Five

Though I still can't believe it, Elena is five and every ounce the age. What a week of celebration for the girl - she began with cupcakes with the neighbors, then to an old fashioned birthday party at Gramma's with Gramma and Papa Mike that was complete with "Pin the tail on Mickey" and musical chairs. She had a lovely actual birthday with cupcakes in school and a celebration at home where she received many coveted gifts, namely the Leapster video thing she wanted. She also got two pet frogs whom she named Ariel and Sharpei. They are very parts of our family now.

The early week celebrations followed with a Thursday trip to Spokane to see Grandma and Papa, Grandma Ann and Grandma Barb and Grandpa Chuck. We've just returned from this lovely weekend where we celebrated Elena's big five at Chuck-e-Cheese, the Apple Festival and the 100-year old carousel (that Ryan's Grandpa, Dad and Ryan all rode as children). We stayed with Barb and were able to split the time (albeit short) pretty well. The big downside was that we had to leave this morning at 3 a.m. to catch a last minute standby flight out (instead of the later 3:30 p.m one we'd wanted). All the flights were full and that was the only choice. We got stuck for a worrisome hour and a half, but in the end we made it home by 11 a.m. and have spent the day sleeping, showering and unpacking. I think after her week of celebration, we are officially done with Elena's fifth birthday and ready to resume to normal activity...whatever that is.