Celebrating Olivia's birthday!

Yes, Olivia and I went out the night before her birthday for a special "Mommy Date" birthday gift, but we couldn't stop there with the celebrating.  Everyone else wanted in on the fun.  Olivia graciously offered up her special day, to throw a surprise baby shower for her teacher, Mrs. Yunker, at our house.  Her teacher thought she was bringing her son Lukas, to Olivia's birthday party, only to be surprised by many of her fellow Congress staff members.  I think Olivia enjoyed the surprise and seemed genuinely happy about sharing her special day with her teacher she loves so much.

Lukas and Stacey Yunker and Baby in the oven


Nana and Papa were headed out Sunday morning to go see Aaron and Christy in Georgia so they snuck over the evening of her birthday and we had some Golden Buddha per Olivia's request.  She got a fashionable black dress coat that she loves wearing.

Also, from Nana and Papa, were some clothes, sheets of designer duct tape (her new thing), and a ream of paper for all her drawing and crafts.

Sunday we headed to Nottawa Fruit Farm courtesy of John and Esther.  The girls had a blast on the pedal tractors as well as the hayride and hay tunnels.  My camera battery died after the pedal tractors so that is all I have from the Fruit Farm.

Fear not, I charged my battery when we got home so I could snap photos of the evenings festivities.  We bumped back Olivia's family party so she could attend a classmate's birthday party first.  Then it was time for her own.  Grandma and Grandpa, Aunt Elizabeth, Uncle Jared, and all the cousins, and Aunt Jen all made her party more special. 

One of her many rolls of duct tape she received. 

A pottery wheel from Aunt Jen!  She's so excited.

A new fashionable ensemble. 

Cupcakes for the birthday girl. 

It was a super jam packed busy weekend full of many celebrations, but most importantly, remembering the day we were blessed with our Olivia Jane.

The Lettermen Sing Happy Birthday to Olivia!

As a young girl, my parents would take my sister and I occasionally to some of the musical performances at the Sturges-Young Auditorium in our town.  With Sturgis being such a small town, we are so fortunate to be able to have such a nice establishment that brings in great cultural art shows.  Most of the time my sister and I didn't mind going and it made us appreciate various types of music from a young age.  But our all time favorite show to go to was, The Lettermen!  We saw them a few times and when I was 12 or so, they did a Christmas show and I was pulled up on stage to help sing the 12 days of Christmas.  These are fond childhood memories I cherish.

Now as I see my daughters growing up, I want to ensure they appreciate art and music, and have similar memories to hold tight to.  I saw a few months back that the Lettermen were playing at the auditorium tonight, which just so happens to be the night before Olivia's 7th birthday.  Olivia is starved for "mommy one on one time," so I thought it was the perfect opportunity.  It would be my birthday treat to her.  I'd planned it all in secret for months.  Only for her to get sick the day before.  A low fever and sore throat.  Strep was going around her class, so we left school early yesterday and headed to the doctor.  Thankfully, he thought it was viral when her strep test came back negative.  She stayed home from school today to be safe, but was back on top of her game in no time.  So the date was back on.


Donovan, Me, Olivia, Bobby, and Tony during their show.

The show was terrific as I always remember and Olivia loved it as well.  She told me it was the best birthday ever, and it's not even her birthday yet.  They announced it was her birthday and sang the best version of Happy Birthday she'll ever hear.  Nana also bought her some raffle tickets, and hers was the second one pulled.  She chose a beautiful hand crafted pen and case made from gorgeous wood, created by a local man.  Before we left for the evening Olivia and I had been watching Titanic, with the mommy edited version of course.  It was nearing the end, but I told her we had to get going.  She begged to stay and hear "My Heart Will Go On" song before we left.  I assured her she could finish it tomorrow.  Boy was she ecstatic when the Lettermen performed that exact song tonight. 

I decided Olivia and I would have a mommy date and I would surprise her.  She knew we were doing something, but what she didn't know.  We had dinner prior to the performance, as the auditorium always has delicious food.  Olivia opted for prime rib for her first time.  The cut of meat was larger than she was.  She enjoyed it, but Andy got to enjoy about half of it for a late night snack when we got home.  Olivia had both sets of grandparents join us for dinner, which was very fun to have them together and just some special time focused on her.

Prior to dinner we hit the salon and she got her long awaited feather in her hair as well as a fresh coat of paint on her fingernails.

It was a wonderful evening and a complete surprise to my darling Olivia.  I have been blessed to be her mother these past 7 years and wouldn't change one minute of them, not even any of the tantrums or attitude filled days.  I love her whole heartedly.