Lifesong

A Tween Cinderella Party (Turning 12)

For Ansley's 12th birthday, we decided to do an outdoor dinner and movie night. Since Cinderella came out on DVD on September 15, which is her actual birthday, we thought that would be the perfect movie for the September 18 party.

Since we were watching Cinderella, I went with a pumpkin theme. Each girl's place setting included a tiara, glass slipper, and a baby pumpkin with her name on a place card. Ansley's favorite food is Japanese, so we had that set up for the girls to eat, as well as pink lemonade.

While the girls were eating, they rotated into the basement, where they got makeovers. They got to pick a hairstyle and their makeup colors. This was a big hit!

After dinner, we brought out the Cinderella cake, complete with glass slipper on top, and sang happy birthday. It was delicious!

While we waited for it to get dark so we could start the movie, they all painted pumpkins. I set out various paint colors, chalkboard paint, mod podge and glitter so they could get creative!

Avery was so excited to finally be old enough to participate in her sister's birthday party. Here she is coming out from her makeover. She was thrilled!

Every movie night must have a fun concession stand. Ansley had requested several of my homemade treats for it, so we had lots of cookies, candy, popcorn, and mini soft drinks (so cute!).

She wanted chocolate chip cookies, homemade Oreos, Oreo stuffed chocolate chip cookies, and Christian suggested pumpkin shaped sugar cookies, which I thought was a great idea.

Ansley getting her makeover.

We were running out of time, so we had to squeeze in opening presents just before the movie started. It was a little rushed, but it was still fun!

Then it was time to start the movie. Everyone got settled onto quilts with plenty of blankets and stuffed animals. And treats, of course.

The very end of the party, after makeovers and lots of sugar! Ansley is so blessed to have such sweet friends! She had a wonderful time, and I enjoyed putting it all together. We are so thankful for Ansley and the blessing of friends!

Turning Forty

John threw me a wonderful surprise birthday party that was so fantastic. I was surrounded by friends who know me best and love me anyway, and family, who has to love me. Oh, just kidding. But they do. I feel like they'd love me even if we weren't related.

It was such a fun evening! The decor was absolutely beautiful - lights strung from trees, tea lights burning, beautifully decorated tables and lots of pictures from my life. John and my good friend, Amy, worked a long time to pull everything together. It was magical.

There was a chef on site that prepared the food, which was absolutely delicious. After dinner and dessert, there was a big screen set up where John showed a movie he had put together. It was the sweetest thing ever - birthday wishes from friends and family near and far, as well as from the pastors at our church, the Chick Fil A crew, and Tim from Target (these are places I frequent). It was so sweet!

It was such a lovely night, and a great memory of turning forty.

Here, in no particular order, are forty things you may or may not know about me, in honor of this milestone:

1. It's taken me well into adulthood, but I have embraced my curly hair. I am frequently asked by strangers what products I use, if it's natural, and less frequently, if they can touch it. (No.)

2. I am quickly endeared to people who engage and pay attention to my children.

3. Being a Mama is my favorite.

4. I love my family fiercely, and I enjoy spending time with them.

5. I buy things on Amazon a LOT. It's scary-convenient. I never knew there were so many things I would think of at any given moment that I really need.

6. I'm sort of a curriculum junkie. (See #4. I totally blame Amazon.) I love looking around and the idea of so much stuff out there appeals to me, but I am guilty of buying it and never using it.

7. I love friendship, and meeting people that I really connect with.

8. I seem to buy a new throw blanket (or two or ten) every fall.

9. I have an obsession with tea, Chick Fil A, books, and kitchenware.

10. I talk to my Mama every day.

11. I am a cat lover. Some people may call me the crazy cat lady, but I prefer feline enthusiast. I absolutely adore my cats, and I'm partial to all the cats.

12. I love my dog, but I'm not a dog person. I don't like how other people's dogs sniff and bark and growl....it makes me uncomfortable. A dog nose in the crotch tends to do that.

13. I LOVE to bake. I bake often. My kids childhood memories will certainly consist of cookies.

14. I don't love to exercise, but because of #13, I'm forced to.

15. I take pictures every day of my life. I compile them in a book at the end of each year, so I have a photo and a little blurb about that day, every single day for the entire year. I have been doing this for seven years now.

