Princess Pai Pai Turns 5

All Pai wanted for her 5th birthday was a swimming party at Great Grandma Ollie's house.

No fuss and no special requests (other than a princess cake AND a flip-flop cake - who asks for two cakes, anyway?!).

She invited her neighborhood girl friends. They are such a sweet group of girlies. We did a neighborhood joy school with most of these girls two years ago and it's so hard to believe that they'll all be starting kindergarten within the next few weeks.

Pai loves her friends...and isn't afraid to express and show her affection. She hugged each one of her friends after she opened their present. So sweet!

Here's the princess cake made by Ya Ya (my mom). It's pretty much a tradition: Ya Ya makes the birthday cakes (whether she likes it or not!). She always does an AmAzInG job.

Since it was a two-cake request birthday party, I decided to do the flip flop cake (after all, I couldn't ask Ya Ya to do TWO cakes). It was my first attempt at a non-rectangle and out-of-the-pan cake. Making the cake was a complete nightmare. I had envisioned a couple of effortless hours in the kitchen. After the first cake stuck to the pan, I should have said that one cake was enough. But I didn't. There were so few requests from Pai and my motherly-instinct told me I could do it. So, at 11:00 the night before, I starting baking cake no. 2. All in all, it turned out ok. It's a good thing I love Pai to pieces. Note to self: never use Skittles as cake decorations in the heat - they run, melt and make a mess.

Raegan loves Danzer and is always chasing him down for another kiss.

Dad, Mom, Kelly and Danzer came to Pai's birthday party. Mind you, it's a three hour drive each way and they literally came for a few hours and then had to turn-around and go home (for my dad's work). My family supports my kids 110% in everything my girls do - whether it's dance, school, birthdays or other special events. I can't tell you how much it means to me. I love you guys! Thanks for being a HUGE part of my girlies' world.

We swam, we made paper lei necklaces, we wore cute new flip flops and sunglasses, we ate birthday cake and opened presents and, overall, we had a fabulous day. It was just what Pai had dreamed of. And she LOVES telling everyone that she's 5...almost 6! Happy 5th birthday, Princess Pai Pai!