Countdown to Caroline's 7th Birthday

It's officially a week away!  The day Caroline has been waiting for since the day she turned 6!

We put up a little something to help us count down to the big day . . . Caroline loooves counting down, and she squealed when she saw this.  

A few weeks ago, Caroline made out a wish list.  

translation:  1. walkie talkies  2. dresses  3. shoes (she spelled it the way Lincoln pronounces it, just for fun)  4. pillow pets--a dolphin  5. helmet (for bike riding)  6. knee pads (for roller skating)  7. remote [controlled] cars  8. movies

We aren't having a big party this year, so I am trying to think of little ways to make the day special.  I am planning on leaving messages up all throughout the house.  Caroline loves party decorations, and I think this will be right up her alley.  Here is a work in progress--the makings of a little birthday banner.  I can barely stand it.

If time permits, I will make several more little banners with different messages.  For now I am just starting with the basic "Happy Birthday."  

Last night after the kids were in bed, I got out this rainbow-colored paper pack and [drooled and] just cut, cut, cut.  I am still not over delicious rainbow colors.  I think I could have a rainbow-colored birthday every year for the next fifty years and not get tired of it.  This paper makes me giddy.

I would love some ideas on how to have a festive and simple birthday without having a party.  We have always done it up big (because Caroline loves lots of guests and I love parties!), but that is not the plan this year.  

So far our plans are to go to IHOP that morning in our pajamas (Caroline's request) and eat free pancakes.  (At least we heard they were free on March 1--we should probably confirm that at our location.)  Later that day after lunch, we will pick up Papa Paul and Grama Jan at the airport!  Then we have a few more hours to celebrate before Jeff and I have our community group meeting that evening.  

Several times over the past few years, I have wished that I did less for the birthday party and just spent more time enjoying the day with Caroline.  I think this year will lend itself well to just spending time together, but I have to be intentional about it--no coming home from IHOP and sending her off to play while I work on something.   I want it to be a together day.  Any ideas?