16. The older I get, the more I'm able to set aside worry and strife, and pick up faith and thankfulness.

17. (I still worry some.)

18. I love buying my kids clothes. It brings me great joy.

19. I love encouraging my kids passions, and exposing them to lots of different things so they will know what they are passionate about.

20. We read a lot of books around here.

21. Most days, I could toss my tv out the window and be just fine.

22. I am very thankful for the sweet homeschool community we have.

23. I love pumpkin, and feel the need to bake every pumpkin thing imaginable once fall arrives.

24. This life of mine brings me so much joy, happiness, and love, and I'm grateful every day that I get to live it. Life is so different than you ever imagine when you are young and carefree, but it is so rich and full and wonderful.

25. Forty is kind of a high number.

26. I laugh a lot. I like people who make me laugh, and find I'm drawn to friends who laugh a lot.

27. I love to write, and I really want to keep this blog going, but it doesn't seem to be working for me. I can't really figure out why. I don't think I can continue to blame having three, when I've had this gig for 4.5 years now.

28. After nine years of homeschooling, my dream has come true this year. Since the very beginning, I have wished that we could homeschool with another family that we were good friends with, doing the same curriculum, getting together for fun activities, meeting in parks, sharing in the assignments. And this year we are doing that, and it's been such fun! Cinderella was right - dreams really do come true!

29. I don't care for sports.

30. I am very hot natured. I'm hot most of the time. Yet my feet are freezing, so I wear fuzzy socks. Strange.

31. I take a bath every night, and a shower every morning. Call me weird.

32. Seriously, 40 things?!

33. I would love to open a bakery, and write a book. In some other life where I have lots of spare time.

34. I don't have much time "away" and I used to stress over this. But now (that I'm older, I suppose) it doesn't stress me. I think everyone is created different, and some people need more time to themselves than others.

35. I don't like being alone.

36. I eat eggs just about every morning of my life.

37. My kids love to help me bake, but it makes me bonkers.

38. I am starting to wonder if I can make it to 40 things.

39. I drink tea every day.

40. I try to live every day grateful for the wonderful life that I have - my Jesus, my family, my friends, the beautiful place I call home.....I'm so thankful.

The Baby is Four

Today the baby of our family turned four. No more baby, no more toddler. She's on her way to being a big girl! We've reached all the major "little girl" milestones, and I think our only last remaining remnant of little girl is the wearing of a Pull-Up at night. Once that is done, then she's pretty much a big girl in my mind.

She has been talking for months about her birthday party. It's so cute. Sadly, she doesn't have a single friend her age. I'm not really sure why this is, but at least for now, she considers all of Ansley's friends her friends. So that's just who we invited for a party to celebrate our spunkiest youngest.

This is her "I just woke up" face. She had homemade pop tarts for her birthday breakfast, and since it was the weekend, Daddy was home, so that was fun for her too! For memories' sake, we put her birthday streamers on Ansley's door since that's where she sleeps every night. She also got these new pajamas, which she loved.

Playing in the birthday streamers. (This is a first for any of our kids.)

Let's take a walk down memory lane, shall we? Here's two year old Avery.

I am tempted to see that face and those cheeks and chubby hands and wish two year old Avery back, except I don't. Avery was my most challenging baby/toddler, and so I remember lots of tears (those were mine) and tantrums (mostly hers) and work. So I'm good with four year old Avery. I see such change and maturity in her, and I am content that we are now at a place where we can go and do things during the day, me and the kids, or as a family, and everybody behaves and acts normal (mostly). It's a good place to be. No more diapers, no more naps, no more tantrums.

Here's three year old Avery. I'm amazed at how much her hair has grown in a year!

And here's four year old Avery, decorating cookies at her party. She really wanted to wear this dress, even though it's a summer dress.

We had a pink tea party for her, surrounded by family and friends who love her best. After everyone ate (heart shaped sandwiches, fruit, strawberry yogurt, pink cookies, donuts, blueberry muffins, and bowls of candy), everyone decorated heart shaped sugar cookies. What can I say, it's hard to escape the valentine theme when your birthday is February 15.

