I have been planning for Ady's birthday for a couple months now. I wouldn't say that she gets special treatment, but she IS the oldest and she IS the only girl, so those to things always seem to work in her favor.

When I asked her what she wanted for her birthday she said, "A camera and a basket for my bike."

When she said that, I thought, "really?!" All she has been talking about for the past 2 months is An American Girl Doll.

What I think she really meant to say is, "An American Girl Doll. You know, the Girl of the Year, McKenna. And please don't forget her accessories, specifically the matching cast (from a gymnastics injury of course), and our matching pajamas... not the blue ones, the PINK ones."

Every parent want to get their child that "it" toy for their birthday. The one they ask for constantly. The one that will give them the most joy to open. But here's the deal, I am not spending $160 on this dolls and her books that Ady isn't even old enough to read on her own yet. It's not even about the money. Instead, I'm turning it into an incentive plan. When she learns to read that well, we will check the books out from the library. Once she decides on a character from the series that she likes, THEN we will talk about how she can earn it. I dread the disappointment of this conversation, but won't it make actually getting that doll that much sweeter?

So what's a momma to do?

Here is my idea, that I hope will make her just as joyful:

Her room has needed some attention for a while, but seeing as Dave and I have had our new bed for six months now, and I have still not purchased bedding for us, I thought it could wait. Her room is really difficult to design around, because her bed is WAY too big for the space and she has an awkward window and 4 doors. I just kept putting it off, never feeling to inspired -- that was until I found some bedding ON CLEARANCE w/sheets for $45. SCORE!!! I scooped it up, made a design plan, a list of what we can re-purpose, and what we need to buy. My goal is to do it for as close to $100 as possible.

The most challenging part about this is this all must be redone in less than 24 hours. On April 28th, the kids are going to Grammy's for one night. We have plans to go to dinner with friends, and then I will go to work making the big switcheroo. All resulting in the big reveal (and joyful surprise) the next afternoon.

She is the perfect age to appreciate and take care of a special space that is all hers. I can't wait to give her a room that is pretty, functional, and fun!

Oh, and don't worry, there will be plenty of "before and afters."