You may have seen my tweet last week saying that per my closet door measurements, Ursula had grown 2 7/8 inches in 11 months (8/16/09 – 7/20/10). I was wrong. Or she grew a LOT last July. Because according to the pediatrician, she grew *over* 3 inches between her 6 and 7 year visits. (Sadly, I can’t find her 6 year stats – need to call the ped).
So, the official 7 year starts:
49 3/4″ tall (79%)
56 3/4lbs (75%)
She is SO big. Like gigantic. What I notice the most (besides her super short clothes – her uniforms are all 2 sizes bigger than last year’s!) is how big her hands are. Her hand used to totally fit in my palm. And now it doesn’t. Whenever we walk across a parking lot I am taken aback by how *big* she is.
We have had a *huge* 7th birthday weekend! I don’t have pics yet (my photog friend took them though I should check to see what I have). And excellent time was had by all!
Dan got home very very early Saturday morning (2am) – his flight was delayed 2+ hours. Thankfully, he was taking a taxi, so it did not affect Ursula and I (much).
Ursula had a pool party this year – very similar to last year’s party. On party-morning, I picked up her cake from our baker friend who has done her previous two cakes. It was *awesome*!!!! Came home, got some more things ready, picked up U and headed over to the Anderson’s. Unloaded LOTS of stuff, then went and picked up balloons at PartyCity. Got back to party locale and set things up, hung out, etc. It’s better to waste time at the party locale than to be a wreck at home. And I was a wreck about this party, even though it was super organized and drama free. I know my stress was not *really* about the party, but I needed something to fixate on.
Anyway – the party was a HUGE success. We had 10 guests (plus lots of adult family). The difference between this year and last year was huge. The kids were *way* more independent in the pool. Aside from goggle adjusting (lots because they kept trading) it was very hands off. There was a lifeguard (like last year), but last year it was a lot more encouraging kids to get off the stairs, worrying about splashing, etc. This year, they were all swimming in the deep end like pros. And we got to sit and chat with guests. That has *never* happened – seven is seeming much better already.
They swam as long as possible, then had cake and ice cream. For favors, I made them all personalized stainless water bottles. Well, I bought the bottles, but I did the personalizing. (I am IN LOVE with craft vinyl!) I think they were a big hit – I am super happy with how they turned out.
After the friends left, the family stayed for a cookout, which was really nice. We always either have adults bored at a kid party, or two separate parties, or some other less than ideal set up. This was perfect – the childless people could just come to the latter part, we had time to spend with everyone – it was so nice. We don’t open friend gifts at parties (usually) – it’s just too rushed. So, this gave us a chance to open her family gifts (which they really like).
Today (actual birthday), Ursula got up her usual time. She didn’t wake us, but she did seem to watch TV much louder than usual. We got up around 7:15 and did gifts. We met Lucy and Lisa at IHOP for a late breakfast (free birthday dessert count = 2 – she had one at American Girl last week) and gifts. Then Lucy came over for a spectacular playdate. Dan and I were wiped so it was very nice for her to have something super fun to do. They played school, watched a movie, did makeovers – an excellent day.
Then tonight, the three of us went out for pizza (free birthday dessert count = 3). With a busy 4th of July weekend, our trip to Atlanta and Dan having a business trip last week it’s probably the third meal we’ve had together (just us) since the beginning of the month. It was a great ending to our weekend!
We spent our last morning in Atlanta at the Fernbank Museum of Natural History.
Dinosaur sculptures at entrance.
If you get to the museum 45 minutes before it opens, you get LOTS of pics. Note the Molly-style braids.