The table aftermath.

Then, because everyone was stuffed, we went to open presents. (To Note: Avery was so excited this morning about her streamers, her pop tarts, and her birthday party that she never even asked or mentioned her birthday gifts from us.) This was such a cute time, as these tweens and a teenager (!!) gathered around our little four year old to oooooh and ahhhhh over her princess gifts, Play-Doh, Legos, Cootie game, nightgown, Cabbage Patch Kid, and Littlest Pet Shop pony. It was so sweet!

There was some dancing. (This girl loves to dance. I think ballet is in her future.)

Then we all sang happy birthday (that's when this photo was taken) and had yummy cake and ice cream. There was more playing after cake as well.

It was such a sweet little party for our sweet four year old! We are so thankful for our Avery!

Cabin Weekend

Look at me, blogging regularly! Twice in a few weeks says regularly to me.

We let the kids choose what they want to do for their birthday, and they often pick a cabin weekend. I have to admit, I would choose the cabin weekend for my birthday, too. It really is so much fun, and I have such fond memories of our cabin weekends together.

We headed out just after lunch last Friday. Part of the fun, I think, is that we stay at a different cabin every time we go, so there's fun anticipation of what the cabin will be like.

The kids voted this one the BEST CABIN EVER, but they may say that every time. We really did love this one though. The pool table was a big hit, and we played many, many games. There was also a double spiral staircase, which was a big hit.

On the bottom level (there were three levels) was an air hockey game and a ping pong table, which were also big hits. I was upstairs in the kitchen and came downstairs to this scene. This is part of the joy of the cabin weekend - family togetherness.

We heard that snow was coming, so we went to Cracker Barrel for dinner, and then came back to the cabin. The kids didn't want to leave the cabin, but we didn't bring anything for dinner, so we had to go eat. I did bring all the ingredients for cookies (and even my Kitchen Aid; I'm a cookie snob), and I like the fact that my kids want my cookies even when we aren't home. In the basement was also a media room, with theater style seating and a big screen, so the kids got settled in with a movie while I made the cookies. We also enjoyed a dip in the hot tub, after eating cookies, of course!

We woke up Saturday morning and ran to look out the windows. We had snow! Everyone was excited. It was so pretty!

This was the view Saturday morning out the front of our cabin.

We asked the kids what they wanted to do for the day, but all they wanted to do was stay at the cabin!

Here is Ansley checking out the view (yes, barefooted) from the cabin. Everything is just so pretty covered in snow!

While cinnamon rolls were baking, everyone started playing this My Little Pony game that was at the cabin. Avery really loved this game, and asked to play it 362 times over the weekend. I do love this shot though, and most often the kids played the game with her.

You can see the spiral staircase that goes up (to the pool table) and there's one right below that that goes down (to the media room and other games). There were lots of windows to enjoy the pretty view!

We needed to get lunch, so we did get out of the cabin briefly, but then, like the kids wanted, we came back to the cabin. We got a REALLY yummy recommendation for lunch and it was really delicious! It was a restaurant and pottery store, where they made their own pottery, so we looked around the store as well. They had some really beautiful things! I got a new utensil holder for my kitchen, and the kids each picked out a cute little pottery animal.

Saturday evening we enjoyed more of the same, which is apparently the kids favorite things: hot tubbing, movie watching, playing games, eating cookies and popcorn, and just being together. A very cozy, fun evening!

Sunday morning we got up and went to a new restaurant for breakfast, which we also really liked. Then we went for a hike to Laurel Falls.

It is so pretty here; we love the mountains!

This is on the bridge to get to the falls.

Then we headed back home to our fur babies!

We did have a great time celebrating Christian's 8th birthday and spending time together as a family.

Ansley Turns Eleven!

Ansley turned eleven (ELEVEN!!) on September 15, but on the 14th we celebrated with a baking party. She came up with the guest list, and I went to planning. You probably know that I love to plan parties, but even more than that, I love what it conveys: you are valued and cherished, you are important to us, and you are so very loved.

When the girls arrived, they went on the porch to decorate chef's hats. They used coffee filters and cupcake liners to make flowers and used letter stickers to put their names on the band. They turned out so cute! I was wearing one so they had an example of what it might look like.

