PAYTON TURNS 7

It finally came.  And went.  Payton's birthday was a hit.  Best day of her life, best of the world, etc were some of the words she used.  I truly think the point that she had never had a party before was the kicker.  It made her appreciate it all much more.  She has been planning since January and she thought she would die before it came, but she made it.

We were supposed to do a craft party at Michaels, but at the last minute (because it was $50 just to reserve the room - no thanks!) we did it a the house.  She wanted to do a craft and then just play.  So, we took her to Hobby Lobby and she chose a sand craft (where you pour the colored sand in a pattern in a bottle) and then we decided to make candy necklaces too.  Oh, and the theme was Hello Kitty. 

I planned for 1.5 hours for the party, but these little 7 year olds were done in about 20 minutes.  So, what to do?  I turned on some Kidz Bop and they danced away! 

 Her little friends were so thoughtful and they all seem to know her really well.  They got her lots of craft stuff, animals, and things they must have talked about at school.  I liked this age for a party, I think that is the best (and ONLY!) age to throw of these.  I am sure glad we did it.

The next morning couldn't come fast enough for her to open a few presents Mom and Dad got her.  The rule is, if they have a party, no presents from Mom and Dad, but I did get her a watch, some flip flops, and a storage bin for all of her trinkets. 

 Cake later that night was courtesy of Mom.  She wanted a store bought cake, because her Dad has poisoned her with the fact that they think it is yummy, but I told her I wanted to make her one instead.  She went along and helped me figure it all out, and I think it turned out cute.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY Payton!!!

Things we love about Payton:
The best kid.  I think I have written his each year for her birthday and it has not changed.  She brings so much to the family.
The best reader.  She is #1 right now in her class for best reader.  And she loves to read anything and everything.  And when she reads, she does character voices and voice inflection and her teacher says the class loves to hear her read to them. 
She is so responsible.  She does her homework as soon as she walks in the door without me even mentioning it.  She puts her things away, she cleans up after herself, and just does what needs to be done.  She will be the BEST Mom someday.
She is funny!  She has started getting our jokes and our sarcasm and it is so fun to laugh with her about things that the other girls don't get. 
She is so thoughtful.  She really cares about other people and about animals.  I think she would adopt a baby or a baby animal in a heartbeat if she could take care of it.
She is talented at writing.  Her teachers have told me this too, but she reads me her journal and it has songs written that actually sound good, and poems.  And when she reads them, you can hear how proud she is of herself.
We are so thankful that Payton was our first child and has been a perfect example to her little sisters.  They all look up to her and she has a special relationship with each of them.  It is so neat.  We love you Payton!!!