6 years of Mercy

Today our Mercy Girl turned six!

She was so excited last night that she kept coming out of her room after bedtime and didn't actually fall asleep until well past 9:00 pm. She was up first thing this morning at 6:15 and it was pure torture for her to wait until everyone else was up to start celebrating. She got to open a couple presents first thing, including a new school outfit from Mom and Dad, a necklace made by Hyrum, and some princess dolls from Grandma J. We continued the celebration with her choice of breakfast: crepes with berries, fresh whipped cream, and bacon.

On Tuesday mornings the kids have mileage club at school, so Mercy skipped happily off with her brothers at 8:05 to run laps around the track for half an hour. Oh, to have the energy of a six year old!

After getting Grandma J on the road home, I surprised Mercy at school and spent an hour helping in her class during reading time. I also brought in her favorite chocolate chip cookies for her to share with her friends.

I spent the rest of the day making her a double chocolate birthday cake with fresh raspberries. Mercy proved that she truly is a girl after my own heart and asked for a beautiful cake, like the ones on the Great British Baking Show. I think I rose to the challenge reasonably well. 

She had swimming lessons after school, then not long after, Cassie, Beto, and Beto's parents arrived just in time for her birthday dinner. She requested fried chicken (which I attempted homemade for the first time), rolls, and salad. Everything was delicious and she was pleased with it all. 

After dinner Mercy was (finally!) able to open the rest of her presents, and was especially pleased with a large stuffed shark from Grandma and Grandpa Kress. We sang, ate cake and ice cream, and just like that her birthday was over. It was a full day packed with as much love and attention as we could muster. We sure love our Mercy Percy. She brings so much sunshine and joy into our family and we definitely wouldn't be us without her. Happy Birthday sweet girl!