Chrissa's Coustume Birthday Party

 Hi all!  Today was my birthday party with my friends!  I wish you all could have joined me; it was so fun!  The theme this year was a costume party, so everyone came dressed up.  Once they arrived, I asked everyone to say their name and what they were dressed up as.

"I'll start," Felicity stated, "and Kit can go next."

"We can just go around the circle clockwise." Elizabeth quietly suggested.

"Okay.  Well, I'm Felicity, and I'm dressed up as a famous movie star." she said, tossing her head.

"I'm Kit. I'm wearing a dress that I found at the last second, I didn't know that we were supposed to wear costumes! Yea, sure the invitation said so, but still, we were in the car when McKenna asked, 'Aren't you going to wear a costume?' And so I ran inside and grabbed this from McKenna's closet and changed quickly." 

"Thank you for that story, Kit.  Your turn, Izzy." I smiled.

"As she just said, I am Izzy and I'm a princess." my friend told us.

"That is a lovely dress, Izzy." Elizabeth commented.

"Thank you."

"Hello, I'm McKenna and I'm an Olympic figure skater."

Nellie, one of my friends from church, went next.

"My name is Nellie, and I'm dressed as a cheerleader."

"I'm obviously Chrissa, and I'm some kind of prairie girl someone-or-another." I said.

Elizabeth, who was sitting next to me, told her name and that she was dressed as a duchess (think Downton Abby).  Samantha was a cowgirl, and Sidnee was a rock star/famous singer (she had a great costume!).

The first activity we did was a photo booth.  Below are some of the pictures of us, a few with crazy accessories, some without.

 Next, we played musical chairs.  I used music from Frozen, and Kit sang crazily along until we all insisted that she stopped.  The game turned out kind of wild, because there were many competitive people who would dive for the chairs.  In the end, it came down to Kit and Sidnee, Sidnee being the close victor of the game.

 After the game, we got a group picture.

 Then, it was time for cake!

"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Chrissa, happy birthday to you!" they all sang, although you could almost only hear Kit, who was nearly shouting it.

"I want the first piece of cake!" Kit said.

"No, Chrissa is the birthday girl, so she's the one who gets it." Elizabeth insisted, setting it on my plate.

"I can have the second piece then." my cousin said.  It wasn't a question.

"Very well." 

 Everyone enjoyed their cake.

But Kit's seemed to disappear faster than anyone else's!

Celebrating with my friends was so much fun!

What would be your dream birthday party? 

My Birthday!

 Hi all!  Yesterday, May 14th, was my real, live, actual birthday!  Yay!

 That morning, I woke up to the smell of scones.

 When I came downstairs, the table was covered with gifts!

"Happy birthday, Chrissa!" Mom and Dad greeted me.

"Yes, happy birthday!" Elizabeth agreed.

"Thanks!  What smells so good?" I asked, taking in a deep waif.

"I made strawberry scones just for you." my mom replied. "Let's eat!

After breakfast, my parents said I could open two presents.

"Which one should I open first?" I asked.

"How about the one with the cupcakes on it?" Mom suggested, pointing to one on the top. "Could you grab it, Elizabeth?"

"Of course.  Here, Chrissa." my sister said, handing me the gift.

I opened it up and found a cute pair of jean shorts, just like I wanted!

"Thanks, Mom and Dad!" I exclaimed, giving then each a hug.

"You're welcome, sweetheart."

As I was opening the second gift, our phone rang.  Elizabeth picked it up.

"Hello, this is the Edwards."

"Hi!  It's McKenna and Kit.  Is the birthday girl there?"

"Yes, she is.  I'll put her on speaker phone."  Elizabeth replied, pressing the button and setting the phone on my gift.

"Hello?" I said.

"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Chrissa, happy birthday to you!" my cousins sang.

"We just wanted to wish you a happy birthday!" came McKenna's voice.

"How's it going so far?" Kit added quickly.

"Great!  I was just about to open a present when you called.  Oh- can you come to my party on Saturday?" (I would have had my party yesterday, but since it was a school day Mom suggested I wait until Saturday.  So, yesterday I was just celebrating with my family.)

"Check you email." was Kit's reply. "Bye!"

"Bye, and thank you!"  I ended the call and finished opening my gift.

"This tee-shirt is so cute!  Thank you!" I smiled.  "Now I know why you wanted me to open these two particular presents."

"Yes, so you could wear them today, if you want to." Mom said.

"Are you kidding me?  Of course I want to!  I'm going to get dressed right now." I exclaimed, running upstairs.

I love my new outfit!

When I returned downstairs, Dad had left for work, Mom was washing the breakfast dishes, and Elizabeth was cleaning up.  I asked Elizabeth to re-do my hair in a fun birthday style, and she agreed.

Since neither of us had school (Elizabeth had finished for the year, and obviously it was my birthday), we played together until lunch.  Mom made quesadillas, one of my favorite foods.  After lunch, Mom mysteriously told me to close my eyes, which I did.

When I opened them, there was a adorable American girl doll bed in front of me!

"Wow!!!!  This is amazing!!!" I squealed. "Thank you, thank you, thank you!  How did you make it?"

"Elizabeth and I found a YouTube video tutorial." Mom explained.

