Birthday Bash

For Brenna's 5th birthday we gave her a horse-riding party. We explained that this would be her last "big" birthday party; that future parties would be somewhat smaller with a few friends as Cameron has had the last two years.

This year we went to Charlotte's Camp, which has an air-conditioned party room and covered riding area for the children. We spent various parts of Friday and Saturday planning and preparing. Naturally Saturday morning it rained.... and rained... and rained.... about 3 inches here at home, but when I called CC, the owner reported not a drop all day! Thank goodness.

Everyone who RSVP'd attended- so we had a full house with 16 kids. Brenna loved the horses - had no qualms whatsoever with petting them, feeding them, and riding. The time flew by - it seemed we had just arrived and it was time to stop riding and move indoors for the food, cake, and presents.

Bryan spread out a feast of cold cuts, cheese, and rolls; chips, guacamole, and salsa; and a homemade trail mix. The trail mix disappeared immediately. (see post below for recipe) I made the cakes - after making one and thinking about the number of people attending, I quickly made another. I have no talent for decorating cakes, even something as simple as this drove me up a wall. Perhaps I shouldn't say I have no talent - I lack the patience.

Opening presents became a whirlwind of paper, bags, children, and noise, as the guest swarmed around the birthday girl. I felt like a parrot repeating, "sit down, back up, sit down, back up."

Brenna and Rebekka were so cute as they opened presents together.

I have so many great snapshots it's impossible to put them all here. I tried to upload to Picasa to make a slideshow album, but the computer froze up every time and frustrated me to where I don't care to do it anymore.