Grace's 6th birthday celebrations were spread over Saturday, Sunday and Monday! The day before her actual birthday, she invited 3 of her bestest school friends along ice skating. She's been wanting to ice skate for a while now, so when we were going through the birthday ideas she knew exactly where she wanted to go. I was a bit worried about how they would go as none of them had been before, or even roller skated. Duane and I were going to be playing hostesses on the ice, and although I had visions of us whirling the girls around, I probably shouldn't have dreamt so big as I havent' skated for over 10 years!
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| All ready to hit the ice! |
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| The very excited birthday girl |
The first lap we were all very tentative, and it felt like a very, very long time making it back to the start. All the girls clutched onto the side rail and jaggedly made their way around. I really though then that it would be a "one lap wonder" and we'd chalk it up to an "experience" and go back to the table and eat all the yummy food. However, the girls were all just warming up and after gaining a bit more confidence and balance, were eager for another lap. This time only clutching onto the rail with one hand. It was only another few rounds like this before they were even more adventurous and started letting go and actually skating!!! It was only a few slow laps for me too before I was back into the skating groove, then I ditched the kids for a few fast laps. I'd forgotten how much fun it is to be zooming around the ice. My only problem is I'd forgotten how to stop, and so after once quick lap, I slammed straight into the side barrier and did a very dramatic slide down. Apparently looked very hilarious for the mums standing on the sidelines!
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| Grace skating up a storm |
I'd opted not to take the birthday party food provided by the skate rink, I wasn't overly fussed with the options of party pies, sausage rolls and soft drinks! So, instead I made up special little boxes for each of the guests. Grace chose what she wanted in them, with each one having a chocolate milk, avocado sushi, chocolate cupcake, packet of chips, plain popcorn and a scattering of lollies. The girls
adored them, and were very excited that at the end they got to take their special little personalised boxes home.
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| Grace's hand-picked selection of treats! |
All the girls loved it and are wanting to arrange another skating session over the holidays. The hardest part was dragging them off the ice at the end, as by that stage they were all off by them self and didn't want to finish!
The next morning, on her actual birthday, Grace snuck into our bed bright and early for a cuddle. After birthday hugs all round, we handed over the very much anticipated birthday gift - a camera. Now, there is a bit of a back story to how this came about. Grace has been wanting a camera for ages, but mostly over the last year. She has had small turns of mine, but as my cameras are some of my most prized possessions, I've only let her use them under strict supervision. When she asked for one last year, I was unsure whether she was ready for the responsibility and so we had a little test. I gave her one of my old cameras, that had completely stopped working - so basically it looked good, but there was nothing she could do with it. I told her that she had to prove to me she could look after it by always making sure it was put away safely and to never leave it lying around. If she could do this, I was happy to buy her one for her 6th birthday. She diligently looked after it all year. She took it out places (even though it didn't work) and always made sure it was in a safe spot. I was amazed at how serious she took upon the responsibility. Although she knew that a camera might be in the pipeline for a present, she never nagged or asked about it - so when she did open it up and see that it was in fact a camera, she was over the moon. It's a fancy schmancy water proof, drop proof, dust proof and most things proof camera. It takes pretty decent photos and video and she is loving having the freedom to play photographer whenever she wants. I do have to go through the footage every now and then, as she's managed to get some very unflattering photos and even video of Duane and I arguing about discussing something. She's also got some great photos, and it's lovely to see her view of the world through the lens!
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| Grace VERY excited about getting her camera |
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| Probably the only photograph I'll get of her now! |
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Sunday afternoon was spent down having a relaxing BBQ down at the beautiful Broadwater Rockpools. It was a glorious day and such a perfect way to spend it surrounded by our favourite people. Grace was
extremely spoilt with presents, and so was I. Apparently, I needed a present too (I guess I did do all the work 6 years ago!) and the very generous Pengs gave me an Ipad - an absolute top of the range one too! I'm loving it too. It's so ridiculously easy to be instantly on the Internet now, instead of starting up the old clanking laptop. They also loaded Grace up with a massive box full of Country Road clothes and Xav
The kids danced, ran and played on the oval in the beautiful late afternoon sun - a perfect photo opportunity for me to take advantage of the golden light. Grandma had also made up a pinata - which although took a bit to smash, was enjoyed by all.
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| ~~ My beautiful girl and I ~~ |
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| ~~ Happy 6th birthday my sweetheart ~~ |
The celebrations were also extended into the following week as Grace had her birthday celebration at school. She has been patiently waiting for her school celebration right from the beginning of the year. Grace is one of the youngest in her class, as at her school the children have to have turned 5 before they start their prep year. So she has sat through all her class mates birthday celebrations, with the anticipation building for her own and finally the day came. Duane wasn't able to get the morning off work, so Wendy came along with Xav and I. All her friends went into class when the bell was rung, except Grace stayed outside with us. After a few minutes, her teacher came out singing
"Somebody is having a birthday today, I wonder who's birthday it is today?". Miss Pam put the special rainbow birthday cape on Grace as well as her crown that I'd slipped to her earlier.
We then headed into the classroom where we found all the children on the floor in a circle. Grace had a special seat that had been decorated in gold material. We all sat down and then Miss Pam told a beautiful story about a little girl called Grace and the birthday angel. Grace was then asked to light the 6 birthday candles whilst all her class mates sung the school "birthday song".
After the song, the children put their hand up and Grace called out their name one by one. Each child said a birthday wish for Grace, which had me in tears. Listening to each of the children articulate so thoughtfully things that they loved about Grace and why she is so special. Most of them said how good a friend she is, and how they love playing with her. Own of the boys said that he loves Grace as she always makes him feel happier when he is sad. Another said that when no-one else will play with him, he always knows that Grace will. The teachers then said their wishes for Grace. Miss Pam told her she was one of the kindest and gentlest people that she knows and how wonderful it has having her in the class this year. She talked about a few special moments she'd had with Grace over the year - once again, tears from me! I was then asked if I'd like to share something, and so I told her how amazing and wonderful I thought she was. I also told her that that I love her kind and gentle nature and that she will always be my sunny little girl. Miss Pam then presented Grace with a little yellow doll in a walnut shell that she had made especially for her.
The rest of the day Grace wore her special cape and crown, sat in her decorated chair and got first pick of everything. Although she's not fond of being the centre of attention, she loved her day being the birthday queen.
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| ~~ Heading up to the library after her birthday celebration ~~ |
After the song, the children put their hand up and Grace called out their name one by one. Each child said a birthday wish for Grace, which had me in tears. Listening to each of the children articulate so thoughtfully things that they loved about Grace and why she is so special. Most of them said how good a friend she is, and how they love playing with her. Own of the boys said that he loves Grace as she always makes him feel happier when he is sad. Another said that when no-one else will play with him, he always knows that Grace will. The teachers then said their wishes for Grace. Miss Pam told her she was one of the kindest and gentlest people that she knows and how wonderful it has having her in the class this year. She talked about a few special moments she'd had with Grace over the year - once again, tears from me! I was then asked if I'd like to share something, and so I told her how amazing and wonderful I thought she was. I also told her that that I love her kind and gentle nature and that she will always be my sunny little girl. Miss Pam then presented Grace with a little yellow doll in a walnut shell that she had made especially for her. 
