Lily's 7th Birthday

Lily celebrated her 7th Birthday on Friday! I remember the day she was born so vividly. It doesn't seem all that long ago, so it's hard to believe my baby girl is now 7 years old!

Lily had a great birthday, and we spent the entire day celebrating! She kicked it off with a room filled with balloons, and it ended with a tent full of kids. Every moment was special, and I have no doubt she's going to remember her 7th birthday fondly!


On her birthday, Lily woke up at 2 AM, and again at 6:30 AM, because she was so excited! After Grant woke up for work, she ended up sneaking into our room, and curling up next to me. We both fell back asleep, but I woke up a bit earlier than her. There was nothing sweeter than birthday morning cuddles, but she was obviously exhausted from all her wakeups, because she slept until after noon!

Once she checked out her birthday balloons, her banner, and her birthday outfit (she insisted on reusing her birthday shirt from last year, but I bought her a new skirt), she was ready for our traditional birthday donut breakfast! Dylan, Lexie, Liam, and I gathered around, and sang happy birthday to her!

Later that afternoon, Lily got to choose our outing. She decided that she wanted to go to her favorite park, and Grant's mom joined us since she couldn't make it to Lily's mini party that evening. After birthday presents in the park, all of the kids ran off to play!

We always let our kids go to the restaurant of their choice on their birthday. This year, Lily chose McDonald's again! She said she just hadn't eaten their fries in SO LONG, and really wanted them. (She's right...we rarely eat fast food!) So after Grant was done with work, our family ate at McDonald's!

While Grant and I were finishing our dinner, the kids played outside on the playground. We couldn't stay long, because we had friends to pick up on the way home for a sleepover, and grandparents coming over for a mini birthday party!

As soon as we got home, Lily wanted to open her birthday presents. Dylan gave her a shirt she really wanted, Lexie gave her a mini baby doll in a crib, Liam gave her a baby doll that's supposed to have Down syndrome, which was on her wish list for months, and Grant and I gave her silicone baby dolls that look real. (Funny story...Lily asked for boy/girl twins, and they just happened to be anatomically correct. It caused QUITE the scene and resulted in hysterical laughter from all the kids!)

Right after the presents were opened, my parents arrived, and it was time for birthday cake and ice cream! We lit that 7 candle again, and we all sang Happy Birthday to Lily!

We gave Lily one last present, which is the traditional birthday pajamas, then all the kids ran off to play. We decided to make their slumber party extra special by setting up our camping tent up in the basement. It took up so much room, but it's definitely a do over! All the kids climbed in, and the puppy joined them!

They had a REALLY late night. I can't even tell you how late they stayed up, but my husband told me it was ridiculously late. Unfortunately, I was sick, and couldn't stay up longer than 3 AM, so he took over, and stayed up until everyone fell asleep!

Lily had a wonderful 7th Birthday, and made some great memories that day! Happy 7th Birthday to our beautiful, incredibly sweet, funny, loving, compassionate, generous, and caring Liliana Kathryn! She is a really special girl, and is loved VERY much!