Leanne's 5th

Leanne turned 5 (!!) on Thursday.

We celebrated with a round of miniature golf, the first time we've taken Leanne to play.
 
She caught on pretty quick 
 
but couldn't quite decide if she wanted to hit left-handed, right-handed, or just throw the ball where she wanted it to go. 

 

Leia held the high score for the first 9 holes, 

 

but slumped a bit in the back 9, coming in second overall.

 
Leanne didn't quite get the scoring system - she thought higher numbers were better. 
 
We'd ask her how many "hits" she had and she'd say "6. No, 12. Nooo, 15!" 
 

Today was the official party day, at the other mouse house.

 
Leanne has been beyond excited all week about this part of her birthday weekend. 
 
She likes Chuck but she loves all the rides, games and general noisiness of the place.  
 
Several friends from preschool attended, which made it super fun for Leanne.
 
Usually, only the birthday celebrant gets to go in the ticket tornado, but our hostess let Leia join Leanne which made both of them very happy.
 
They didn't catch many tickets but neither cared. The video below captures Leanne's "Marilyn Monroe moments", easily the funniest part of the day - 

 

Happy (almost) Birthday

Leia's actual birthday is later this week, but since it's easier to get everyone together on the weekend, we celebrated a few days early. Leia didn't object; something about opening presents early being a-okay with her?
 Leia and Leanne

Getting to dress up in princess-mode and be the center of attention was also okay with her. 
 "Grandma, Grandma, take a picture of my earrings! I can wear these now that I'm all grown up."
 Princess pin-braids.

It was Leia's idea to have a skating party. Mary has been teaching her to roller skate and Leia loves it. 
 
She's still more comfortable holding on to the 'maid' (great invention!)
 
but she can skate by herself when she wants - and no one is looking.
 
Leanne was excited about skating . . . 
 
until about the 5th time she fell. 
 
Then she was definitely done, even with Leia encouraging her to keep going. She had fun off the skates, watching the big kids and checking out the video games, so it was all good.
Spotlight on the two (unrelated) birthday girls - who just happened to be wearing identical knee socks. Too cute. 

Leia's big present was a bike.
  
Mary thought it was too plain, 
 
so she glitzed it up a bit. 
 
It is amazing - can you tell Leia loves it?
 
Skating turned out to be the perfect party venue - everyone had a great time,  from the big (usually rowdy) boys to teenage Naia

and all the little girls.
 
Happy (almost) birthday, my grown up Leia!

Showers

Younger daughter is getting married in May and older daughter flew out from Colorado this weekend to host a bridal shower for her. 
 
Today's party was sandwiched between a trip to ER (Rachel fell in the parking lot at Target and thought she broke her ankle. Turned out to be just a bad sprain) and a leaky roof in my craft room when that other kind of shower became surprisingly heavy. 

But the afternoon was a lot of fun. We had fancy (and delicious) cake - 
 
and finger food - 
 
with family - 
 
 
and friends.

We played games, including one Rachel devised called "Dress the Bride" 
 
that involved a craft kit, tissue paper and whatever the individual teams had in their purses. 
 
Marie had to pick a winner based on which one looked most like her. Lots of laughter and ingenuity. 

I may have to stock up on those kits, to have them on hand for the next family party. 
Marie's little helper arrived in time to help open the last few gifts  
and star in a nice round of "Pass the Baby".

Congrats to Marie and Scott. Now it's on to Vegas!

Baby Shower

Today was Marie's baby shower, held at Scott's mother's house in Sherman Oaks. We had cake from the BreadBasket (super yummm!), wonderful food prepared by Marcella, great friends, sweet gifts for Leanne, including this from Meg's son William -

so perfect for Marie's lady bug baby theme

and played my very favorite game of pass the baby. This is Celedonio, my 5-month old grand-nephew. Such a sweetie! And such a good sport about becoming a human football. Marie's due Feb. 15 so I'll soon have lots of pictures of a brand new baby!