Then they came inside where each girl had her own personalized apron. Of course I had to take a picture of them in their cute aprons and hats! Adorable, right?

The silly shot. You always have to get the silly shot.

Then we got started. The first thing they did was make chocolate chip pumpkin bread. Each girl got a turn dumping in an ingredient (that was already measured and set out) and mixing. Once everything was added, one of the Mamas poured them in mini loaf pans and we popped them in the oven. Each girl got to take home her own loaf of chocolate pumpkin bread.

Then we pulled out the birthday cake, because I thought if I waited much longer the girls might be too stuffed. Ansley loves cookie dough, so I used my chocolate chip cookie recipe to make big cookies, and then made a cookie dough icing to go in between. Ansley loved it, and thought it was delicious. This photo is during the singing of happy birthday.

As I was thinking about how to orchestrate this party, I decided that it would be rather complicated and difficult to have the girls mix and make everything. So, I went with actually making the pumpkin bread, and then decorating everything else. That's where the fun is anyway, right? So first up were sugar cookies to decorate with colorful icing and fun sprinkles. Each girl had milk or strawberry lemonade. But I say milk goes best with cookies!

Then they decorated mini donuts, either with powdered sugar and sprinkles or glaze and sprinkles. Make your own parfaits came next, with crushed oreos, whipped cheesecake, raspberry and chocolate layers. Last, there was melted chocolate to dip pretzel rods in and cover with sprinkles. Each girl had a to-go box to pack up their goodies and take them home.

Then it was time to open presents. Ansley received some very sweet gifts from friends who know her well!

Paige gave Ansley a gift that was apparently an inside joke between them, and they were in hysterics. I snapped this shot because, even though I had no idea what they were laughing at, when people are laughing hysterically you can't help but laugh, too.

We went outside for good lighting, and the girls wanted to do a pyramid. Sure!

It was such a fun day, and Ansley definitely felt loved and celebrated! Happy 11th birthday, Ansley!

Avery is Three

Avery turned three on February 15, and even though we celebrated with family the weekend before, I never turn down an opportunity to make my kids feel loved and special. I love birthdays!

The birthday girl with her birthday donuts. On the left is two year old Avery, and on the right is three year old Avery. What a difference a year makes!

She loves blowing candles out and the singing. She gets such a cute little look on her face when we sing!

Birthday streamers in her new birthday outfit. This look on her face cracks me up!

Practicing holding up three fingers, a trick Mimi taught her.

Opening some presents and looking very stylish.

Looking so grown up!

Eating a Valentine's Day cookie.

Mimi came over to see the birthday girl, and our friends Dave, Beth and Grace Elizabeth came over for dinner that evening with mini cupcakes for the birthday girl. Poor Avery was so tired by the time we got to the cupcakes (only around 6:30) that she couldn't keep her eyes open. Birthdays wear a girl out.

At three, you are SUCH a girlie girl. You pick out your own clothes to wear each day, and it always consists of something pink and a skirt or dress. You don't like pants or leggings. You love to wear headbands, and have quite an assortment to choose from. You love to brush your own hair, as well as anyone else who will let you.

You no longer nap. This can be exhausting, because you are pretty high maintenance at this age. You say "Mommy?" approximately 536 times a day. You are becoming more independent, but still need a lot (like getting a glass of milk, help going to the potty, help with an outfit change, wanting to play a game, or read a book).

You are completely potty trained and wear panties all day long. You haven't had an accident in quite a while. You wear a pull up to bed, and love to wear a nightgown to sleep in, which you call your "nighttime dress."

You love playing with your siblings, and most often want to do what they are doing. This includes school as well, and lately you have been wanting to "do skoo" yourself. I pull out learning toys or prepare activities ahead of time, and you love this one on one time we spend together. Some days you say you are a big girl, but other days you tell me you aren't a big girl anymore. Such are the whims of a three year old.

You are a pretty good eater. You absolutely LOVE eggs and eat them just about every morning. You also love milk. You don't seem into sandwiches, but love macaroni and cheese, lunch meat, and crackers. You will eat any fruit we have. One of your favorite meals is Daddy's barbecue, and you call it bar-que which is so cute. And of course, you love desserts.

