Ivy's Baptism, Elysse's Birthday - Grandma and Grandpa Hicken's visit Day #4

 

 Birthday Brownies made by Kezia, 

along with a picture with Elysse's favorite things:  a zebra, a dolphin, a flower, and a girl.

 Pancakes with a Berry on top --Birthday Breakfast Request

Elysse generously shared her birthday celebration with Ivy's baptism.  I was feeling stressed about possibly feeding the ward refreshments afterward, realizing we had planned her baptism on a fast Sunday, but happily last minute I realized we could do a pot luck at our house and take the burden off my shoulders.  It was fantastic.  I loved the support of our friends, especially our friends who are not members of the church but came to support Ivy, including the Clarks, Durrazzos, and Lynn, Kaimana, and Promise, And Kelly (Wanda's owner) came to the party afterward, and even brought her violin to show the kids how to play.

 Elysse in her dress up gift from Grandma and Grandpa Hicken

 Ivy in her baptism dress from Grandma Burgoyne

 Soul in his Mud Face after going face first down the slide

Being baptized was definitely a choice Ivy made; it wasn't something forced upon her or something she "had to do" because she was now eight.  Before, she was a bit hesitant, but later decided she wanted to.  After she was baptized, she jumped on her daddy and gave him a big hug.  Then when she came into the dressing room, she said to me, "I'm so happy I am baptized!"

Grandma Burgoyne made Elysse's cake, of course.  Elysse requested a "winter cake", and here's what she came up with.    (oops!  I'll post the photo when I can find it!)

Elysse's Birthday Celebration at Sea Life Park - Grandma and Grandpa Visit Day #2

 High FIVE for Elysse turning 5!!!!!

We celebrated by going to Sea Life Park (Thank you, Maka'i Card deal, for your perfect timing)

First we saw the dolphin show with "the world's only Wolphin!"  And no, it is not a mix between a dolphin and a walrus. ;)  We decided to choose our seats quickly -- but obviously using our bottoms and not our brains, seeing how we sat right in front of a pole.  Duh!

 

 Penguin feeding

 

 Sea Lions

 Touching a baby honu

The girls were super excited to get wet during the main show, where the dolphins splash in a big pool that sprays the first few seats.  They remembered from last time we went a few years ago how soaked we all got, unawares.  This time they were prepared with swimsuits.  And Grandpa and Grandma were prepared with warnings given 10 times by each child.  Well, we sat in the same seats, and the girls watched every other row but ours get soaked.   Nate and I told the girls to wait -- our turn will come -- but their impatience couldn't hold out and they ran to the already wet seats -- just as a dolphin made its biggest splash and got Nate and I and the girls' empty seats all wet.

We told them not to worry, that we'll get wet at the next show.  So in the meantime we played Sardines on Elysse's request.  She chose to hide in a small twisted tunnel on the playset.  Somehow, the girls, Grandma and I crammed ourselves in there!

 However, the next show was (*lame*) and there was no water spraying, and suddenly the totally cool birthday celebration turned into "the worst birthday party Ever!!!"  and Elysse sulked back to the parked car.

Ah, but the Party Angels must have been looking down on that Freshly Five year old that day, because as we stopped for a potty break, I spotted a food stand and bought a giant cookie for Elysse.  Her eyes lit up and suddenly it didn't matter if she got wet or not -- at least she got her sugar -- and the birthday again was a hit.


And speaking of food, she requested pancakes for breakfast.  She definitely got what she asked for!

Happy Birthday, Elysse!

Here are 5 things I LOVE about you:

1. Your smile

2.  Your knock knock jokes

3.  How you repeat things other people say -- jokes, stories, etc.  so you can get the same attention they did

4. Your love for your daddy (you are always thinking of ways to serve him or show him love, like buying him candy at the store.

5.  Your love for beauty.