Johnson Family: Tori's 12th Birthday

April has been a busy month, and Tori's birthday was no exception. I took her and the other girls to dinner on Thursday evening to Sweet Tomatoes because Ben was out of town for work. It's one of Tori's favorites because of their creamy mac and cheese. Friday was her birthday and she was able to go on a youth temple trip to do baptisms for the dead. She quickly got to open her presents after school before we had to leave to the temple.

She got a speaker for her Itouch, 4 shirts and 3 pairs of shorts, a new scarf, a subscription to Discovery Girls magazine, Bath and Body Works anti-bacterial hand gels, and 3 hair bows. She got a young woman journal, bracelet, scripture marker, and money from Grandma and Grandpa Christensen. From Erik and Jalyssa she got some sparkle lotion, scarves, and hair bows.

That evening we enjoyed a wonderful time in the temple. Tori said she felt the Spirit and really enjoyed going. The young women in the ward were so welcoming and even spontaneously started singing her Happy Birthday when we stopped for ice cream afterwards.

Saturday we had Tori's "Glitter Games" party. We had a hard time coming up with a theme or idea for her this year, so we kind of threw together a few ideas. When the girls first arrived they got to put on glitter eye shadow, lip gloss, and body lotion. They also got a turquoise shirt with black letters on them that said "Glitter Girls." We asked each of the girls to wear their shirt that night.

Then we embarked on a scavenger hunt to several places around town. Here were the clues and a few pictures of what the girls did at each stop. (Don't laugh at the rhyme's or lack thereof!) I would give the girls the clue and in the envelope with each clue was the money they needed at that location. They thought it was pretty fun that they got to buy something at each place.

Clue #1: Kroger (Obviously this wasn't on their clue. They had to figure out each location.)

Your first destination is somewhat close by.

They sell milk, eggs and even some pie.

Buy something sparkly to go on a cake.

Hurry, get going you don’t want to be late.

The girls picked out some "robot" themed sprinkles for the cake because there were silver and black glitter sparkles in the container.

Clue #2: Joanne’s

One clue down, several more to go,

Find the place to buy crafts and fabric to sew.

Buy something glittery less than $1.

The girls picked out these little stick on jewels and had fun putting them in patterns next to their eyes. It was a pretty creative way to use $1 and have it fun for all the girls.

Clue #3: Dollar Tree

Your next stop is a store with a tree.

It’s easy to spot, everything’s $1 and not free.

Find something for the birthday girl.

The girls picked this birthday badge for Tori.

Clue #4: Chick Fil A

Your next stop has yummy things to eat,

The cows tell you to eat chicken meat.

Buy a snack for less than $5 to share.

The girls picked an 8 count of chicken nuggets and each got one little nugget.

Then they got their final clue!

Clue #5: Nail and Spa of Texas

Your final stop is a place for nails to shine,

You’ll get to pick a color when you step in line.

Each girl picked a nail polish color and got to get a manicure done. It was fun to see the different colors that each girl picked and the different designs the ladies did. Each girl ended up with something different.

Tori and Paige soaking their hands.

Sophie and Kylee.

Tori picked of course turquoise, but because she was the birthday girl they did a white flower design on both the thumb and ring fingers.

Showing off their nails!

Then we headed home for cake. We opted for a simple white cake this year with turquoise pearl dust and white pearl beads to add that "glitter" effect.