Emily Salmond's Family: Happy Birthday, Arianna!!!

My baby girl just turned 8 years old on December 4th, of this year. She beamed from ear to ear that she finally had reached the age of eight. A day she had been counting down to for well over a year. We celebrated her special day early so her uncles and grandmother would able to attend the get-together.

First on the list of have-to's was a girls day out at the salon. Each of us were gladly spoiled by pedictures and a leg/foot massage. The Birthday girl recieved extra attention, and had her nails painted in a holiday red to match her toes.

The little asian women who worked there were very sweet to Arianna. Talking with her, telling her how pretty she was, giving her a free nail polish because it was her Birthday. And of course, she just grinned from ear to ear. Delighted. She looked over at me in the chair and revealed, "mom this is worth twenty dollars. Maybe I can save up my allowance and bring you and me here again." Such a thoughtful gesture. I replied, "that would be wonderful." In my mind thinking this would be great mother/daughter time together in the future, on my dime. A mental note filed for later use.

After we got home from our pampering, my stress level had almost completely vanished. All of a sudden I was pumped and ready to get the house decorated for the games I had put so much planning into. We treked Arianna over to Kirsten's house while Micah and I went out shopping for decorations. One of her few requests for her party were balloon's, so I made sure we got one for each child that would be attending. I knew she would be very pleased with this, and she was. When she walked in and saw the decorations, that was the first thing she mentioned.

LET THE GAMES BEGIN!

We played games where we passed presents around the table according to the cards we held in our hands. You were also able to steal the wrapped gift from another if you so chose to. I found it funny how, though the presents were wrapped and unknown to everyone, each person had a gift they fought over according to size or shape. Where other gifts were practically frowned upon, just because of their appearance. In the end of the game, we were able to open the gift we had finally ended up with. Most of us were pretty happy with our luck. But a few were trying to strike deals and trades for the gift they didn't chance upon.

Melany was guarding her present with a cock of the brow, and a scowl at anyone who dared think of taking it. It was pretty funny.

Some of us laugh and smile, and some of us just can't help but to break out in a dance. So Daniel, just dance! Hee hee.

I have to admit though, the favorite game of the night was the 'spot light' game. Where we split up into two teams and had to switch off posing and taking pictures with the cameras. I would call out a name of a person or thing that would have to be captured on film. Then the teams would have to transform someone on their side into that person/thing before the timer rang. BUZZ! Then immediately snap the picture. No rearranging. A few bent the rules a little, but it was worth it. The teams went as follows; Micah, Arianna, Seth, Janeel, and Isaac as team one. Emily, Melany, Levi, Lazarus, Kirsten, Daniel, and Ariella as team two.