Dear Maya,
It's taken me a couple weeks to upload the photos from your birthday party and birthday trip because work and home life has been busy. And now that I've uploaded them, I notice there are way fewer photos than usual. There are a few reasons for that--one is that you're older and not as willing to have a camera in your face these days. The other is that both Baba and I were sick at some point during the festivities so things were a little rushed and simplified. Ah well, I think you had fun anyway!
Your birthday party was, of course, Pokemon themed. Original plans had Baba making pizza for everyone and mommy making a homemade Pokeball cake. But things happened and we ended up with store bought cake and subs and a quiet party with some family and a couple of your friends, one of whom slept over. Mommy didn't even get a photo of you blowing out your candle like I usually do, but I love the smiles with your friends and sister in the other photos!
A few days later you and I went on your overnight birthday trip to Springfield, Massachusetts! They have 5 museums there--2 art museums, a science museum, a history museum and the Amazing World of Dr. Seuss! The weather wasn't great but I think we got to see every corner of each one of them. Some of the highlights were recreations of Dr. Seuss' studio and living room, the planetarium show about life in space, the African animal exhibit, and the intercultural dress-up area in one of the art museums. For you, I think the gift shop was a highlight as well!
That night we stayed in a hotel and couldn't find anything on TV except Spongebob the musical which mommy enjoyed a lot more than the Spongebob marathon that was happening earlier. We ordered pizza and ate it in the room and snuggled. Perfect! The next day we went to the outdoor Dr. Seuss sculpture garden that we'd skipped over due to rain on the previous day. After that we headed home with a stop to look at toys in another store along the way. Your Christmas and birthday money were burning a hole in your pocket so we got some stuffed animals and foam slime.
Happy birthday once more, my dear. Love you so much!
