I’ve made mention before of Pea’s absolute favorite book “in the whole wide world.” “Mouse Cookies & More: A Treasury.” It’s a rare night when we don’t read at least one of the stories in this collection. Of course, it goes without saying that the most requested story is the one about the moose and the muffin, right? Particularly since Juicebox’s most recent visit to our lovely backyard. Well, I am human. And I get bored, reading the same stories over and over. So much so, that I’ve resorted to reading her bedtime stories in a robot voice, Queen’s English and a really horrendous deep Southern drawl.

About a week ago, I found a newer book by the same author and illustrator. “If You Give A Pig A Party.” It’s sweet, and a welcome addition to Pea’s ever-expanding library. But more importantly, it’s given my little girl so many ideas about what she wants her birthday party to be this year. And that’s very exciting for me. It’s the first year that she gets it. So far, she has requested a party dress, lots of balloons, party hats and a pink polka-dot birthday cake with a tiara on top. That’s quite a list, right? Well, I’m all too happy to oblige her.

Although I admit to not being a particularly girly-girly kind of a gal, much to my mother-in-law’s dismay (no bows in my girls’ hair), Pea and I did pick out a beautiful outfit that she can wear to her birthday party celebration, and then again in the future. I’m practical that way. It’s a linen halter with subtle ruffles and a linen skirt, also with ruffles. It can be worn together, as she will for her party, and then later it can be separated and matched up with other pieces in her closet. It arrived on Friday, she tried it on to model it for her father, and then refused to take it off. We found it at Chasing Fireflies. If you haven’t seen this catalog, check it out. You can visit them online. But be warned, particularly if you have little girls… you might just get in a little trouble. The stuff in this catalog? It’s amazing.

As for her cake? I’m going to have to bake it myself. Not my favorite thing to do. I much prefer to cook. But she’s had her heart set on this particular cake for months now. She’s been carrying the little pink cookbook that she found it in around with her everywhere, telling anyone who will listen that the cake on the cover? That’s the one she’s having at her birthday party. How can you say no to that?