Half a Decade

Half a decade sounds like a lot longer than 5 years. Either way, that's how old Fin was yesterday. It was a fairly spectacular and will keep on rolling until the grandparents arrive in a couple of weeks.

It all began on Friday when I had arranged with the teacher to take cupcakes for her class. Turns out, another parent asked the school office about bringing cupcakes for their child's birthday. So, Fin's poor teacher was trapped in a room with 25 5-year-olds and 60 cupcakes. May God have mercy on his soul. He let the kids choose 2 cupcakes each; one to eat then and one to take home in a Ziplock. Fin's lovely chocolate cupcakes with purple icing and safari decorations weren't so pretty after a few hours in a baggie. She didn't have a problem eating it, though!



Saturday, Fin was awakened with balloons and presents from me and her grandparents. After breakfast, we got ready for her big, birthday trip to the State Fair. Lorna and Nancy rode with us, Aunt Em and her friend Mary Alice as well as Ann Carter and her fiance, Shawn. Everyone was so agreeable and indulgent with her. She had a blast. It was a beautiful weather day, but the crowds stayed away until we were getting ready to leave, so we really didn't have to wait in line anywhere. It was close to ideal.

After the fair, we went to a local mall for dinner at the food court. Mandy and Beth, herself a recent birthday girl, met us for food, playtime, and presents. Fin was showered with gifts. I mean, three huge bags full. Everyone was so generous with gifts, time, and love. Fin and I are very lucky to be surrounded by such people!

Lorna reading Fin a book she just gave her on the drive to Richmond.


Arriving at the fair.


A pony ride was both our first, and last, activity at the fair. She was freaked out the first time; but, by the end of the day, she was a real cowgirl. See that pony? His name is Mike. We had to wait for Mike as Fin wanted to ride the "black horsie".



Riding the carousel would be wonderful... if not for all of the paparazzi and stalkers.




Then it was on to the NASCAR ride she remembered from last year. The first two times, she didn't get the Jimmie Car. Then, she out maneuvered a little boy and took two more trips in the 48.

If you aren't intimidated...



... you aren't paying attention.


Checking the tires then ready to race.



Riding the elephants with Lorna.


Back to the carousel, but the stalkers were back, too.



Unfortunately, Sybil came to the fair, too.
Pre-plane ride:


Post-plane ride:


Then it was on to lunch and birthday funnel cake!



This is Fin's interpretive dance entitled, "Funnel Cake is Good". I am particularly fond of the Mick Jagger strut.


After lunch, we walked alpacas, and did a little shopping and exhibit-observing. Emmy got her the cool, air-brushed shirt.






Is that a giant pickle on a stick? Why, yes it is. In fact, Fin's food intake for the day would make a pregnant woman blanch. She had:
- chocolate chip pancakes
- cantaloupe
- 1/2 of a hot dog and 1/2 of a bun (not at the same time)
- French fries
- funnel cake
- dill pickle
- chocolate ice cream
- lo mein
- chicken wing
- chocolate birthday cake with chocolate icing, star sprinkles, and blue candles because "blue for Jimmie car"

Fin rode some more rides, including the Tilt-a-Whirl with me. She was terrified. Luckily, Nancy took no pictures of us while the ride was going. Fin even got Nancy and Lorna to do the Monkey Maze with her. The only way off the Monkey Maze? A slide.






At this point, the adults were faired-out. We went out to the mall to meet Mandy and Beth. The girls were happy to see each other. It was dinner time (for the new giraffe Mary Alice gave her, too... she insisted he needed a highchair) and playtime before the long drive home. After a very busy day, it ended quietly with just the two of us over her simple birthday cake.





So, does another year on Earth add wisdom and insight? After church, Fin wanted to go look at the statue in front of the art museum.


So, I said, "Honey. This statue tells us something very important."

"What?" she asked.

"See, the man on the ground was riding the horse. He had a something important to tell people. He became very, very tired and couldn't ride anymore. But, what he was telling people was so important, the other man got on the horse and kept riding and carrying the message. So, if you hear an idea you think is important, you have to keep telling people and carrying on the message."

She thought for a moment then said, "I can't. That horse too big. I take Jimmie Car."

Happy birthday, baby girl. You are an incredible human being. And that's a message I will spread far and near.

I wish that all of your days bring you this much joy.