Cate asked if she could have a Frozen-themed party for the second birthday in a row. I told her to let it go and then tossed out some other party themes based on her current obsessions. Praise God the Boxcar Children – and the 150 books about these kids – won out.
I’m not exaggerating about there being 150 books in the series.
And my girl can tell you exactly which ones she’s read.
She pretty much planned her party and I went along with her details. I suggested a few things she embraced, but it was all rooted in her idea. Party favors were Boxcar Children books, 10 color pens, mini notebooks, and fuzzy bookmarks that were meant to be colored. My cake-decorating friend Courtney re-created an edible boxcar. The girls made their own boxcars – because, hello, why wouldn’t there be decorative paper and glue at a party with 15 girls?
Oh and there milk boxes as the party drink. Here’s how that happened …
Me: Hey, Cate, what kind of drinks do you want me to get for your party? I could get root beer or Fanta.
Cate: This is going to sound weird, but the Boxcar Children drank a lot of milk. You could get those boxes of milk, the different flavors.
Um, whatever. I barely like milk at appropriate times – like the mornings or with a very chocolatey piece of cake. I can’t even think about drinking it when I’m sweating. But 24 boxes of vanilla, chocolate and strawberry milk were drank up before the day was done.
We broke out a parachute and jump rope my mom brought – Grandmom for the party win, really. {Side note: These girls had some jump rope talents I didn’t know existed!} Those items weren’t boxcar-related, but, well, this was the first time in almost all Cate’s birthday party days that Mother Nature didn’t pour water from the cloud. Seriously, we were so glad to see the sunshine – even if it meant 89 degrees in the single digits of May.
I’m apparently raising a party planner. She’s into the details, the order of event, the invitations, the list of who has RSVPed they’re coming, and, of course, the socializing. I hope she’s into writing thank you notes when she’s recovered from strep throat.
And, really, I couldn’t be happier about raising a party planner. I like to have something else in common with my girl – the one I know God planned for me, the one who quickly taught me sharing DNA isn’t the most important quality in making a family, the one who has a kind heart.
I’m joining Jennifer Dukes Lee for #TellHisStory because celebrations are some of my very favorite stories to tell. And I’m linking with Mary Carver’s Works for Me Wednesday because raising a party planner AND having a book-themed party work for me!
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She's adorable, just like her mom. Sounds like one fabulous party!! Loved how instead of presents there was a request for donations toward your Guatemala trip!!
You're kind, Beth! We have sweet friends who brought her gifts and made donations for kids in Guatemala. So grateful for our community – both the one here and the one I have thanks to the internet, including you! Looking forward to seeing you in August. xoxo
I LOVE the Boxcar Children (although I like the first 18 books the best 😉 ). I also love Cate's ideas for a party and the whole idea of not wanting gifts for herself but rather to collect things to take on a mission trip. It's obvious that you are doing something right when your child has a heart for others and a creative spirit to boot!
Ah, thanks, Anita! I appreciate your kind comment.
Hi Kristin, I'm visiting you from #TellHisStory! What a great party you had for your daughter. (Or she gave for herself, maybe! 🙂 ) My birthday was May 8th, but my party wasn't near as far as a Boxcar Children party! My kids read those too.
I love every single bit of this! The Boxcar Children theme, what your daughter did with it, how you wrote about it–everything! I'm still laughing about this line: "I hope she’s into writing thank you notes when she’s recovered from strep throat." (And feeling sorry for her, of course!) Next year, maybe she can do a Penderwicks theme. 🙂 (If you and Cate haven't read that series, it's wonderful!)
I'm adding the Penderwicks to my Amazon list … I don't know them, but we're also looking for new series of books around here! Thanks for stopping by with such a kind comment, Lois!
So glad you're visiting, Betsy! And we love May birthdays – mines was May 3! Hope you had a good one.
Happy birthday to you too, Kristin!
So the fourth book in the Penderwicks series came out a few months ago, and guess who just checked it out from the library so she could read it first? Yep, me. 🙂 I like those books that much! Another great batch of books is the Hank the Cowdog series … good humor for both kids and parents. Happy reading!
Yay! Sounds like good reading.
We must find a way and a time to get together with our girls. They are clearly kindreds just like we are! 🙂