Iryna's Birthday!

Happy Birthday to Iryna! Iryna is now 7 years old - it's hard to believe, isn't it? She awoke to balloons from the balloon fairy. We dressed her up and she was in such a great mood all day long. It was HER day and she knew it. And she's wearing new glasses that we ordered for her - I like them because they actually stay on her face! :)

Iryna asked for strawberry crepes for breakfast and for spaghetti and salad for dinner, with Texas sheet cake for dessert. I was happy to oblige the birthday girl!

You have to love those pictures that are taken when you're just SURE that you won't actually be IN the picture. Just sayin'.

Iryna talking with Grandma Hatch on the phone. She was excited to share what fun things she'd been doing. :)

Present time! Iryna wanted TOY STORY stuff and that's what she got!

A friend gave us this Cranium Carnival just in time for Iryna's birthday - she was ecstatic!

Toy Story figurines. Buzz is Iryna's favorite character - she takes him with her everywhere. I would have thought that she would prefer Jessie, but no, she's obsessed with Buzz.

This wii game has already been played quite often, let me tell you. :)

Happy Birthday to sweet Iryna! Iryna, I love how sensitive you are to other people and animals. Today Maggie was shivering because she was scared from the thunderstorm. Normally you are also scared, but when you saw her shivering you came over and pet her and reassured her that she would be okay. You are so sweet and thoughtful. I love how happy you are and your sweet smile. Even though daily activities are hard for you at times, you try to smile through it and I love that. You are starting to eat more (hooray!) and are getting taller now. Your size of clothing is 5/6. You don't mind my fixing your hair as much now and you don't take it down. The other day you were screaming - something you haven't done in a long time. It was just a one day thing, but it reminded me of how far you've come in the past 2 1/2 years. You are confident in yourself and want to be a part of what's going on. You are affectionate and sweet. We love you, dear little Iryna. Happy Birthday!