10

This girl. Sweet and sassy and quick-witted like her Daddy. The one that made me change my mind about little girls. Who loves to cuddle and giggle and whisper in my ear. She's 10 years old today (insert crying emoji here).

She had only a few simple requests for celebrating her special day. Request #1: Cinnamon Rolls for breakfast. How could I say no? Even though it has literally been years since I made them from scratch, I got up early and worked some magic in the kitchen.

A few gifts, simply wrapped, from her big brother and parents were just the ticket while we waited for the rolls to rise and bake to perfection (so sorry for the Costco bag, my darling, but sometimes practicality has to trump aesthetics. In other words, Mama forgot to pick up a gift bag large enough to hide the gift... oops!).

Skipping school, cinnamon rolls in our bellies, we headed out for a chilly day at one of my girl's favorite places on earth: the Oregon Zoo. Bear and Beaver and Big Cats are always favorites there. And this time we were treated to a very close encounter with a lovely Lioness, intent and wishing she could pounce on whatever was coming down the hall in the distance, but totally ignoring us, just a few inches away, although protected by some very thick glass. It was amazing and a memory we will all keep for a good long while.

Later, with the help of our dearest friends, we lit candles, made wishes and celebrated with ice cream cake from our favorite DQ artist, Minecraft style. I like this tradition very much, because it means I don't have to dust off my happily-in-the-past cake decorating skills.

And, as if that all wasn't enough, there was another gathering a few days later with Grandparents and Cousins and Aunts and Uncles. Olive Garden is apparently the way to a 10 year old's heart.

I love this girl so much. She continually surprises me with her intuitive compassion and understanding of others. She has a grasp on the world that is both 10 and 25 years old at the same time. I hope she is forever and ever the same sassy, determined, and honey-sweet girl that she was as a baby, and still is today. I pray that life won't take any of it away, but will only make it deeper and more solid. I wish you all could meet her. I don't think I'm biased when I say that she is a rare treasure among girls.

12

This kid. My sweet, kind, gentle giant. The first to call me Mama. Who gives the best hugs and still holds my hand in public. He's 12 years old today (insert crying emoji here).

He wanted to keep it low-key this year, so we had just a few family members over on Saturday evening to celebrate with Carnitas and ice cream cake from Dairy Queen (thanks again, Theresa!).

On Sunday, his actual birthday, he was the "lighting expert" for the children's Christmas pageant at church. Afterward, he got pizza for lunch at his favorite local place followed by a much-anticipated viewing of The Last Jedi. This kid gets a Star Wars movie released on or near his birthday just about every year now (the blessing of having a birthday one week before Christmas, I suppose).

The final special event was a day with his two best friends, devoted entirely to Nerf wars and video games. Every 12 year old boy's dream, I'm pretty sure.

I love this kid so much. He continually surprises me with deep, mature conversations. He has a grasp on the world that is both 12 and 65 years old at the same time. I hope he is forever and ever the same gentle old soul that he was as a baby, and still is today. I pray that life won't take any of it away, but will only make it deeper and more solid. I wish you all could meet him. I don't think I'm biased when I say that he is a rare treasure among boys.

When a Girl Turns 8

When a girl turns 8 and her older brother just had an epic birthday the month before, you might think that she would expect to have a similarly epic birthday and demand equal treatment. But if she is as sweet as they come, she'll just be happy that her brother had an amazing birthday, and only expect some family time and a few presents for herself.

But that would be no fun for her Mama now, would it?

So... when a girl turns 8, there should definitely be a trip to the zoo with a cherished friend and surprisingly active animals considering the cold, cold weather. A visit complete with big cats and pocket gophers and porcupines and elephant ears and hot cocoa.

Then, after the long day's adventure, there should for sure be gigantic gift bags that hold pink polka-dotted babydoll prams.

And there should also be a really boring cardboard box holding a yet-to-be-assembled, but long coveted play kitchen, because five years of asking is just such a long time when you're 8. And of course, since this is a girl's 8th birthday, and since girls are allowed to be overcome by emotions from time to time, this experience should most definitely lead to a heartfelt declaration.


By way of refreshment after such a long and emotional day, there should be an amazing ice cream cake created by her favorite DQ cake decorator, with a candle shaped like the number 8 on top.

And the next day, all of her local family members should pile into a back room at Olive Garden for pasta and cupcakes and presents, while she presides at the head of the table wearing a paper crown with Elsa and Anna on it.

When a girl turns 8 and her celebration is life-changingly amazing, then presedence is surely set, and who knows what on earth could possibly follow it up the next year.