More Maren's Birthday

Maren enjoyed more of a birthday weekend. We started with her having a day of being boss. That's a normal ritual on birthdays. She had to compromise some, as Connor had group cello that afternoon. I spent the morning with Maren in her preschool classroom to celebrate "reindeer day". We made reindeer cookies and I enjoyed sledding and art projects. After cello, we went out for Mexican and then stopped off for a birthday cake. Maren had wanted High School Musical cupcakes, but we had no luck, so she settled for a snowman cake (chocolate, of course).
We continued the celebration on Saturday with hockey in the morning and then prepared for her party at JETS (a gymnastic facility in town). She had friends and classmates as well as her brothers join her in an hour of physical activity, followed by more chocolate cake and presents. It was a great party, especially because mom and dad didn't have to anything besides enjoy the party! We were supposed to go out to Red Lobster and then to the movie, Alvin and the Chipmunks, but Maren was too excited to get home and play with her new toys.

Connor was extremely disappointed with being teased with Red Lobster, so we compromised and went out on Sunday night. For those of you who don't know, Bret loves seafood. And he is grooming our kids to follow suit. Connor loves king crab and Maren loves snow crab. The last time we went, Maren ate 1 1/2 pounds of crab. Brendan is slowing following suit, eating 1/2 pound at the last visit. I usually get the surf and turf, trying to stay true to my Midwest red meat requirements.

Maren licking off her "5" candle from her snowman cake.

At JETS

Maren and her friend, Maggie

Blowing out the candles

the whole gang

After realizing the day before that I had forgotten to get Maren a birthday present from Mom and Dad, I ordered an American Girl that's just like Maren. Her name is Madeline. She has since gotten more clothes for her from Christmas. She's made a bed from her box. She's enjoying her new friend.

Maren and Madeline