sara is five

Went to a birthday party for Sara last night at my sister's place. Family there (my family plus Kaarel's mom and sister and her kids), as well as our friends Andy and Christine with their 3-year-old daughter Elspeth. Sara had her new Cinderella gown on and was a gracious hostess. Today's blatherchat photo was taken by my father on his new digital camera (I've munged the quality a bit, sorry)...he gave me his old digital camera. Jeff and I gave Sara a bag of small goodies (including a set of glow-in-the-dark stars she could stick on the wall), an Arthur Reading Race CD-ROM, and a Chocolate Art set. I felt a bit guilty about the Chocolate Art set, and actually phoned their place for permission while I was birthday shopping (Kaarel came from a family of dentists). I confess I didn't really tell Kaarel the full extent of the gift, but only asked, "Um, would you mind if one of Sara's presents had something to do with chocolate?" He said yes, but I'm sure he figured I meant a little piece of chocolate, or a Hershey's Kiss. Sara wanted to get right into the bag of meltable chocolate chips without bothering with doing the craft, but Jeff sat down with her and helped pour the chocolate into the molds, add lollipop sticks, etc. Once the scent of chocolate was in the air, the kitchen table was immediately swarming with every other small child in the house. :-)

Sara's cousins Marcus and Taavo particularly enjoyed playing with Sara's and Annie's box of musical instruments and noisemakers. Their mother commented to my sister about the size of the collection, at which point Ruth looked to me with a gritted-teeth smile and said (having to raise her voice considerably to be heard over the din), "Ah yes, their Auntie Debbie gave them almost every piece in that box." HAHAHAHA, I love being an aunt. :-)

Today's Blatherphoto: Sara sitting on my lap last night in her Cinderella gown. You can't see it, but she's holding a small, clear plastic case that used to hold some tiny rubber stamps. I am being the voice of Mr. Bunny Rabbit, asking Sara if I can fit into the little case because it looks so comfortable.

SARA: No, Bunny, you're too big to fit in the case.

ME (as BUNNY): Oh, please let me try.

SARA: Besides, you'll just hurt yourself.

ME: At least let me TRY. Please?

SARA: Ok. (Graciously allows Bunny to stick one ear into the case, then slams the case cover closed.)

ME: Ow! My ear is stuck!

SARA (gently): I -told- you, Bunny...

Tonight is Sara's birthday party with some of her schoolmates, and I'm helping out. Ruth has asked me to bring my glue gun.