Finally... a birthday celebration!

Last Thursday night, with Nana still here to join in the fun, we finally were able to celebrate Gracie's birthday!
It certainly wasn't a traditional party, but it was great fun all the same! She had requested demanded her bath (as she does each evening) about 30 minutes after we returned home from therapy, so she "partied" in her pj's! She'd had a busy day - - it was her second day of school and in the afternoon she had OT and PT.

We ate pizza for dinner, there were big balloons, a birthday cake and she opened presents. Such a lucky girl - - she received several gifts - - and while I can't show pics and mention everything, it is all very much appreciated!


"NPO" (no food by mouth, per doctor's orders due to her non-existent swallow) has never tasted so good!
You have to let her live a little... just a taste... frosting is so yummy!


The Claytons sent Gracie this adorable outfit! Christopher is one of Gracie's friends in CHARGE and is one year and three days older - - her "older man," we joke! It was so sweet of Kim and Christopher (and all the Claytons!) to think of Miss Gracie on her special day! We are so lucky to have "met" you through our community of CHARGE families and blogger network!


Gracie's Uncle and Auntie (and her new cousin, Jack) sent her a super cute Hello Kitty card with a whole page of nail stickers! These are a huge hit with her!

The big finale of the evening was playing the dvd that Gracie's old class made for her. I wish I could post it here, but won't without permission of all who participated. Picture this... a big birthday banner with Gracie's picture on it. Standing in front of it are her former teacher, two aids, the OT and in front of them are all the kids in her class. Her teacher said a few words (that left me bawling... the whole gesture had me bawling) and then they signed and sang "Happy Birthday." It was beautiful - - so kind, so thoughtful, so incredibly special.

Preston was so excited for his sister's birthday and has mastered saying, "Happy Birthday!" (He signs it, too... but this is not mastered... and unless you are familiar with the ASL approximations of a two year-old, you won't know what he's signing!) He has also mastered other birthday related signs - - most importantly, "cake." And, as clearly documented in the photos, he has mastered eating cake, too!