Celebrating

Happy 12th Birthday to our sweet girl!

Happy 10th Birthday Marney

On Sunday, our family gathered to celebrate Marney's 10th birthday. Our sweet girl is growing and changing in so many beautiful ways. I feel so blessed to be her Mother, and look forward to the next 10 years and beyond.

A homemade cake, yum!

A new pillow case from Grandma. Yeah!

Yes, I still like Barbie dolls. (and Mom's glad I'm not in a hurry to grow up just yet!)

How could I forget the dollhouse furniture from Grammy!

Leah's favorite spot at family gatherings. I think there is a picture of her and I at every birthday party since she joined our family. Lucky Aunt Jill!

Make a wish baby girl, if you can dream it, you can do it!

Happy Birthday Marney, We love you.

TKD Testing

The girls both tested this past week for their next level Tae Kwon Do belt.  They were promoted to 4th geup.  Tests are always fun to go watch.  We see them in class doing their thing week after week, but on test night, with their nervous energy going, they really shine.  I'm always amazed by how hard they work, how much they have to remember and how far they have come.

Congratulations on your accomplishment girls!

Marney's "Laura" Dress

Marney loves her new "Laura" dress (Thanks Grandma!) and Charlotte doll. She has hardly taken it off. She even wore it to Tae Kwon Do. Dad was in charge that night, need I say more? When Jim asked her if she was going to leave her bonnet up when they got to TKD, she said, "no Dad, that would be weird." I'm glad she does have some level of embarrasment, even if her bar is set a little higher (lower?) than most.

Madeline offered to make Marney's birthday cake. It turned out really yummy, and cute, in a technicolor way. Thanks Madeline, you are a great big sister.

Our Marney Girl, AKA, "Laura Ingalls"

I love this girl...

(The terrific 2's)

She is a free spirit, strong willed, and smart. Not always an easy combination to parent, but never boring. She has given us a run for our money on more than one occasion, and also given us some of our funniest family memories.

(The ever present blanket)

She is kind and caring. Always willing to look out for the little ones. She carries them everywhere. I know she will be Joseph's best friend, and fiercest protector.

She climbs trees better than any boy I've seen, and prefers to be barefoot. She remembers everything she hears, verbatim, and is happy to remind you what you said 2 days ago, just in case you forgot.

(Our sweet girl)

Marney is about to turn 9. We look forward to celebrating her birthday. Madeline is making her cake, and we are having a small gathering of family at our house.

Her latest obsession is anything having to do with "Little House on the Prairie." Marney has read and/or listened to every book in the "Little House" series, and wants to learn to play the fiddle like Pa. She has been wearing her "Laura" dress around for weeks, yes, even in public. Hopefully this phase will pass, but if she goes off to college and is recruited by the Branch Davidian, we cannot say we had no warning.

She is asking for a new "Laura" dress and apron, a Charlotte doll, and books about Laura's life for her birthday.

Today on our visit to the library we found the DVD's of the television series, and drug them home. The girls are very excited to watch them. (and to finally get a little TV time).

I would love to be able to see the picture of the Ingalls family that Marney has conjured up in her imagination after all the reading/listening she has done. I hoped that seeing the characters on TV did not ruin this for her, as it often can.

Commentary so far...

"That doesn't look anything like Laura. Look at her teeth! Laura had straight teeth." Ummmm, probably not, but I won't burst her bubble.

"She didn't really like Johnny Johnson, the real Laura wouldn't be so interested in boys."

...I really, really love this girl.

The girls test for their 9th Gup

Go girls! They are really enjoying TKD. I love that they can all do the same activity. Keep up the good work!

Braces!

Marney (8) got her braces and palate expander today! She was such a champ through the long slightly uncomfortable appointment. She picked purple and blue bands, cute!

Her teeth are feeling a little achy this afternoon, and her Mother is feeling old for some reason. :)