Maggie had a hard time deciding on a theme for her birthday this year. After she had changed her mind about 20 times (not hyperbole), I suggested a surprise party. She wouldn’t know when the party was going to happen, or what the theme was. She loved the idea, provided there were balloons, decorations, a special birthday outfit, and a cake.

Her first surprise, I had very little to do with. My mom decided, last minute, to fly in to spend the weekend with us. So Mabel got to go to two soccer games and a surprise party, all in one day.

Dave and Mabel took the kids to the playground while I finished up some school work and got ready for the party. When they got home, Maggie was sent on a fictitious errand to check the front porch for packages.

I cut the video off a bit too soon, she said, “Oh, thank you!” in the sweetest voice right after I stopped recording. I had her special birthday outfit ready for her.

She was spoiled with some really nice gifts. Our kids are definitely very loved.

Overall, I’d say the surprise Moana party (Luke picked the theme) was a hit!

The girls tried out this landspeeder while we were shopping.

Annie thought the Mickey car was more her speed.

Maggie asks for a picture with the Target dog every time we walk past it.

She had some birthday money to spend and had so much fun picking out this Snow White doll and princess play set.

We also picked up Star Wars macaroni and cheese for dinner, some Star Wars snacks, and non-Star Wars Lego figures (just because).

These Star Wars masks were an impulse buy. The boys’ were fun; Maggie’s Rey face was creepy.

Adam and Luke had already changed into their PJs (Star Wars of course). They wore Star Wars shirts to school that day too though.

Maggie was a big fan of wearing her Star Wars shirt on Star Wars Day.

We love a good theme around here.

May has been such a busy month for us! I am going to try to share as much of it here as I can.

Way back on the third, Luke’s class performed “The Ladybug Ball.”

Luke was a grasshopper.

His whole class worked really hard learning their lines and songs. After the show, Luke served us cookies and punch.

And one last shot of Maggie. She asked me to do her hair “like a muppet” that day.

Friday morning before school, Adam and I spent a little time looking at haircuts on my phone. Armed with a picture of the cut he liked best, Dave took him to the barbershop that afternoon.

Adam was ecstatic with the results.

It’s his first grown-up, non-buzz cut, haircut and it looks so good. I think it makes him look so old!

He can’t wait to go to school Monday and show it off.

Maggie’s birthday was two weeks ago (I’m just behind, no surprise there). She asked to open a present as soon as she woke up. We had promised she could open one big present on her birthday and the rest at her party (more on that later). Maggie was very happy with these princess dolls.

She had gymnastics that morning. I told her that we could get her nails painted afterwards. She was over-the-moon and asked if I would take her to a salon.

So that’s how Maggie ended up getting her fingernails painted and her first real pedicure. She knew she wanted her nails to be “pink and glittery.” I don’t think she was expecting so many options though.

She enjoyed every minute of it and kept telling me how “relaxin” it was to be getting “saloned.”

Her only complaint was that she couldn’t see her toes when she put her shoes back on. So that led to Maggie getting her first pair of flip-flops (they are also pick and glittery).

We had lunch at the mall’s food court (soft pretzel bites – Maggie’s choice). She asked if she could ride on one of the vehicles and Annie got to go for a spin too. I apologize for the honking in the video – the birthday girl kept beeping the horn.

I also let her try one of the claw machines. She was thrilled when she won a duck (don’t tell Maggie, but there’s a winner every time).

And of course there were cupcakes.

5 looks good on her!

I wouldn’t say she’s walking yet, but she’s definitely on her way.

Annie has acquired the nickname “JoJo” thanks to a song from that Fancy Nancy play we saw. She doesn’t seem to mind, even though it’s mostly used as “No no, JoJo!” 

The kids spoiled me with songs, cards, flowers, and artwork.

We knew it would be too crazy to try and go out to eat, so we opted for the Tim Horton’s drive-thru and a picnic brunch.

As we were walking around looking for the perfect location, Maggie exclaimed, “Oh, I love a good picnic!”

And we did find the perfect spot. It was nice and shady and we saw a bunch of baby geese and baby ducks.

After we ate, I told the kids I wanted a nice picture with them.

They were very cooperative (and bribed with promises of playground time after).

It was in the mid-80s here, so after the playground we went out for ice cream.

Poor Annie slept through that part of our adventure.

I think she still had a pretty good first mother’s day though.

I know I had a great day.

Luke serenaded me with a song this morning.

And for comparison, here is a never before seen video from two years ago of Adam singing the same song.

I think this needs to be a first grade tradition for my kids.

After the safari we had a late lunch.

Adam and I figured it out, we saw every character at Animal Kingdom, except Minnie Mouse. The line to see her was really long and we were all tired.

We passed by Flik again though and he didn’t have anyone in line to see him. Maggie ran over to say hello. She loved him.

The line for Pocahontas was a long one. It gave us a chance to reapply sunscreen and for the kids to eat some soft pretzels (lunch wasn’t really their type of food – Dave and I really enjoyed it though).

Russell was another fun character to visit with. I told him how nice his handwriting was and he pointed out his good penmanship badge on his sash.

We were planning on staying for the light show at the end of the night, but around 5 o’clock we decided to call it quits. It was hot and we were all tired from our Magic Kingdom day.

Dave had us a stop for a picture on the way out. I thought there was no way it would turn out even a little bit decent. We were all exhausted.

It’s not too bad though!

I give our kids so much credit. They handled all of the walking, the long days, and waiting in lines like champs. They were really, really well behaved and it helped make for an incredible trip.

Our kids are awesome.