Birthday Celebrations

On Thursday, my firstborn turned 6 and it was such a bittersweet day for me. I was happy for her as she has talked about this day for a long time as 6 seems to be an important milestone. But on the other hand, I now have a first grader and in only a few more years, she will want to move out and doesn't need me anymore. Despite my emotions, I tried to make it a wonderful day for her. Last sleep as a 5-year old:

And waking up as a 6-year old:

Of course, balloons and decorations and some presents is a must:

Because Derrick was on a business trip, on her actual birthday Amelia was only opening the gifts her grandparents had sent her. There were plenty of them to open and she loved all of them. Thank you Oma, Opa Dieter, Petra, Opa Juergen and Grandma and Grandpa.

Happy birthday song and some donuts before rushing off to school:

Mommy and her birthday girl:

I visited the birthday girl at her school for lunch with a special happy meal and her new Smurf friend:

Afterwards, Amelia handed out cookies in class and her classmates sang happy birthday to her. She felt so special with her crown and birthday shirt:

The rest of the afternoon, we took it easy and played at home since we were all tired from the first week of being back in school. On Saturday morning, we celebrated Amelia's 6th birthday as a family. She woke up early and ready to open her gifts from us: The guitar was definitely a favorite.

We also had planned a zoo trip that day as they offered a photo-op with three Disney princesses. Unfortunately, it was very hot and steamy and the line to meet the princesses was over an hour long so we just strolled around, looked at some animals, visited the playground and then headed back home to continue the celebration after nap time. 

Instead of cake, this girl wanted chocolate chip cookies and fruit salad. Why not, she is the birthday girl!

Daddy and his girl practicing on the guitar:

 She is such a daddy's girl:

 My two babies:

We finished off the weekend, by going to a pirate pool party at the YMCA on Sunday afternoon. It was sunny and not too crowded and lots of fun. There were snacks, snow cones and lots of water games. My two pirates in their attire:

Peter Pan, Captain Hook, Tinkerbell and Mermaids were there too:

It was the best ending to a fun-filled few days of celebrating our 6 year old. Amelia loved being in the center of attention and exclaimed several times that this was her best birthday ever...