Unbearable Sweetness of Five

Madeleine turned five yesterday, and I have to say she seemed to have the best birthday of her life. She is thrilled to be five. For her birthday, she wore a bowling ball shirt that she saw at the mall several weeks ago and inexplicably desired and a new pair of jeans (!) that she requested just days after swearing off all pant-wear for the foreseeable future.

Since it was a school day, I thought I'd break from routine and surprise her by taking her out to lunch. She was thrilled when I showed up in preschool and skipped out the door with me. I planned on taking her to Thai Kingdom around the corner where I pictured us drinking tea from small cups amid the lacquered wood, real tablecloths, and Asian decor. Madeleine, however, chose something different. After checking out both places, she opted for Subway over Thai Kingdom. She dined on ham and cheese with extra black olives and iced tea, and then asked if we could visit Josephine after lunch. Madeleine had a great lunch and I learned that it's better to be leave the plans a bit open. In the end, we did want Madeleine wanted on her birthday and can save Thai Kingdom for another time.

At school, Madeleine shared homemade strawberry cupcakes and strawberry frosting made by her Nana with all of the teachers. Madeleine loved providing snacks for the teachers and the teachers loved eating them. It also had the nice side effect that all the teachers knew it was her birthday and so she received congratulations throughout the day. It think it was that and the birthday calls from Grandpa and Oma, Grandma, Nana, and Aunt Amy that made the birthday extra special for Madeleine. That, and she's FIVE.

To commemorate Madeleine's birthday, here's the invitation to her first birthday party. And, lest Josephine be too left out, this image serves to mark what she looks like these days, too.