Orelia's Mermaid Party

We had a great time celebrating Orelia's fifth birthday at a mermaid pool party this year.

Orelia has been telling everyone about (and inviting them to) her birthday party for maybe six months.

She and I may share the same birthday party obsession gene.

 She was so excited every time I told her that the latest friend had said they were coming to the party.

It was so fun to show her all the decorations and food before the main event.

We got the cake at Whole Foods this year, and her big number five candle took a swan dive off the front while we were setting up.  Luckily we turned the cake around, and it was only somewhat squashed looking.  

 The biggest surprise for Orelia was that "real" mermaids came to the party.

 She almost lost her mind she was so excited.

 The two mermaids hung out in the pool, played a few games, and just generally chatted with Orelia for a bit.

Orelia would play with her friends for awhile, but she kept popping over to the mermaids to ask them about where they came from and how they got here.

I actually thought Orelia would only swim for awhile, but she stayed in the water almost the entire party.

She had the best time splashing around with all of her closest friends.

 Bennett had a blast too, and especially loved the slide this time.

 I wasn't really planning on getting in the pool, but I couldn't just watch my girl from the sidelines the whole party.

 Bobby came to town for the party and helped me set everything up and kept the kids happy in the pool.

 Bennett is nowhere near water safe, so John kept a close eye on him.

 The party was at night, and I was worried it would be freezing in the pool.

 It turns out the pool is in full sun in the evenings and the water felt great.

 Which is a good thing since our entire family was in the pool all evening.

Seeing your kid have fun at their birthday party is such a blessing.

 Come cake time she was almost a little shy.

 Bennett can be quite scream-y and whiny when it's time to sing "Happy Birthday" to anyone but himself, but luckily he sang quite sweetly to his sister and even pointed to her vehemently when he sang her name.

 Orelia now likes vanilla-vanilla cake, but made sure to tell me no fruit was allowed inside.  God forbid.

Happy birthday to our sweet mermaid-loving little lady.

These five years have flown by, and in no time I'm sure we will have a gigantic number six balloon floating around our house.