We decided to have her birthday sleepover before the kids went back to school to limit the exposure and decrease the chance for illness or quarantine disrupting the plans. To make it extra special, Uma and Papa took Adelie and Briggs for the evening and a sleepover so the "big girls" could have some time to themselves.
Staley with her two best friends
The girls had a great time just talking, giggling, and playing board games.
After pizza for dinner, they settled in with their dolls to watch 'The Parent Trap.'
The sleeping part of the sleepover didn't start until close to 11, but the girls all slept well and enjoyed a fun morning of hanging out, playing more games, and eating cinnamon rolls.
With COVID limiting the time my kids have had to be with their friends, Staley LOVED soaking in some quality time with her sweet friends to celebrate her birthday.
The sleepover was just the beginning of the fun. The next weekend (right before the big day), we had a cousin sledding party with my side of the family to celebrate Liam and Staley (and Evan too.)
All the kids had a great time sledding at the college soccer fields. We were out there for 2.5 hours straight...and the kids all had a blast!
There was sledding...
snacks and hot chocolate...
and presents.
Although my feet were frozen by the time we left, it was still a great cousin sledding party. Who says January birthday parties can't be outside??
On Staley's actual birthday, she got to bring treats to school and then Uma and Papa came over for Staley's dinner of choice (cheeseburgers on the grill), dessert of choice (Oreo balls and Oreo Overload ice cream), and presents.
Adelie and Briggs both made Staley birthday cards and gifts. Briggs made her a book (all in pictures) about a tree that starts as a seed and grows into a tree, as well as some bookmarks. Adelie recorded herself singing an original song that she and Staley made up (Rodent Rock Band) and Zach helped her burn it onto a disc.
Staley also got roller blades, an activity-tracker watch, and some Harry Potter clothes. Her most exciting gift, however, was that we gave her permission to read the remainder of the Harry Potter books. Because they start to get a little darker after the third book, we initially let her read the first 3 books and then we had her wait to continue the series until she was a little older. To say that she has been anxiously awaiting this opportunity is an understatement.
We rounded out the birthday celebrations with one more cousin play-date the week-end after her birthday.
It sure is good to be 10!
