Happy Birthday Camille

Princess Camille had quite the birthday!

 Camille got to open her presents at breakfast, which explains the pajamas. You were probably too busy staring at the tutu on her head to notice the pj's. That was started by the silly way I brought out her gift - I had to do something creative since it wasn't wrapped. In my defense of an unwrapped present come birthday morning, I thought we were going to open presents in the evening, BUT the princess wanted it at the beginning of the day instead. And lest you think I'm a big pushover, it was logical to let her have it in the morning so she could wear it all day long. So I acquiesced.

When Camille came out to eat breakfast she found an old clipboard transformed. Camille loves paper. And she likes to be in charge. What makes you look more official than a clipboard? She had been marching through the house with some nasty looking clipboards Todd had left over from his Gandolfo's business. So I cleaned one up and made it her very own with some paper that she picked out. Here's the fun clipboard link in case you want to look more official.

Camille invited two friends from school and cousin Maddi over. We decided to keep it nice and small so we could do some fun girly things. One of the girls didn't show up, so Tate asked if he could stay and join in the fun. First up is decorating their own Barbie cakes.

This actually wasn't as messy as I thought it would be and I think the girls had fun. After singing Happy Birthday they each ate their own Barbie cake and took home the leftovers.

We were going to paint nails after that, but they decided they would rather make jewelry with the beads Camille got from Bella. Maddi gave her a microphone and some other fun girly accessories. Tate gave her some Scooby Doo silly bands.

Nana and Papa gave Camille a date with them where she could choose the activity. They figured she would choose a movie, bowling, or some other fun activity. It wound up being a nice evening here at home eating pizza and decorating our Christmas tree--Camille's choice.

This is a little surprising because Camille loves going places and she loves to own things. Doesn't matter what, just things. Seriously, nearly every time someone plans to give something to charity (or even throw away) she wants to claim it as her own. The other day she saved a broken ruler from the trash can and wrote her name all over it. But there is one thing Camille loves more than any earthly possession, and that is her family. It didn't matter where she went with her Nana and Papa as long as they were together. And she chose to be at home with her family. This reaffirms my knowledge that money does not buy happiness. Kids want to be loved, and what a blessing it is when they find that love at home. We really enjoyed being together, and we love our precious Camille.