Sarah's 5th Birthday

Since Sarah's birthday falls on or near Memorial Day every year, it's a natural time to gather with cousins. This is the only type of party she knows or wants. Grandma and Grandpa Dastrup were out of town on her birthday this year, but they popped up early and surprised her one night with her own little guitar. Hearing her strum--no chords--and sing "Shoo Fly, Don't Bother Me" is about the cutest thing we've ever seen. We gathered with the Thompson cousins for a birthday lunch on Memorial Day. Sarah was very happy to have grilled hot dogs, play with cousins, and blow out candles on her special birthday cake. Travis and Emily quietly realize that Sarah has had less-creative birthday cakes than her older siblings--especially early on. I'm sure we're not the only ones to let the quality of birthday cakes deteriorate as we've added to our family. We've been moving or Emily has been sick and pregnant on three of Sarah's four birthdays, and since Emily was sick and pregnant again on her fifth birthday, Travis took over. He spent many hours with Sarah planning a giraffe cake, which is what she wanted. And not easy, as it turns out. Travis had big plans for this cake. It's hard to appreciate its size, but it's four sheet cakes! Most of it was tossed after the birthday, but Sarah sat by Travis for hours as they decorated the cake. That's what made it worthwhile.

If Lucy could talk when this picture was taken, she would have said, "I don't care that we have matching outfits and that Mom actually washed my hair and even considered putting a clip in it--not a finisher that Mom of mine. I just want down."

Anna is a great re-gifter. She is embarrassed when we comment on her re-gifting, but she passes on much-appreciated gifts to her siblings. Sarah was thrilled with Anna's old Easy Bake Oven. Grandma Thompson helped Sarah, Piper, Mia, and Sammie cook buttered and cinnamon-sugared toast rounds in the Easy Book Oven, and everyone was happy to get a turn. Sarah also received a Lady Bug Dream Light, coloring books, paper dolls, a new story book, and a styrofoam glider from Michael. She was very happy.