Tuesday is Jessica's birthday. She will be 12. This was our weekend with her so we decided to have a little fun and have a surprise party. We had the party at my parent's house and had a luau theme. It was fun and festive and she was completely shocked. Here is a picture f her in her lei and grass skirt. I didn't think we would get her to wear that, but she actually did.

I made her a palm tree cake to go with the tropical theme. I tricked her into believing it was actually for a friend who was sending his parents on a cruise. She bought that story.

Here is a picture of the cake. It was chocolate-y and delicious. I added a few bouncy 'beach' balls and some umbrellas in the sand for an extra special effect. The little kids had bouncy balls zinging all around the garage, and I am sure a few people were hit in the head by a stray ball or two.

Here is the birthday girl getting ready to make her wish and blow out the candles. I am sure she wished for something silly, like meeting one of those little boys from her favorite Disney Channel shows. Or maybe that she could kiss some cute boy at school next week. Who knows? I have a hard time remembering what I wished for when I was 12. But I am pretty sure that as happy as I am right now, it must have all worked out.

So happy (early) birthday Jessica. You have made my life a little more special by being a part of it. I hope you get all that you wished for and more.