Juliana's Birthday - Part 2

After lunch Juliana, Nonni and I went to ToysRUs. Juliana had been in the store on days when other children were celebrating their birthday and she was excited to be the birthday girl. My grandmother and brother both sent money for her birthday so she had fun picking out presents for herself. Before we arrived, she told me she wanted a hula hoop – and just inside the entrance was a big box of hula hoops. She tested a few colors and sizes and decided on the purple one.

From the game board section, she wanted lots of things – mostly games that weren’t age appropriate. She decided on Chutes & Ladders – Princess Edition. She spent a long time at the train table playing.

By the end of the shopping trip, she had decided on the hula hoop, board game, game cartridge for her Leapster, toy microwave with a spinning tray that beeps, and assorted pots and pans and dishes. I let her play with her new toys for a few minutes and then it was time for a nap.

She barely protested when I took her upstairs and I had to wake her up for her evening birthday celebration.  First she needed some hula hoop time.

Nana, Papa and G arrived and she was ready to open presents.

And then it was time for cake.

There was even time for one game of Chutes and Ladders before the day was over. Scott was going to play which prompted her to ask, “Can Daddy learn how to be a Princess.” After a few minutes, she removed his princess from the board (Sleeping Beauty for the record) and told us Daddy can’t be a Princess. Apparently there are some things you are just born to be.