Double Digits

My baby turned 10 today (sniff, sniff).

She has been telling me all summer that this birthday was a special one, and needed to be celebrated.  Apparently, turning "double digits" is a really big deal. Brielle and her friend tried to get me to throw her a surprise party, but to tell you the truth... I didn't want to. I know, I'm lame. I just find that it's getting harder and harder to top the previous year. AND I'm sick of competing with other parents. There.  I said it.

My apologies if I've ever made other parents feel the same.

But Brielle was right. 10 is special. After thinking about it for a long time, I decided that rather than throw a "surprise party" I would do a "day of surprises."  This also stressed me out a little, because we decided not to give Brielle gifts (I know, now I'm lame and mean).  But hear me out...

Brielle recently earned her scooter. AND she has put in a request for items from the American Girl doll store while I'm in Chicago. AND she's going to Orlando with me in November. I think she's good.

But again, not having a party AND not getting any gifts made the task of giving her special day even more challenging.  I'm happy to report... I succeeded.  At least, she told me I did.

Surprise #1

Balloons

I saw this idea on Pinterest. While the birthday girl is sleeping, fill the room with balloons to surprise the birthday girl first thing.  This project was certainly a labor of love. Chris left his air compressor in his work trailer, at a work site. The work site was not far from our house, however he "claimed" that his employee had the key to the trailer.

I blew up 72 balloons by myself. I'm still working to regain my oxygen levels.

Her happiness when she woke up was priceless.  She was excited and thought "she was still dreaming."  I love making my girl smile.

Surprise #2

Breakfast at Herm's

Herm's is a little place tucked away at the base of Logan Canyon. It's fairly new, and we heard the breakfast was amazing.  Not only was it amazing... it was HUGE.

Yes, that's a pancake. And yes, it is served on a pizza tray, because it's the size of... well, a pizza. And that's not all that came with the giant pizza...

You'll notice at the bottom of the picture a large platter with bacon, sausage, eggs and potatoes. And since it was Brielle's Birthday (and our waitress thought we needed more food) we were given 3 crepes filled with bananas and nutella, topped with whipped cream and berries, on the house.

It's now night-time and I still can't think of food.  We think that breakfast at Herm's should be a birthday breakfast tradition.  But next time, we'll invite some hungry friends.

Surprise #3

Pedicures

Chris didn't join us, just in case you were wondering.

I usually get my pedicures on a lunch break from work. Every time I come home with newly painted toes, she's mad I didn't take her.  Especially when I have the pedicure-ists paints designs on my toes.

 

She chose a pretty shade of sparkly blue, with a flower design, and I went for my new favorite toe polish color... turquoise. She kept saying "Mommy, I love this."  Melted my heart.

I love that her toes are shaped just like mine.

Surprise #4

Fun with Friends

I called up a few of her friends moms and asked if I could takes their girls to do something fun with Brielle on her birthday. Not a formal party... just some fun.

We started with some Mini-Golf...

And then it got way too hot, so we switched to go-carts.  It's a good think two of Brielle's friends are tall, because Brielle and one of her friends did not meet the height requirement to drive.

Brielle is such a poser. For once, I'd like a picture with a normal smile. I'm begining to think it's not possible anymore.

Surprise #5

Zeppe's Italian Ice

What could be better than flavored Italian ice topped with creamy, frozen custard. Mmmmm. Clearly, these 10 year olds forgot all their manners and smeared ice cream across their faces.

The "day of surprises" could not have gone better.  There was no disappointment about gifts or or lack of formal party. She told me over and over how much she loved this day. With each new surprise came a whole new reaction, which I loved.

Happy Birthday B-Bop.