The last half dozen years of travel have firmly engrained in us a preference for investing in experiences over stuff.  So this year, the little girls each invited a neighbor friend to go on a downtown adventure in lieu of themed parties (which are not really my strong suit anyway.)  Disney is not usually among my top ten favorite things either, but this show turned out to be outstanding. 

We managed to keep our plans a secret right up until the morning of our outing.  Abbie (whose birthday comes first) had been making party and cake recommendations for a couple weeks.  She was beginning to be perplexed that we weren't committing.  By the time Saturday rolled around she was downright alarmed.  

We explained we needed to run to Salt Lake City for some errands so they needed to be up and dressed for a shopping trip. Soon after the doorbell rang and they ran to tell their friends they couldn't play.  That's when we sprang the real plan on them. I still can't believe they had no idea.  Go, us. : D

We piled in the van and made the trek to the Delta Center downtown. 

Snacks in hand we settled in for Disney on Ice. The littlest girl with us positively screamed, "Hi Minnie Mouse!!" over and over when the skaters appeared. She was beside herself.  

There was some "stuff" too, like craft kits and much needed cold weather gear. 

And homemade cake for the first birthday girl.  'Cause that's what we do.  (The bigger girl will have cake on her day.)

And then there were some last minute discussions about this whole getting bigger idea. We finally agreed we would carry on with these annual birthdays so long as she agreed to always be my baby.  Which made me feel a little better only since she is still small enough to climb on my lap in Minnie slippers.