To start a weekend full of celebrating, I went to eat lunch with Gabi on Friday at school and bought the birthday girl surprise ice cream. (When Ethan asked if I could sit with him during his lunch since I wasn't allowed in the building at his birthday, I couldn't figure out a good reason to say 'no' to that...)
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Nana and Zayde joined us for special Shabbat dinner and stayed to play.
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At some point on Friday night, 2/3 of our favorite Cohans came to join the party.
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On Saturday morning, January 28 - right on-brand - this big, brand new TEN YEAR OLD child went out immediately to play in the mud. She and all 10 dirty fingers took a shower before birthday breakfast (which found a way to put sprinkles on challah).
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Once you have the honey and sprinkles out, the breakfast party keeps going!
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love visiting with Aunt Sandi! |
new game player Gabi calls "Bumblebee" |
Party central moved to Ethan's basketball game, where the largest support system was also the loudest and proudest! The focus was slightly and temporarily shifted off of Birthday Girl Gabi, but I think the togetherness of the support system was a great way to spend the morning.
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Lunch love:
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Post afternoon rest, pre next birthday party:
cupcake batter bowl cleaners |
on our way! |
Gabi's "official" birthday party was held at Rose and Grace Mini Farm, where we had some of the most fun animal interactions! Upon arrival, we were immediately met with food for the starving geese, mini cow, and llama.
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We split into 2 groups. Gabi's group started at the Bunny Barn.
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Each kid got to decorate their own "apartment" for their bunnies.
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Everyone got to dress and groom bunnies at the Bunny Boutique. Then, the kiddos strolled their bunnies around to activity tables...like the Bunny Bowling Alley, Rabbit Restaurant, movie theatre, classroom...
friend Lily |
friend Emberlyn |
neighbor and friend Elissa |
Micah and his bun bun |
Arrrrn't she a beaut? |
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If you don't think this is one of the most fun-looking birthday parties, you're lying. |
Ethan's bunny went to the movie theatre before going to class to look at microscopic objects. |
preparing food at the Rabbit Restaurant |
Gabi grooms bunny's coat at the Bunny Boutique. |
Micah's bunny spent a long time at the bowling alley. |
Lily's bunny at the Cinema |
poor poor, sweet bunnies (Please note the bunny shoes - in addition to the bow, glasses, and tutu.) |
Group 1 Bunny Barn experience was a big success!
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Meanwhile, in another building on the farm, the cousin crew was having a grand time meeting exotic animals. They met Peanut, a ball python. Each participant got the chance to pet him before choosing whether or not to put the snake around their neck. Don't worry- it's not poisonous; it's just a constrictor who squeezes its prey to death. We had many brave participants nonetheless.
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After Peanut, they got to meet and pet a wallaby. Wallaby needed to eat the whole time, or else it would hop hop hop away.
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We learned that the South American coatimundi would not able to be still unless actively eating.
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Time to switch! Cousin Crew headed to the Bunny Barn!
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I was proud to find an experience that would engage the ten various kids between ages 2 and 13. Note how well cool-kid Jacob did with his bunny. Also, note how he held the mirror up for bunny to see how he looked when Jacob was done brushing its hair.
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In the other building, it was Gabi and friends' turn with the exotic creatures. They also met the wallaby and Peanut, the python.
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This group also had many brave
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Even the adults remained calm and brave (mostly)...
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We got to meet a couple of leachianus geckos:
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We got hands-on with the fiesty coatimundi and bottle fed them like babies:
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Then, the group went to a confined space to interact with the prairie dogs.
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And lastly, they let us visit with their young crocodile, even though he wasn't on the normal docket.
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We had some extra play time before we ate snacks and pizza.
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The evolution of man:
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Time for cupcakes!
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All's well that starts, goes, and ends well:
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For the second night in a row, big birthday girl Gabi requested that the "ladies" put her to bed. For the second night in a row, ladies happily complied, including canine lady puzins.
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On Sunday morning, Gabi was eager to finally open the humongous box that Bri had been using as a bed in our entryway for several weeks.
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It was helpful that Gabi had many cousins available to help her unwrap the mystery box.
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always grateful to celebrate with so much family |
The mystery box revealed a brand new comfy lounge chair for the big girl's room, gifted from Nana and Zayde.
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Double ice cream cakes for double digits!
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The 14-member extended family got a private tour of Boggy Creek Farm, Austin's oldest modern-day urban farm. (Fun fact: Republic of TX President Sam Houston attended a wedding supper in the historic farmhouse in 1841.)
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Despite some of the interesting information we were learning about the no-till farm, the giant compost piles, what Brussel sprout plants actually look like, and much more that our friendly host was teaching and showing us, the highlight of the children's attention spans was most definitely visiting the henhouse and feeding many snacks to many chickens.
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birthday girl happiness success! |
Before leaving, the kiddos had some farming of their own to do, and Ethan felt inspired to add to the compost pile.
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PHEW! Our first tenth birthday weekend is in the books and done. I'd say we nailed it.
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