Haleigh's 9th

 I don't know why, but my girls love pinatas.  So in gathering Haleigh's chosen party themed supplies I grabbed a pinata.  Then I hit a wall.  What do you put in the pinata if candy is out? That's when Sophie piped in with a fantastic idea... "Legos, fill it with Legos!" 

So Thursday night Sophie and I sat up dividing a huge Lego set (Haleigh's actual gift) into small baggies and stuffing them into the little minion pinata.

Next on my party planning sidekick's list was to ready the birthday streamers for her early rising sister's big day.

 

 And what a big day it was!  As is our birthday tradition, we took the day off of school and played hard all day.  Gravitopia, a new trampoline park just around the corner, was the perfect way to spend our morning. 

 

The afternoon found us recovering watching Free Birds with Daddy, who was able to slip out of work early and join us for the afternoon portion of party day. 

 

 After dinner the party was on!  (We broke the sugarless streak so Haleigh could feel the celebrations was "normal" with cake.  Although she only had about one bite and a few licks of icing.)

 

At first Haleigh's reaction to the pinata was, "Ahhh, he is just too cute to hit..."

 That didn't last long!  She had a blast smacking that minion and watching Legos, balls, and trinkets fly.

 "Happy 9th Beautiful!! You amaze me with your sweet heart, joy in serving, and ability to praise Him in the midst of storm.  You are such a trooper as we travel these paths.  The number of smiles you bring to peoples' faces we come in contact with are countless.  It is a blessing to be your mamma!!"

She is settling into 11!

Her big day quickly followed our return from our big vacation.  I had not done a great job preparing since my focus had been on our trip.  I was shocked by the absolute "vacation lag" that grabbed us for at least a week once we returned to the real world.  BUT she gracefully accepted a very low key celebration on her actual birthday.  A touch of school needed to be accomplished (we usually take any birthday and make it school free- not this one, we just had a week off, what could I do?!) After some school was completed we pulled out the mixer and Sophie set to work on her cake.  She really wanted to make this cake by herself.  I only helped out a bit and for her birthday she got a huge dose of that good old  feeling of accomplishment and joy from a job well done!

She narrowed her choices after much self-debating, to Asylan, the lion from Narnia, and went to town. 

 I'm pretty sure  she saw it all in her mind before we had the icing just the right color.

 She worked diligently until she had completed her first self decorated birthday cake.

Welcome to 11 (and the striving for a little more independence:)

Happy Birthday Sophie!  I can't believe you are well into year 11.  I am loving watching God build your character to make you the beautiful young woman He is calling you to be.  I know you will do great things for His kingdom.  Never be afraid to step fully into His story.  He has given you so much to share.  Your heart is tender, sweet, giving and so loving.  Your talents blow my mind. I love you Sophie!!  Happy 11th!!