Steve's Surprise Birthday Party, as told by Cecelia

With each new day comes a new sunrise and a new surprise...

and because my daddy donned a tutu once upon a time...

...it is only fitting that I get dressed up in one as well...

and what could be a better occasion for this duplicity than Daddy's surprise birthday party!

I carefully assisted with the set-up...

...making sure all the toys were in order for the 'under five crowd.'

As this party was a surprise, Nana Terri and I practiced for the special 'surprise' moment all day...in the bathtub, while getting dressed, during set-up...throwing our hands over our head and shouting out, "Surprise!"

I had it down pat, and then the guests began to arrive.

...and the pizza arrived!

So, we ate...

...I showed off my cool boots...

while I ate...

and then the special moment arrived...

Dad (whom lately, I just refer to as 'Babe') was at the door!

At first he looked curiously at Nana Terri kneeling on the floor with a camera in front of her face, wondering...what are you even DOING here and why is my arrival home from a Bruins game photo-worthy?

and then he saw the rest of his family and friends...

Everyone shouted, "Surprise!"

It was awesome!

Daddy was completely shocked.

 

and very happy.

He chatted with his friends.

I chatted with mine.

I played with Uncle Phil...

...rested a little...

and played with Uncle Phil some more.

My buddy, Mekhi was at the party, too.

and we were both pretty excited to see the desserts come out.

Auntie Jamie brought a Red Sox cake

which Daddy made quite a show of cutting

We were very anxious to sink our teeth into these goodies!

Grandma Trisha hand fed me my cupcake

I don't demand such service, I just receive it.

Full belly.

My Godfather, John was at the party, too.

and Mom's friend Allison was the bartender, making specialty martini's for the 'over five crowd' that seemed to make them pretty happy.

I figured the smartest thing to do was to find a perch...

and just observe what was going on around me.

As the crowd thinned out, there was more room to get out some toys and play, like I did here with Pop Pop Buddy.

I was able to get down

and let loose...

because I truly believe that EVERY party is MY party.

Lexi and Mekhi played with my toys, but not necessarily together.

As it was getting late and was WAY past our bedtimes, we got into our jammies.

Here I am in the camo jammies Pop Pop Buddy got for me. Leave it to Pop Pop Buddy!

Lexi posed for this shot in my doll's high chair.

which was okay, because I was feeding my doll on the floor from an interesting blue bottle that I stole out of someone's purse.

Then I started putting a bottle cap (also stolen) on top of Grandpa's head

which he seemed to enjoy a lot.

I thought that I blended in pretty well with my camo jammies,

but somehow Uncle Phil was able to detect me under the table.

and the fun just went on and on...

until I collapsed...

But it definitely was a happy collapse.

Mekhi also had a happy collapse.

and when we each made it to our beds that night, we had sweet sugar-rush dreams.