Queen of the Jungle

Xanthe's face painting show a little indecision. I think she's some kind of panda-leopard hybrid. I'm sure this came about because she wanted to be ALL the animals.







Happy FOURTH birthday to Xanthe! It's not her birthday until Friday, but we celebrated with a jungle party this morning. Golda, Ruby and Lexie did very impressive jungle animal faces on all the kids, transforming them into a bunch of beasts. (None more dangerous than the Spicy Beast!) Ever since Chinese New Year in January, Xanthe has been under the continual impression that it's her birthday, and finally it was time for a real, live party with cousins and friends. Xanthe had a little argument with Ruby before the party about gift giving. Xanthe's idea was that since it was HER birthday, she got to give all her friends a present. When Ruby argued with her on that point, she kept saying, "Well, it's MY birthday!" As soon as Ruby convinced her that all the kids were bringing presents for Xanthe, she changed her mind about the giving. Xanthe had a great time, other than the hacking smokers' cough she developed for the event. The whole time she was opening gifts, she coughed and hacked in the most dramatic way imaginable. The jungle birthday will be remembered as the most phlegmy of all time. Yikes. Sorry, everyone!

We spent the rest of the sunny day at the park and Xanthe was sound asleep in the car on the way home by 4:00. It's tiring being the Queen of the Jungle. We love you, little Spicy Girl!