The birthday party...

It felt so odd this year - since Chloe wanted gifts we didn't have the huge party. In fact, we limited the attendance to only six kids, plus Chloe and Zach. This meant, of course, that for the first time we could have a real "kid" party, geared to the five year old (or almost!) set. But it also meant that it wasn't a party for "my" friends and their children, but a party for Chloe's friends and those of their parents that wanted to attend. Chloe has a very large social circle, so I died a thousand deaths over all the people that we couldn't invite :(

But it was a lot of fun. It had a definite commercial spring/easter connotation... baskets and eggs and chicks and flowers. We decorated baskets and eggs and then had a treasure hunt to fill those baskets. Along with cake and ice cream, it went over very well with the young set, and their parents too! (Some of the parents were very enthusiastic over the basket decorating:)

I thought I should immortalize the comments in some of the cards...

DEAR CHLOE, I LIKE YOU. I LOVE YOU. FROM CLARA

Je t'aime ma belle Chloe! J'aimerais que tu me maries parce-que je vais te donner un beau cadeau. Tu vas etre mon amie pour la vie. Bonne fete Chloe! Numa XXX

(obviously as dictated to his older sister)

Happy Birthday Chloe!

I can't believe you are already 5 years old. You are a big girl now. Your lips look like a pink rose. Your blue eyes look like cristals. You are a very smart girl. I am sure when you are even more big you will be more pretty! Love, Julie

So obviously I am not the only one who appreciates my beautiful daughter!!