You are for sure our feistiest yet. You are VERY strong willed, demand your own way, and still insist on screaming at the top of your lungs when things aren't going your way (not one of my favorite traits). You have come a long way, however, and we all notice a big change in you from turning two. You don't have as many meltdowns, and you are learning to control your screaming. You often get your way because no one likes to hear you scream (not necessarily because we are all so compassionate for "the baby", but because it grates on all of our nerves) so whatever toy or book or item you are screaming about will usually get handed over to you. You express frustration easily with a growl or sticking out your tongue.

But you are so, so sweet. You love to snuggle and give hugs and kisses and climb in laps. Your Daddy puts you to bed every night, and you snuggle and it's just so sweet.

We love our sweet sweet girl and all the feistiness and love that she adds to our family!

Early Birthday Weekend

JonJon and Missy came to visit this past weekend, so we had a family birthday celebration for her (just a week early).

We had Chick Fil A for lunch, of course, because that is her favorite. For dinner, we had another of her favorites (ham and biscuits and mac and cheese).

After dinner, we enjoyed birthday cake and all sang happy birthday. This is while we were singing. I really love the look on her face. She opened presents as well (and is wearing a new shirt from Mimi and a new skirt from JonJon and Missy).

Missy and Avery coloring together.

I can't believe my baby girl will be three. We had such a fun family weekend celebrating her and all her cute, sassy ways!

Turning Seven

On Tuesday, we all headed to Gatlinburg with Christian's friend Christian and his family to go snow tubing. It was such a fun day, and we all had a great time!

Wednesday was his official birthday, and we celebrated in typical Greiner style. As is tradition, I do a birthday interview and record the answers here. It's always so fun to see how they change from year to year!

 M(ama): What do you want to be when you grow up?

 C(hristian): Electrical engineer. (His Daddy is his hero.)

 M: What is your favorite thing God made?

 C: My family. (Yes, this boy loves his family fiercely, although friends are starting to become pretty important to him.)

 M: What is your favorite activity?

 C: Playing Legos. (Yes, all the time!)

 M: What is your favorite animal?

 C: A cat and a dog. (He is so sensitive that he would never say just one because he doesn't want to hurt someone's feelings.)

 M: What is your favorite bug?

 C: Beetles. Don't you think they're cool?

 M: What is your favorite thing to do with Daddy?

 C: Work, like on projects.

 M: What is your favorite thing to do with Mama?

 C: Snap circuits.

 M: Do you want to be a Dad when you are older?

 C: Yes.

 M: Will you get married?

 C: Maybe.  

 

 (Birthday streamers are a tradition. He and Ansley actually slept in his room, so he got streamers in his doorway. Avery wanted to get in the picture too!)

 M: Who is your favorite friend?

 C: Parker and Christian.

M: Do you have a second favorite friend? (Or, third, in this case.)

 C: John. (He is a new neighbor friend.)

 M: What do you dislike?

 C: Reading!

 M: How old is Dad?

 C: Umm, Dad is 30-something, I think.

 M: How old is Mom?

 C: Oh, I know this one. 20-something, for sure. (Love that boy!)

 M: What is your favorite day?

 C: Saturday, because Dad is home. (I won't take that personally.)

 M: What is your favorite snack?

 C: Cheese and crackers.

 M: What is your favorite place to go?

 C: Target. (A boy after my own heart.)

 M: What is your favorite thing about Ansley?

 C: She plays with me, like, a lot. Most sisters don't play with their brothers.

 M: What is your favorite thing about Daddy?

 C: He is nice.

 M: What is your favorite thing about Mommy?

 C: That you make cookies.

 M: What is your favorite thing about Avery?

 C: (laughter) She is starting to like to play with me a lot!

 

(Birthday donut tradition.)

 (Avery really likes the donut tradition. And the way she says 'munchkin' is totally adorable.)

M: What is the best thing about being seven?

 C: Well, I just turned seven, so I don't know yet. I'm older?

 M: Which would you rather be, a carrot or a fish?

 C: Fish. Are we almost done?

 M: Why?

