Lucia's 11th Birthday

Lucia turned 11 today, a day she's been looking forward to for MONTHS. I know all kids get excited about their birthdays but Lucia always seems to be next-level excited. It's such a momentous day. Of course, we couldn't go anywhere this year--last year we went to the Statue of Liberty the weekend between the girls' birthdays--but we had a fantastic day right here. Mom and Dad came over yesterday and spent the night so they could be here for the whole birthday.

There were giant number balloons and a bouquet of flowers waiting for Lucia in the morning, and two small presents: a new Mad Libs book and a blind-item thing called Mini Brands, which is a golden plastic ball containing five mini food items, like a tiny box of Shake n' Bake. She took chocolate Hostess cupcakes to school. 

While the kids were at school, Mom, Dad, Andrew, and I got to work on her big gift, a "room revamp," which included a new reading nook and bedding. We closed the door so we could make it a big reveal after dinner. The girls had piano lessons when they got home, and Lucia had a zoom meetup with her two best Maplewood friends during Greta's lesson. After lessons, Mom and Dad gave the kids their presents--half now for Lucia's birthday, and half in two weeks for Greta's. The biggest hit was a glowing circular nightlight that looks like the Christmas lights outside at Phipps. Lucia's requested dinner was pasta with cauliflower and carrots, MADE BY GRA, which was easy enough. 

After dinner was gift time. Some things she'd asked for; some surprises: a secret agent outfit for her AG dolls, an AG doll desk, a moving "sand art" thing, PJs, a sloth Warmie, a book of 101 Movies to See Before You Grow Up, the Junior Witch's Handbook, a book of blank comic strips for creating your own, lounge pants, a stack of books. Then it was time for the Big Reveal of her bedroom. She was thrilled, as I'd hoped she would be. It's such a relaxing, fun, usable space now. 

We presented the cake after that, which featured three macarons on top (her request) plus two worry dolls I made yesterday. "THE WORRY DOLLS ARE GOING TO CATCH ON FIRE!" she said when she was about to blow out her candles. (They didn't.)

And that's a wrap! It was a great 11th birthday. I'd promised many, many more presents if she'd agree to just stay 10, but she refused.