Let the parties begin!

Our sweet little preemie child turned 9 years old today!  But before we go there . . . some things to catch up on . . .

We had a WONDERFUL surprise visit from Unka Who and Aunt Margie!  They were on their way back south from a vacation in Canada!  We only had a little over an hour, but we were so happy that they took the time to stop and see us!  Grace obviously wasn't shy about climbing up in Aunt Margie's lap!

We rode up to Ann Arbor on a Saturday - the M Den, Zingerman's Deli for lunch, and Trader Joe's!

Had breakfast at the zoo last Saturday!  So much fun!  We got to see baby elephant Lucas and spent some time in Nature's Neighborhood, one of the more recent renovations for younger children.

of course, the telescope - we're learning how to use quarters!

Baby Lucas

Nature's Neighborhood - the Stream

The tropical fish tank in the aquarium - we have to get our fill of this because in August they will close it until 2016 for renovations - the plans for it look wonderful - a touch tank!

and, of course, the butterflies

Birthday Party #1 - our neighbor's Granddaughter came over on Tuesday to have cupcakes with Grace - I didn't get it on camera, but Grace blew out a candle for the first time!  We'll see how she does with nine of them on Sunday!  Then some fun in the pool!

Today Grace hosted her birthday party at school complete with cupcakes and goodie boxes!

And tonight, we had another cupcake (well, Daddy chose to have some peanut butter pie), and opened presents from Grams Wheeler!  When she was opening the second one (the first one was the frog), she said "toys or a book", but it was a new outfit to wear to school!  Then she was on to the next present!

yes, it's a frog - Grace LOVES frogs!

Everyone was required to wear 'party hats' !

Do-A-Dot markers and coloring book!

So now we get ready for the next party on Sunday!