 C: A carrot isn't alive. Boring!

 M: What does Dad do all day?

 C: He works.

 M: What does Mom do all day?

 C: You take care of us.

 

 (Birthday Legos. You got to open presents at specific times during the day. Mimi brought you your favorite lunch - a McDonald's happy meal.)

 M: What is your favorite thing in the whole wide world?

 C: God, if you are including the Heavens. My family if you aren't. But are we almost done with these questions?

 M: Almost. What is your favorite restaurant?

 C: A seafood place. I love shrimp!

 

 (Snap Circuits. He LOVES this!)

 M: Tell me about God.

 C: He looks like us because we were created in His image. He loves us.

 

(He asked for a Minecraft cake. I'm not a decorator, but Ansley and I worked on this and thought it turned out pretty cute.)

(He chose Cheddar's for dinner with us and Mimi, of course, and then we all came back home for birthday cake.)

(Blowing out his candles.)

I can hardly believe my baby boy is seven! Christian is funny, sensitive, smart, tender-hearted and loving. He loves his family, friends, Legos, Minecraft, and drawing. He is a jokester, and gets upset if he feels like you are angry with him. He is extremely thoughtful, and loves to leave notes and drawings for his family. He loves math (and is very good at it), and doesn't love reading. For the record, he says he will still hold my hand when walking through a store when he's 13, and I'm holding him to that. He also wants to live next-door to us when he grows up, and go to UT so he can be near his family. I love this boy!

Happy Birthday, Christian. We adore you!

Weekend Cabin Getaway

We gave Ansley several choices of things to do for her 10th birthday (birthday party, sleepover) and she chose a weekend at a cabin with her family. We haven't done this since Christian's birthday several years ago, but I really love it! It's nice to get away from it all, the kids love staying in a cabin, and there is so much to do in and around Gatlinburg so we are keeping busy.

John took a half a day on Friday, so we headed out shortly after lunch. We went to the cabin first because the kids love exploring a new cabin! But then we headed out to go for a hike up to Grotto Falls. It's so pretty, and you get to walk behind the waterfall, which is really cool.

Avery started off walking, and she did really well, but eventually John ended up carrying her in a pack on his back. She didn't mind, and the other two did great on the almost 3 mile roundtrip hike.

We planned on going out to eat, but the kids were really excited to get back to the cabin. So, we compromised and got Cracker Barrel to go and took it back. It was yummy! Since Christian and I were still in recovery mode from the stomach bug, we were going easy, and it hit the spot!

Ansley's two requests were my chocolate chip cookies and a family movie night. So, I had packed up all the ingredients to make the cookies.

Everyone loves to help! Mostly they love to help eat the cookie dough, but still, they were helping.

Then we enjoyed some cookies and watched The Croods. It was a very cute movie!

All three of the kids slept in one bed, and slept well. It's really handy for them to all be able to sleep together!

The next morning we headed to Dollywood (after making a seriously delicious breakfast of sausage and eggs that we brought with us.)

John and Ansley rode the Wild Eagle right away. Christian really wanted to pan for gemstones - he loves this! And Avery absolutely loves the little toddler rides!

She was all smiles on this ride!

We enjoyed the afternoon here, riding some rides and walking around.

We stopped and ate dinner at a local place, and then headed back to the cabin, where we enjoyed the hot tub.

Christian loved sorting his gemstones.

The next morning we got up and headed to Flapjack's for pancakes (Ansley's request). We walked around the outlets for a little bit, and then headed back home.

It was a very fun and enjoyable weekend!

The Ten Year Old Interview

Ansley turned ten on September 15, which is the day after we got home from the beach, which is why this is so late. We are entering the double digits now, and I'm not sure I'm prepared. I always get a little weepy at the passing of time, even though I really wouldn't want to go back to two or five or eight year old Ansley because I so enjoy the girl that she is becoming.

{Always birthday streamers. I wish I could remember when I started this, but needless to say, my kids look forward to it every year on their birthday. And this year, they all had to walk through the streamers!}

And of course, the birthday tradition since she was three, the Birthday Interview. On with the interview!

M(ama): What do you want to be when you grow up?

