Fancy France-y

Last week on Ramona's birthday was her much anticipated Pink Paris Party. Guests were scheduled to arrive at 1:30pm, so we spent most of the morning cleaning and transforming the main floor of our house into Paris. But when we weren't doing party prep, we did get a chance to just celebrate Ramona. Forest made some special #5 pancakes for breakfast.

And for lunch she ate mac and cheese off of a birthday plate designed by Teresa.

I would like to say Paula celebrated by wearing this adorable cupcake outfit (thank you Carol!), but in actuality I didn't get it on her until the following day. With all of the excitement on party day, I never got a chance to change her out of her pajamas.

 The last hour before party time, Ramona helped decorate cupcakes . . .

 . . . then took a whirlwind tour of Paris with Mika.

 

At 1:30, our tour groups entered the city, decorated their pink purses, and filled them with fake currency. 

Then the groups split up to spend their money around town. Ramona's group (the fleur-de-lis) started by contributing some artwork to the Louvre.

 

Next, they got some manicures at the Arc Nail Salon.

After getting their portraits done next to Notre Dame Cathedral . . . 

 . . . they made a stop at the pastry shop for some refreshment. It was also the rendezvous point for all three tour groups.

By the time each tourist had finished her chosen sweets, the cinema across the street had opened for a rare showing of "Anastasia." Ramona and her friends made it in just in time to see the last half hour, beginning with the Paris sequence.

Soon it was time for the girls to head to the airport and catch their return flights home. It was a lovely afternoon in Paris--especially for our birthday girl, who seemed to be walking on a cloud the entire remainder of the day. Mika seemed to have a good time, too, and for the most part dealt well with the fact that her birthday was not until August.

It may be safe to say that one of Ramona's favorite birthday gifts was the "Frozen" movie.

She literally jumped for joy when she opened it.

Of course we had to plan a family movie night for that evening. With popcorn. I loved hearing Ramona's voice sing along to all of the Frozen songs and seeing the contentment on her face as she watched. Five seems like such a magical age.

Dear Ramona,
    We're so blessed to have had you these past five years. You have grown to be such a thoughtful and inquisitive little girl, and you like to add your own splash of fun and imagination to both work and play. Thank you for all the care you give your sisters, and for taking the time to say, "You look beautiful, Mommy." Your sweet compliments always lift my mood in moments when I feel frazzled and sloppy. Most of all, thank you for your affectionate hugs and "I love you's."

We love you, too!