In 2 days my big kid will be 5. Some days I'm not sure how that is true, other days I am very aware. The only thing she wanted for her birthday was a party. Kid parties are not my thing. I don't like planning to entertain lots of kids or cleaning up after them. And knowing that my youngest is a "tad" feisty, I don't like the constant monitoring to head off her emotional explosions. With that said I have told my girls they will have adventure birthdays. We hiked Candy Mountain when Kate turned 3, and went camping when she turned 4. This year we planned a train ride to watch the Sounders game in Vancouver. My attempts at planning where thwarted by poor train schedules and the overall cost. Did I really want to spend $500 for her birthday, when she's 5? Not to mention she was heartbroken every time I told her we weren't having a party. So in the end I decided to continue crushing her hopes of a party (I'd already laid the foundation) and plan a surprise party.

Who knew within a day of making that decision I would be all consumed with planning how to turn my backyard into a pink and green themed wonderland. Polka Dots and Pinwheels basically planned itself. A few hours of Google searching and wandering through Pinterest and it all came together. Not to mention a good friend volunteering to make the cake as soon as I told her my plans.

Another friend planned a party for the same day and it worked out for Kate and her daddy to attend that while I did set up and greeted the guests. All the kids were a bit young to understand what we were doing but they rallied and made it work. I placed my bet on Kate bursting into tears. I almost cashed in on that. When she came to the door she was confused, then shocked, then pleased, then shocked again. It was adorable. When it finally sunk in she took off and the smile didn't leave her face. Make your own Pinwheel, tattoos, and Balloon Whacking made the afternoon pass quickly. Aided by an endless supply of cookies and lollipops.

Thanks to all the friends who pitched in with decoration help and who kept the party a secret. It was a great afternoon. And my nearly-5-year-old thinks I'm great again, so that's a plus.

Ooh and a big thanks to the husband for enduring 3 hours of someone else's kid's party and THEN another 2 hours at his own kid's. What a trooper.