Once the museum (finally) opened, we saw an IMAX movie, “Bugs”. Which had a dramatic ending that I don’t agree with. SPOILER: one of the bug stars (praying mantis) *eats* the other. WHO IS A BUTTERFLY. Seriously? Seriously?!?!?! The butterfly can’t FLY AWAY when the PM strikes? I feel cheated – I pulled for the preying mantis and was SO happy when his mate didn’t eat his head. Then he *eats the butterfly!*. There was a dramatic shot with the butterfly’s wings drifting down a river (I swear!). On the plus side, U thought it was an intact butterfly that just had died. On the minus side, I didn’t realize she thought that, so I was like “No. The butterfly is dead. The praying mantis ate it.” Of course, Ursula being Ursula, this was all well received.
The museum’s traveling exhibit was Geckos. Lots and lots of geckos. Much discussion of Geico. But the geckos were very cool!
Look at how long her arms are – my mind is blown.
Some shadowy/light machine.
Lightning ball thing (is this Tesla related? Apparently yes)
Bubbles are fun! Unless they touch you.
After the museum, we had a lovely lunch at Livingston, the restaurant at The Georgian Terrace. It was delicious. Tip: If you would like your child to sleep in the car, do NOT let her order a dessert with espresso ice cream. She’s also quite a fan of panna cotta. Who knew?
The Georgian Terrace is gorgeous – it was built in 1911. This staircase is inside the restaurant, which was the original hotel lobby (or part of it).
With a bellman, who sang Happy Birthday to her.
On the rooftop pool deck. Ursula is determined to swim in this pool when we stay there in November.
I put all of these flower pics in a separate post because they may be a bit boring, but I was having fun with them. No captions because I really don’t know what anything is!
On Thursday, we visited the Atlanta Botanical Gardens. The forecast was 98, but we *really* wanted to go. It wasn’t too bad when the gardens opened at 9:00, but was incredibly hot when we left at noon. But, SO worth it – the gardens are amazing! Their newest exhibit is a Canopy Walk – it’s a 12 wide suspension path about 40′ in the air, through the treetops.
Waiting for the gardens to open. Note Molly’s hula skirt and lei. Sumi is also with us.
Frog statue. There is a statue by the same artist at the aquarium in Charleston – Ursula *loves* it!
With Molly on the Canopy Walk.
The only pic taken of me the whole trip (this is good – I looked SO tired)
Underside of the Canopy Walk
This box turtle darted across the path in front of us. Really – he darted. He was surprisingly fast.
A formal garden with a Chihuly sculpture
Air roots of a rainforest plant.
Admiring themselves in one of the orchid gardens.
More rainforest
Frog friend!
Another fountain – this one has a base of tree trunks.
Another frog sculpture.
After the gardens, we had a quick lunch at Moe’s (which is where we always eat back home), then a hotel cool down. THEN we met our friends, the Q’s who we haven’t seen in *years*. Ursula and Anna Claire didn’t remember each other and we’d never met Caroline. But they totally hit it off!
Ursula and Anna Claire
Ursula, Anna Claire and Caroline
Ursula and I took a quick trip to Atlanta with our good friend (Ms.) Molly. Like any smart ladies, we made our first stop at American Girl Place for lunch.
Ursula with Julie, Kit & Chrissa
And Molly
Birthday celebration!
Pretty dessert
We just bought Molly!!!!
After lunch, we checked into our hotel (we stayed at Perimeter/Sandy Springs). That evening, we took the Marta out to Decatur and had a nice dinner at Parker’s on Ponce with some friends (I did not lug the camera). We had a great meal – the rest of the trip Ursula suggested Parker’s for every meal. She is a *big* fan of merlot mushrooms and warm cookies.
We had an excellent 4th – parade with friends, at the lake with family, then Dan and U went to fireworks (I started to go but had to head back home – too much sun/food made me sick).
Patriotic posing
Getting ready to scooter in the parade.
Me with the banner Ursula made for me to carry.
Our crew – Molly, Christi with Ellie, Rob, Ursula, Joe pushing Will, me with Trixie.
Hot dog!
Hanging out.
U on a firetruck.
U coming down off firetruck – this is remarkable because she is often scared of steps and these were VERY steep.
Walking back to car post-festivities.
