Three Kids and a Dog: Hailey Turns 7!

Our first birthday to celebrate amid the COVID pandemic and we couldn't guarantee good weather to be outside so we told Hailey she couldn't have a party but we would still make her feel extra special. And that we did!

She woke up with a big sign on our front lawn wishing her a happy 7th birthday complete with cats, dogs and books - all her favorites. Then we began our day with fun video messages from friends and family. She really loved all the messages and that everybody thought of her on her birthday. After that it was chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast (her order) and "Hailey is 7" birthday donuts. While digesting, we opened her many presents (Austen and Peyton were very jealous). Then we were off to Build a Bear where she picked out a new stuffed animal and a bunch of clothes for it including a COVID mask and some Halloween accessories/costumes.

After Build a Bear, she went to watch her brother's baseball game (not part of what she wanted to do but she had so many fun things to play with including her sister Peyton who promised to take her to the nearby park so she was happy). Plus, family showed up to give her even more presents and birthday wishes so she was in Heaven as the day was all about her.

When the game was over, we went home so she could play for a bit before Grandma Szurgot stopped by to give Hailey more presents. Then I was off to get her cake before running back home to head to an early dinner at her favorite restaurant where she insisted we order the big pretzel and she then ate her favorite - a cheeseburger/fries.

We were all so full but we had to still have cake back home too. In fact, she gave me very specific instructions about her cake down to the Animal Jam character she wanted on top and what it should say and in what color. I had a local baker design it and she did a great job. Hailey gave her the thumbs up.

We gave her extra time to play even though it was a school night but she was still not ready to head to bed. She didn't want her birthday to be over but I was exhausted from making it extra special all day long for her and now had to deal with the overtired tears. After snuggling up in bed with her for a few minutes, she calmed down and drifted off to sleep.

She told me this morning that she was sad that everyone would not do exactly as she wanted today or any other day because it wasn't her birthday anymore. Thank God. She kind of turned into a monster at the end. It was a good thing the monster was so tired that she couldn't keep her eyes open any longer and drifted off to sleep!

But it was a great birthday even though we couldn't have a party to celebrate her. She did say at one point it might've just been her best birthday ever.

So thanks to everyone who made it special this year even though we were smack dab in the middle of a pandemic!