Birthday Beauties

For her birthday party, AJ opted for a sleepover with 3 of her closest friends.  On the one hand it is so nice to have girls who are a little older and don't require a parent for constant supervision.  On the other hand I was amazed by how much noise and craziness 4 pre-teen girls can make.  Whew.

Anyway.  We started the sleepover by making individual pizzas and then did presents and cake.  AJ requested a marble cake and wanted to decorate it herself.  I was so happy to comply.

Her friends know her well.  She got a cheetah lamp, a BFF picture holder, a temporary tattoo sprayer, decorate your own flip-flops, and a hair beader.  Can you tell how much fun they had just opening presents?!  They are all FULL of personality.

After that the girls headed downstairs and entertained themselves doing make-up and playing Just Dance 2 on the Wii. 

Then in an effort to help them settle down, I gave them each a mini facial.  We washed off their make-up and then I put cucumbers on their eyes and applied mud masks.  While the masks were drying they each got a little neck massage.  They did settle down quite a bit for the facials and were really cute about it.  They kept making comments like, "Wow, this is really relaxing," and "My face has never felt so clean; I think I can feel my pores clearing out," with a reply of  "Yeah I think I won't have any more zits after this." One friend said, "This feels really good.  How does your mom know how to do this?"  AJ's reply, "Because she's awesome!"  

Then one of the girls said, "Let's all hold hands; I read online that can really help people relax."  Admittedly I had to stifle a few giggles throughout this whole process; good thing their eyes were covered so they couldn't see me smiling.

The hot wash cloths may have been their favorite part of the whole thing.  Lot's of exclamations of delight as I put them on their faces and then wiped away the mask.

After facials I set up a popcorn bar and they settled down for a movie with their snacks.  If only they had fallen asleep then... instead they were up ALL. NIGHT. LONG.  Oh well, when has sleep ever been part of a slumber party anyway?

Here is AJ the next afternoon, making up for all of the fun she had the night before...

Birthday celebration

Presents at breakfast...

 She chose to have dinner at Jason's Deli.  The kids love their gluten-free grilled cheese sandwiches (and AP LOVES their deli pickles).

 The self-serve ice cream is their absolute favorite thing at Jason's though.

 D sporting a birthday hat from his cousin's party the Friday before.  

Finishing up with some giggles over Daddy's antics

Farm Fun

Wheeler Farm...

The sign says:  Please do not feed your fingers to the horses.  Ha!

Singing Time

Wagon Ride

Seriously.  The name tag is more interesting than the goats

Tractor drive (just pretending)

There were a bunch of ducks under that wagon until D tried to get close.  He wasn't happy that they scattered with his approach.

"Maybe I want to feed the geese..."

"Actually I think I don't"

Eleven Joyful Years!

Happy birthday to my darling daughter!  she is eleven years old today and what a wonderful eleven years it has been!  I included this picture (taken when she was a year old) because it is one of my absolute favorites (I loved her in that orange dress), and the title "Joy" fits her so well.  In fact, her middle name nearly became Joy because (especially compared to delivery number one) her birth was bliss (amazing what a difference an epidural and only a few hours of labor can do).  She brought with her a sweet and peaceful kind of happy that was such a blessing to our family and I am grateful everyday to have her for a daughter.  She has always been an independent little soul, and I have often commented that she was born older than her years accounted for.   She is dependable, kind, strong and very much "my joy and my heart's delight."  We are excited to celebrate her today!