Jane turns 7!

Jane has been counting down the days until her actual birthday. She decided to have a roller skating party with her extended family this year. I think she remembered the swimming pool disaster from last year when I mentioned renting out a space at grandma and grandpa's neighborhood pool. A roller skating party seemed like the perfect party for the new 7 year old.

Jane also decided she wanted to open presents at grandma and grandpa's house before the party. This also is a great idea. She got swimming fins, a mermaid tail, another American Girl doll with accessories, and Barbie's. Our sweet Kate purchased her a Crumbl Cookie gift card, a squishmallow, and spent about 5 days making her a birthday card in grandma's bedroom. She was so very thoughtful. 

Her cute cupcake cake- a mermaid tale!

Look at her face! I just love that she feels so LOVED!

Grandma couldn't resist the icing.

She got money from her Aunt Renae, candy/goldfish/stuffies from her cousin Emily, an art kit from Becky, a National Parks book from Rachel, and a Belle outfit from Linsey. This actually reminds me that we have not sent out "thank you" cards to these family members yet! I'll have to add that to my list of things to do today.

Everyone enjoyed roller skating, people watching, jumping in the bouncy houses, playing in the arcade, and eating all the yummy snacks/cupcakes. Jane's birthday party ended up being a success. Birthday parties always cause me some anxiety every time. 

After the party, we drove to Build-A-Bear in the Orem mall to build her octopus stuffie. She got wedding clothes to it up too! 

Jane is such a joy to watch grow up. She loves her role as the baby of the family. She is really good at getting what she wants too ;) Jane can be found playing quietly in her room with her American girl dolls or imagining with her dress up. She finally got the courage to make it to the top of the rock climbing wall this year. She loves being the leader of her group of friends and was really bummed when she had to leave her friends for the last time at Northside Baptist Academy. Her friends mean a lot to her. She would come home with all sorts of trinkets/artwork/jewelry from them and hide them so I wouldn't throw them away or ask where she got them. If I did find her "special things", she knew everything that was missing. I have learned very quickly, to ask first because she has gotten very emotional and attached to these things from her friends. Jane is really good about making us have family dinner prayer and often talks about being a missionary or a follower of Christ when she grows up. She still looks up to and copies her older sister. I haven't yet figured out how to steer her towards being her own person. But heck, they might just really like the same things! She loves to draw pictures of our family holding hands with a house or rainbow in the background. Happy birthday my beautiful daughter!