Happy 11

A few weeks ago we celebrated our little lady's 11th birthday. I really find it hard to believe that she is actually 11, but this year she was super aware of getting older and anxiously awaiting her special day.

Happy birthday to our chaos-creator, gummy bear aficionado, queen of all costumes, ballet devotee, high-pitched screamer, budding photographer, Doraemon and "waving cat" fan, poacher of iPads and phones, pretend traveler, and body artist.  You discover new music to enjoy and sing along all the time. Your favorite meal is chicken with strawberries and chocolate coconut milk which you'd have three times a day if we'd let you.  You've finally passed the 50 pound weight mark and outgrown a wardrobe you've had for years.  You've been crying big tears because you "want to go to the theater and see the stage again."  You hand out smiles, hugs, and kisses along with words of love and praise like there's no time to lose.  Your joy never ceases to battle your pain.  You are "wonderfulsmart" and make our hearts dance with delight.

We love you.

Picture Of The Day

 I really enjoy her social commentary in the margins of her workbook.

"Sexist but true"

Fall Getaway

Pandemic or not, some traditions are too important to give up, so we headed to Maryland for our annual fall getaway with our friends.  Both they and we have been very responsible with Covid-related health guidelines and we felt that the risk for any of us to contract the virus during this trip was quite low.

We had a lovely long weekend that included pizza, fairy houses, campfires, a birthday breakfast, a boat ride, golf, pumpkin picking, smores, hot tubbing, card games, and plenty of time to talk and relax.

Hand Revision

Big girl had an outpatient surgery yesterday to do a revision on her hand that has a congenital difference.  A skin graft and some pins are involved, but everything went well and we got home after just six hours at the hospital. She's in a cast for a month and will need some OT post-cast, but we think we'll have a really favorable outcome from this surgery.

First Field Trip

On Friday we took our first home school field trip of the year.  I felt excited to have all three kids along this time.  We spent four hours at the zoo, talking about ecosystems and food chains, tying things together with our current fourth grade science unit.  Our favorite spot was the new blue penguin exhibit we hadn't seen yet since its opening.  

Three weeks into our home school year, I am really pleased with how things are going and with the fact that we have taken back the reins over our children's education.

Happy 12

Over the summer, we celebrated our big girl's 12th birthday.  Foregoing the traditional ruckus pool party due to Covid, we planned a few surprises for her throughout her birthday week including a park picnic with her two best friends, a pedicure, a take-out Thai dinner, a drive-in movie with just mom and dad, and of course presents.

Happy birthday, Elder One!  You are our late sleeper, messy eater, loud laugher, movie watcher, part-time poet, try any food at least once, fierce and funny, fast-talking fashionista.  You like sleepovers, hot fudge sundaes, bike rides, visiting extended family, hair and make-up, video chats, and dreaming up your future.  Your happy place is on the backyard spider web swing with your favorite songs playing and your hair blowing in the breeze.  You don't like cleaning your room, correcting your math, being quiet, getting caught breaking the rules, doing extra chores, and not having a cell phone.  

We love you.

Our First Ever Socially Distanced Vacation

 Just us, ourselves and we on a private property with private water access... swimming, watching wildlife, board-gaming, reading, experiencing Hurricane Isaias, catching some movies and documentaries, and enjoying long, lazy days.