tayler is 9 (and the color me rad 5k)

When I first got wind of the Color Me Rad 5k I knew I was in.  When I found out it was on Tayler's birthday I knew that she needed to go with me.  When I mentioned the idea to her she was ecstatic.

I tried to sign up for the event but found I had waited too long, the raise was sold out.  When I tried to register it gave me a box to add my email to be on the waiting list, so I did.  A week before the race I received an email saying some spots had opened up so hurry and register before they were gone.

So I did.  And I didn't tell Tayler about it.  I let her continue to think that we weren't able to run because it was sold out.

Bright and early Saturday morning I crept into Tayler's room and gently shook her.  She pried open her eyes and looked at me through her blurry eyelids.

"Happy birthday."
She was confused at why I had woken her up so early to tell her happy birthday.  "Thanks..." she whispered with a smile.
"Get up.  I have a surprise for you."
Understanding started to dawn on her and she quietly crawled out of bed.  I took her into the bathroom, did her hair, and told her to get her shoes on and go eat breakfast, you don't even have to get dressed.  Just shoes.
We got ready and as we were leaving she asked, "are we doing the color run?"

She was grinning from ear to ear.

I had made her a white birthday shirt the night before in hopes that people would see it proclaiming that it was her birthday and throw more color at her.  She got dressed in the car (where I had stashed her clothes to prolong the secret) and we drove to meet up with my friends Jen, Kim, and Sara.

waiting in the grocery store parking lot for everyone to arrive to ride down to the race

Kim, me, Tay, Jen, Sara

Kim had made everyone tutu's for the event.

we met up with my friend Jessie

And then the fun started...

And it just got worse from there.  The shirt worked, along with all of us yelling, "It's her birthday!" Every time we hit a "color bomb" section during the race.

I'm proud of Tayler.  She made it three miles to the finish line where we were met with a giant throwing of color (which she was cautious about so it wouldn't get in her eyes)

and fruit.

It was a very fun and colorful way to start Tay's birthday.

Happy birthday my baby girl.  How proud I am of the person you are. 

Tayler is the sweetest girl in the world.  She's kind and considerate and most usually mild tempered (come on, we all have our moments).  She's such a tender girl and has the world's best giggle.

After the race we came home and showered (I still, two days later, have a blue stripe on my back), made Tay's cake, cleaned up the house, visited with Grandma Julie and Aunt Kristin who stopped by, and hit Costco for pizza.

Then her friends showed up.  Tay chose swimming at the rec. center for her birthday party.  I loved it.  I fed them pizza and then drove them to the pool.  The end.  I dig birthday parties that are that easy.  Though of course The Man and I joined the kids in the pool.

abby, tay, ashliegh, cassie, noelle

and a random picture of cali ("Take my picture mom!")

I guess we should all be glad that my waterproof camera decided to not be waterproof anymore, otherwise I would have had quite a bit more pictures.

As it is I can say that the kids had fun on the water slide, learning to dive ("did I do it right? Watch me!), swimming, playing games, and trying to dunk West.  What a handsomely good sport he is.

You know it's a good birthday when you're all ready for bed by 8:00. 

Bed never felt so good.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY my dear sweet Tayler!

p.s. our messed up cake was featured on Cake Wrecks (here) today!  Remember? The one from this birthday (towards the end)?  This is why I make the cakes myself.