...and the birthday festivities begin

Sent from my iPhoneCate turns 8 on Tuesday. This evening we celebrated her birthday with both sets of grandparents. Starting with their 4th birthday, the birthday kid gets to decide the menu. For the second year in a row, Cate requested grandma LaVonne's homemade chicken noodle soup. Instead of grandma Katie's homemade bread, Cate requested her to make a chocolate cake. Katie used to decorate cakes for a caterer about 25 years ago, so it was a request she happily accepted.

Cate's other requests for her party was to have dinner by candlelight and have french bread from the store, so she made it really easy for me and Kyle.

Our dinner was simple, yet fantastic. At the end, I asked Cate to clear her plate. Much to my pleasant surprise, she decided to clear everyone's dishes.

After we sang 'Happy Birthday' and the candles were blown out, she toom requests for choice of ice cream and passed out all the desserts.

She received many lovely gifts--some clothing from the Jensen grandparents, a homemade dress from Grandma Katie and 'Grandma' (aka: Great Aunt) Jane, a sweater from Godmother Aunt Jeanine who couldn't make it, a homemade blanket-in-a-pillow and stuffed monkey (think: sock monkey, but bigger) from the Iverson grandparents. Withput being prompted, she read allthe cards aloud and said 'thank you' after each gift was opened.

The kids went downstairs to play while we grown-ups visited for some time. When bed time came, Cate came up, gave each of her grandparents hugs and kisses and said one more 'thank you!' to all before quietly going to bed.

I denote all of this, because there are many days when I wonder if Cate ever pays attention and listens to instruction on manners. Well, clearly she does and I couldn't be more proud of how grown up my soon-to-be 8-year-old is becoming.

We still have some more fun planned in upcoming weeks. Monday is her actual birthday and, since it fell on Presidents' day, she doesn't have school. So we are all going to have fun together. I foresee PeiWei and Punch Pizza in the near future.

In a couple more weeks, Cate has her two best friends coming for a sleep over. I anticipate that to be a rambunctious time.

Like mother, like daughter, the birthday partying never ends!