Taylor woke up today with a smile on her face and it has yet to fade. I asked her if being seven years old is as great as she thought it would be. Her answer? "It's even better than I imagined it. It's like being a queen!" Not too shabby then. :)
We started the day off slowly, opening the gift from Grandma and Grandpa Anthony that she has been dying to open ever since it arrived several days ago. And really, who wouldn't want to open something that looked like this?
The Box.
You just know there's something awesome in a box this pretty.
Taylor has wanted a new ballerina outfit ever since she outgrew her
first one, given to her when she was 2 years old. My brother fondly
referred to her first tutu as a one-one. :)
You just know there's something awesome in a box this pretty.
Taylor opened the box and out of the clouds of pink tissue paper emerged even more pink--a ballerina outfit! Taylor immediately stripped down to her underwear and donned the pink garb. After a couple of poses, she flitted and fluttered upstairs to spend the next hour practicing along to her DVD "Zoe's Dance Moves".
Taylor has wanted a new ballerina outfit ever since she outgrew her
first one, given to her when she was 2 years old. My brother fondly
referred to her first tutu as a one-one. :)
After perfecting some moves that would earn her a stint with the Royal Ballet Dance Troupe, we convinced Taylor to put on some hiking gear and pack up her CamelBak for a trip to Lory State Park. John and I planned a day hike for her birthday, complete with a picnic, waterfall and a surprise at the end of the trail. Time to get going!
We decided to stick close to home, since the weather became cooler today and there was a chance our birthday plans would encounter some rain before the day was done. We ate our picnic at one of the Lory State Park picnic sites and loaded up on some chocolate birthday cake carbs before heading up the hill.
We decided to stick close to home, since the weather became cooler today and there was a chance our birthday plans would encounter some rain before the day was done. We ate our picnic at one of the Lory State Park picnic sites and loaded up on some chocolate birthday cake carbs before heading up the hill.
Mmmmmm! Seven pink candles on top of a piece of
chocolate decadence.
Our chosen birthday path.
Taylor got to see the waterfall for her birthday.
I was surprised that, at the end of August, any water was running.
I was surprised that, at the end of August, any water was running.
Stopping for a pose with Daddy on her seventh birthday.
We thoroughly enjoyed our climb to the top of the trail. Colorado was at her finest today--not too hot, not too cold, just enough sunshine and a light breeze to keep us from melting during the most difficult parts of the trek.
What's this???We encouraged Taylor to make it to the top of the hiking trail by saying, "You never know what you might find at the top...". We rounded a bend in the trail and she eye-spied this fluffy purple package waiting for her on a rock. Was she ever surprised! We engineered this surprise by having dad walk ahead to 'plant' the gift while Taylor and I lagged behind to, er, use the facilities. Next to the gift in the bag, Taylor claims that learning to pee in the forest was her best birthday gift. :)
Our gift to Taylor this year. A heart shaped peridot on a gold chain.
She loves it!
She loves it!
We had the birthday girl read her card out loud to us, then open her gift. For once, we managed to surprise her. I really don't think she knew what would be in the box. She held her breath for a second after opening the box, then said, "My first real jewel!" Here's a movie clip:
We did finally make it to the top of the trail and stood there, marveling at the beauty of the landscape surrounding our community. As always, we wondered exactly why we don't get out more often, but realized that with work and school, once or twice a week is really about all we can manage. We will be content with that!
A gorgeous view from the top of the trail.
A gorgeous view from the top of the trail.
Taylor takes a break on the way back down.
Life returns to normal tomorrow. After a 10-day birthday marathon that involved family and friends, gifts and giggles, trips to Denver and right in our own back yard, we all feel very blessed. One last hurrah at school tomorrow lets Taylor tell her class about her birthday celebration and hand out ice cream bar treats at the end of the day.
Kristin
As usual, the trek down was much quicker than the hike up. We stopped to take a break and enjoy the view from the scrub pines, then loaded up the Gas Hog and headed for home. John was scheduled to work tonight and school comes bright and early tomorrow morning! Taylor got the opportunity to receive birthday wishes a la cell phone from Aunt Abby and Grandma Lou, which rounded out the day's events quite nicely.
Life returns to normal tomorrow. After a 10-day birthday marathon that involved family and friends, gifts and giggles, trips to Denver and right in our own back yard, we all feel very blessed. One last hurrah at school tomorrow lets Taylor tell her class about her birthday celebration and hand out ice cream bar treats at the end of the day.
Kristin