Maryanne turns 6!

All four grandparents!!  We are so glad to have M&D Hale home.  So glad.  

On Maryanne's birthday eve we had root beer floats and some early present opening with grandparents.

Love these people.

The next morning about 5:00 - I woke up to lights on and noises and got up to see Maryanne wandering the house.  "I can't sleep mom!  I'm too excited."   I had decorated the house after she went to bed and guess she was up checking it all out. :)   Well, don't worry because even without much sleep the night before - she was still excited to wake up for her birthday. 

on her way to school with her birthday crown and her giant packs of donuts in her backpack. 

And then after school was her long-awaited Moana party.   (and yes, I used things like paper plates and washcloths to decorate.)  :)

ocean in a bottle craft

Moana tattoos 

 Pin the Heart on the Te Fiti

Pizza! Pizza!

THE PLAY

Ok, this was super funny.   Some intense personalities all trying to direct this Moana play.  I finally had to pull rank and be the director... the boss of all bosses.   

This picture was the scene when toddler Moana (Eliza) is listening to the story her grandmother (Siri) is telling about monsters, darkness and death.  We have some fainters, screamers and then there's little Moana super interested and smiley. 

This is the scene where teenage Moana (Maryanne) is teaching hula lessons and that funny little kid (Lucy) joins the class and does some saucy dancy moves and a kissy face.

 Moana play cast included:  Arta Burton as Hei Hei the chicken(she was funny), Mara Lowe as Pua the pig (self cast),  Haven Zeleznick as Te Fiti, Joey Hale was double-cast as the father and Maui (superb acting skills), Lucy Hale as Tamatoa the crab, Siri Georgi as Gramma Tala, Gunner as our only audience member (self cast), Eliza Harris as toddler Moana and Maryanne Hale as Moana.  It was quite the show.  :)

Next: CAKE!

Our beautiful blonde Moana making her 6-year-old wish

She was crazy spoiled by her sweet friends.  I can't believe the quality of gifts they brought.  It made me feel a little sheepish.  After everyone went home, Joey set up a Moana-themed treasure hunt for her.  The last one was to seek the wisdom of her grandmother and she had to go upstairs and get the clue from Grandma, it was cute.   She finally got enough clues to open the suitcase and get our gifts. She was now drowning in happiness (ya know, costumes and toys) and didn't seem to mind one bit. 

 Maryanne is Shimmer!   Lucy wanted to gather all new and old Shimmer and Shine stuff to see it all together... she has a lot. :)

Well, Maryanne - we sure love you.  Another year of you being your joyful self.  This has been a fun and bonding year for you and me.  You've learned so much and it's exciting for me to watch you slowly begin to read... for reals.  And to write.  Your teacher calls you a brave speller.  You write anything and everything down and aren't afraid to write words you don't know.  We have so much fun trying to figure out what all your notes and art projects say.  And I love having you as my half-day buddy.  You bounding in every day at 12:05 and barely making it to the bathroom. :)  And then spending the afternoon reading, playing, singing - it's a joy to watch your imagination.  You never really seemed 5 to me this year.  You seem older than your age somehow.  You just moved downstairs and now are sharing a room with Freddy.  You are a good older sister to him and teach him new things.  He loves you a lot. 

Happy Birthday to my sweet Shimmer, Belle, Lolirock, Moana, Poppy, Barbie, ... and Maryanne.