Friday, October 21, 2011

Making It Count

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**Pony on up, friends, and let the festivities begin.**

On the morning before Tiny's birthday, I laid down next to her in bed. "Today's the last day you're going to be 3," I said, "so let's make it a good day. Let's make it count."

She smiled at me like she understood what I was getting at. She got up and ran downstairs, while I lay there, my breath caught in my throat. 'This is the last day she's going to be 3,' I thought.

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**Wanted: The Power to Freeze Time.**

But it wasn't just the nostalgia over the fact that the toddler I so adore is always, always, always evolving into a little girl I love just as much. It was more a remembrance of the concept that 'you won't pass this way again.' That everyday is unique and then it's gone, and I hope I'm appreciating that today is the only day that will ever be just.like.this. Of course there are do-overs and second chances and I've always loved the Anne of Green Gables Quote "tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it."

But I also want to retain a little bit of awe as I think to myself in the mornings, "Make it good, self. You won't pass this way again."

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**Which is why Rockstar and I dressed up as well.**

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Speaking of not passing this way again, it occurred to me while planning Tiny's birthday that this was probably the LAST time we'd ever do a cowgirl party. And a cowgirl party and a pony ride just go together perfectly, right? When I get a bee in my bonnet, well....I just have to follow through. So, while my husband rolled his eyes at my enthusiasm for the idea, I researched and finally found a pony rental from a local farm.

What can I say. Lots of times, I'm saying, "Keep it simple, people!" And then sometimes I'm unexpectedly acting on, 'Go big or go home!' impulses.

There's this part of me that always wished I could be an event planner. So I looked at that part of myself and said, "You're hired. Go crazy." And she had a blast. More importantly, so did those cute little cowgirls and cowboys.

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**Our guests let themselves into the ranch.**


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**We outfitted the girls with badges and hats upon arrival, then had them color their own Wanted posters (mwahahaha).**

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**The birthday girl with her new Jessie Doll.**

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**Dollar store cowboy hats have a myriad of uses.**

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**The Party Favors. When the cowboot cookies I'd ordered didn't materialize, I made little sherriff star cookies. Thank you ready made dough!**

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**Pink Lemonade for the weary riders who needed to wet their whistle.**

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**Need a place to spend those tickets? Step on up!**

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**Girlfriend took full of advantage of the times the store wasn't manned by this guy...**

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**...or this guy.**

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**He rocked his 'stache all party long.**

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**The locals got a little nervous when the Sheriff came riding into town.**

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**But the birthday girl told them there was nothing to fear.

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**My MIL manned the Cowgirl Salon, aka face painting central.**

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**Even tiny got hired for a brief stint at the salon.**

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**Our cowgirls were experts at finding the gold among the rubble. More tickets earned!**

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**The Sheriff was less adept at finding gold, and more adept at splashing water.**

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**And also skilled at cattle rustling.**

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**Good times were had by all. And a little nostalgia as I felt a pang for a life with horses (we had them growing up).**

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**A sigh of relief from two happy parents: no one got sick and it didn't rain.**

There's this one cowboy phrase that goes something like this: "Don't stop kickin' until the clock stops tickin'." Whether in celebrating milestones, or in just appreciating each simple day, I reckon that's just what we'll do.

8 comments:

  1. What a great party! She will remember it forever. Wish I could hire you!

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  2. Looks like all y'all did it up good!! What a fun party. And that pic of N wearing the 'stache is killing me!! loooove it. :) Also love the message in this post - am taking it to heart and am going to go snuggle with my kids. ;) happy weekend!

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  3. can you please plan my 34th bday?!?! everything was so cute and super creative! we loved the sheriff panning for gold, although he looked like he'd rather be doing something else! ha. nice job!

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  4. Wish I could have beamed myself aboard! It looks like it was SO fun! I love that it wasn't a princess party. Nothing against princesses per se, just nice to see another model..

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  5. incredible! most amazing party ive ever seen, great work sis!

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  6. DARLING!!!! You did such a great job...wish we could have made it! XOXO, cait & brig

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  7. Kate, is there anything you can't do? Looks like so much fun for your special birthday girl.

    I bought that same Sheriff outfit for Sawyer when I saw it go on sale at Gymboree. They didn't have it in his size, so I bought it for his costume next year. It looks so cute on Finn!

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