"I think you should open the big pink one gift next." Elizabeth recommended.

"Okay."

"I made bedding and accessories for the bed." Elizabeth smiled.

"This is so wonderful!" I answered. "Do you want to play with me?"

"Sure."

It is so perfect for Nellie and Felicity!

For dinner, Mom, Dad, Elizabeth and I went to Olive Garden, because it's one of my favorite restaurants.  (And I love their bread-sticks!)  Afterward, we returned home, ate my birthday cake and I opened my last two presents.

I had such a great birthday!

How do you celebrate your birthday?

Making the 'Innerstar U' N.G.C.T.

 Hi all!  I bet you're asking, "What on Earth does N.G.C.T. stand for?!"  Well, I'll tell you!  My definition is National Gymnastics Competitive Team, and that is what my cousin McKenna and I are trying to get on.  For the first time ever, Innerstar U is allowing non-students to try out for spots their sport departments, which makes McKenna and I very happy.  This afternoon, they held the big gymnastics try-out, which I (and McKenna too) have been looking forward to for a extensive amount of time.

 Elizabeth and I meet Kit and McKenna in the corridor outside the gym. 

 Before we left, Elizabeth did a cute little braid in my hair to help it stay put.  Unfortunately, there was no photography allowed in the Innerstar U gym, so Elizabeth was not able to take any pictures until we left.

In the tryout, there were four events: Floor, Vault , Beam, and Uneven Bars.  Standing next to McKenna, I carefully watch the other gymnasts.

"First up on floor is Katie Smith from Innerstar U Gymnastics!" The announcer called.

"Impressive." some gymnast on my other side murmured as Katie confidently flipped through her routine which ended to thunderous applause.  After a few other gymnasts flew through their floor routines, the announcer said:

"Please welcome McKenna Brooks from Orlando Metro Gymnastics!"

"That's me." my cousin whispered excitedly, stepping up to the purple mat.  Standing still for only a second, she bound into a front handspring, followed by the rest of her routine.  Applause exploded with her finish.

"How did I do on floor?" McKenna asked as she joined me on the bench.

"Awesome!" I encouraged truthfully.

"Next up on floor is Chrissa Edwards from Captain Gymnastics!"

Taking a deep breath, I walked up to the mat, then sprang into action.  Ending with my arms held high but one foot slightly in front of the other, I groaned.  Hadn't my coach constantly drilled into my head that uneven feet would always get a deduction?

"One event down, four to go." I sighed.  The rest of the meet was a bit of a blur, until the last event: uneven bars.  They are my best.

"First up on Uneven Bars is Chrissa Edwards!"

Wondering  if the judges had done it on purpose, I flipped and swung around the bars, thrilled that this was going well.  With three final swings, I dismounted and landed, to my joy, as perfectly as I practiced.  After the rest of the competitors finished, the one of the experienced judges announced the winners.

"It was a hard decision this year." she started. "So many outstanding competitors, but we three have all come to the same conclusion."

"There are four places on our Regional Competitive team.  The first spot goes to our own Innerstar U student Katie Smith!"  Judge number two declared over loud applause for Katie, who stepped up for her medal and certificate with a flashy smile.

"Spot number two we are pleased to give to Chrissa Edwards from Captain Gymnastics!"  Hearing this, I happily screamed and hugged McKenna, who was next to me.

"Go up and get your medal, Chrissa!  You earned it." my cousin said, giving me a little push.  I bowed to accept the silver medal and certificate, smiling with excitement.

"The third place goes to Amanda Davis!"  A talented black haired girl walked to where Katie and I were standing to receive her spot on the team.  I nervously looked at McKenna.  There was only one place left!

"And the last spot we give to... McKenna Brooks from Orlando Metro Gymnastics!"

McKenna seemed happy enough to scream like I did, but she quietly accepted her medal.  I gave her a hug.

Once we were outside the gym again, Elizabeth immediately pulled out our camera to take pictures of my medal, ...

... my certificate...

... and McKenna and I together.

Mom insisted that my sister got on the other side of the lens, so Elizabeth and I smiled for a picture.  We ran though a drive though to get dinner, because I just couldn't wait until we got home.

At home, I flopped on my soft, comfy bed, glad that I was home.

"Are you going to change out of your new gymnastics uniform before you fall asleep?" Elizabeth inquired.

"No... I'm too tired..." I replied sleepily.  I took a looooooooooong nap, then came downstairs to write this up.

Do you do any thrilling yet exhausting sports?

P.S. On McKenna's blog, she wrote about the tryout too!  Check it out here:
http://thebrooksadventuresdollblog.blogspot.com/2013/12/innerstar-u-gymnastics.html

A Relaxing Afternoon

 Hi all!  I had a nice, peaceful afternoon today.  After a great and productive gymnastics lesson, I came home and stretched my warmed up muscles.

 I used my sleeping bag, because hardwood floor, as pretty as it is, is not very comfortable.

 "Ah, this is so nice." I happily sighed.

 After stretching, I joined Elizabeth and wrote a few letters (two of my pen pals had written me),

 ... read a American Girl magazine, and now wrote a blog post.  Wonderful. Just wonderful.

How do you like to relax?