A(nsley): A Mom. (Oh, this brings me great joy. This is the first year she has said this, and it delights me. I like to think that it's because I make it appealing to her, but I don't know if that's the case.)

M: What is your favorite thing God made?

A: Outside. (This is very true. She LOVES being outside!)

M: What is your favorite activity?

A: Baking, making scrapbooks with Mom, reading about animals, or making things with Dad.

M: What is your favorite animal?

A: Cats. Dogs. Cheetahs. Bluebirds.

M: What is your favorite bug?

A: Butterflies.

M: What is your favorite thing to do with Daddy?

A: Build things. He helps me learn things. (Ouch, says the Mama-teacher who teaches all day.)

M: What is your favorite thing to do with Mama?

A: Bake things. Play board games.

M: How many kids do you think you will have?

A: Four. Two boys and two girls. (Interesting. This is exactly what she said last year.)

M: Will you get married?

A: Yes.

(Birthday donuts. Ten candles. I love traditions, and I love my sweet ten year old!)

M: What is your favorite thing to do with Christian?

A: Play Legos, dollhouse, tag, or jump on the trampoline.

M: What is your favorite thing to do with Avery?

A: Airplane, piggy back, or horsie.

M: Who is your favorite friend?

A: Paige.

M: Who is your second favorite friend?

A: Avery (This is our 10 year old neighbor, not her sister.)

(We went to Mimi's for her birthday dinner, where Mimi made pot roast - her favorite - and I made the birthday cake.)

M: What do you dislike?

A: Spaghetti. And I'm not crazy about pink lemonade.

M: What is your favorite song?

A: Bond. And La De Da (from Seeds of Worship CD.)

M: How old is Dad?

A: 44

M: How old is Mom?

A: 38. (Wow these questions aren't as interesting when she knows the right answer!)

(Ansley LOVES cookie dough, so I made her this cookie dough cake. She thought it was delicious!)

M: What is your favorite day?

A: Friday.

M: What is your favorite snack?

A: Homemade cookies that you make. Cookie dough cake. And the cookies Mimi and I make when I go to her house.

M: What is your favorite place to go?

A: Wasabi and Hibachi. (She has an obsession with Japanese food.)

(Ansley's gifts. She also got some purple UGG boots that aren't pictured.)

M: What is your favorite memory from this past year?

A: My birthday.

M: What is the best thing about being ten?

A: Nothing. I look the same, everything's the same, the number just moves up. (I know my favorite thing is the hormones that appear!)

M: Which would you rather be, a carrot or a fish?

A: Fish.

M: Why?

A: Because a carrot would get eaten.

M: What does Dad do all day?

A: Work.

M: What does Mom do all day?

A: Cook. And clean. And take care of us.

(This year was the first year that it was also very much a friend birthday. She received so many calls and texts from friends, as well as friends coming by and dropping off gifts. Her sweet friend Grace Elizabeth brought her a gift at church that morning with this card. So cute!)

M: What is your favorite thing in the whole wide world?

A: My family. (Mine too.)

M: What is your favorite subject?

A: Math. (See above on hormones. At ten, you learn sarcasm.)

M: What is your least favorite subject?

A: I don't have one. (See above.)

M: What is your favorite toy?

A: My dollhouse - I like realistic things.

M: What are you most looking forward to?

A: Using all my birthday gifts.

M: What is your favorite restaurant?

A: Wasabi. I think I already said that.

M: Tell me about Jesus.

A: He can do anything. He is powerful. He helps us. He loves me. He made me.

(This is from her sweet friend Paige, who came by that afternoon.)

(That evening we enjoyed a birthday fire in our backyard.)

We are so thankful for all that Ansley brings to our family! She is extremely helpful and service oriented, she makes friends everywhere we go, she is sensitive and loving, and we are blessed to watch her grow. I know that we are entering the alien years, as some say, but I am confident with much prayer and the guidance, love and affection that we have shown her the past ten years, we will not just survive but will be challenged and grow together in the year (and years) that lie ahead.

We so love you, Ansley! Happy Tenth Birthday!

(You can click here to see Ansley's Nine Year Interview, or if you want to go way back click here to see Ansley's Four Year Interview.)