Marie’s Birthday- 5 Cute Years

Marie turned five and it was a serious cute-fest. We started this new rule where you only get a BIG birthday party every 4 years (at 1, 4, 8, 12, &16- all the “biggies”) but living far from family we can’t celebrate much unless we invite a few good friends.

She picked the theme- “Hawaiian”- of which I am proud. Also it may have to do with I found a huge box of leis at church when they were clearing out closets. Marie also baked and decorated her own birthday cake! This one is called “Beautiful Hawaiian Sunset.” She cut out fondant flowers and spray painted the outside. Can’t wait to let her do this every year.

She loves her older friend Tamzin. And we love their whole family.

 

Need a good laugh? Because apparently this what I look like when talking to children. Oh boy.

Here from L-R: Tamzin, Marie, Keaton, Tristan, & Temple

Pinterest can be fruitful on occasion. Who can really justify spending $20 on a pinata and then $15 on the candy that goes inside. Instead I used materials I already had, poster board and tissue paper, to create this punch-pinata. Much organized fun was had.

 

 

Wild Mina glories in her spoils.

And I won’t name all her presents but this was the year she got “Hungry Hungry Hippos”- best game ever!

  Also we love all the books we get from the Smiths! This book is right up Marie’s alley.

“Goddess of Liberty”

Don’t worry. It only looks like America.  The smog helps the sunset to look beautiful. 

The smog is dazzling!

There is a reason you can’t see The Goddess of Liberty’s face (what our japanese maps called her)  It’s because it is black from the smog.  Anyway, moving on.

We had a great time in Tokyo.  We arrived Wednesday evening and came home Saturday evening.  A good thing about the temple being far away is you feel justified in making mini vacations out of it.  We spent our first morning at a Children’s Castle.  Where they painted on walls.

And played on the playground.  Hold on tight, Mina. 

The evening was spent at the Sky Tree.  I’ll need to Wikipedia the comparison stats…but it was really tall.

Night came…and it was still tall.

Tall enough for a Mina-sized meltdown.  Which are extra powerful in a crowded space 1,000 stories up. You can see I find it quite hilarious.

We went outside and for some reason we gave the girls permission to get themselves soaking wet before our hour long subway ride home.

We eventually realized that was a bad idea and I sent Rachel out on a challenge to buy the kids a spare outfit.  Challenge…..FAILED!

But at least one of them was satisfied on the subway ride home.

It’s okay Mina, we can try again tomorrow.