Jenna's birthday party

The day that Mallory has been waiting for pretty much since Christmas, when she first laid eyes on Jenna: Jenna's birthday party.

Note that Jenna's actual birthday was yesterday, the 18th. But Mallory's friend Meghan's birthday is also the 18th. And I had to explain to Mallory more than once that Meghan might actually want her own birthday celebration on the 18th, rather than spending the day celebrating Mallory's doll's birthday. I think she finally understands why the party had to be today rather than yesterday.

Meghan came bearing her own two American Girl dolls. Meghan was in on this doll action a year before we were, so she is pretty doll-savvy. The first order of business was opening gifts, and Meghan was kind enough to bring a gift for Jenna, a little miniature pair of blue Crocs. I tell you, the doll wants for nothing.

Mallory spent half the day yesterday setting the table in the dining room for the party. She pulled out every piece of blue party ware she could find. The tablecloth is from our zoo party, the plates are from Mallory's rainbow party, the napkins are from a family get-together in the summer... for once, it has paid off to hang onto all those odds and ends! Following the gift-opening, we sang Happy Birthday to Jenna... including the "cha-cha-chas" and the "how old are you?" verse and the "are you ONE? are you TWO?" chanting, and then finally when we determined that Jenna is now 12 years old (since the literature that came with her last month declared her to be 11) we had to give 12 cheers. It was exhausting just getting through all the singing, but now we know how Mallory would really like to hear it happen when we sing Happy Birthday to her in a few months.

Finally, Mallory helped Jenna blow out the candles on her cake. This cake came from an old play food set. The rest of us got real cupcakes.

Mallory wanted both of their hair done in braids today, and she put on as many blue articles of clothing as she could find. She instructed me to wear jeans and a blue hoodie, which I often do on weekends anyway, so I did. She told Liam he had to take off his Red Wings jersey and put on his Leafs jersey, and he refused. Which was good; she shouldn't always get her way.

She also wore her special-occasion necklace.

A close-up of the party dress I made Jenna. Still so proud of this one. We also finished a pair of sweats and a t-shirt/skirt combo for her before the party deadline, and a pair of Hello Kitty PJs I ordered from an Etsy seller before I sewed my own also came on time to give. The doll is now very well-heeled.

Jenna's birthday wasn't the extent of the action today. Liam played hockey and had a great breakaway, though he didn't score on it.

And finally, the NHL resumed play. Some pretty excited guys in our house today. (As for Pip, she is settling in really well. At first we thought she was a really friendly cat, always wanting to be on our laps, but now we know that she is really just the laziest thing imaginable.)