Happy Birthday Ashton!

My older brother likes to tell me what an old lady I am all the time. Hypocritical I know, but today I am feeling like that old lady. I now have two kids in double digits! Our sweet little Ashton is now 10, which makes her not so little, but even sweeter. In honor of my favorite ten year old, here are my 10 favorite things about Ashton in no particular order.

10. She is so nurturing. She loves to love her baby cousins.

9. She is adventurous. She's pretty much up for anything.

8. She makes friends so easily, a trait I would love to possess.

7. She is a smarty. She's in the gifted program and she loves it.

6. She has great hair. I know a little superficial, but when she lets me I love to style her hair.

5. She is so helpful. She will usually help any time I ask without complaint.

4. She is kind. She tries to make sure everyone is included.

3. She is obedient. She has an independent spirit, but she understands why we have rules and she follows them.

2. She is compassionate.

1. She is very loving. She loves her family and friends fiercely.

We LOVE you Ashton! Happy Birthday!

We had a friend party on Sat. with Wii, pizza and a trip to the movies to see "Gnomeo & Juliet"

The birthday "Puffle" cake. I don't understand the Club Penguin craze, but at least their characters are easy to draw:)

We've had more than our fair share of of cakes and candy over the last week ( the result of having your birthday the day after Valentines Day), so Ashton had a birthday fruit salad on her actual birthday. She was pretty excited about the idea, and so was I.

Happy Valentine's Day!

I'm not a big valentine person. I don't need the mush or the gush or even gifts (unless you're offering to clean the house:). Honestly it feels like forced romance which makes me a little uncomfortable. I'm weird like that. Chris feels the same way so I guess it's lucky he found me. My kids on the other hand love any reason to celebrate (and thank goodness they're not old enough to even consider romance) so I like to do a little something for them. Usually this means a helium filled heart shaped balloon which they are thrilled with. But this morning I had a flash of inspiration by way of another person's idea. They had attached some candy to some sticks then put them together in a cup like a bouquet. I put some chocolate hearts together to look like a flower to make my bouquets. If we're being honest mine turned out way cuter;) So from our home to yours, and in a rare moment of valentine spirit, Happy Love Day!