We surprised her with gifts first thing in the morning ...
She loved her new big kid scooter ...
And check out this adorable new outfit for Katie from Grammy and Grandpa ...
She also loves a cuddly new blanket from Grandma Evie ...
After the pre-dawn gift-giving extravaganza, we rushed David off to school. Then on our way to Mary's school, we stopped for some donut holes to share with her class at the birthday celebration.
While we were waiting for the celebration to begin, Mary got right to business working on the hundred-chain ...
Soon enough, all of the children were gathered together in a circle. Mary waited patiently with her dad ...
Mary carried the Earth around the Sun five times--to symbolize the five times she has traveled around the Earth ...
Then Greg and I shared some pictures and stories about Mary when she was a baby. The night before Mary and I had picked out some things she wanted us to share. Some of the class favorites were this and this.
After the children shared with Mary things they love about her (so sweet!), Mary passed out the donut holes ...
Finally, the children sang happy birthday to Mary, and she held up the number five. Hooray! ...
The children sang "What a Wonderful World" to Mary. (I think the world is amazingly wonderful because Mary is in it.)
Last was a mini dance party to the wiggle worm song. Always a blast ...
Then Mary dismissed each of the children one by one to return to their lessons. As each child left, he or she shook Mary's hand and wished her happy birthday.
Like previous years (here and here), it was lovely and meaningful. I was teary-eyed that this was her last birthday celebration in Anna's class.
That evening Mary chose Culver's for dinner. (Greg took the kids while I stayed home on the sofa. The morning had been a bit much for me that day ... but I was nearly heartbroken to miss any part of Mary's celebration, including the Culver's dinner she'd been planning for weeks.)
Finally, that evening we enjoyed Mary's cake ...
Happy birthday, Bear!
You have amazed us every single day of your five years. And we have no doubt you will continue to amaze us ever more.
