The rest of September seemed to fly by ans by the time we knew it it was October. Molly seemed to be well adjusted to her tutoring and most of the woek she did with the tutor was whatever they were working on in class so she wouldn't be overwhelmed with extra work with the tutor. Annie was doing great in school and loved her classes especially reading and writing. Grace and I were proud of both our daughters and couldn't believe how far along they've come.
In the middle of October we realized Annie's birthday was coming up. Grace and I wanted to make sure she had the biggest most special birthday celebration she could ever ask for! Remember her talking to grace about what she wanted to do for her birthday but I was too busy then so I decided to talk to grace two weeks before her birthday.
"Oh grace I've been meaning to ask what does Annie want to do for her birthday ?"
"Well her birthday is on a Sunday this year so she decided to have her friends over from school for a sleepover party and Sunday Annie Molly and I would have a girls day out for her birthday."
"That's a wonderful idea!"
I went to hug my wife loving her and all th fun things she had planned for Annie's birthday. Then remembering her friends fro, the orphanage.
"Oh grace did she say she wanted to invite her friends for, the orphanage? I remember how close they all were last Christmas."
Grace smiled wider at this.
"Actually olive ri was going to surprise hr and invite h girls from the orphanage to the party! I'm sure Annie and Molly be thrilled to have them over!"
"That's a wonderful idea! They will love it and I love how Annie is including Molly in everything."
And that was settled grace went to make a few phone calls to the girls' new families and fortunately all of the girls were able to make it! I couldn't wait to see the look on Annie's face when she saw her friends from the orphanage. The next two weeks were quite hectic with work and planning the party. Annie invited 4 other friends from school and promised to have Molly included in everything. I loved how Annie was such a great sister to moly. It made grace and I very proud.
The day of the party was spent mostly setting up and getting everything ready. Annie's friends were due to arrive by 5 that was getting more and more excited by the hour even got Molly into the excitement.
"Leapin lizards my first real birthday party!"
Annie kept jumping up and don and I had to gently place my hand on her shoulder to calm her down a bit.
"I know sweetie we're all excited too but save your energy for when your friends arrive ok? It's almost 3 why don't you and Molly go bathe and get dressed?"
At that Annie and Molly scrambled up the stairs to get ready. By 330 Grace had both girls dressed and bathed for the party. They each had a new dress specially bought for the party. Annie had a light blue one and Molly had a light pink one. They looked like little dolls walking down the stairs together hand and hand. The next two hours were long slow ones for two very excited girls. Finally at 5 Annie's friends start d arriving one by one.
"There here! My friends are here!"
Annie ran to the front door to greet her friends and had Drake get their coats.
"Hi everyone thank you so much for coming today! Mom dad Molly these are my friends from school."
Molly shyly waved and hid behind Grace. She bent down and kissed Molly on the forehead.
"It's alright baby they're just Annie's friends don't b shy you'll have fun I promise."
Then turning to th other girls,
"Hello everyone! You can put your things in he guest room then you can go on and play outside."
Annie noticing Molly's sudden shyness took her sister's hand and showed her friends to the guest room. I smiled at this sweet gesture.
"I'm glad we could give Annie the party she hated and she's including Molly in everything."
"Me too I'm glad we could give her the perfect birthday! The girls from th orphanage should be arriving soon ."
Annie Molly and her friends soon came downstairs and went outside to play. Just a few moments later the girls fro, the orphanage arrived with their new and I were both glad they could make it. I greeted them at the front door.
"Thank you so much for coming. If you don't remember me I'm Oliver and this is my wife Grace. Annie Molly and her friends are our back you can go put your things upstairs and then go play. This is a surprise for Annie so I'm sure she'll be thrilled to see all of you!"
After they put their things upstairs the newly arrived guests went outside to meet Annie and Molly. By the sounds of their shouts and laughter and Annie's "Leapin lizards" they were both thrilled to see their old friends. Grace and I went out to watch them play. They all seemed to be having a wonderful Time and Annie made sure all of the girls were introduced and included in their games. Even the grumpy girl Pepper seemed to be enjoying herself. I was happy Annie had the best party she could ever ask for and I felt Grace lean into me. I wrapped my arm around her as we watched Annie happily play with her sisters and friends.
Soon it was time for dinner and cake. Dinner was hotdogs and hamburgers followed by a chocolate cake, Annie's Favorite. Annie then opened her presents. The girls ohhed and ahhed the new toys books and games Annie received. They then went to the movie room to watch some scary Halloween movies. Since Molly was so prone to having nightmares Annie said it was best if Molly wasn't included but she felt bad. Molly seemed to not mind and went to her room to play with her and I decided to let th girls have their on fun for the rest of the night. We managed to get some work done and Grace went to check on Molly and the girls. Before heading to bed I went to Annie's room to say goodnight.
"Goodnight annie I love you. Happy birthday."
"I love you daddy and mom too. Thanks fo surmising is with the girls fro, the orphanage it means a lot and thank you for giving me the best birthday ever."
I kissed Annie ans gently tucked her into bed. I then went to our room to get some rest myself. Grace came in a few minutes late looking a little worried.
"Grace what's wrong?"
"Well I was talking to Molly and she told me that Pepper was making fun of her bcause she got some of he numbers mixed up during a game."
Oh the poor thing! No wonder she seemed a little sad earlier just didn't want to interfere with Annie's fun.
"Oh poor thing I know that girl can be mean sometimes I hope she knows she can always come to us for anything and don't let anybody tease her. I live both our daughters so much."
I pulled grace into my arms and held her tightly. We then went to bed for the night. We all slept pretty well. The girls were up fairly late talking until the early hours of th morning. It was Annie's special day so we decided not to bother and let them stay up as late as they wanted. It was a late morning for the girls the next day even Molly slept pretty late. They all came down for breakfast at1030am. Mrs. Pugh made everyone blueberry and chocolate chip pancakes. I went over to Annie and kissed her good morning.
"Good morning baby happy birthday! Were you up late?"
"Thanks daddy and yeah we stayed up till 3am!"
I was glad Annie was enjoying herself orb her friends. I then looked at Molly who didn't seem to be too upset so I decided to let it go and joined everyone for breakfast. Grace and I listened as the Girls chattered excitedly about the events of yesterday and the next Tim they'd get together. After breakfast hey went outside to play before their parents picked them up at 2.
By the time everyone left with hugs and tears and promised to see each other again for Christmas Annie and Molly decided to take a nap before their special girls night with grace. Before heading upstairs and I hugged grace and I.
"Thank you for such a great birthday mom and daddy I can't wait for our girls night!"
Grace kissed Annie and gave her a tight hug
"Were glad you had a one full birthday honey and I can't wait for tonight either."
Whole th girls rested, grace and I decided to get some work done and rest a bit ourselves. We were both glad Annie could have her first real celebration. Annie Molly and Grace left at 5 to have their special girls went to a movie and dinner and came back to the mansion where we all had cake together. It was a quiet peaceful night but the girls were pretty tired and didn't seem to and I ticked in Annie and Molly where Annie once again thanked us for a wonderful birthday was decided that a girls night would be a special family birthday tradition. Grace and I both looked forward to the many more birthdays to come