Reagan's 5th Birthday!

My oldest baby turned 5 on July 19th.  In my "pre-child" days; I always thought that I would never want to have a baby during July, or August.  I didn't want to have to deal with deciding whether to send my kids to school on time (so, they'd be the youngest kids in their grade); or holding them back a year (so, they'd be the oldest kids in their grade).  I didn't want them to miss out on having a birthday during the actual school year.  I didn't want to spend my summers being enormous, and about ready to give birth.

As is always the way: I had a baby in mid-July, and one in August too (Elsa).  Considering how difficult it was for me to get pregnant with my two girls; I was just grateful to have them, and didn't care so much about the months in which they were born.  And although, it was pretty miserable being 9 months pregnant in the middle of summer, I only had to go through it once (well, twice.... once with each kid).  And my other concerns seem to be unfounded.  My kids are smart enough, and tall enough to fit in with the other kids in their grades.  No need to hold them back.  Also, there are so many things you can do at summer birthday parties!

For Reagan's birthday: she woke up, and we let her open presents before Nick went to work.  From Mom and Dad she got: a (play) bow and arrow set, a pretty Rapunzel nightgown, a maxi dress, Mary Poppins on DVD, and a bell for her bike.

Reagan had swimming lessons that morning, and my Mom came with us.

I had a babysitter come to the house during Cohen and Elsa's nap time; and Reagan and I snuck off.  We went and had pedicures done!

In the evening, we met Nick's parents, and his brother, Nate; at Leatherby's.  We let everyone have ice cream for dinner!

Saturday morning was Reagan's birthday party.  I found a deal on Deseret News deals for a giant inflatable waterslide.  Nick and my brother, Brian, picked it up and set it up.  I invited 15 kids to Reagan's birthday party, thinking that about half of them probably wouldn't come.  Only two of the kids didn't make it; so it was a pretty big event!
The people that came were: my nephews, Lance, and Grant; friends from Reagan's preschool: Cole, and Peyton, neighborhood friends: Evia, Taytem, Laurie, Eva, Julia, Quentin, and Colin, and family friends: Mason, and Lily.

The waterslide was a big hit!  We didn't have cake and ice cream.  I just bought all of Reagan's favorite junk food, and made a "treat table", where the kids could help themselves to the various goodies.
As party favors, I gave the kids beach towels, and more bags of candy.  I spent a long time on youtube, learning how to make towel origami; and I folded all of the party favor towels in to: crabs, flowers, and snakes.  I thought it was pretty impressive, but the kids really didn't care.

After the party, Heather, Jeff, and my nephews all stayed; and we had neighbors pop over at various times throughout the day to play.  My kids, and my nephews played on that waterslide from 10AM until 7PM.  Despite my best efforts at regularly applying sunscreen; Reagan and Elsa still got sunburns.

Nick was super-Dad the entire day.  He was on the waterslide just as much as the kids were.

On Sunday, we had my family over for dinner.  We celebrated birthdays for Jeff, Reagan, and Grant.  Brian and Jenny gave Reagan a backyard waterslide; and she loved that!  Reagan also got more Maxi dresses (she's really "in to" them lately); a Leapfrog DVD, and more money for her college account.

I think Reagan had a great time celebrating her birthday, over a three-day period.  I'm still in shock that she's old enough to be going to Kindergarten!  Happy Birthday, big girl!  I hope you are always as big-hearted, and caring; as you are at 5 years old.