We had a TERRIFIC birthday weekend! Friday morning, Taylor woke up and said, "I forgot today was my School Birthday!" She was pretty excited to have Shaylie and me bring Ice Cream Bars to her class. We stayed to visit while she went over her birthday bulletin board with the class and her teacher gave her a quarter to go to the pencil machine. When she came back to class, the whole room sang Happy Birthday! She was pretty thrilled to be the Birthday Girl.

Grandma J arrived shortly after Taylor got home from school and we had a good time catching up. I caved in and let Taylor open the package that arrived from Papa Strong and Grandma Pam. She was so excited to get her "Jack and Annie" Magic Tree House books, and Junie B. Jones books...but she did wonder how they knew what her favorite books were. She's already read several chapters in one book.

Friday night was a little rough. I think because of all the excitement, Shaylie had a hard time sleeping. She was up about every hour througout the night. It was hard on me, but it was especially hard on Shaylie and Grandma J since they were sleeping in the same room. Sorry, Grandma.

Saturday was super busy and super fun! Taylor woke up before anyone and was busy drawing herself some Happy Birthday posters when I woke up. We feasted on birthday muffins for breakfast, and Taylor got her first surprise of the day. We turned on the TV to "Out of the Box" and they were having a birthday party and singing a special birthday song... to Taylor, of course. She loved it.

We spent the morning at the Annual Kite Festival. There were so many people there, flying kites, riding rides, and playing games. Shaylie and Taylor played several games and won prizes. They both got to ride the tractor train and the ferris wheel. Right before we left, we were lucky to see a sky diver carrying the American Flag land on the field. That was pretty special.

Next, we were off for a quick lunch and Taylor's soccer game at 1:00. She played goalie for the first half of the game and blocked several shots on her goal. Mom, Anissa, Anje, Chad, Krissy, and Bella came soon after the game started, so Tay had quite a cheering section. At half time, the team all wished her a special Happy Birthday and then Taylor kicked off the second half. The quick lunch took its toll on Taylor when she was playing offense, because she got a pretty good hitch in her side. But coach put her at full back for a minute and she was great. She didn't score, but she had one bounce off the post. Her team won 4-0. Way to go Starzz!

We came home at 2:00, and got finished setting up for the HULA HOOPLA at 3:00. The party was a great success! (Especially if you don't mind the dramatic posturings of 7 year old girls.) All the guests arrived and were outfitted with grass skirts and leis. As we waited for everyone to come, we played LIMBO in the backyard. Once we were all assembled, we made introductions since there were some girls who hadn't met before and welcomed everyone to our Luau. We turned on a video that taught the girls two hula dances. That went surprisingly well. The girls paid such good attention and they learned the Pearly Shells and the Hukilau. Next, came Beach Ball Volley ball. Then, Hula Hoop relays and Pin the Monkey on the Palm Tree. I had planned to give prizes for each of the games, but it was soon very clear that "7 year old politics" would not allow it. So we just played for fun! Who knew?
We brought out the Hula girl birthday cake and then opened presents.

Taylor got some really fun stuff from her family and friends. She got some really cute outfits from Grandma J, plus a traditional figurine. From Uncle Chad, Aunt Krissy, and Bella, she got a picture frame and a promise of a picture of Bella to put in it. From Aunt Anissa and Anje, she got her FAVORITE gift, a Password Journal by GirlTech. It only opens to the owners voice and password. When you access it, it welcomes you back and wishes you happy birthday on your special day; it also alerts you to any intruders who might have tried to get in while you were gone. She has already written several pages and is very protective of it. From Grandma Dawn, she got some cute pajamas, lawn darts, paddle ball, and a Phlat ball. Mom and Dad and Shaylie gave her a My Scene Barbie (think BRATZ only cuter) and a Volleyball/Badminton set. From her friends, she received: a dress-up rag doll, a Barbie paper dolls, a Barbie bank, a Barbie stamper, a Blo-pen craft kit, a Polly Pockets set, Sidewalk Chalk and water bottle, Swim Goggles and Snorkel, and a couple things I can't remember. The kids played until it was time to go home.

After the party, the family stayed for bbq Hamburgers and more visiting. We played Lawn Darts and Volleyball. It was lots of fun!

Sunday, after recuperating for most of the day, Grandma J took us out to dinner at Applebee's, where the servers surprised Taylor with a special birthday dessert and a rowdy song. She was hoping they would, she kept saying that she didn't think they would and when they finally came, her face turned redder than I have ever seen it. After they left, she asked why her face got so hot and red. Who knows? She was darling. The rest of us got to share a dessert compliments of our waitress who forgot Scott's dinner salad. It was Death by Chocolate cake, my favorite. Thanks, Grandma Rose.

This morning, Scott was off to work and Taylor was off to school again, dressed in a new outfit and chauffered by Grandma, who caved pretty easily. Then Grandma was off home after hugs and kisses. And Shaylie and I are just off. We had a great time and we were sad to see it end.

Thank you to everyone who helped make this special weekend even better by sharing your love and kindness with us! Thanks to all Taylor's friends who helped make the party so fun! We are looking forward to Shaylie's party next! Hope to see you all there! Love, the Jesienouski's.