Yep. You heard me. She doesn't like maple syrup! Isn't that Un-American or something? My other kids love syrup. In fact, when Daphne was 5, I told her I was making waffles for breakfast and she said, "Mmmmm. Syrup." ... in a very Homer Simpson kind of way. Okay... maybe I shouldn't be advertising that.
But Tori is her Daddy's girl. He hates all things maple, especially syrup. He has said on more than one occasion that he would rather me have garlic or onion breath than have the dreaded maple syrup smell.
So for her Birthday breakfast, we had whole wheat pancakes with homemade strawberry sauce and cool whip! Not particularly nutritious, but it's her birthday!
I stayed up the night before her birthday and wrapped ALL of her presents so that it would be all done for the next day. That was my good decision- unfortunately, I followed it up with a bad decision... leaving the presents visible. I put them all in the guest room, but it was still too tempting for little Tori. Throughout her yummy breakfast, she kept asking to open her presents. I promised her that we would open them AFTER we went out to dinner and ate her birthday cake. That seemed to work for a while.Her cousins came over and we took everyone outside to play. Here they are hanging out in Tori's brand new sandbox!
I had all of my three kids and Raegan's three kids, including Penny who is about 15 months. I was so concerned about where she was and left Tori playing happily in the Sandbox.
After a few minutes, I looked around and couldn't find Victoria. I had all the big kids running around searching for her and then I saw that the door to the house was wide open. I followed the trail of sand and went down to the guestroom to find this. (Just picture an adorable little girl with blonde curls right next to the partially opened present.)She looked at me with guilty eyes and said,
"I was just lookin' at em. I'm gonna leave it just like that."
And then she slid off the bed with a giggle and ran back outside!
To get through the rest of the day, I promised Tori she could open one present when she woke up from her nap. She was so excited!! It was a Rapunzel doll from Aunt Shelli.:
After a very long wait and a fantastic dinner at Cafe Rio (hey! she picked- really!) We came back home for presents and cake. By this time, I decided to let her open her gifts before cake. Poor kid just couldn't wait any longer.
Can you tell how much I love polka dots?
Twinkle Toes!
A Rapunzel dress from GiGi!
And finally.... Strawberry Cake!
This is a little variation on a Chocolate Raspberry Truffle Cake that I make. I tried it like this once and it was well received, so I thought it would be perfect for our little strawberry lover!
Happy Birthday, Sweet girl!
So... remember how I told you that Tori is a ham?She just loves to say the silliest things to make us laugh. Whatever will get a laugh will do. For example, when she was about to blow out her candles, Daphne told her to make a wish. We don't really do that in our family... not because of any philosophical reason... we just haven't ever really told our kids to make a wish at their birthday cakes. (REALLY- we have no problem with birthday wishes, it's just not something I've ever really made a big deal about. Please do not take that as code for "Mormons don't believe in birthday wishes.!" Yeesh! I get enough crap about the whole Santa debacle!) My point in telling you is that Victoria literally has no frame of reference for Birthday Wishes.
Anyway, after she blew out her candles, Daphne said, "Tori, What did you wish for?"
And Tori said, "Poopin' Kitties".
And then she laughed hysterically. And so did we. She's such a goofy girl.
In the conversation pictured below, she's telling me all about how she used to be a baby in my tummy but now she's a big girl and she can run and jump and sing twirl and have cake. 'Cause she's fwee now.
Since she can do all that fun stuff, we thought we'd put on a little music and have a dance party!
I believe they are jamming out to Abba in this one:
Well... you've come a long way, baby! You are definitely getting to be a big girl! I am so proud to be your Mom! I love you more than you can even imagine. I want you to know, deep in your heart that You are God's Own Child. He loves you. He gave His Son for you. You are an amazing, precious girl! Happy, Happy Birthday, Tori Girl! We love you.
