Sydney is TEN!

 Oi.

Sydney's 10th birthday party was quite the debate around here. Brent felt strongly that since she was turning 10 while we were in Disneyland, that should be sufficient. I felt strongly that just because her birthday happens to fall at an ideal time of year to go to Disneyland, and all her sisters would likewise be there, even though it was not their birthday, it merited a celebration of its own. I'd also recently watched Les Miserable so I was vibing off of the Egalite! Fraternite! Liberte! ethos and I'm a middle child so fairness is not just important, it is critical to me in parenting. 

Each of Sydney's older sisters had their 10th birthday party at the American Girl place in Chicago where they also had their ears pierced right along with their doll. Ipso facto, Sydney had to have the same opportunity! It was absolutely, positively, the only FAIR thing to do! Will you join in the fight that will give you the right to be free? Do you hear the people sing? Viva la France! OK I may be going overboard a bit here but Brent reluctantly agreed to let Sydney have her 10th birthday party rather than go to war with his wife. She and her doll took a step close to adulthood and had their ears pierced.

I have never seen the cafe so busy! Look at this poor worker refilling all the doll chairs! The place was absolutely packed- it actually took us a while to get in. Those poor waiters were hustling while trying to make every child's experience something magical.

We had a delightful lunch with lovely appetizers and tons of sweets!

Sydney got to be the center of attention as she opened her gifts. We generally buy the girls new backpacks when they move from the elementary school to middle school and then middle school to high school. Apparently Sydney didn't want to wait anymore because she received a backpack she had surreptitiously asked for as a gift. It was kind of perfect though because she had something to carry everything in!

I think I've just hit fatigue with this experience and in a way I feel guilty about that. I should be just as excited for Sydney's party as I was for Liesel's, In some ways I felt like I was crawling across the finish line with this particular rite of passage and I'm just glad it's our last. I'm sure we will visit the American Girl store again, but not in such a grand fashion. These memories are in the bank.

I'm particularly grateful Gita tagged along because she kept me company while the little girls picked out doll clothes and accessories to buy. We smiled at each other throughout lunch; she knows when I'm up to something and she loved being in on my antics. For the record, I can be more immature than the average 10-year-old when the occasion calls for it. OK, the occasion never calls for it but sometimes it just feels GOOD!

I find myself yet again baffled at the women who cry, "Let them stay little!" My gosh I'm ready for the next phase! A new phase with new adventures and maybe even a new set of earrings! In the meantime, we can always say that Sydney celebrated her 10th birthday at the American Girl cafe, just like all her sisters before her.