Rylee's 5th Birthday!

On the 11th of August, Rylee turned 5! I cannot believe how quickly time has gone since she was born. She had a lot of fun celebrating with family and is so excited to be 5!

For her birthday date, she wanted to go to the Rec Center for swimming. Because of the hours, we went the night before and because cousins ended up getting here early, we bent our rule (that the date is for only the birthday child and Mom and Dad) and let Rylee invite Grace to come with her. 

They had a lot of fun swimming! Someone pooped in the kid pool about halfway through, so we spent the rest of the time in the (colder) lap pool, but they still had a blast!

After swimming, we stopped at Bee's for ice cream cones.

During Rylee's date, the rest of the kids were at Grandma Lindi's house. Ashtyn and Elizabeth spent most of the time at the treehouse, Thomas and Parker caught bugs, and the little boys ate raisins.

After the kids were all in bed, I set up Rylee's decorations. 

She wanted a Spider Gwen birthday!

When we measured her the next morning, we saw that she is taller than Parker was when Parker was 6. So far, Rylee is our tallest child.

For her treat, she wanted Angel Food Cake. I always have a lot of fun making this cake.

We also kept our tradition of making donuts, though I'm starting to think that buying donuts might be the way to go on birthdays (it's a lot of work to make the donuts and do all the other birthday stuff).

In the afternoon, we went to the splash park with cousins. The kids had a blast!

Then it was time for family to come over for cake and ice cream!

Rylee loved seeing everyone and opening her gifts. Her Grandma Leah gave her an art kit, which she was so excited for.

Her aunt Melissa gave her a little doll she's been wanting and a Mirabel dress. 

Her Auntie Hannah gave her a Spider Gwen doll, which she couldn't have been more excited about.

We always do the date in place of a big present, but I still like to wrap something for them, so we get them books.

This year, we gave Rylee The Creepy Crayon and The Creepy Carrots (some of her favorite books right now) and she was so excited. We also give them a photo book of art they've made the year previous. This was the first year Rylee was old enough for one and she was super excited for that!

So happy!

She had such a fabulous birthday! She loved having cousins here for it and seeing everyone, and kept saying, "Best day ever!" over and over again. We love our Rylee Sue!