Miss Grace

Last year it was double digits.....this year she's a 'tween'.
Started a new school this year, got her braces off and has had the health talk from her wonderful teacher and had 'the talk' with Mommy as well.....and yes, Mommy survived and i think Grace has finally come out of shock.  But hey, that's the way we want it to be.  Shocking, mortifying and gross!  At least for a few more years.  Right?  Oh, it's been a big year and i know there are many more bigger years to come, but right now, i will cherish that she is still immature and very 'green' when it comes to the world.  I would love to keep her in a safe little bubble for just a little bit longer.....

We had her friend party the day before her actual birthday.  She wanted another sleepover and this Mamma couldn't handle another one of those.  We had tears at the last sleepover and i have enough tears and drama with my girls and didn't want to have to experience that again because it's not very nice to tell little girls you don't know very well to, 'get over it and buck up....you think this is bad...wait until jr. high and high school'!  But guess what, we still had a little drama.  Hmmm...how have i not figured out that this just comes with he territory of having girls? :-)

We started off roller skating at Rollin' 253 and then headed over to Odyssey to play games and have pizza.  We ended the day with frozen yogurt at the Freeze.  Yes, everyone was exhausted....not because of all we did, but because it was so much FUN!  Grace has chosen a sweet group of girls to hang around....minus the drama. :-)

What do you get an eleven year old for her birthday?  Or should i say, what did her Daddy get her for her birthday?  The princess asked for a turtle....yes, a TURTLE and guess what the princess got?  A TURTLE!  They've become really creative with their choice of pets since their Mommy is allergic to just about everything else. :-)
Jeff found it on Craigslist.  A boy was heading off to college and didn't want to take it with him.  I should've taken a picture of the family who brought us the turtle.  No offense, but don't you picture a lanky little guy with coke bottle glasses selling a turtle?  Right?  Nope!  Big old football player boy.  Too cute and so unexpected.

Tonight she is headed to have a dinner date with Dad and some of her birthday money is burning a hole in her pocket so they are stopping at Toys R Us to waste find a treasure with her money.  After that we are all headed to Madagascar 3 and i will be going to bed tonight hearing the zebra singing, "Dat-dat-data-data-dat-dat-data-data-dat-dat-afro-circus-afro-circus-afro-polka-polka-dot-afro" over and over and over and over because for some odd reason my girls think that is funny.  :-)

Happy Birthday Grace!  You are an amazing little girl.  You have a heart of gold!  Stay true to who YOU are, because remember....everyone else is taken!
Eleven years ago, you restored my hope and fulfilled our dreams of becoming parents.  Your life...brought me back to life!
If you missed Grace's birth story, you can find it here.

9 months old
This literally was just yesterday.....
She was a chunky-monkey and don't you just want to nibble on her cheeks and arms?

I thought i was 'with it' but i am not getting this style of shirt the girl wear???

Crazy and Cute!

Odyssey fun!

Look what cousin Hannah gave her for her birthday?  Cool or what?

Her friends decorated the chalkboard at the Freeze.

Birthday Donut!

Birthday cupcakes!

Besides the turtle she got a badminton set.  This birdie really works!

Yup he's stinky....but he's kind of cute and love that he doesn't make any noise!

Summer coolness....

Christmas braces....can you see the green and red?

Love you pretty girl!