he was 10 years older!
On Saturday, our house was practically freezing – the heat went out (for the 2nd time in two weeks) so it was down to 52 degrees. Elliott, Natalie and I huddled in her bedroom with the space heater and many layers of clothes while opening her presents from the night before. We also had a “big” snowstorm that morning so the streets weren’t plowed and the library closed, so it was hard to find an interesting place to get out of the house. We ended up at the town toy store! (Not what we needed after this loot!)
On Sunday, Natalie and I joined friends for a shortened performance of the Nutcracker at a historic house in Holyoke. The dancers were primarily children. I thought Natalie would want to be part of it in the future but she was content to watch. Her own ballet is really progressing though and she tries so hard.
Then, on Monday, Jordan and I were the “Royal Readers” in Natalie’s classroom. Natalie and a classmate greeted us outside the classroom and we walked into a royal line-up of kindergarteners bowing to us. Then, we each shared a favorite memory of Natalie when she was little. Jordan’s centered around her chubbiness and how she was so chubby that people would either chuckle or ask to squeeze her 5 fat rolls when we were walking around town. I shared memories of Natalie being super social from the start – we used to call her a church flirt as she would make friends everywhere and anywhere. She even was planning playdates before she could really talk. Then we read a Pippi Longstocking book, had cookies and accompanied Natalie to the office for a sparkly purple birthday pencil.
The Monday night celebration included awesome decorations (courtesy of Alison, Elliott and Natalie) and pizza (Natalie’s choice) with salad (parents’ choice) with our good friend Daniele too!
Here the kids the morning of Natalie’s birthday – could you ask for a cuter winter bundle!?!
