Maisie turns 9!!!

How can my wee little Maisie Miao Miao be nine already???  Seriously the years are passing much too quickly for this Mama!  I will say though, I love the young lady my girl has become.  She is a sweet, kind-hearted, loving, fun, smart, talented, strong-willed and all-around fabulous kid and though she can sometimes drive me batty, I wouldn’t change one little thing about my A-Maisie-ing girl!  This year for her birthday party Maisie wanted a repeat of last year’s birthday, but instead of just having it just be a pajama party, she wanted to extend it to an actual sleepover.  

As the girls arrived, they happily played in the yard.

There was of course a bit of gymnastics.

And twirling around…and this was all before the sugar of cupcakes and candy! 

The girls roasted hotdogs over the fire pit for dinner and then it was time for “happy birthday cupcakes” as Maisie calls them.

Sugar!!!

Sarah really gets into eating her cupcake!

Next it was time to open presents!!

Everyone in the picture!!

Maisie opening the gift from Briana.

Another fun gift from Alyssa.

Hugging on Aspen for her gift!

More hugs, opening the gift from Sarah.    

And the biggest gift bag came from April!

More birthday hugs!

(photo by Lisa F) A little more time was spent running through the neighborhood with flashlights and then it was time to roast marshmallows, for one last sugar high of the night.

It got cold outside for the girls so they happily changed into their PJ’s.

Sarah gave Maisie matching pj’s!

Cute little twinnies!!

The girls laid out their sleeping bags on some mats and happily settled in to watch Despicable Me.  The movie ended just past midnight and though Briana left for the night, all the other girls were fast asleep within minutes of the movie ending.  We were surprised that even Maisie, who still only and happily sleeps in bed with us each night, was fast asleep too…well until 1:23 am when I thought I heard someone heading to the bathroom only to have Maisie jump into bed with me, gleefully giggling and excited to be in her “safe and comforting” place.  In the morning when we heard the girls stirring, Maisie returned to the family room to join her friends. 

Breakfast was another sugar fest, donuts requested by the birthday girl.

For the first time ever, Alyssa found a food served in my home to her liking!!  And yes, she did finish all ten of those donuts plus a few more she begged off the other girls.  Then she topped it all off with two cupcakes leftover from the previous night.  Soon after breakfast she was picked up by her dad to go to Church.  Hmm…not sure if her parents will ever allow her to come play at our home again!!

The party ended with the girls playing iSpy on the Wii.  

It was a fun 9th birthday and Maisie loved spending time with her friends and loved all the gifts.  Thanks everyone for coming to Maisie’s party and making her birthday so fun and special!