~Elyssa's 5th Birthday Bash~

Elyssa woke up to balloons, got dressed in her big girl 5 year old outfit she picked out the night before, and headed off to celebrate her birthday with her preschool class.  After a yummy lunch we had our regular rest/art/movie time and then did VIP and backwards birthday presents with the family.

Elyssa was excited to give her presents to her siblings, and was super excited to open her present and cards from generous grandparents and aunties.

Then we loaded into the car and made our way to Omaha!  She was thrilled to swim with the family in the hotel pool in the middle of freezing January.  Though we had just been at a beach a few weeks before in Florida, there is also something fun about swimming in the warm clear water of a swimming pool.  

Everybody had a great time, so great that no one wanted to hold still long enough to really get a picture.  :-)

Elyssa very specifically said she wanted a Merida cake, Merida being the awesome princess from the movie, Brave.  I came up with a couple different ideas, but ultimately she said she wanted a white cake with green frosting, sprinkles and a Merida doll on top.  

Her wish was my command and she couldn't have been happier.

Then we watched movies and ate pizza and popcorn in bed there at the hotel room before falling asleep.  She thought it was a pretty awesome way to end her special day.

The next morning we headed off to the Omaha Zoo with beautiful weather and just about every person in Omaha.  Opps!  Turns out it was free day at the zoo and with the unseasonably warm weather everyone came out of the woodworks to see the animals.  We still had fun, but have learned our lesson to check the schedule before heading out next time. :-)