Butterfly's Birthday

Today was my princess' 5th birthday.  Just before bed, she declared that it was the best day ever.  :)

Last night, we celebrated a little early with a family friend that was in town.  The girls and I met him and Grandma&Grandpa at our favorite Mexican restaurant.  We wiggled and ate our way through dinner and then a waiter brought out the best tres leche cake in the world for us to celebrate with.  Our friend, actually a business associate of Grandpa and Daddy but someone who has an extra fondness for my little girls, brought her a birthday present--a giant stuffed animal orca whale.  So big in fact, that it's as tall as her.  She hugged and twirled and danced until we went home, where she continued to hug and twirl and dance.  Except now it was accompanied by Grandpa on the guitar.  Husband had left on a business trip so I sent him pictures of our impromptu "hoe-down".  The whale has since been named Mulan.  I'm not sure why.  And then tonight I was informed it's now two names, "Coco-Mulan".

This morning I awoke with a little girl snuggled onto each shoulder, having been woken up by coughing, bad dreams or possibly the sixth sense of knowing that Daddy's pillow was available and I would be less likely to send them back to their own room.  We hurried to dress and drop Ladybug off at school before continuing onto Butterfly's school.  Since it was her birthday, she got to be the Special Leader (leading the pledge of allegiance, being the teacher's helper, etc.).  In addition to this, I was invited for the first portion of class to do a spotlight on her.  So I told them about the day she born and some of her favorite things.  Then I gave her another birthday gift, a book (The Princess and the Pea) and a large box of "Matilda chocolates" explaining that her favorite movie is Matilda because she also loves to read and loves the chocolate truffles.  So I read them the story as she shared her chocolates with them.

Later, I picked up both the girls from school and took them out to lunch.  At her request, we went to Wendy's for chicken nuggets and vanilla frostys.

This evening, I left Ladybug and Lovely with Grandpa while Butterfly, Grandma and I had a girls night out.  We went to the mall and found a store for that very special, long anticipated moment and Butterfly got her ears pierced.  She was happy and excited and she mused over her choice of earrings, unsurprisingly picking out a set of pink stones.  The technician carefully marked the placement for the earrings and we mulled over it, adjusting and checking.  Then the big moment came.  Despite having warned her that it would hurt for a moment, her excitement was quickly replaced by tears.  The first one wasn't too bad but the second piercing made her cry.  Fortunately, she let me scoop her up for a hug, we dabbed on some solution and within a few minutes, she was fine.  In fact, once presented with a hand mirror, her tears were forgotten and she admired her reflection.  Then we browsed the store, picking out several more sets of earrings and debating over her favorites.  She loved trying on the tiaras and headbands and she enthusiastically endorsed some jewelry I was admiring as well.  Eventually we made our selections and headed to our next destination.

She picked Chili's for her birthday dinner.  We feasted, cuddled, giggled and at the end of our meal, our waitress and the manager presented her with dessert, including five candles with a bright, dancing flame.  We sang, she blew and then we ate as much as we could before declaring ourselves too full for any more.  Throughout the meal she cuddled into my side, frequently wiggling off the bench and occasionally kicking under the table, unable to sit still, especially on such a special occasional.

And eventually we began the drive home.  Butterfly quickly grew quiet and soon was asleep in her seat, worn out from a wonderful day.

I love you, my princess butterfly.