Rainbow's Big Day

My baby girl's birthday was yesterday. I can't believe how quickly these last six years have gone.

Rainbow leaped out of bed yesterday morning after a quick check to ensure that her earrings were still in place. She hugged me hard and thanked me for school starting again and for letting her go. (Hey, that's just the kind of totally great mom I am! I arrange these things for my child.) She attired herself in knee length denim shorts with pink flower embroidery and a white tee-shirt. Humoring her wardrobe decisions is one of those things I have to learn to suck up. I gently suggested an alternative which she completely disregarded, looking at me like I had suddenly sprouted another head. I'm not sure where all that independence comes from.

She bounced around the house spreading joy until the bus came, then she took her contagious happiness to school where she knew she would wear a birthday crown and bask in the glow of her special day. I took her Arby's for lunch by request and she was glowing. Her new beautiful teacher gave her an ice cream bar which further endeared her to Rainbow.

She had her first gymnastics class after school which offered another reason for jubilation. After class, we went to Maggie Moos to pick out special birthday cupcakes. We had to get ice cream because Rainbow doesn't like regular cake and cupcakes because Taz didn't like her ice cream selection. Even on birthdays, everything is a negotiation. Rainbow selected chocolate ice cream with chocolate cake and marshmallow, Taz selected better batter ice cream with yellow cake and caramel, and what the hell, Mommy selected dark chocolate ice cream with chocolate cake and marshmallow. Mmmm...

Grandma, Pa Pa, Aunt Amy and Uncle Chris joined us for a Rainbow-selected dinner of pork tenderloin, corn on the cob, baked apples, and green beans. She actually wanted nothing to do with the green beans but Mommy is anal like that. She humored me with one bite, sweet angel that she is.

Throughout dinner, Rainbow would periodically proclaim that she had a special announcement, then loudly wish herself a happy birthday and laugh hysterically. Which of course made us all laugh hysterically.

Presents, aka the whole point of the day, followed. "Grandma," the alien who has abducted my mother, miraculously did not bring additional gifts beyond last week's excess, but Amy and Chris brought new clothes from Rainbow's favorite (Nordstrom) and - gasp! OMG this is AWESOME! - earrings!!!! Taz gave her the new High School Musical 2 CD which accompanied the rest of the evening's festivities, along with Kidz Bop 12 and Hannah Montana 2 CDs. Scouter and I gave her big girl things for her room including a fuzzy pink lamp and pink hanging beads for her door which I covet, a Dance Party game, and a set of lavender Rainbow-sized golf clubs. Taz got a new 7 iron from Daddy for being a good (albeit extremely energetic) sport throughout.

Next up - singing, birthday cupcakes and candles. Followed by some dancing and finally, going to bed late.

Anyone who laments the fact that children today are spoiled rotten is welcome to use this post as Exhibit A.