My 12 Year Old

My 12 year old!

Alexandria, I am having so much fun with you.

You are such a beautiful young woman!  I'm proud of you for saving enough money this year to buy your own iphone 5.  You seem so old texting all your friends.  I know sometimes I get upset at you for stealing my clothes but secretly, I'm happy that you want to wear your mom's clothes because that means you like my style and I'm not wearing the dreaded mom jeans.  I think you should let me borrow some of your clothes too.  It's hard to see you starting to pick friend time over family time but I'm glad that you have chosen good friends.  When I need you to help with the kids though you always come through for me.  You're like my little mommy and it's awesome!  I love that you are confident about who you are.  You are the best! 

I love you Alexandria!

Stella

Sometimes she reminds me of Snow White with her jet black hair, dark eyes, red lips and pale skin.

Then other times I see a little of me in her with those kissable dimples and tiny ears.

Our baby is one year old!

Stella, here are a few things I want you to know.

I am so thankful that you came to our family.  Having your older brother pass away before you were born was a trial for our family.  But you have helped us to heal.  You are a delight to have in our home.  You love your brothers and sisters.  They know it because you will go from my arms to theirs happily. One of your first words was short for Isabel.  You ask for her and look for her.  You create a lot of messes but all of us will clean it up without complaining because we know what a blessing you are.

Your newest word is cracker and you walk around asking anyone that will listen to you for one.  I'm surprised that you still have room for dinner by the end of the day because anyone you ask will stop what they are doing just to get you a "kracka".  

You are such a cuddly baby.  You snuggle right into my left shoulder, hug me with your right arm and just lay there.  We all try to soak up as much of you as we can.

I love you so much!! We all love you Stella Rose!

There Are Signs Everywhere

Hi Mikey!  It's your birthday today.  We went to go visit your spot in the cemetery. 

We brought a few new toys for you and made your spot shine.

Remember this cake?  I kept it in the freezer all year just so we could enjoy it again for your two year old birthday. It's hard to say "two year old birthday" because it brings images of a little 2 year old boy that should be toddling around our home carrying a plastic bat in one hand and a ball in the other or running down the hall zooming by us with a toy helicopter.  But you're not here doing that.  You are doing more important things.  We tried to do some of that important work here for your birthday too.

So since we can't pick you up and love you we sent you a balloon with our love on it, just like last year.

And just like last year you delivered.  This time it was two helicopters doing a low fly over just as we were ready to pack up and leave.  There wasn't another funeral going on, no reason for the fly over just a sign that you were happy and you wanted us to be happy too.  I got your message, two helicopters because you would be turning two.

And when DJ asked what does the helicopters mean I just replied, "it means Mikey likes helicopters." I think he liked that answer.

Happy Birthday Mikey!

We love you!

Alexandria Turns 12!

Finally, she got to have a friend party for her birthday.

Usually her friends are out of town so it's been awhile since she's had friends over for a party.

I love that Alexandria chose ice skating for her birthday.

Then it was back home to roast marshmallows and open presents.

Happy Birthday Alexandria!

I love you!

Cooking Calamity

Alexandria is my foodie.

She makes her own salads and eggs really well.

So I thought she would have no problem when she asked if she could make peppermint bark.

"Sure," I told her, "I'll even let you do it all by yourself."

I thought she could handle it.  She's old enough to read a follow a recipe.

But something went totally wrong!

It ended up just a little blob in the big pan.

Funny thing was, I knew how she felt because the exact same thing happened to me when I was her age.  My cooking calamity was cheesecake that turned into a little blob in the pan.

 

They say history repeats itself.

And its happening!

I'm so not looking forward to her teenage years.

 

Little Bee

This is my little Spelling Bee Wonder.  This year she took third.  She has always been an awesome speller.  It was her last spelling bee at Franklin.

 

But now she gets to move on to be a bee in beehives!  Those cute young women bee attacked our house and took Alexandria to a party with them on New Year's Eve to welcome her to the Beehives.

Isn't that the sweetest thing? She's going to have way too much fun with this group!