One Decade

Our second-born, our only daughter, turned 10 years old today (12/13/14 -- Cool birthday!). It's so hard for me to wrap my head around the idea that her birth was that long ago. Because it certainly doesn't feel as if 10 years has gone by. Her birth was the ideal birth story I always wanted--no pain meds, no induction, midwife delivery. I wasn't able to deliver at home, but, other than that, it was picture perfect. At a whopping 8 pounds, 4 ounces (about three pounds more than Jeremiah and almost 5 pounds more than Ezra), she was healthy and sweet right from the get-go. She was always my "easy" child. Never had a problem napping, never had colic, wasn't too cranky. Is she perfect? Far from. Does she disobey? At times. But, overall, she's been the calm center of our chaotic life. We absolutely cannot imagine life without her.

We celebrated this year with her first group sleepover party. Just 4 friends were able to come (it is that time of year, after all), but they had so much fun! They had a dance-a-thon, they painted their nails, they played a few games and they were all asleep by 11pm! They awoke early (by 6am), but we made them wait until 8:30 for waffles, bacon and homemade applesauce for breakfast. The girls left by noon and my parents arrived to take Alayna out to lunch and frozen yogurt. We had spaghetti and meatballs for dinner and Alayna loved her "new" (to her) bike and helmet. It was a fun celebration!

So, we're wishing our bright, talented, sweet, sensitive, creative daughter a very
Happy 10th Birthday!

(Warning: LOTS of photos ahead!)

Cake!

10 candles

Girl power!

After dinner entertainment

Gift time

The group

I think this came is called Chubby Bunny? 

They were shoving marshmallows in their cheeks.

She came in second....

She won with 5 marshmallows!

He's pretty proud of his balloon dog

Games

Breakfast!

Nails

New helmet...

To go with her new bike!

 Dixit with Grandma and Grandpa

We love that we live close enough so they can be here for birthdays!