3 parties are totally enough

We finally ended our week-long celebration of Helaina's 7th birthday, which included 3 parties:  big party with family (well, at least one side of the family was excited and more than thrilled to celebrate Helaina's big day), our celebration on her actual birthday, and the finale this past Saturday at McDonalds with her friends.  Jim and I are glad to have February over with, not that it wasn't fun with our month-long events, but time for a break from it all.

The birthday girl at school.  Jim and I went to school in the afternoon and brought a craft for the kids to make.  Her classmates are all good kids and they get along very well.

A fancy little mermaid skirt to wear.  The obsession with mermaids continues in full force.

Rings are also a big deal at our house now.  Jim loved sitting at the kitchen table one evening after dinner making rhinestone flower and butterfly rings with his little girl!

Monster High rules - or as they say "Ghouls Rule".  See the smile on her face after opening her Clawdeen Wolf doll?

Yup, that's quite enough stuff for one gal.  Helaina still had to open her "big" gift this year, which is a Barbie Vet set.

When Jim asked Helaina what her favorite birthday gift was she replied "My Monster High lunchbox!"  Thank you Aunt Terry and Uncle Mike.

Dinner at a restaurant of her choice (except NOT McDonalds).  Helaina picked Tulley's.

Plucking the whipped cream covered cherry off of her birthday sundae while the waitresses were still singing to her.

Back home for more cake.  I froze the leftover cake from Sunday and we had it again.

The grand finale.  Helaina's party at McDonalds with 9 of her classmates.  It was first-graders gone wild as they climbed in the play structure, enjoyed Happy Meals, goody bags, and a Ronald McDonald cake. 

Helaina reading the card from one of her best little buddies at school - J standing right next to her.  One of Helaina's classmates told me that Helaina and J sometimes dance at school like they're married!  He gave her a pink bear that's holding a huge pink heart that says "Kiss Me"!  Oh boy.

Singing happy birthday and a chocolate Ronald McD cake, complete with side of vanilla ice cream.

Helaina fell asleep almost instantly on the ride home from the party - clutching the pink bear that her little beau J gave her.  Done and done - for another year.  I still can't believe that she's 7 years old.  Five years ago at this time we preparing to leave for the biggest adventure of our marriage - a trip half way around the world to meet our daughter.