Perfect Pony Party

Without THE picture.

Last summer I was at a retirement luncheon at Richard's work, and during conversation with one of his co-workers, discovered that Gary had a pony and cart!

Of course, I asked on the spot if we could "hire" him for Ivy's birthday party . . .

and the surprise-planning began.

Although Ivy was hoping for a Jungle Party

(where her "daddy and Travis and Todd could hold ropes and the kids could swing from them. . ."),

I persuaded her that a Country Fair would be lots of fun.

I know I was more excited for her party than she was, and, happily, her siblings kept the secret too.

McKenna even checked out a fancy camera from her photography class at school and she was assigned as Official Party Photographer.

(Luckily, I still had mine with me. Can you sense what's coming?)

We rushed through welcoming, and apple-pie eating, and on to opening gifts.

I knew that once the pony arrived, I'd never gather the kids together again.

And I was right.

While Ivy was opening her gifts in the back yard, I was watching over her shoulder, knowing that the pony was being unloaded and hitched up in front of our house, and would then be driven around to the back, right along the pathway beside us.

I had video camera going, although I wasn't behind Ivy so when she turned I misssed her reaction.

McKenna had the camera ready and got the BEST picture of Ivy's face when she saw the pony, and when she heard me say (squeal) it was for her party.

It was a THRILLING moment so see her so delighted.

The kids took turns on the cart, while others played County Fair games- run by Maia, Cooper, Carter,and Sadie- in the yard, waiting for their ride.

McKenna took pictures of each child on their ride.

McKenna accidently deleted every picture on the memory card.

But not before I had seen the awesome photo - and I'll never forget it, even if I can't share it.

I loved making my little girl so happy.

A borrowed canopy, left-over-for-years burlap, some fun plates,

a made-by-biggest-sister sign, a bit of cute fabric,

a Costco pie, some flowers off the piano,

a few lunch sacks, two giant bags of candy, a couple of not-in-use jars,

and a darling cowgirl

add up to a sweet seven-year old County Fair Party.

Boys were invited. And they came. They're just on the helicopter toy. So much more fun than presents.

Birthday Girl is the first to ride.

Coop and Conner

Maia and Sadie



Daddy didn't want to ride, but I sure did. I giggled through the entire ride with my little girl!

Grandma Kappel and McKenna

McKenna and Ivy get their animal loving from Grandma!

Carter and Maia

Cocoa the Wonder Pony and my Wonderful Ivy

Here's the video of the pony arriving. I really was so excited, that my focus was not on the camera!

Maia and Cooper and our two neighbor kids knew about it, so you can see them watching the road for the pony.

Notice that the thing that goes streaking by . . . it's Cocoa.

He loves the cart and is too excited when he's first hitched up, so Gary ran him for a few minutes.

The little kids were all oblivious to what was happening behind them.

When you see Ivy's face here, she's kind of in shock.

The picture McKenna got, when she initially spots the pony, was one of

COMPLETE SURPRISE and JOY.

That's what makes a Perfect Pony Party



Dancing Daughter of God

McKenna was thrilled to be asked to Homecoming.

And she was excited at the prospect of a new dress;

one with a full skirt and a high waist, and a bright blue or purple hue.

We looked. We really did.

And there were many with the twirly skirt and the brilliant color.

But none of them honored the beautiful daughter of God that she is.

In fact, they dishonored her body; tried to convince her that her only value is in what she could show off beneath short hemlines and low necklines.

Discouragement set in.

(And sewing wasn't an option. There simply wasn't time.)

Then, while running errands, I found this dress.

Neither "fancy" nor "twirly," but it was blue.

I brought it home, to act as a consolation prize in case the product of several more hours of shopping would still be defeat.

I pulled out great-Grandma's rhinestones and purchased a feathery accessory.

Hoping, desperately, to help her feel beautiful and feminine for the dance,

despite the disappointment about a dress.

She's stunning. And I'm not biased. I'm not.

But the thing that makes her more beautiful? Not the sparkle, not the heels, not the color that matches her incredible eyes.

It's her devotion to her God.

Her determination to live -and dance - within the boundaries He has set.

GI Jane & Gems

We're glad she takes after her mommy and her daddy.

I had been going through my old jewelry to find rhinestones for McKenna to wear for Homecoming. We discovered these "jewel" earrings, from the '80's.

Ivy was smitten and, since they are clip-on, she adopted them immediately.

And wore them around for days.

No matter that she was wearing an Army uniform at the time (thanks to a generous big brother).

Later that day, we received a package from Austin, who is in Iraq.

He sent a scarf and jewelry for each sister (and cool ballistic glasses for Coop).

Who says there's only one way to wear a scarf?

The necklace is from Austin, and the flowers at her waist? Hair clips.

Oh, and Dorothy shoes and a little sequin action on the jacket.

Eclectic and darling.  That's my Ivy girl.

Perfect for play!

Birthday Baby

I told her she couldn't do it anymore . . . but she didn't listen.
She went ahead and turned one year older anyway.

My BABY is seven.
While I'm thrilled for her, I can't help but be sad for me.
Luckily she still likes to snuggle.

Our day was busy, busy, and Daddy was in Germany, so we decided to postpone the celebration,
except for opening a few gifts.
And, of course, she got her birthday mirror message.

 



How cute is that! Miss Ivy Sarah on her big day.

In the traditional birthday chair . . . time for presents! (She waited patiently all day.)

She was ecstatic about the pink shirt . . . because it's camo!  That was her one request.

Birthdays don't interfere with soccer.  She had her practice, and then we headed to Coop's game.

Soccer birthday girl.



A Surprise . . .

. . . that sent me to my knees in tears.



Will You Go with Me?

Richard and I drove home from a date and he spotted a trail of glow sticks up to the front porch.

We went inside and told McKenna to check out front.

(She thought it was something had happened to her kitty!)

She found this sweet surprise.

She made a darling reply, but forgot to take pictures!!!

She covered a large plastic bin with brown paper and then decorated it with a farm scene;

a barn, some flowers, a picket fence, a haystack, a few sheep and cows.

Then, inside, she placed two large pink helium balloons on which she had drawn pig faces.

On the front of the bin, she wrote "I'll go to Homecoming with you when pigs fly."

Luckily, the helium didn't leak out, like her mother worried would happen.



Having A Ball

I shouldn't have been surprised that she wanted to play soccer again this year.

She loved it last year, even if she never (maybe once?) made contact with the ball.

But all that's changed.

Still no goals, but she definitely makes contact.

And she's almost made a couple of goals.

And she's keeping track of all the sweets that those add up to, per her daddy's promise.

(Mom has talked her into $10 in the bank, rather than a load of sugary treats for all the kicks.) 

She plays with a smile on her face.

And pink running shoes on her feet.



Never too big . . .

to play dress-up.

On McKenna's third birthday, she got her first dress up - a pink princess ballgown - sewn and given by Grandma (and Grandpa) Kappel. She's been wearing pretty things ever since.

I'll be putting her in charge of Ivy's and Maia's makeup for Halloween.

(They decided last year, that they want to be peacocks this year - so I don't see a way out of it.)