All About Mika

This darling daughter of mine turned five recently. She wanted a party to celebrate, and we went with an underwater theme for decorations, games, and prizes.

I went a little "overboard" and made an undersea mural out of fabric scraps and lots of hot glue.

Here is Mika at the craft table, eagerly waiting for her party to start:

Here is Paula, testing out the kiddie pool on the patio:

And here is Wylie, snoozing contentedly the entire hour before the party. We moved him upstairs before guests arrived, and he stayed asleep until the festivities ended. I couldn't have asked for a more cooperative baby!

The party began with face-painting and crafts--Mika requested a pink fish with glitter

Mika's decorated "bucket:"

Mika's playdough/sequin fish:

Mika and Ramona's fuse bead crafts:

We took a break for snacks in the middle. There were starfish cookies, three kinds of Goldfish crackers, strawberries, and apple slices.

It was during the snack break that many girls dipped their feet in the little pool and sat down on the lawn. Some girls even started playing tag.

We finished off the party with some fishing and pin-the-tail-on-the-dolphin. For fishing, we used the giant mural and a clothespin fishing pole.

The girls waited in line patiently and got pretty good at snagging prizes.

I had the fun job of baiting and hooking behind the ocean wall. I only got hit in the face with a clothespin once.

Prizes included fish chalk . . .

 . . . Little Mermaid bubbles . . .

 . . . pearl necklaces . . .

 . . . and Swedish Fish.

We pinned the tail on the dolphin for the last five minutes as our guests started heading home.

On the morning of Mika's actual birthday, she was quite the sleeping beauty. After a couple of tries, I finally woke her up and got her ready for school.

FIVE!

When Mika got home from school, she decided to spend some time composing a song for the piano.

 She came up with her own unique notation system:

Afterward, she ate a tiara cookie from a kindergarten friend . . .

 . . . helped me make some cupcakes . . .

 . . . and then did some stained glass sticker crafts. She made the rainbow one for Ramona.

That evening, we visited the library during Ramona's dance class . . .

. . . Mika picked out a balloon at the dollar store . . .

 . . . then our whole family met at McDonald's for dinner.

After opening their Happy Meal toys, it was time to go home and finally let Mika open up her birthday presents. She was thrilled to open up "Rosie" the turtle--a gift from Ramona.

 She had been wanting this turtle for a long time.

Paula gave her a Monster High doll . . .

 We gave her some of her own emoji tape--she is a bit of tape addict!

 Wylie gave her a sticker book . . .

. . .Grandma gave her the "Finding Nemo" movie . . .

. . . and Teresa gave her a hoodie towel and flip flops, both decorated with little owls.

There were lots of gifts, but once they were all opened, Mika went back to that pink and purple turtle.

We completed our celebration with cupcakes and five candles.

Here is the plate consumed in typical Mika style . . . she just likes a little bit of cupcake with her frosting.

Some of my favorite memories and pictures of Mika from this past year:

One day when I asked Mika to carry some groceries down to the pantry, I discovered she had used them to build a tower in front of the pantry door instead. This still happens sometimes. 

Wearing Walter Bear's "Chicago Bears" sweater

Playing "Pony Campout" with me on my bed

Happy Birthday, Mika Chica! I imagine it is not always easy being the middle sister in our family, but you are the perfect filling for my Dixon girl sandwich. I love how free-spirited and creative you are, and you are so good at thinking outside the box and seeing the world around you in a wonderful way. I'm so glad you joined our family five years ago.

Love,
Mommy