Happy Birthday Taylor!!!!

Wow ... 7 years old!!!! It's hard to believe Taylor is getting so big. After waiting around all day, it was finally time to open presents and have "cake."

We've started getting the kids a birthday outfits Taylor likes "comfy" clothes (i.e. scroungy T-shirts and cotton shorts), so I was worried she'd reject the outfit. Of course the necklace that came with the shirt was lost by the end of the day, but the jeggings were a hit ... she HATES jeans!

The first thing she grabbed ... the card our bishop sent her. She was most excited about that. She thought it was awesome that he sent her something. Next came a card from Nana and Papa, and the "dollar" they gave her. She was extremely thrilled to get that "dollar."

She got a cute card and money from Grandma and Grandpa Johnson as well ... and couldn't wait long enough for me to snap the picture.

Finally, she got to the cards from the Browns. They sent her some silly cards (we love doing that to each other). This one had instructions about putting your tongue on this dot (and then later implied how absolutely unsanitary the dot was).

She read the entire card and then debated ... finally she gave in and did it. That's my Taylor; I knew she couldn't resist!

Then came the presents!! She is one easy girl to shop for. She is very passionate about things, and you definitely know what she likes, and doesn't like. When we go to our friends' house to visit, she latches on to 2 things, so I knew she would love them. The first is ...

Wii Super Smash Brothers Brawl. Can you see the excitement?!? She was thrilled. When she can't play it, she's content to read every last word in the instruction manual ... yeah, she LOVES this game.

The other things she LOVES at their house is ...

Beyblades. She kinda felt ashamed at wanting "boy" toys, but I told her they're for anyone, and, if you like it, who cares. She was soooooo excited to finally get Beyblades and immediately looked to Shelby to share her excitement.

I always like to give my kids books, but Taylor doesn't like to read as much. This was about animals ... perfect ... and had some silly things in it ... again, perfect. Hopefully she'll enjoy it because she usually is a non-fiction reader.

Of course, we couldn't just get her Beyblades; every Beyblade battle needs a stadium. She carries this stadium around everywhere she goes at our friends' house; it rarely leaves her side, so she was ecstatic to have her own.

Finally, she is a creative little girl, so she got this bucket of things to create with. Again, she was too impatient to wait for me to snap the picture ... so this is what she gets. Haha!

She requested brownies made by Shelby because Shelby apparently knows how to make them perfectly - with chocolate and peanut butter chips added.

While Dad hurriedly assembled the Beyblades, we got the brownies ready. After putting on the 7 and the candles, Taylor went to show my mom how it looked. My mom quickly glanced over, moving just her eyes, and said it looked good. Taylor replied, "Nana, you're just like Dad. You say it looks good, but you don't even look!" I almost cried I was laughing so hard. That's our Taylor. She cracks us up ... a lot!

Then it was time for a few more photos. I kept trying to get a good photo of her, and it just wasn't happening, so she decided to be silly. I love it!

With the candles lit, we hurried to sing "Happy Birthday" because Declan kept trying to blow out the candles. How do you explain to a 2 year old that it's not your birthday?

As you can see in the side of the picture, it's hard to explain to a 4 year old as well that it's not your turn. Haha! Of course, then we cut the brownies and everyone immediately called dibs on the piece they wanted. It was definitely a delicious end to a good day.

Happy Birthday Taylor!! We love you and love your unique ... and usually funny ... way of seeing the world. You are an independent, strong-willed, creative, imaginative, and intelligent girl, and we are glad to have you in our family!!!