Gracie's Snowy Birthday

I was sure that there would be no more than a two-hour delay for school today. The roads were clear, and the low temperatures this morning may have made a rare few places icy for buses. So, imagine my surprise (and most parents surprise!) when the school called yesterday during dinner time to say schools would be CLOSED!

Daddy and I tried to buck our soon to be birthday girl up, and told her we would take in cupcakes that were ordered, tomorrow to school snack.

You could tell she was bummed about not spending her special day with friends, and for not being able to wear the dress I made her for another day--but she seemed to find peace with it.

Peace for which she was rewarded.

Gracie's best friend Clara came over for the day!

Her mom texted me last night and asked if it would be okay since teachers still had to go in 2 hours late. This worked out so well.

Gracie had a royal table in which to eat her birthday cake flavored pop tarts with her friend, and she got to open a present since Clara surprised her with two Barbies to open today.

Since there is still snow on the ground, the girls got dressed and went out to sled in the back yard. They stayed out there for a good long time playing, and birthday (sort of) twin Amanda from across the street joined them.

(Amanda's birthday is the same day as Gracie, just a year earlier, so she turned 11, while Gracie turned 10)

We needed lunch, so I treated the birthday girl and her friend to lunch at our favorite pizza buffet: Stevie B's.

Now, since school was out, it was packed in there, and I did a little bribery to avoid the busy small arcade room.

I gave Gracie the choice to either play, or go to the Dollar Store and they could each pick two items. Gracie excitedly picked the two items choice (do I know her or what?!)

The girls finished out their play date by pretending to be a rock and roll band and other loud things in her room until it was time for Clara to go.

But, birthday fun wasn't over yet.

When daddy came home we loaded up and took Gracie to her favorite birthday dinner choice: Friendly's!

Gracie enjoyed her meal, but of course the whole reason for choosing Friendly's is the ice cream. She asked for the oreo sundae and I am not sure there was so much as a dribble she didn't scoop up!