Calista Turns 9!

Calista finally had her birthday. She was very excited to turn nine years old. It’s one more year closer to getting her ears pierced!

Of course we were up early to open presents. 

The rainbow loom, even after six months, has kept her busy. She loves to look up new designs on YouTube and create some awesome things. Some of the things she made include a mini tuxedo jacket charm for Mark (when he was called into the bishopric), a banana charm for me, a cookie, a flower, a smiley face and about a gazillion bracelets, rings and necklaces.
Calista wanted a friend party as well so it was round two for the water party. I made sure that all the things we did at Piper’s party the day before would be just as fun for 9 year olds at Calista’s party. It saved me a lot of headache and time so that I could focus on a water-themed cake. Quite the masterpiece, right? 

Calista thought it was the best cake ever! I am pretty brilliant.

Funny how the kiddie pool was the main attraction.

Since this group of party goers was older I decided to be less structured so they could just pick and choose what they wanted to and when. The girls wanted to do Duck, Duck, Splash! first. Definitely the favorite game again.

All the crazy girls actually slowed down for one second so we could sing and take a picture.

Calista with Kristen and Brooke.

Remember how I mentioned it was 100 degrees for the water party? Well, my phone felt the heat after only being on a table in the sun for 5 minutes. Oops!

The musical-hot-water-balloon game was a hit as well.

Téa didn’t like being  a water balloon target as much with the older crowd. It hurt a little more, she said.

All the girls enjoying freezing cold water sponges.

Present time!

I’ve noticed that this is the age where girls start paying attention to what their friends like. Calista was given things she really loves. Art supplies, stuffed animals, candy, gum, and really cute bows and hair flowers.

I was totally spent after Calista’s party. Next year I’m renting a blow-up slide and letting that do all the work. Even though I was tired and still needed to pack for our next vacation I still needed to make crepes for Calista’s birthday dinner. I couldn’t deny her her favorite meal.

We were all tired of cake so we decided a birthday crepe would suffice.
Nine years of having this kid in our lives has been so amazing. She is the easy-going child that will try anything. She might be my little twin, but she is a Randall through and through. She doesn’t require as much sleep as the other two girls, can’t sit still for very long with one project, jumps from one idea to the next in a blink of an eye and just loves life to the fullest. Happy birthday, Calista!