Happy 9th Birthday, Jane!

Jane's birthday was extra special this year because Grandpa Carl was able to be here and they even share the same birthday (so we squeezed in a little celebrating for Carl, too, but Jane was really the start of the show!  Her birthday fell on a Thursday (which is the last day of the school week here) so we were happy we could have her party on her actual birthday. 

I took some homemade s'mores bars to her school and her class sang her a little birthday song and enjoyed the treat.  You can see the sticker that kids get at our school on their birthday so they get lots of good attention.  Jake and Carl took her to school that day and were amazed at all the "Happy birthday, Jane" welcomes hollered out to her as she came onto campus.   They thought it was very cute.

Later that afternoon a bunch of her friends came over for a puppy themed party.  I made a cake with little puppies all over it and we played all kinds of puppy games (musical dog bones, dog toy scavenger hunt, dog pound tag and a barking contest).  Jane and all her sweet friends were so enthusiastic and happy to give a big effort to all the games.

Happy birthday, lovely Jane!

Happy, happy birthday cheer in Room 3B

A little birthday tetherball before the birthday activities begin

Musical dog bones

Jane doesn't look like she's so sure about the idea to "dance" around the circle for musical dog bones!

DJ Jazzy Yu kyung and Regan running the music for the games

Getting ready for the scavenger hunt

Doggy freeze dance

Dog pound tag is up next

Maya clearly has a strategy that she wants Jane to know about!

The dog catchers

The captured dogs in the pound

Sweet, wonderful birthday girl

The annual birthday tradition of getting a gingerbread house.  It's a funny story that goes back to probably when Jane was turning five and only wanted a gingerbread house and a pack of gum for her birthday.  Gammy and Poppy help us keep up this fun tradition!

Jane has only gotten hand-me downs since she got a new bike at age 4 so she was thrilled to get a new bike.  Meredith is getting Jane's hand-me-down bike now

Even Jake took a spin

First ride

New American Girl pajamas and puppy slippers (her friends and family know what she liked!)

Grandpa Carl & Gaga!  We finished one of the puzzles (it took over a week to do it but Jane hung in there with us)

Jane and Pugsly the birthday balloon dog